It benefits both us and the companies

Dorthe Ravnsbæk leads the basic research center Center for Sustainable Energy Materials (CENSEMAT), which is working to develop new, sustainable energy materials. There is an urgent need for solutions, because many of the elements that today’s technologies depend on are becoming increasingly difficult to source.

“There are also many companies working in this area, which is why they are interested in our research,” says Dorthe Ravnsbæk.

As examples, Dorthe mentions Rockwool, where CENSEMAT helps analyze stone wool fibers; DanishGraphene, which is receiving support in developing longer-lasting batteries; and BioModics, where researchers are developing new types of battery adhesives that bind electrodes together without the use of fluorinated compounds.

Dorthe Ravnsbæk sees no conflict in combining basic research with practical application. On the contrary, she believes both sides stand to benefit when research grounded in curiosity and long-term thinking also contributes to solving problems in practice:

“Of course, these projects typically have a somewhat broader application perspective than purely basic research projects. But the synergy and exchange of knowledge between the different types of projects benefit both the companies and us.”

“It does not dictate our basic research, but it helps us identify the major challenges we want to help solve.”

Dorthe Ravnsbæk explains that industry is highly skilled at optimization, and that basic research can learn from both the mindset and the methods behind those processes.

“The materials we develop must perform well. They must be effective at converting and storing energy and deliver high efficiency, which is why it is important to integrate optimization into basic research as well. It simply increases the impact of the research.”

At the same time, Dorthe Ravnsbæk believes industry can also learn from the methods and techniques of research — from the way researchers seek to understand the world.

She emphasizes that CENSEMAT’s highly ambitious research cannot succeed overnight, but instead requires the time and space to go deep — something a basic research center can provide:

“What we are working to achieve would not be possible without the framework of a basic research center. First, it requires several groups to combine their expertise and work closely together every single day. And, of course, it also requires the time, focus, and resources to take on the difficult task we have set for ourselves.”