Since the climate protection goals play an important role in the traffic sector as well, the future-oriented research policy strongly focuses on electrical mobility. Using energy from renewable sources opens up new paths and options for electromobility. Whether lithium batteries or hydrogen fuel cells will win the race is impossible to tell at this point. The innumerable strategic projects around "tomorrow's car" are keeping researchers and scientists busy around the world.

The requirements for future power sources are enormous: absolute reliability at different ambient temperatures, low costs, long service lives, high cycle strength or short charging times. There are various challenges to be mastered for these new technologies to become established on the market.

The challenge for the industry: The research of new functional materials for batteries and fuel cells requires high temperatures.

Scientists research and develop new combinations of anodes, cathodes and electrolytes in order to offer optimal material properties. The goal is not only the acquisition of cost-efficient components, but also improvement of safety monitoring of the electrical drive.

Many laboratory tests are needed to test the chemical processes in batteries and fuel cells. The thermal treatment (sintering and firing) of fuel cell components, such as yttrium-stabilised zirconia YSZ, needs temperatures between 1000°C and 1400°C.

Furthermore, reliable thermal insulation is under development. One of the most important tasks of the "hot box" is shielding the high temperature of the "SOFC stacks". The lithium batteries therefore pose an increased risk of fire.

Independent of the process step, all components must be reviewed for any imaginable operating condition and fault status. Diverse tests are performed in the R&D laboratories and institutes in order to offer economically efficient materials and solutions for series-capable production processes.

The solution for the industry: Application-specific products, components and systems for the demanding requirements in research and development of modern technical materials.

The many surveys on the subject of batteries and fuel cells search for innovative material, process or system-technical solutions. For example, the development of thermal insulation considers geometries of the insulation, insulating properties and the material. Depending on the application, special ultra-lightweight and optimally insulating products of high-temperature wool (HTIW), such as polycrystalline mullite/alumina wool (PCW) are a more beneficial solution. PCW material has an outstanding, near-unlimited thermal shock resistance (TSR).

In addition to the already-listed requirements on the end products, the thermal conditions in firing and sintering furnaces play a decisive role in the development of anodes, cathodes and electrolytes. By commissioning of its own vacuum forming system, SCHUPP^® Ceramics has produced PCW boards, tubes and other shapes parts since early 2018, which are sold under the name UltraBoard and UltraVac. UltraVac insulation materials can be used to deliver complete furnace linings for your firing and sintering furnaces ready for installation.

The result: SCHUPP® Ceramics is a competent partner for your high-temperature processes in research and development.

High-temperature processes play a very important role in development and application of modern materials for the automotive engineering of the future.

As an established specialist for high-temperature technology up to 1800°C, SCHUPP^® Ceramics supplies customised components from the tried and tested standard product for the firing process control to the individual special production for electric heating or thermal insulation. In the high-temperature processes that are critical for your production of batteries and fuel cells, we will gladly help you plan, design and optimise your tests.