Research
On this page we present current contributions to research in electrical engineering and information technology
The future of battery technology: Revolution using AI
Prof. Weihan Li . © Peter Winandy
Innovative Battery Research at RWTH Aachen
Junior Professor Weihan Li is revolutionizing battery research at RWTH Aachen by developing AI-powered testing methods that enable precise predictions about the future performance and lifespan of battery cells already during the production phase.
Utilizing advanced technologies such as digital twins, data-driven models, and automated diagnostic procedures, his approach transforms traditional battery management into a proactive system—moving from mere observation to anticipatory strategies.
Shortened Development Processes and Sustainable Innovation
At the core of his research is the goal of significantly shortening development cycles, reducing production costs, and simultaneously enhancing sustainability throughout the entire battery lifecycle. Prof. Li succinctly states:
“Ultimately, we want to accelerate the development of high-quality, affordable batteries and make the entire battery life cycle more sustainable.”
The Synergy of Artificial Intelligence and Electrochemistry
Early on, Li recognized that the combination of artificial intelligence and electrochemistry is the key to the future of the battery industry. This insight drives him to push forward innovative solutions:
“That’s when I realized: this is the future,” he recalls. “Since then, I’ve been working on integrating AI and electrochemistry.”
RWTH Aachen as an Innovation Engine
For Prof. Li, RWTH Aachen is more than just a research location—it provides an inspiring environment that nurtures young talent through strong networks and a pronounced spirit of innovation. The close collaboration with industry not only underscores the demand for modern battery solutions but also secures a significant share of funding.
Data-Driven Modeling as a Key Component
The extensive data base provided by the RWTH infrastructure is a central pillar in precise AI modeling. This essential resource not only guarantees research success but also forms the foundation for highly advanced analytical methods:
“This massive dataset is essential for building our AI models.”
Proactive Battery Management
Finally, Li’s approach aims not only to monitor the aging process of battery cells but to intervene proactively—well before they reach their maximum performance limits. In his own words:
“We don’t just want to understand how batteries age – we want to intervene before aging even begins.”
The advanced, AI-enabled methods of Prof. Li at RWTH Aachen pave the way for faster, cost-effective, and sustainable battery solutions. This groundbreaking work sets a new standard in battery development and reinforces Europe’s leading role in the energy transition.
Klee Prize 2025: Controllable exoskeletons – Support instead of replacement
Dr.-Ing. Lukas Bergmann impresses with his award-winning doctoral thesis, in which he developed an active exoskeleton and a cooperative controller to support movement intentions in real time.
Dr.-Ing. Lukas Bergmann won second place in the Klee Prize 2025 with his doctoral thesis. He received the award for the development of an active exoskeleton that uses innovative control technology to record and support movement intentions.
Dr.-Ing. Lukas Bergmann | @mediT
Worldwide, strokes result in mobility problems, and traditional treatments are frequently resource-intensive. Robotic rehabilitation systems can provide support when patients initiate movements independently. Dr. Lukas Bergmann explains:
„In the long term, research into exoskeletons can make a significant contribution to supporting people with musculoskeletal disorders. The exciting thing for me is that control technology has a very practical application here.“
It describes an active exoskeleton that enables safe coupling between humans and devices, as well as a cooperative controller that supports joint torques in real time.
It is also worth mentioning that Dr.-Ing. Sonja Ehreiser (mediTEC, RWTH Aachen University) won first place in the Klee Prize 2025 for her dissertation on improving the care of patients with knee prostheses.
The VDE, a leading technology organization in Europe, has been promoting innovation and technological progress for over 130 years. With the Klee Prize 2025, the VDE honors outstanding research work that offers great benefits for patients and shapes the future of medical technology.
The VDE (VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies) is based in Frankfurt am Main. More information at VDE Website
Source: VDE Press Release
Humboldt Fellow at the E.ON Energy Research Centre
Dr Ameze Big-Alabo, of the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria, is carrying out research at the Automation of Complex Power Systems Chair at RWTH Aachen University. © Judith Peschges
Ameze Big-Alabo, an electrical engineer specialising in microgrids, joined Professor Antonello Monti’s international research team in April 2025 as part of a Humboldt Fellowship.
