Research and Development Platform HEMF

HEMF research projects

Within the HEMF platform all participating Helmholtz centres set up a series of laboratories that will all complement one another excellently. The scientific focus is on materials systems that convert or store energy. These include, for example, solar fuels, solar cells, fuel cells, battery systems, and thermoelectric and thermochemical materials. One overarching theme is novel catalysts used in energy conversion and storage.

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) Fuel cells produce electricity directly from fuel gases. Here, the basic process is the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen.

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)

A broad field of topics addressed in energy materials research by DLR

As associated HEMF-Partners, the DLR Institutes of Solar Research, Materials Research and Engineering Thermodynamics conduct material development dedicated to high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) as well as metal-air battery systems, materials for solar fuel generation and thermoelectric systems. In the fields of SOC and batteries a wide range of Perovskites are used; novel materials developed at DLR are acceptor doped perovskite type oxides Ba(Ce,Zr)O₃ which show mixed ionic and electronic conductivity. Doped ceria-based materials are predominantly employed as redox materials for H₂O as well as CO₂ splitting. With respect to materials for bulk thermoelectrics, the research spans form powder synthesis and compaction up to prototype assembly including coating technologies for contact purposes. Materials currently under research are Skutterudites as well as Silicide materials.

Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ)

Perovskites for photovoltaics, solar fuels and fuel cells

In the scope of the HEMF project the Forschungszentrum Jülich focuses on hybrid thin film materials like perovskites for photovoltaics and solar fuels as well as perovskite-based proton conductors for fuel cells.

These activities can be assigned to three subprojects

Processing system with in-situ monitoring for nanocrystalline perovskites
Aliovalently-doped perovskite ceramics for electrodes and electrolytes
Deposition tool, co-evaporation & glovebox for perovskite solar cells and tandem cells

For more detailed information please go to FZJ topics.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB)

Research and development laboratories for energy materials

Within the framework of this new research-and-development platform HEMF the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin established new laboratories for the production of perovskite thin films, catalytically active nanoparticles and thin films for solar fuels. In addition and complementary to this new laboratories the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin also sets up facilities for synthesis and nanostructuring of conventionally and novel energy materials.

For more detailed information please go to HZB topics.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)

Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (HZH)

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

Deposition of nanostructured layers for optoelectronic devices and development of a synthesis plant for battery materials

The Karlsruher Insitut für Technologie brings in two major areas of expertise to the HEMF project: On the one hand, the deposition of atomic and molecular, partly nanostructured layers needed for the further development of thin-film solar cells. On the other hand, a medium-size synthesis plant for Lithium ion battery materials for quantities up to ten kilograms, in order to develop batteries of industry-relevant size.

For more detailed information please go to KIT topics.

Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung (GSI)

Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured energy materials using the ion-track nanotechnology

The Materials Research Department of GSI brings in expertise on the fabrication and characterization of nanostructured energy materials using the ion-track nanotechnology. This includes the following topics:

Etched ion track membranes with tailored nanopores for various applications including battery research
Nanowire assemblies for thermoelectrical, photoelectrochemical and catalytical applications
Nanostructuring of energy materials by swift heavy ion irradiation

For more detailed information please visit the webpage.