Berlin Science Award goes to Philipp Adelhelm
Prof. Dr. Philipp Adelhelm researches and develops sodium-ion batteries in the joint research group of Humboldt University Berlin and HZB. © Stefan Klenke/ HU Berlin
Battery researcher Prof. Dr. Philipp Adelhelm has been awarded the 2024 Berlin Science Award. He is a professor at the Institute of Chemistry at Humboldt University in Berlin (HU) and heads a joint research group at HU and the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB). The materials scientist and electrochemist is investigating sustainable batteries, which play a key role in the success of the energy transition. He is one of the leading international experts in the field of sodium-ion batteries.
‘We are delighted that Philipp Adelhelm has been awarded the Berlin Science Prize,’ says Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech, Scientific Director at HZB. ‘Philipp Adelhelm is pursuing bold new approaches that are very successful and are inspiring battery research in Berlin and worldwide.’
'I am delighted to receive this award in recognition of our joint work on more sustainable batteries – an interdisciplinary project that we are carrying out in Berlin across the boundaries of several scientific institutions. The further development of cost-effective and safe electricity storage systems, for example for electric vehicles, home or large-scale storage facilities, is a central element of the energy transition and security of supply. It is one of the major challenges facing chemistry and other STEM subjects. I would like to express my special thanks to my team and our cooperation partners – especially at the science location Berlin, which, with its unique density of research institutions, is an ideal place for innovative materials research," Philipp Adelhelm says.
About the award winner
Philipp Adelhelm is Professor of Physical Chemistry of Materials at the Institute of Chemistry. He is also a member of the Center for the Science of Materials Berlin (CSMB) and heads the joint research group ‘Operando Battery Analysis’ at HU Berlin and the Helmholtz Centre Berlin. Since 2025, he has also been co-spokesperson for the Berlin Battery Lab – a joint initiative of HU Berlin, HZB and BAM for the further development of sodium-ion batteries. In 2019, Philipp Adelhelm won a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC).
The Berlin Science Award
The Berlin Science Award is presented for outstanding achievements in science and research. In addition to scientific excellence, the potential for practical application of the research is also a decisive criterion. The award is endowed with 40,000 euros.
- Susanne Nies appointed to EU advisory group on Green DealDr. Susanne Nies heads the Green Deal Ukraina project at HZB, which aims to support the development of a sustainable energy system in Ukraine. The energy expert has now also been appointed to the European Commission's scientific advisory group to comment on regulatory burdens in connection with the net-zero target (DG GROW).
- HZB wins HR Energy Award 2025 for recruitment campaignThe Helmholtz Centre Berlin (HZB) is breaking new ground in attracting talented young people to IT training. HZB was presented with this year's HR Energy Award for its "Go for IT! Recruitainment for IT training" campaign. Gamification elements make the application process more attractive and fairer for young people.
- Long-term stability for perovskite solar cells: a big step forwardPerovskite solar cells are inexpensive to produce and generate a high amount of electric power per surface area. However, they are not yet stable enough, losing efficiency more rapidly than the silicon market standard. Now, an international team led by Prof. Dr. Antonio Abate has dramatically increased their stability by applying a novel coating to the interface between the surface of the perovskite and the top contact layer. This has even boosted efficiency to almost 27%, which represents the state-of-the-art. After 1,200 hours of continuous operation under standard illumination, no decrease in efficiency was observed. The study involved research teams from China, Italy, Switzerland and Germany and has been published in Nature Photonics.