The third edition of the LEAPS Battery Research Forum took place in Lund, Sweden, from 21-23 January 2026, bringing together leading battery researchers, LEAPS facility staff, and industry representatives from across Europe. The event was generously hosted by LINXS at The Loop, strategically located between MAX IV and ESS, and supported by Sweden’s national battery research programme COMPEL. Initiated within the LEAPS INNOV project under Work Package 9, the Forum aims to foster innovation through co-creation with industry, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration that addresses global challenges in energy storage. Following previous editions held at ALBA (January 2024) and HZB (January 2025), the 2026 Forum continued to strengthen links between research institutions, research infrastructure and industry while exploring emerging directions in battery research.
The Forum brought together representatives from LEAPS facilities, the battery research community, and industry stakeholders, providing an opportunity to discuss both the current capabilities of photon science facilities and the specific needs of battery research users. A central theme of the meeting was the development of Europe’s strong side- a research ecosystem spanning over academia, industry and research infrastructures. Over three days, participants engaged in oral presentations, poster pitches, and problem-oriented brainstorming sessions. This approach encouraged open, interactive discussions and fostered new collaborations across disciplines.
This edition focused on several key areas:
-Novel battery chemistries and next-generation materials,
-Method development at synchrotrons for in-depth material characterization,
– Complementary characterization tools to provide multi-scale insights,
– Follow-up on outcomes from previous editions and exploration of potential future projects
Participants were also given the opportunity to visit the battery research beamlines at MAX IV, gaining first-hand insight into the advanced instrumentation available to the research community. The Forum maintained a strong emphasis on collaborative exchange, particularly welcoming young scientists and researchers working with in-situ cells.
The event also underscored the impact of synchrotron-based research in battery science. Studies incorporating synchrotron data are cited three times more frequently than average battery publications, highlighting the critical contribution of LEAPS facilities to this rapidly evolving field.
The Forum was organized by Chair Laura Simonelli (ALBA), Co-chair Rob Temperton (MAX IV), and Local Contact Franz Hennies (LU), with guidance from a Scientific Programme Committee representing leading European facilities, including HZB, ESRF, ELETTRA, DESY, CIC energiGUNE, EUXFEL, CEA, and SOLARIS.
The LEAPS Battery Research Forum continues to serve as a key platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, driving innovation in battery research and supporting Europe’s leadership in synchrotron-enabled energy storage science.
Photo credits: Franz Hans and Claire Lyons