As part of the Humboldt Foundation’s Henriette Herz Scouting Programme, Professor Antonello Monti — Head of the Institute and holder of the Chair of Automation of Complex Power Systems (ACS) — successfully recruited the scientist for the E.ON Energy Research Center. Ameze Big-Alabo, an experienced researcher with an international background, then moved from the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria to RWTH Aachen University.
She specialises in wind turbines and solar panels, as well as their integration into local energy grids. Her aim is to make microgrids more efficient, robust and sustainable. Microgrids are small, local energy networks that can operate separately from, or be connected to, the general power grid. Further development of these systems requires complex designs and mathematical modelling to represent real microgrids. This includes optimisation, energy management and fault detection.
‘My field of research fits in perfectly with the Institute’s focus areas in Aachen. I’m making good progress, and everything is going according to plan so far,’ the scientist made her initial assessment.
Computer-aided simulations play a vital role in her work. She analyses how different energy sources can be combined most effectively. When modelling solar panels, for example, she considers factors such as solar intensity, outdoor temperature, geographical location and panel size. These simulations are then followed by experimental tests. As well as the intensive computer-based work, she values personal dialogue within the research team.
‘I really like the international community that exists here. There are many people from different backgrounds working at the institute and I get on well with all of them,’ says the researcher.
Ameze Big-Alabo has extensive international experience. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering in Nigeria, after which she was awarded a scholarship to study for a Master’s degree in Advanced Control Systems Engineering at the University of Manchester. She won the Neil Munro Prize for the best Master’s thesis in her field there. This was followed by a scholarship to undertake a PhD at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
The scientist hopes to continue collaborating with RWTH after her research stay ends in April 2026. Upon her return, she intends to resume her teaching activities in Nigeria. Her long-term goal is to help improve the energy supply in her home country.
‘Energy generation is one of the biggest challenges that we face. I want to use the knowledge that I acquire during my research visits to help with sustainable development,’ Ameze Big-Alabo explains.
The Humboldt Research Fellowship is aimed at highly qualified postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines and all over the world. It enables researchers at various stages of their academic careers to conduct personal research projects in collaboration with a host research institution in Germany. The monthly stipend amounts to €3,200 plus fringe benefits. The fellowship can be applied for in periods of between six and 18 months, and can be divided into up to three stays within a three-year period.
The Henriette Herz Scouting Programme enables renowned and well-connected researchers to expand their team with excellent Humboldt Research Fellows. When nominating fellows, individual life and educational paths are taken into account, particularly with regard to equal opportunities and accessibility.
Further information on the Humboldt Research Fellowship and the Henriette Herz Scouting Programme can be found via the links provided.
Professor Janina Fels is the designated president of the German Acoustical Society
Professor Fels in the soundproofed laboratory, surrounded by loudspeakers at different room heights. © Peter Winandy
We are delighted and honoured to announce that Professor Janina Fels, Head of the Institute for Hearing Technology and Acoustics (IHTA) at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, has been elected Vice President and designated President of the German Acoustical Society (DEGA).
Professor Fels will begin her term as Vice President on 1 July 2025 and will be appointed President of DEGA in 2028 in accordance with the statutes. This election is not only a personal success for her, but also a significant recognition of the excellent work in the field of acoustics at RWTH Aachen University. With her scientific expertise, which ranges from acoustic virtual reality to medical and psychoacoustics to room and building acoustics, she has had a lasting influence on the field and has built up an excellent reputation both nationally and internationally.
However, her path also began with a degree in electrical engineering at the RWTH, before Professor Janina Fels completed her doctorate with honours at the Institute of Technical Acoustics under the title ‘From Children to Adults: How Binaural Cues and Ear Canal Impedances Grow’.
‘The election of Professor Fels to head this important institution is a strong sign of the visibility and relevance of acoustics research at RWTH Aachen – and an incentive for young scientists to continue along this path,’ says Martina Dahm, Managing Director of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology.
