Announcements
23 July 2025
Batteries Best Paper Award Announcement and Interview with One of the Winners—Mr. Steffen Link
All papers published in 2023 in Batteries (ISSN: 2313-0105) were considered for the Batteries 2023 Best Paper Award. After a thorough evaluation of the originality and significance of the papers, as well as their citations and downloads, the winner was selected:
“Trends in Automotive Battery Cell Design: A Statistical Analysis of Empirical Data”
by Steffen Link, Christoph Neef and Tim Wicke
Batteries 2023, 9(5), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries9050261
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/9/5/261
The winners will receive CHF 100 and a chance to publish a paper free of charge after peer review in Batteries in 2025.
Information about authors:
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Name: Mr. Steffen Link Biography: Mr. Steffen Link graduated in Industrial Engineering and Management from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Since 2020, he has been a researcher in the Department of Energy Technology and Energy Systems at the Fraunhofer ISI in Karlsruhe, Germany. His research focuses on battery technologies and the decarbonization of road transport. He is currently pursuing his PhD on the techno-economic feasibility of battery-electric trucks in Europe at the KIT Institute of Electrical Engineering (ETI). |
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Name: Dr. Christoph Neef Biography: Dr. Christoph Neef is a senior scientist and project manager at the Fraunhofer ISI in Karlsruhe, Germany. His work focuses on the analysis of new technologies and emerging markets in the fields of energy storage, nano-materials, and smart production. He obtained his PhD in solid-state physics at Heidelberg University, working on novel cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries and related synthesis techniques. |
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Name: Mr. Tim Wicke Biography: Mr. Tim Wicke graduated in Chemical and Process Engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Since 2021, he has been a researcher in the Department of Emerging Technologies at the Fraunhofer ISI in Karlsruhe, Germany. His research focuses on battery technologies and process engineering. He is currently pursuing his PhD on the techno-economic assessment of battery production processes at the KIT. |
The following is an interview with Mr. Steffen Link:
Background and Inspiration
1. Could you introduce yourself or your research group?My name is Steffen Link, and I am a researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) in Karlsruhe, Germany. Our institute is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions across various domains, including technology and innovation management, sustainable development, and the analysis of economic and technological trends. We support decision-making processes in politics, industry, and society through our applied research and consulting services. The two departments involved—Emerging Technologies and Energy Technology and Energy Systems—collaborate closely in the rapidly evolving battery market and ecosystem, covering topics such as demand forecasting, supply chain analysis, the assessment of technology potential, optimization of production processes, the exploration of alternative battery technologies beyond lithium-ion, and the assessment of battery-related applications for both mobile and stationary use cases.
2. Please share what inspired your research?The research behind our award-winning paper was motivated by a desire to gather a comprehensive set of near-industry information and practical insights. By publishing this paper, we aimed to empower the battery community with the latest and most relevant data from the electrode level to the cell level and the pack level, addressing a critical challenge faced by battery researchers and engineers, namely, a lack of data availability. This limitation hinders the effective development of innovative solutions and the efficient advancement of battery technologies, which are essential for boosting electrification and decarbonization and enhancing sustainability.
Publishing Experience
3. Why did you choose to publish with Batteries, and how was your experience?We chose to publish with Batteries due to its rapid publication process and strong reputation in the field of battery technology, ensuring that our research reached a relevant audience. Our experience was positive; the thorough review by three reviewers provided valuable feedback and enhanced the paper, making the process both fair and challenging.
Research Process and Challenges
4. What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing this paper, and how did you overcome it?The biggest challenge we faced while writing this paper was managing its extensive scope, which encompassed multiple topics, ranging from electrodes and components to cell-level and pack-level analyses. Here, finding the right balance between broad coverage and depth of content to obtain a comprehensive understanding was crucial. Additionally, we needed to systematically gather all relevant data points and navigate the publication of sensitive data points while preserving confidentiality.
5. How did feedback during your research influence your direction?The feedback helped us to achieve the right balance between broad coverage and depth of content, ensuring that we addressed the key topics without overwhelming the reader, refining our focus, and enhancing the overall clarity.
6. What are the current challenges in the battery research field, and how can they be addressed?Battery research faces key challenges such as boosting energy density, cutting charging times, extending lifespan, improving safety, and reducing costs. Sustainability is also a concern due to the reliance on scarce or toxic materials. Solutions include exploring alternative chemistries or even alternative battery technologies—like solid-state, lithium–sulfur, and sodium-ion batteries—advancing nanomaterials and battery and thermal management systems, and recycling to enable safer, more efficient, and sustainable use of circular batteries.
Teamwork and Collaboration
7. What role did you play in your research team, and how did teamwork affect the paper’s outcome?As the lead author, I coordinated the research efforts and structured the overall framework of the paper. I delegated chapter content based on each team member’s expertise, ensuring the efficient use of our strengths. This division and collaboration were essential—without it, completing our comprehensive paper within a limited period of time would have been extremely difficult.
Future Insights
8. What trends and technologies do you see shaping the future of battery technology?Key trends shaping the future of battery technology include the rise of alternative chemistries such as solid-state, lithium–sulfur, and sodium-ion batteries. I would also expect a stronger differentiation between low-cost, lower-performance batteries and high-performance, premium solutions tailored to specific applications. Additionally, and particularly for Europe, an increasing focus on circularity, recycling, and local supply chains will be critical for enhancing its sovereignty and competitiveness in the global battery market.
Advice and Impact
9. What impact do you hope your research will have, and what key innovation do you see in your paper?I hope that our research contributes by providing up-to-date, near-industry data and insights that support informed decision-making in battery development. The key innovation lies in enhancing transparency—offering a clear, structured overview and distinct KPI that fill the gap between academic research and industrial application.
