Focus on lithium-ion batteries / Degussa fosters Professorship in Applied Materials Sciences for Energy Storage

Dusseldorf, Germany (ots) - Degussa AG of Dusseldorf, Germany, is
increasing its engagement in cutting-edge research by setting up a
professorship for Applied Materials Sciences for Energy Storage and
Conversion at Münster University in collaboration with Chemetall
GmbH, Frankfurt, and Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg. The intention behind
the professorship, which is unparalleled in Europe, is to establish
an internationally competitive research program on energy storage in
large-volume lithium-ion batteries. In the process, the university
and industry will be collaborating closely to drive marketable
innovations. The professorship will be equipped with total funds of
2.25 million euros for a five-year period.

Current battery technology does not offer adequate means of
storing energy in large batteries, particularly in the area of
automotive applications. However, in the field of drive technology in
particular, the trends for the next decades are clearly pointing
towards the use of electrical energy storage systems as a way of
reducing fuel consumption. The task in this respect is to improve the
energy and power density of batteries and their safety and durability
- all important prerequisites for significantly lowering the costs of
battery systems.

As the global market leader in specialty chemicals, Degussa
possesses considerable know-how in the field of lithium-ion
batteries. Its ceramic membrane separator SEPARION(R) plays a
substantial role in making lithium-ion batteries both safer and also
more powerful for large-scale applications. Such batteries can thus
be deployed in hybrid vehicles requiring up to 25 percent less fuel
than vehicles with conventional drive systems.

Excellent scientific environment

The new professorship will be set up at the Institute for Physical
Chemistry at Münster University's Department of Chemistry and
Pharmaceutics. Offering expertise in solid-state chemistry and the
material sciences as well as several collaborative research centers
and research training groups, the Department provides an excellent
scientific environment for the professorship. It was also due to its
Collaborative Research Center 458 (Ionic Motion in Materials with
Disordered Structures) and the International NRW Graduate School of
Chemistry, which attracts graduate students with excellent academic
records from all over the world, that the choice fell on Münster. In
turn the attractive new research field and increased cooperation with
industry provide the Department a promising opportunity to enhance
its national and international standing.

Please note:
Photo material is available at:
http://www.degussa.com/degussa/en/press

Degussa is the global market leader in specialty chemicals. Our
business is creating essentials-innovative products and system
solutions that make indispensable contributions to our customers'
success. In fiscal 2005 around 44,000 employees worldwide generated
sales of 11.8 billion euros and operating profits (EBIT) of 940
million euros.

Originaltext: Degussa AG
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ISIN: DE0005421903

Contact:
Hannelore Gantzer
Spokeswoman
Corporate Communications

T +49-211-65041-368
F +49-211-65041-527

hannelore.gantzer@
degussa.com