Prof. Stefan Kaskel, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at TUD Dresden University of Technology, together with Dr. Benjamin Schumm and Dr. Holger Althues from the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS in Dresden, have developed a revolutionary process that enables the cost-efficient and environmentally friendly production of battery electrodes: DRYtraec® – a patented technology with great future potential. For this achievement, the three scientists were awarded the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize 2025 at the Fraunhofer Annual Conference on June 4, 2025.

At a time when electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems are playing a key role in the climate-neutral future of the energy industry, the sustainable production of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) is essential. A research team led by Dr. Benjamin Schumm, Dr. Holger Althues, and Prof. Stefan Kaskel has developed DRYtraec® (dry transfer electrode coating), a novel battery cell production process that completely eliminates the use of toxic solvents and saves on the energy- and cost-intensive drying of electrode layers.

© Fraunhofer_Piotr Banczerowski

Electrodes are a central component of every battery and usually consist of a metal foil covered with a thin coating. The coating contains the active components responsible for energy storage. Instead of applying a liquid coating (slurry) and then drying it, as is usually the case, DRYtraec® technology involves applying a dry powder mixture directly to the metal foil by mechanical means. A special roller device processes the particles and bonds them securely—without any energy-intensive drying. This allows both sides of the film to be coated in a single step. The electrodes produced in this way are powerful and durable—and significantly more resource-efficient.

The technology is based on a unique scientific and methodological approach, which led to the construction of the world's first prototype system in 2013. Since then, the technology has been continuously developed. The system enables continuous process control and the production of high-quality electrodes using a roll-to-roll process. "We have created a Research and Development platform for DRYtraec® that offers industrial customers along the value chain a wide range of services, from testing to transfer to commercial use. Licensing the technology to a leading company in the European automotive industry paves the way for further scaling up to mass production," explains Dr. Holger Althues, Division Manager Battery Materials at Fraunhofer IWS.

Stefan Kaskel has been Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at TUD since 2004 and has been working part-time at Fraunhofer IWS since 2008, where he now heads the Battery Technology Division. He attributes the development of the award-winning technology to the close cooperation between TUD and Fraunhofer IWS, between basic and applied research:

"The collaboration between Fraunhofer and TU Dresden leads to incredible synergies in research, teaching, and transfer. It thrives on the personal commitment and idealism of all those involved. The opportunity to develop a real product from a scientific idea is equally fascinating and inspiring for students, doctoral candidates, and professors. Applied and basic research are not opposites; they enrich each other. The fact that the excellent cooperation between Fraunhofer and TU Dresden via the research alliance DRESDEN-concept is so valuable is ultimately also demonstrated by the scientific backgrounds of the two other award winners – Dr. Holger Althues and Dr. Benjamin Schumm, who both successfully defended their dissertations at TU Dresden before taking up senior positions at Fraunhofer IWS."

Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize

Since 1978, the Fraunhofer Society has awarded the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize annually to its employees for outstanding scientific achievements in solving application-oriented problems. Criteria for the research prize include the novelty of the scientific-methodological approach, the advancement of knowledge, and the implementation of scientific results in applications. This year, three Joseph von Fraunhofer Prizes, each endowed with €50,000, were awarded.

Contact:

Prof. Stefan Kaskel
Chair of Inorganic Chemistry I
TUD Dresden University of Technology
Tel.: +49 351 463 4567
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