2D Quantum Materials to 3D Aerogels for Next-Generation Energy Storage

onurergen.com

Ergen Quantum Applications Lab (EQAL) at Istanbul Technical University, together with our spin-off Next-Ion Energy, designs advanced materials at the atomic scale and builds them into functional battery components. Our core expertise is converting 2D quantum materials into scalable 3D aerogel architectures that combine high surface area, tunable electronic properties and strong thermal and chemical stability.

What we offer to a consortium, product, PoCs

Materials design and synthesis: controlled synthesis of 2D materials (graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, borophene) and B-C-N ternary phases, and their assembly into 3D aerogels and van der Waals heterostructures.

Battery components: aerogel-based electrodes, separators and electrolyte additives for Li-ion, Na-ion and beyond-lithium chemistries (Mg-ion, Ca-ion, Li-S, Li-air).

Safety and thermal management: boron nitride aerogels that combine high heat transport with electrical insulation, for fire-safe separators and thermal interface materials in EV battery packs.

Fast ion transport: fundamental research on engineering ion transport in 2D heterostructures to enable ultra-fast charging.

Characterisation and modelling: electrochemical testing, electron microscopy, AI-assisted materials analysis (including our PyNanospacing tool for atomic-scale strain mapping) and multiscale computational modelling.

Prototyping: from lab-scale synthesis to coin and pouch cell demonstrators.

Track record

ERC Starting Grant (QUEEN, quantum-engineered energy storage); EIC funding for BNAG, a boron-carbon-nitrogen aerogel for safer batteries and electronics; two 2025 Horizon Europe EIC Seals of Excellence (GAMBIT and Next-Ion); Business Finland support for low-temperature SiC processing. Over 50 publications and patents, including PNAS (2023, 2026), and multiple US patent applications on aerogel synthesis, battery separators and electrodes.

Relevant calls

HORIZON-CL5-2027-04-Two-Stage-D2-07: next-generation battery concepts enabled by advanced materials (strongest fit).
HORIZON-CL5-2027-02-D2-06: sustainable Li-ion and Na-ion cell production.
HORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-06: fire prevention and mitigation for EVs in confined areas.

Partners we are looking for

Battery cell manufacturers and pilot lines for scale-up and validation; automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers for safety and integration; research organisations with complementary expertise in electrochemistry, modelling or life-cycle assessment; and coordinators building proposals for the calls above. We are open to both partner and coordinator roles.