The German Acoustical Society (DEGA) is the central scientific society for acoustics in the German-speaking world. It was founded in 1988 and currently has around 1,900 individual members and more than 70 sponsoring institutions. DEGA promotes interdisciplinary cooperation in acoustics, organises the renowned annual DAGA conference, awards prizes for scientific excellence and is internationally networked in associations such as the European Acoustics Association (EAA) and the International Commission on Acoustics (ICA).
We warmly congratulate Professor Janina Fels on her election and wish her every success for the coming term, scientific impetus and a continued inspiring contribution to shaping the acoustics community.
Further information on acoustics research can be found on the IHTA and DEGA homepages.
Lecture – Batteries for the energy transition:
Exponential market growth, price reductions as a game changer – and what comes next and after the lithium-ion battery?
Prof. Dr. Dirk Uwe Sauer, ISEA Institute of RWTH Aachen University Wednesday 9. 4. 2025, 17:00-18:30,
Admission free, lecture/discussion Zoom, later video
The expansion of stationary energy storage systems as an element of the power supply system is increasing significantly as a result of an unexpectedly sharp fall in the costs and prices of lithium-ion battery cells. The global market for electric vehicles is also continuing to grow strongly. In China, around 50% of new vehicles sold last year were electric vehicles. Price reductions, not new technologies, are the key to these developments. In the presentation, we will discuss the reasons for the price reductions and the consequences, in particular for the establishment of our own battery cell production in Europe.
In addition, the status of alternatives to lithium-ion batteries will also be discussed, namely lithium-titanate, solid-state electrolyte, lithium-sulphur and sodium-ion batteries. The technologies can offer higher performance, lower weight or the replacement of rare or more expensive raw materials and are very interesting as alternatives and additions to the current portfolio.
Cooperation with: Department of Computer Science at RWTH Aachen University, FZ Jülich, Regional Group of the German Informatics Society (RIA), Regionaler Industrieclub Informatik Aachen (Regina) and Aachen Group of the German University Association
Use the following QR code to access the webinar and video
Internship opportunities in Singapore
The Chair for Distributed Signal Processing at RWTH Aachen University, in cooperation with its partner in Singapore, enables funded stays abroad as part of its 6G research programme on future communication technologies.
The public Institute for Infocomm Research (A*STAR I²R) in Singapore is dedicated to developing innovation in digital technologies. The Institute’s research agenda is focused on meeting concrete societal challenges and takes a systems-oriented, multidisciplinary and transformative scientific approach. In this context, the institute cooperates with the Chair of Distributed Signal Processing (DSP). Together they pursue the 6G research programme on future communication technologies. This programme covers key areas of 6G networks and beyond. These include, for example, integrated communication and sensing, AI-native communication and networks, novel modulation schemes as well as networks and physical systems of digital twins.
To apply for a financially supported research stay within the framework of the following programmes, interested students are advised to obtain a recommendation from the DSP:
Singapore International Pre-Graduate Award (SIPGA) – Bachelor or Master students apply for a stay of two to six months. The current application cycle closes on 31 March 2025 at 23:59 GMT +8 (Singapore time). This year, students are expected to start their stay between September and December 2025.
A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP) – PhD students spend a minimum of one and a maximum of two years at A*STAR research institutes under the joint supervision of A*STAR researchers and faculty members from their home university.
The scholarships are offered by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore’s leading public research and development agency. As a science and technology organisation, A*STAR aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leadership for the wider research community and industry.
For further information, please contact Professor Haris Gacanin from the DSP at the following e-mail address: harisg@dsp.rwth-aachen.de
Funded internship in Tokyo
The Chair of Distributed Signal Processing at RWTH Aachen University, in cooperation with its Japanese partner, is offering a fully funded internship for students demonstrating exceptional potential in the area of networking and wireless communications. The programme is aimed at both Bachelor and Master of Science students.
As Japan’s only national research institute specialising in the field of information and communication technology, NICT maintains the Beyond 5G R&D Promotion Unit, which collaborates with the Chair of Distributed Signal Processing on joint research projects. The aim of the scientific work is to design and evaluate next-generation wireless networks, taking into account cutting-edge information and communication technology and other technology areas.
