PREDICTOR — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network on High-Throughput Electrochemistry
PREDICTOR is a European Doctoral Network funded under Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. Fraunhofer ICT coordinates the network, in which 17 doctoral researchers are trained in high-throughput methods for electrochemical materials discovery. The network develops automated experimentation, data-driven screening and machine-learning-supported characterisation to accelerate the development of new materials for redox flow batteries and other electrochemical energy storage systems. More information: www.rfb-predictor.eu
Funding: Horizon Europe, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Doctoral Network) · Coordinator: Fraunhofer ICT (Jens Noack) · Partners: Fraunhofer ICT and Fraunhofer SCAI (FhG), Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Software for Chemistry & Materials (SCM), University of Turku, CNRS, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), University of Cambridge, Enerox (CellCube) and Accelerated Materials · Associated partners: ZHAW Zurich, hte GmbH, University of Bayreuth, Harvard University, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, UNSW Sydney, Shell, Golin, RWTH Aachen, University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, Ghent University and Université de Picardie Jules Verne · Project start: 2024
SPACER — Shaping Porous Electrode Architecture for Redox-Flow Batteries
SPACER is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement 101226997) and coordinated by Fraunhofer ICT. 17 doctoral researchers develop novel architectures for porous electrodes in redox flow batteries, aiming at a 20–30 % increase in power density and up to 50 % lower cost while achieving energy efficiencies above 85–90 %. The work spans modelling, advanced manufacturing (3D printing, stereolithography, textile technologies) and validation with the industrial partner Pinflow Energy Storage. More information: www.rfb-spacer.eu
Funding: European Union, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (GA 101226997) · Coordinator: Fraunhofer ICT · Partners: Chalmers University of Technology, Elestor BV, Pinflow Energy Storage, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, University of Innsbruck, University of Padua, University of Stuttgart, Brno University of Technology (CEITEC), Technical University of Denmark, University of Bayreuth and Fureho AB · Associated partners: ZHAW Zurich, UNSW Sydney, University of Queensland, Bruker BioSpin, AvCarb Material Solutions, E-Storage and Golin Wissenschaftsmanagement · Project start: 2025
MultiFlow — Cost-Efficient and Sustainable Mass Production of RFB Stacks
MultiFlow aims to produce redox-flow-battery stacks in a largely automated and sustainable way. The focus is on organic redox flow batteries, whose manufacture is currently manual or only partially automated. The project transfers production to roll-to-roll and roll-to-piece approaches to increase manufacturing capacity and ensure reproducible product quality. Life-cycle assessment, eco-design and techno-economic analysis ensure sustainable and energy-efficient production including recycling approaches. At Fraunhofer ICT, the Applied Electrochemistry department contributes its expertise in redox flow batteries, while the Polymer Engineering department manufactures injection-moulded frames and bipolar plates.
Funding: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), FKZ 16BZF316F · Coordinator: Siemens Energy Global · Partners: Whitecell, Eisenhuth, OPTIMA Packaging Group, acp systems, Fraunhofer IVV, ILT, IPA, ISE · Duration: 2024 – 2027
UltraThinFlow (UTF) — Ultrathin Flow Cells and Stacks
UltraThinFlow develops ultrathin cell and stack designs for redox flow batteries to increase power density and reduce material consumption. The project combines flow-through and flow-by technologies to optimise electrolyte distribution, improving efficiency and cycling stability while reducing stack cost and material use. The project is coordinated by J. Schmalz GmbH in cooperation with Fraunhofer ICT, the University of Bayreuth and Phoenix Non Woven.
Funding: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, B@TS) · Coordinator: J. Schmalz GmbH · Partners: Fraunhofer ICT, University of Bayreuth (Prof. Christina Roth), Phoenix Non Woven · Duration: 2026 – 2029
SMHYLES — Smart Hybrid Multilevel Energy Storage Systems
SMHYLES develops innovative hybrid energy storage systems that combine different storage technologies to exploit their complementary strengths. The project investigates the combination of redox flow batteries with supercapacitors and power electronics to increase power capability and lifetime while reducing system cost. Fraunhofer ICT contributes its expertise in redox flow batteries, cell and stack design as well as system integration.
Funding: European Union, Horizon Europe (GA 101138029) · Coordinator: Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), Italy · Partners: Fraunhofer ICT and 15 partners from 9 countries · Duration: 2024 – 2027
FLOWBOOST — Boosting Performance of Redox Flow Batteries
FLOWBOOST develops technologies to significantly increase the performance of redox flow batteries. The project focuses on improved electrode architectures, advanced cell designs and innovative operating strategies to increase power density and efficiency. Fraunhofer ICT contributes AI-supported modelling and the development of an open-source battery management system. The industrial partner Pinflow Energy Storage validates the results in near-application test setups.
Funding: European Union, Horizon Europe (GA 101269251) · Coordinator: CIC energiGUNE, Spain · Partners: Fraunhofer ICT, Pinflow Energy Storage, EMPA, Arkema and further European partners · Duration: 2026 – 2029
ReBatZ — Recycling of Battery Materials for Circular Flow Battery Systems
ReBatZ investigates the recycling of battery materials for redox flow batteries to enable a circular economy. The project covers the recovery and reprocessing of electrolyte components, electrode materials and stack components, combined with a techno-economic assessment of the recycling routes. The project is coordinated by J. Schmalz GmbH in cooperation with Fraunhofer ICT.
Funding: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWE), 8th Energy Research Programme · Coordinator: J. Schmalz GmbH · Partner: Fraunhofer ICT · Duration: 2026 – 2029
Beigle — High-Performance Stack for Stationary Energy Storage
This project develops a high-performance stack for stationary energy storage applications. The work covers the design, manufacturing and testing of stack components as well as the integration into a complete storage system. The project is carried out by J. Schmalz GmbH together with Fraunhofer ICT.
Funding: Invest BW – Innovation III (Baden-Württemberg) · Coordinator: J. Schmalz GmbH · Partner: Fraunhofer ICT · Duration: 2025 – 2027
Boron-Based Energy Transition
This German-Brazilian cooperation investigates boron-based chemistry for energy applications, in particular the preparation of photoactive compounds and their use in redox flow batteries. The project combines fundamental chemistry with applied cell development and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) together with the Brazilian funding organisation CNPq.
Funding: BMBF / CNPq (Germany–Brazil) · Partners: Fraunhofer ICT and Brazilian university partners
Rebalancing Hydrogen for Advanced Iron Redox Flow Batteries
This project with the University of Queensland develops advanced iron-based redox flow battery chemistries. The focus is on rebalancing strategies to manage hydrogen evolution and maintain long-term electrolyte stability, combined with cell and stack testing. The cooperation is funded under the DAAD PPP (Project-Related Personal Exchange) programme.
Funding: DAAD PPP (Germany–Australia) · Partner: University of Queensland (Dr. Bin Luo) · Duration: 2026 – 2027