Memorandum of Understanding signed between University of Jena and HZB
From left to right: Prof. Bernd Rech of HZB, Prof. Ulrich S. Schubert of CEEC Jena, and the President of Jena University, Prof. Walter Rosenthal, seal the cooperation. © Jürgen Scheere/FSU
Friedrich Schiller University Jena © Universität Jena
Thuringa’s minister of science gives the green light for the cooperation on research into new energy stores: Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) today have laid the foundation for close collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The Centre for Energy and Environmental Chemistry Jena (CEEC Jena) and HZB want to join forces to research novel energy storage materials and systems in the future.
Storing energy is one of the key technologies of the 21st century, the Thüringen Minister of Science, Wolfgang Tiefensee, said at the signing. “The cooperation between the CEEC and HZB will give a new tailwind to research into novel energy stores. From the State’s perspective, it is worth working towards structural cooperation between the two institutions.”
“This cooperation allows not only the bundling of resources, but above all brings smart minds together into a project to share their knowledge and thus jointly achieve advancements in knowledge that will benefit everyone. The outstanding cooperative projects with non-university research institutions are a hallmark of Jena, and contribute significantly to the success of the university and the location,” University President, Prof. Walter Rosenthal, said after the signing of the agreement.
“The cooperation with Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin is to be expanded further and, if it is a success, established permanently,” declares Prof. Ulrich S. Schubert, Director of the CEEC Jena.
“To start with, it is planned that scientists at the Berlin and Jena institutions will jointly research polymer-based energy stores,” explains Prof. Bernd Rech, Scientific Director of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie. HZB’s unique characterisation techniques will thus be used to investigate the novel batteries from Jena in detail and subsequently refine them. A specific upcoming goal is to establish a Joint Lab where the synergies can be used to maximum potential.
Funding is provided by the participating institutes. Additionally, Thüringen’s Ministry of Science has promised to provide the Friedrich Schiller University Jena with funding for personnel and material investments.
The signing of the “Memorandum of Understanding” on the cooperation was pronounced today in the presence of the Thüringen Minister of Economic Affairs, Science and Digital Society, Wolfgang Tiefensee; the President of Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Prof. Walter Rosenthal; and the Scientific Director of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Prof. Bernd Rech.
- The BIPV living lab at the centre of an international comparative studyThe BIPV living lab at HZB in Berlin-Adlershof is at the centre of an international comparative study for the simulation of coloured solar façades.
- The twisted nanotubes that tell a storyIn collaboration with scientists in Germany, EPFL researchers have demonstrated that the spiral geometry of tiny, twisted magnetic tubes can be leveraged to transmit data based on quasiparticles called magnons, rather than electrons.
- Bright prospects for tin perovskite solar cellsPerovskite solar cells are widely regarded as the next generation photovoltaic technology. However, they are not yet stable enough in the long term for widespread commercial use. One reason for this is migrating ions, which cause degradation of the semiconducting material over time. A team from HZB and the University of Potsdam has now investigated the ion density in four different, widely used perovskite compounds and discovered significant differences. Tin perovskite semiconductors produced with an alternative solvent had a particular low ion density — only one tenth that of lead perovskite semiconductors. This suggests that tin-based perovskites could be used to make solar cells that are not only really environmentally friendly but also very stable.