Exceptional properties, such as high temperature ionic conductivity or controllable electric conductivity, render ceramic materials suitable for energy conversion and storage applications. As ceramic components are typically brittle, mechanical reliability is a key factor for their effective long-term usage. Reducing brittleness and promoting durability in functional ceramics are therefore our central research objective.

We identify critical characteristics, such as elasticity, crack initiation and crack growth with special focus on statistical aspects under application-relevant conditions, based on micro- and macro-mechanical testing methods, and correlate them with the components’ microstructure. In combination with complementary characterization methods, including microscopy, diffractometry and spectroscopy, we derive critical boundary conditions for each component and formulate guidelines for optimizing materials’ composition and production processes. Thus, our focus is on the mechanical behaviour of innovative, rechargeable solid-state batteries, materials for mixed-conductivity high-temperature membrane systems (oxygen and proton conductive) and high-temperature fuel and electrolytic cells.