An internship at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) involves the study of Beyond 5G use cases, with the verification of relevant communication functions and interfaces being a key element of this. One use case that proves relevant in this context is, for example, the integration of radio resource management and optimised energy management. In addition to this, contributions to the development of Beyond 5G Proof-of-Concept are to be expected, based on the defined use cases. This will be developed in cooperation with the testbed facilities of the Chair of Distributed Signal Processing. Interns will participate in regular meetings and discussions with the NICT team during their internship work, where they will receive guidance. At the end of the internship period, students are required to summarise the results and prepare a report.
The internship is based on the Beyond 5G/6G White Paper and aims to establish a long-term international research cooperation between NICT and the Chair of Distributed Signal Processing. The interns will spend four to six months in Tokyo. The financial costs associated with the stay, including travel, accommodation, overseas travel insurance and a daily allowance, are covered by the offer.
In order to participate, it is necessary to have a general knowledge of programming with pseudo-code, as well as excellent written and oral English skills and an excellent knowledge of fundamental principles in communications. Furthermore, the following Bachelor of Science or Master of Science courses must have been completed with a grade of at least 2.0:
For Bachelor of Science students: Fundamentals of Computer Science 4 – Introduction to Machine Learning Methods.
For Master of Science students: Signal Processing for Mobile Communications, Signal Processing in Multi-Antenna (MIMO) Communication System, Estimation and Detection Theory.
Applications must be submitted three months before the planned start of the internship. They can be sent throughout the year to Professor Haris Gacanin at the following e-mail address: harisg@dsp.rwth-aachen.de. Further information can also be requested at the above e-mail address.
Neuromorphic Hardware: Kick-off event in January
The NeuroSys future cluster at RWTH enters its second phase
At the beginning of this year, the Cluster4Future NeuroSys (Neuromorphic Hardware for Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Systems) is entering its second phase.
The Clusters4Future initiative is part of the German government’s High-Tech Strategy 2025 and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
At the kick-off event at the end of January, more than 90 participants discussed their ideas and technologies for the development of neuromorphic hardware in the Super C at RWTH Aachen University.
Neuromorphic systems are modelled on the basic building blocks of the brain, neurons and synapses. Neuromorphic hardware is a resource-saving but powerful basis for energy-intensive artificial intelligence research operations. The aim is to create a technology basis for neuromorphic components and alogrithms, building on the basic research carried out at RWTH Aachen University and the Jülich Research Centre. The coordinator of the future cluster is Professor Max Lemme, Head of the Chair of Electronic Components at RWTH Aachen University.
Learning neuromorphic AI chips could soon enable energy-efficient on-site data processing and thus offer promising prospects for future working methods, smart city concepts and the Internet of Things. Various contributions from autonomous driving to learning systems and personalised medicine will also be delivered.
The second phase of the project is planned for three years and will see RWTH collaborating with a wide range of experts from research and industry.
Further information on the project can be found here
Degree programme survey 2025
Every six years, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology organises a student survey, which is of particular importance for the quality assurance of academic teaching.
The aim of the degree programme survey is to improve the quality of studies based on feedback from students enrolled in the following subjects
o Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
o Electrical Engineering with orientation semester
o Computer Engineering
And since everything is interconnected, the students of Business Administration and Engineering: Electrical Power Engineering are being consulted as well.
The survey enables students to reflect on their personal study experience and to evaluate the study conditions. In order to ensure a valid database for the quality assurance of studies and teaching, every single piece of feedback is valuable. In this way, today’s students contribute to the advancement of academic teaching and enable future generations of students to build on their experiences.
‘Our students are absolute insiders when it comes to our courses. So who better to advise us on the direction in which we need to develop our teaching,’ says Martina Dahm, Managing Director of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology.
In recognition of their efforts, a prize draw will be held for all participating students. The prizes consist of ten vouchers per 100 participants, each worth €50, which can be redeemed as a gift voucher for Schenk Lokal. Contact details are kept in a separate record for this purpose, independent of survey content. So responses are processed without reference to individuals, ensuring anonymity.
The online survey can be accessed via a personalised link sent to students by email, which allows them to complete the survey on mobile devices or on the desktop. It is also possible to access the questionnaire via the dashboard of the RWTHmoodle accounts. There the questionnaire is easiest to complete on the desktop.
