4 / 2022 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS 11
in Marburg and Gießen . Energy storage and the questions that Jürgen Janek was working on seemed interesting to me . To begin with we exchanged samples , we then started joint discussions and later projects . In mid-October for example we organised a meeting with about 20 scientists from our groups . Such meetings are important as we discuss the results of our research , look for new questions or consider how to start up new projects .
What does it take to achieve successful cooperation ? Janek : It was clear to both of us from the start that the best approach would be to set long-term and ambitious goals . You have to get on with your partner and it requires trust as we want to evaluate results together so that both sides benefit . It ’ s even better if you understand one another without many words and have similar interests .
Was it like that at the beginning , that physics and chemistry could understand one another without many words ? Volz : Although we both come from the natural sciences , there are differences . At the beginning , it was challenging for us physicists that chemists always use abbreviations for battery materials . We had to learn these first . Both parties talk to one another often , approach things with humour and learn a lot from one another , which is important Janek : We had to learn at the beginning that results did not always come as quickly as we had sometimes hoped . Don ’ t forget , it took us ten years to get to this point . Not everything was easy . Since I have been coordinating the “ Fest Batt ” Cluster of Competence for the German Ministry of Education and Research , we have worked on joint projects which give us third-party funding for cooperation . This makes the cooperation more professional .
What have been the highlights of your joint research ? Volz : For a long time it was a challenge to map the lithium ion in the storage material . This ion is very small and light , but it is key for a battery because it communicates between the two electrodes . We have developed a method to make the ion visible . Now we can see for example that the battery works less well when the lithium ion is not where it should be . Janek : It was important for me that my working group could better understand structural faults in materials which prevent the rapid transport of lithium ions . From the electron microscope images we could see at the atomic level that cracks formed on the cathode during the storage process which are fatal for battery performance .
And what has made you dedicate your time to this application ? Janek : I actually consider our research to be very fundamental , because some things need time before they become relevant in practice . However , it is highly relevant to society and makes you feel competitive when you know that there are other working groups around the world
The Greve Prize of the
German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina is awarded every two years and is financed by the Helmut and Hannelore Greve Foundation for Science , Development and Culture . With an endowment of 250,000 euros , it is presented to scientists and research teams working in Germany at universities , non-university research institutes or commercial enterprises . The focus is outstanding achievements in research in the fields of “ natural sciences / medicine ” and “ technical sciences ”. The sculpture for the Greve Prize was designed by the artist Bernd Göbel from Halle ( Saale )/ Germany .
■ RED competing to solve the same problem . Volz : We are continually in the process of drawing an arc from the foundations to the application . We also owe society something , as a lot of money is being put into our research and we want to give something back . At the same time we are pleased that batteries will work better in future because of our research .
Mr Janek , you became a member of the Leopoldina this year . What do you expect from this ? Janek : The subject of energy is currently of great importance and is a controversial issue in society . As the Leopoldina has an advisory mission in politics , I hope that I can make a contribution with the results of our research .
■ THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY BENJAMIN HAERDLE
Greve Prize
The Leopoldina Greve Prize
Image : Markus Scholz | Leopoldina