Block Course

Scope and Target Group

Block Course

The Block Course “Materials, Functioning and Technology of Batteries” covers the full spectrum of electrochemical energy storage and conversion, from theory to engineering and from fundamentals to applications. The Block Course is held in two parts, one week each, usually in spring.

The EES Academy’s Block Course is open to all interested doctoral researchers, master’s students, and postdocs, regardless of their home institution. Registration is possible for each part individually. External participants are welcome to apply, subject to a participation fee.

Block Course 2026

Block Course 2026 – Dates and Venues

In 2026, the Block Course takes place in Giessen and Ulm:

Part 1: 4th to 7th May 2026 at Justus Liebig University Giessen
Participation fee for external participants is 130 €. It includes snacks, lunch, cold and warm beverages, coffee and cake during coffee breaks, dinner on the first night and a guided tour of the Liebig Museum/entry to the Mathematikum.

Part 2: 20th to 23rd October 2026 at Ulm University
The participation fee for external participants is 219 €. It includes snacks, lunch, cold and warm beverages, coffee breaks, Geocaching and one joint dinner.

Agenda Block Course 2026

TimeMonday, 4 May 2026Tuesday, 5 May 2026Wednesday, 6 May 2026Thursday, 7 May 2026
09:00-10:30Renewable Technology
Dr. Joachim Sann		Publishing / Scientific Graphs
Dr. Bjoern Luerßen		Surface Analytics in Battery Research
Prof. Dr. Marcus Rohnke
10:30-11:00Coffee BreakCoffee BreakCoffee Break
11:00-12:30ArrivalLab TourPoster Session IIGood Scientific Practice
Dr. Christian Punckt
12:30-14:00Welcome / Joint LunchLunch BreakLunch BreakLunch Break
14:00-15:30Introduction
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Janek		Electrochemical Basics
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Janek		Carbon Materials for Sustainable Energy Storage
Prof. Dr. Bernd Smarsly		Good Scientific Practice
Dr. Christian Punckt
15:30-15:45Coffee BreakCoffee BreakCoffee BreakDeparture
15:45-16:45Electrochemical Basics
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Janek		Introduction to Different Battery Chemistries Apart from Li-Ion
Prof. Dr. Linda Nazar (online)		Guided Tour
(Liebig Museum)
16:45-17:00Coffee BreakCoffee BreakGuided Tour
(Liebig Museum)
17:00-18:00Keynote Speech: “Understanding Culture, Enhancing Teamwork: Insights for Research Excellence”
Dr. Iris Wangerman		Poster Session IGuided Tour
(Liebig Museum)
18:00-20:00World Café & Joint DinnerFree eveningJoint Dinner Moto59

TimeTuesday, 20 October 2026Wednesday, 21 October 2026Thursday, 22 October 2026Friday, 23 October 2026
09:00-09:30Quo Vadis Energy
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner		Layered Materials
Dr. Simon Fleischmann		Hydrogen Technologies
Dr. Ludwig Jörissen
09:30-10:00Quo Vadis Energy
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner		Layered Materials
Dr. Simon Fleischmann		Hydrogen Technologies
Dr. Ludwig Jörissen
10:00-10:30Coffee BreakCoffee BreakHydrogen Technologies
Dr. Ludwig Jörissen
10:30-11:00Surface Analysis Method
Dr. Joachim Bansmann		Electrolytes
Prof. Dr. Dominic Bresser		Coffee Break
11:00-11:30Surface Analysis Method
Dr. Joachim Bansmann		Electrolytes
Prof. Dr. Dominic Bresser		Conclusion
apl. Prof. Dr. Christine Kranz
11:30-12:00Surface Analysis Method
apl. Prof. Dr. Christine Kranz		Molecular Framework Materials
Prof. Dr. Simon Krause		Feedback Session / Closure
Dr. Michaela Stegmann
12:00-12:30Surface Analysis Method
apl. Prof. Dr. Christine Kranz		Molecular Framework Materials
Prof. Dr. Simon Krause		End of Block Course / Departure
12:30-13:30Lunch BreakLunch Break
13:30-14:00Arrival & SnacksResearch Data
Dr. Christian Punckt		Organic Battery Materials
Prof. Dr. Birgit Esser
14:00-14:30Welcome
Prof. Dr. Simon Krause		Automation Methods in Electrochemistry
Prof. Dr. Laurence Hardwick		Organic Battery Materials
Prof. Dr. Birgit Esser
14:30-15:00Icebreaker / Introductory SessionAutomation Methods in Electrochemistry
Prof. Dr. Laurence Hardwick		Walk to LM16
15:00-15:30Icebreaker / Introductory SessionCoffee BreakCoffee / Lab Tour at LM16
15:30-16:00Coffee BreakComputational Methods in Battery Science
Prof. Dr. Axel Groß		Coffee / Lab Tour at LM16
16:00-16:30Electron Microscopy
Dr. Simon Fleischmann		Computational Methods in Battery Science
Prof. Dr. Axel Groß		Transfer to City Center
16:30-17:00EQCM
Dr. Simon Fleischmann		Inorganic Battery Materials
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner		Social Activity
17:00-17:30Analysis of Porosity
Prof. Dr. Simon Krause		Inorganic Battery Materials
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner		Social Activity
17:30-18:00In operando PXRD
Prof. Dr. Simon Krause		Inorganic Battery Materials
Prof. Dr. Mika Lindén		Social Activity
18:00Free EveningNetworking Evening (Lounge)Joint Dinner City Ulm

What participants of the Block Course say

“I learned a lot from the Block Course about fundamentals and principles of some of the research topics I am working on, I also met and connected to amazing guys at the conference which could be helpful later.”

“I liked every part of the Block Course. As there was a lot of team activities and as a new person in this field, I learned so many things that will be very helpful in the future and I enjoyed all the activities in a multicultural environment. Overall I learned a lot.”

“Refreshing my mind about the knowledge that I learnt before. Learning new concepts, increasing my network by getting to know new people in this course and having a chance to discuss the concept with others.”