HZB & IKZ bundle their competencies In crystalline energy and quantum materials
The participants after signing the cooperation agreement between IKZ and HZB in corona-conform distance: (from left to right) Dr. Andreas Popp (IKZ), Dr. Manuela Urban (FVB), Dr. Peter Gaal (IKZ), Prof. Dr. Catherine Dubourdieu (HZB), Prof. Dr. Thomas Schröder (IKZ), Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech (HZB), Thomas Frederking (HZB). © Sandra Fischer/HZB
On September 11, 2020, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ) signed a cooperation agreement to advance joint research on energy and quantum materials. As part of the cooperation, new types of X-ray optics for synchrotron radiation sources are also being developed.
IKZ and HZB share a long history of joint collaboration: IKZ scientists use the BESSY II radiation source from the HZB on a regular basis for their material science studies. In turn, the crystal growers of the IKZ develop and manufacture components that bring out the special properties of BESSY II.
"We are very pleased that we can strengthen our close cooperation with the cooperation agreement,” says Prof. Bernd Rech, scientific director at the HZB. “At BESSY II we offer a variety of x-ray analytical methods for the analysis of complex material systems. As part of our cooperation, we can use our complementary competencies specifically to jointly develop research areas in energy research and quantum technologies.”
Prof. Thomas Schröder, scientific director at the IKZ, also emphasizes the opportunities that the cooperation between the two research institutions allows: “The IKZ is very interested in initiating joint R&D projects on materials for photovoltaics and power electronics with the scientists of the HZB to maximize our impact in this research area.“ Since Prof. Schröder himself spent part of his career in synchrotron research, there is also a personal affinity towards materials and methods development for large-scale research facilities. “Today I am very happy that IKZ can start new R&D projects with BESSY II in order to support the synchrotron sources with our crystalline materials, for example through active and passive X-ray optics.”
Short description of IKZ:
The Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung in Berlin-Adlershof is an international competence center for science, technology, service and transfer in the field of crystalline materials. The research and development spectrum ranges from basic and applied research to pre-industrial research tasks. The IKZ develops innovations in crystalline materials through its expertise in plant engineering, numerical simulation and crystal growth to achieve crystalline materials of the highest quality with tailored properties. The unique selling point of the institute is the research on volume crystals. This work is accompanied by research and development on nanostructures and thin films as well as strong theoretical and experimental research into materials.
- Nanosilver as an electrocatalyst for CO₂ reductionVia electrolysis, CO2 can be reduced to CO, a raw material for further chemical products such as fuels. Within the GreenQuest Project, an internation team led by HZB chemist Prashanth Menezes has now systematically investigated catalyst layers made of silver nanoparticles, varying both the size of the particles and their density. The best yield was achieved with nanoparticles with diameters of around 10 nm, which were loosely distributed. Furthermore, they demonstrated how the economic efficiency of the electrochemical cell can be enhanced by integrating an additional chemical reaction at the anode, enabling the simultaneous production of a valuable formic acid, hydrogen, and CO in one device.
- Spin waves inside a nano-oscillator imaged for the first timeFor the first time, researchers have directly imaged the magnetisation dynamics inside a spin Hall nano-oscillator — a nanoscale device that converts direct current into tunable microwave signals and is a promising building block for energy-efficient wireless communication and brain-inspired computing. A Swedish–German team led by the University of Gothenburg and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) achieved this using time-resolved scanning transmission X-ray microscopy at the MAXYMUS instrument at BESSY II. The results, now published in Advanced Materials, reveal spin-wave features that had escaped previous, indirect measurement techniques.
- Joint power instead of duplicate structures:Berlin’s research community is further advancing its research excellence by establishing a high-performance, cross-institutional infrastructure for data and AI. With a joint agreement signed on 18 September 2026, the Berlin University Alliance (BUA), the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB) are paving the way for a joint data science and AI centre in Berlin-Dahlem and Adlershof.