The Senate of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) established the Priority Programme “Polymer-Based Batteries” (SPP 2248). The programme is designed to run for six years. The present call invites proposals for the second three-year funding period.

Amongst the different energy storage systems/batteries, polymer-based batteries represent an emerging technology. They feature interesting properties like a light weight, printability, flexibility as well as charging within few minutes (down to even seconds). Such polymer-based batteries can be fabricated utilising organic polymers without the requirement for other critical raw materials. The well-defined structure of organic/polymer materials offers reliable structure-property relationships, and, thus, a well controllable and tuneable electrochemical behaviour can be achieved. In continuation of the first funding period, the SPP aims at the elucidation of structure-property relationships, the design and synthesis of novel active materials, which will result in polymer-based batteries that feature enhanced properties. These properties can include, for instance, higher capacities, a longer lifetime over many cycles as well as a higher rate performance.

Therefore, the research within this SPP will be divided into

• modelling for the identification of promising materials,
• understanding of the occurring (redox) processes as well as possible side reactions,
• the design and synthesis of redox-active polymers,
• the development of novel electrolytes,
• detailed characterisation in order to shed light on the processes occurring in the composite mixtures that are used as the battery electrodes (particularly by in situ and in operando characterisation techniques).

There are three main pillars of the planned research activities: modelling, synthesis of the materials (i.e. redox-active polymers, electrolytes, carbon-rich materials) and characterisation (from the level of the materials over electrodes to full cells). Preferably, consortia of two or three principal investigators should form and cover at least two of these research fields in their joint proposal. For instance, modelling and characterisation projects should be linked to a synthetic partner. At least one half cell of a polymer-based battery should be the central core of the corresponding projects – the study of full cells is not mandatory (the half cells can be tested utilising metal-based electrodes, e. g., Li, Na, Zn). Projects devoted to bringing polymer-based batteries closer to application (e. g., Internet of Things, sensor systems, smart packing) are also highly encouraged. The participation of young research groups in the consortia is greatly encouraged.

The priority programme is focused on “solid” polymer-based batteries, i. e. the following topics will be excluded:

• Pure optimisation studies of other (non-polymeric) electrodes (e. g. Si-anodes) in combination with “standard”/established polymer electrodes (e. g. poly(TEMPO))
• Organic redox flow batteries
• Polymer redox flow batteries
• Polymer electrolytes for any (e. g. Li, Na or other) metal-ion batteries (without any polymer-based active materials)

Proposals must be written in English and submitted to the DFG by 28 June 2023. Please note that proposals can only be submitted via elan, the DFG’s electronic proposal processing system.

Applicants must be registered in elan prior to submitting a proposal to the DFG. If you have not yet registered, please note that you must do so by 14 June 2023 to submit a proposal under this call; registration requests received after this time cannot be considered. You will normally receive confirmation of your registration by the next working day. Note that you will be asked to select the appropriate Priority Programme call during both the registration and the proposal process.

If you wish to submit a proposal for a new project within the existing Priority Programme, please go to Proposal Submission – New Project – Priority Programmes and select “SPP 2248” from the current list of calls. Previous applicants can submit a proposal for the renewal of an existing project under Proposal Submission – Proposal Overview/Renewal Proposal.

Please send a copy of the title and summary of your final proposal by e-mail to the coordinator Professor Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert.

When preparing your proposal, please review the programme guidelines (DFG form 50.05, section B) and follow the proposal preparation instructions (DFG form 54.01). These forms can either be downloaded from our website or accessed through the elan portal. Note that as of 1 March 2023, the use of the new DFG form for CVs (DFG form 53.200) is mandatory.

The review colloquium for the Priority Programme will be held on 14/15 September 2023 in Jena.

Further Information

More information on the Priority Programme is available under:

• www.spp2248.uni-jena.de/en

The elan system can be accessed at:

• https://elan.dfg.de/en

DFG forms 50.05 and 54.01 can be downloaded at:

• www.dfg.de/formulare/50_05
• www.dfg.de/formulare/54_01

DFG template for CVs can be downloaded at:

• www.dfg.de/formulare/53_200_elan

For scientific enquiries please contact the Priority Programme coordinator:

• Professor Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert
  Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
  Institut für Organische Chemie und Makromolekulare Chemie
  Humboldtstraße 10
  07743 Jena
  phone +49 3641 948200
  ulrich.schubert@uni-jena.de

Questions on the DFG proposal process can be directed to:

Programme contact:

• Dr. Ilka Paulus
  phone +49 228 885-2021
  ilka.paulus@dfg.de

Administrative contact:

• Angelika Spahn
  phone +49 228 885-2440
  angelika.spahn@dfg.de