Research

Major scientific interests: Electrochemistry, Materials Chemistry, Electrochemical Energy Storage, Photovoltaics

Stefano Passerini is working on the development of materials and systems for electrochemical energy storage. His research focuses on the basic understanding and development of materials for high-energy batteries and supercapacitors. The goal is to create sustainable energy storage systems from environmentally friendly and available materials and processes. He is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of ionic liquids.

Energy-efficient powerful batteries and storage systems are the prerequisites for the widespread use of renewable energies such as wind energy and photovoltaics as well as energy-efficient hybrid and electric vehicles. Stefano Passerini is working on the development of sodium-ion batteries for energy storage and electric mobility.

At present, lithium-ion batteries are mainly used as energy storage devices. However, the demand for lithium is increasing and the raw materials used, such as cobalt, are only available in limited quantities and difficult to extract from the ground. As a result, the prices of raw materials are rising. Sodium-ion batteries could be a cost-effective, ecologically friendly alternative.

In extensive research projects, Stefano Passerini and his team are developing active materials and electrolytes and produce prototypes of these new batteries. He designs current collectors that use metal conversion-alloying oxides on the cathode side and an innovative hard carbon from biomass on the anode side. Against this background, he is researching the basics of ion mobility. The findings will also be used to implement safer and more environmentally friendly lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors.

Career

• since 2023 Professor, Dipartimento di Chimica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
• 2014-2012 Professor of Physical Chemistry and Director (since 2015), Helmholtz-Institute Ulm (HIU), Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT), Germany
• 2010-2013 Professor of Physical, Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Münster, Germany
• 2009-2013 Co-Director and Co-Founder, Münster Electrochemical Energy Technology (MEET), Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Münster, Germany
• 2008-2010 Group Leader, Project Manager, Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Münster, Germany
• 1995-2007 Electrochemical Specialist Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
• 1993-1999 Senior Research Associate, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Department (CEMS), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
• 1993 PhD in Chemistry, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Italy
• 1989-1990 Researcher, ENIRICERCHE, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
• 1983 Degree in Chemistry, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Italy
• 1978 High School Degree in Chemistry, Rome, Italy

Functions

• since 2018 Coordinator, Joint Programme “Energy Storage”, European Energy Research Alliance (EERA)
• since 2018 Lecturer, “Electrochemistry”, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
• since 2017 Lecturer, Master Module “Introductory Chemistry”, University of Ulm, Germany
• 2017-2018 Past-Chair of the Electrochemical conversion & Storage Division of the International Society of Electrochemistry
• 2015-2016 Chair of the Electrochemical conversion & Storage Division, International Society of Electrochemistry
• since 2015 Editor in chief, “Journal of Power Sources”
• 2015-2017 Lecturer, Master Module “Electrochemical Energy Storage”, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
• 2013-2015 European editor, “Journal of Power Sources”
• 2011-2013 Lecturer, Master Module “Research Strategies in Chemistry”, University of Münster, Germany
• 2010-2013 Coordinator and Lecturer of the Master Module “Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion”, Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Münster, Germany
• 2009-2010 Lecturer of the course “Battery Technology”, Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Münster, Germany
• Supervision of more than 60 bachelor, master and postgraduate students: University of Minnesota; Italian Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA); University of Ulm; University of Münster (WWU); Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Projects

• 2019-2023 Member of the EU-project “Silicon Alloying Anodes for High Energy Density Batteries comprising Lithium Rich Cathodes and Safe Ionic Liquid based Electrolytes for Enhanced High VoltagE Performance (Si-Drive)”
• 2019-2022 Coordinator of the BMBF-project TRANSITION, Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT)
• since 2018 Member of the DFG-Excellence project “EXC 2154: POLiS - Post Lithium Storage Cluster of Excellence”
• since 2018 Member of the BMBF-project “FestBatt”

Honours and Memberships

• since 2023 Senior Fellow, Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT)
• since 2019 Member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• since 2016 Fellow, International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE)
• 2015-2016 Highly Cited Scientist 2015 - Thomson Reuters
• 2012 Battery Division Research Award, The Electrochemical Society
• 2012 Ort des Fortschritts 2012 - Ministry of Innovation, and Research North Rhein-Westfalia
• 2003 Scholarship: NATO Senior Fellowship