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Political instability, funding freezes, and bureaucratic hurdles are threatening Germany’s position as a global leader in science and technology. This article explores how recent disruptions within the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) are impacting transformative initiatives like T!Raum and DATI, and examines what’s at stake for Germany’s scientific future.

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Politische Instabilität, Finanzierungssperren und bürokratische Hürden bedrohen Deutschlands Position als globaler Vorreiter in Wissenschaft und Technologie. Dieser Artikel beleuchtet, wie jüngste Turbulenzen im Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) transformative Initiativen wie T!Raum und DATI beeinflussen und was dies für die Zukunft der Wissenschaft in Deutschland bedeutet.

Li,* G.; Liu, Y.; Schultz, T.; Exner, M.; Muydinov, R.; Wang, H.; Scheurell, K.; Huang, J.; Szymoniak, P.; Pinna, N.; Koch, N.; Adelhelm, P.; Bojdys,* M. J. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024. DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400382 [OPEN ACCESS]

Innovative research has brought us closer to sustainable battery technology with a breakthrough in sulfur-based cathodes. Traditionally, lithium-ion batteries—central to electronics and electric vehicles—rely on scarce materials like cobalt. Sulfur offers a greener alternative due to its abundance and impressive theoretical capacity of 1675 mAh g^-1.

A major challenge with sulfur has been the “sulfur-shuttle” effect, where sulfur’s mobility leads to rapid battery degradation. However, a recent study introduces a novel solution: encapsulating sulfur within a microporous, imine-based polymer network directly on the current collector. This one-pot synthesis approach not only streamlines production but also significantly boosts battery performance.

This innovative cathode design enables selective electrolyte and Li-ion transport while robustly containing the sulfur, delivering high performance across discharge rates—from 1360 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C to 807 mAh g^-1 at 3 C. Advanced analysis through DFT calculations and operando Raman spectroscopy has shown that the polymer’s imine groups enhance polysulfide binding, effectively reducing degradation.

This breakthrough paves the way for sulfur-based cathodes to become a viable alternative to metal-based ones, marking a significant step toward greener, high-performance battery technologies. Keep an eye on this space—sulfur could be the future of batteries!

[Press-release] ICSMB “Revolutionary development in the field of battery technology through innovative sulphur cathodes”

DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400382

Emamverdi, F.; Huang, J.; Razavi, N. M.; Bojdys, M. J.; Foster, A. B.; Budd, P. M.; Schönhals, A. Macromolecules 2024. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c02419

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking membrane technology by incorporating a novel covalent organic framework (COF), CPSF-EtO, into polymers with intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1), enhancing gas separation efficiency and membrane longevity. This innovative approach led to a significant 50% increase in carbon dioxide permeability and a 27% improvement in CO_2/N₂ selectivity, crucial for applications in carbon capture and natural gas purification. The addition of CPSF-EtO not only facilitates gas transport by creating additional free volume within the membrane but also counteracts the physical aging that typically diminishes membrane performance over time.

This advancement in membrane technology marks a significant leap forward, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for gas separation processes, with promising implications for environmental protection and resource utilization.

Emamverdi, F.; Huang, J.; Szymoniak, P.; Bojdys, M. J.; Böhning, M.; Schönhals, A. Mater. Adv. 2024. DOI: 10.1039/d3ma01123b

Scientists have identified a glass transition in amorphous covalent organic frameworks (COFs), a finding that challenges the conventional understanding of these materials. The research focused on two novel phosphinine-based COFs, distinguished by methoxy (CPSF-MeO) and ethoxy (CPSF-EtO) groups, revealing significant differences in their thermal behavior and structure.

The analysis demonstrated that CPSF-EtO transitions into a glass state at a temperature approximately 100 K higher than CPSF-MeO, attributed to the different ways in which the molecular layers stack and interact. This behavior was confirmed through both calorimetry and dielectric measurements, suggesting that these amorphous COFs exhibit glass-like properties.

This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for the application of COFs in various technologies, including gas storage and separation, by harnessing their unique structural and thermal characteristics.