Welcome Prof. Raphaële Clément to the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research
The Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research is pleased to welcome Prof. Raphaële Clément as the new Director of the Department of Electrochemical Materials. Prof. Clément will join us full time in July 2026 from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where she is an Associate Professor in the Materials Department leading a research program in advanced battery materials. She is renowned for her work on electrochemical materials and energy storage, with a focus on rechargeable battery systems.
Prof. Clément's research centers on understanding how a material’s atomic-scale structure influences its electrochemical performance. Her interdisciplinary approach combines innovative materials synthesis with state-of-the-art characterization techniques. In particular, she specializes in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to investigate battery materials at the atomic level. By monitoring subtle changes in crystal structure and chemistry during battery charge and discharge, her team uncovers structure–property relationships that drive battery performance. This NMR-driven insight, coupled with materials science and computational modeling, enables the design of next-generation electrode and electrolyte materials for safer, higher-capacity batteries.
As Director of the new Department of Electrochemical Materials, Prof. Clément will spearhead the institute’s expanded efforts in energy storage research. The department will focus on developing novel battery chemistries and solid-state materials to address critical challenges in sustainable energy storage. Prof. Clément has expressed excitement about building a long-term research program that tackles “grand challenges, such as energy efficiency and sustainability,” and contributes to “the next generation of low-cost, sustainable and energy-dense rechargeable batteries”. Her vision is to foster a collaborative, inclusive research environment that bridges fundamental science and practical applications, accelerating innovation in the battery field. The establishment of this department also underlines the institute’s strategic commitment to advancing energy materials science for global sustainability.
Prof. Clément’s leadership in battery research has been recognized with numerous honors, including prestigious early-career awards from the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Electrochemical Society. We are confident that her expertise and passion will greatly enrich our institute. Welcome, Prof. Clément, to the Max Planck family – we look forward to the breakthroughs that your Department of Electrochemical Materials will achieve in the years to come.
