Laser-engineered Electrodes with Advanced Structures for Sustainable Energy

The European Green Deal's 2050 carbon neutrality target and REPowerEU Plan drive urgent deployment of renewable energy sources, yet the intermittent nature of wind and solar power creates pressing demands for advanced secondary batteries and green hydrogen production. This renewable-battery-hydrogen energy paradigm, where high-energy batteries store intermittent electricity and enable subsequent water electrolysis for clean fuel generation, represents Europe's pathway to energy independence and climate neutrality. However, breakthrough improvements in both battery energy density and electrolytic efficiency depend on sophisticated electrode architecture engineering that conventional manufacturing methods cannot deliver at scale. LEASE addresses this critical bottleneck by developing revolutionary laser-based manufacturing systems: (1) Multi-beam Laser Subtractive Manufacturing (MLSM) featuring beam array configurations for high-throughput fabrication of ultra-thick battery electrodes (≥600 μm) with high-aspect-ratio microstructures (>20:1), enabling LiCoO2 electrodes with areal capacities reaching 20 mAh/cm² and 80% capacity retention at 1C after 200 cycles; (2) Laser Interference Induced Additive Assembly (LIAA) enabling highly ordered nanostructured electrocatalysts with superhydrophilic-superaerophobic properties, achieving hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) overpotentials below 35 mV for Pt and 150 mV for high-entropy alloys at 10 mA/cm². Through strategic staff exchanges across 13 world-class institutions, LEASE integrates complementary expertise in laser physics, materials science, precision manufacturing, functional surfaces, advanced characterization, and electrochemistry to train interdisciplinary researchers and forge lasting international partnerships. This positions Europe as the global leader in laser-engineered energy solutions while building human capital essential for technological sovereignty and achieving the Green Deal's climate targets.