Developing energy storage is a critical challenge for the energy transition. A thriving partnership between the universities of Stanford, Munster and Twente is at the forefront of research into more sustainable, high-energy-density and flexible batteries. The trilateral partnership addresses worldwide energy challenges, influencing global policies and advancing the development of next-generation battery technologies.
Earlier this spring 2025, UT’s Battery Centre Twente hosted the third annual Munster-Stanford-Twente (MUST) Winter Battery School, further strengthening collaboration between the three universities and other partners, such as the Helmholtz Institute, Fraunhofer FFB, the Precourt Institute for Energy and Forschungszentrum Jülich.
A welcome speech by Mayor Sander Schelberg of Hengelo stressed the importance of scientific curiosity, diversity, and interdisciplinarity, setting the stage for the technical talks. Over two days, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on next-generation battery materials, high-power applications, and the challenges of scaling up sustainable manufacturing and circularity. From exploring AI-driven battery advancements—kickstarted by Stanford’s Prof. William Chueh—to delving into operando NMR techniques with Dr. Gunther Brunklaus from Münster, the agenda was packed with cutting-edge insights. Industry partners Elysian Aircraft and E-magy also brought fresh perspectives, demonstrating how unconventional design approaches can drive innovation in battery applications. The full list of speakers and their talk titles is found below.
Cross-border collaboration
The collaboration further bolstered the Euregional energy cluster, positioning the Münster-Twente region as a hub for battery research and technology in Europe. Examples of this impact include the 2024 launch of TECH.LAND, a Dutch-German cross-border innovation hub, joint Horizon Europe projects, and the opening of Fraunhofer FFB, a globally unique battery manufacturing research facility in Munster.
The annual MUST Winter School demonstrates the value of international cooperation in tackling the critical challenges of energy storage and sustainability. As the partnership between these institutions deepens, the impact of their joint research efforts is set to grow, further cementing the Münster-Twente-Stanford partnership as a global hub for battery innovation.
More information
Would you like to know more or are you interested in working together with the Battery Centre Twente on tackling challenges in Energy Storage? Please Contact Sebastian Husein for more information.
