Updates

Project launches and completions, conferences and workshops, visits from delegations from politics, business and science… There’s always a lot going on here. Here you can find the latest news from the ZBT.

Projects are being successfully completed and new ones launched. Our employees are also on the road a lot and can be found at our own events or at conferences and trade fairs.

We also regularly welcome delegations from business, science and politics. Sometimes even a chancellor or king drops by.


We publish exciting research results on a regular basis and are sometimes delighted to receive awards.


This is the right place if you want to immerse yourself in life at the ZBT.

König Willem Alexander der Niederlande und NRW-Ministerpräsident Hendrik Wüst lassen sich das Wasserstoff-Testfeld des ZBT von einem Mitarbeiter erklären.

Our latest projects…

OptiCold – Safe cold start for fuel cells in mobile applications

OptiCold develops materials, cell architectures and operating strategies to enable PEM fuel cells to start safely and without damage even at temperatures as low as -25 °C. The aim is to provide robust, durable and practical solutions, especially for mobile heavy-duty applications.

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FLOWMEX – More efficient fuel cells through systematically improved water management

Researchers want to significantly improve water management in fuel cells. Using model-based and experimental methods, they are developing a simulation tool that realistically depicts the transport of liquid water in gas diffusion layers and flow field channels.

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Interface – Microstructured Bipolar Plates for Greater Power Density and Service Life

Using innovative laser-based microstructuring, this research project optimises the interface between the bipolar plate and the gas diffusion layer in fuel cells. This improves water flow and reduces electrical contact resistance, resulting in a performance increase of up to 30% and a significantly longer service life.

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Test-Brennstoffzelle

Corromap – Real-time Corrosion Measurements for Optimising Fuel Cells

Corrosion limits the performance and service life of fuel cells, which are important for a hydrogen economy. Against this background, the Corromap research project focuses on corrosion measurements during cell operation. Project partners are the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences in Iserlohn and the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center Duisburg (ZBT).

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…and all the other news from ZBT

Novel nickel electrodes for more efficient AEM electrolysis

A team from ZBT, fem and RUB has developed a novel nickel-based catalyst that significantly increases electrolysis efficiency

Read more

Ceremonial inauguration of the new Greenlyte direct air capture plant at the hydrogen test field

Greenlyte Carbon Technologies and ZBT have commissioned a new direct air capture plant at the hydrogen test field in Duisburg. The plant was constructed in a short period of time and supports the further development of infrastructure for green molecules and synthetic energy sources.

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ZBT at the SDEWES Conference in Dubrovnik

ZBT was represented at the 20th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems in Dubrovnik, Croatia, with a presentation by Elias Klarhorst.

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ZBT welcomes international and national delegations: insights into hydrogen research and technologies

In recent weeks, ZBT has welcomed several exciting visitor groups who have been closely examining the latest developments in the field of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure.

Read more

MCIC2025 – 7. Materials Chain International Conference

Our scientists attended this year’s MCIC2025 at Ruhr University Bochum to learn about and discuss the latest research findings – and to present our work there.

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Electrolysis conference in Freiburg – ZBT at ICE2025

The 5th International Conference on Electrolysis provided a platform for inspiring presentations, workshops and excursions, as well as exciting discussions on the latest innovations and applications in the world of electrolysis.

Read more
Grafiken zu einer Studie über Gradienten-Design in Katalysatorschichten für PEM-Brennstoffzellen

Graded Catalysts in Fuel Cells – Increased Performance Without Higher Platinum Usage

Open access paper published in Energy Materials: Clever gradient design in catalyst layer makes fuel cells more efficient. Precious metals used only where necessary.

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Logo und Schriftzug des Hy.Summit.Rhein.Ruhr auf Leuchtelementen an der Bühne

Hy.Summit.Rhein.Ruhr 2025

From the port of Duisburg, it was ‘Cast off for hydrogen!’ At the start of Hy.Summit 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Mona Neubaur, and industry representatives emphasised the importance of speed, teamwork and technology for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy.

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All the latest news from the ZBT – including older items

Title Date Description
Novel nickel electrodes for more efficient AEM electrolysis 24. November, 2025 A team from ZBT, fem and RUB has developed a novel nickel-based catalyst that significantly increases electrolysis efficiency Read more
Ceremonial inauguration of the new Greenlyte direct air capture plant at the hydrogen test field 21. November, 2025 Greenlyte Carbon Technologies and ZBT have commissioned a new direct air capture plant at the hydrogen test field in Duisburg. The plant was constructed in a short period of time and supports the further development of infrastructure for green molecules and synthetic energy sources. Read more
ZBT at the SDEWES Conference in Dubrovnik 14. November, 2025 ZBT was represented at the 20th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems in Dubrovnik, Croatia, with a presentation by Elias Klarhorst. Read more
ZBT welcomes international and national delegations: insights into hydrogen research and technologies 27. October, 2025 In recent weeks, ZBT has welcomed several exciting visitor groups who have been closely examining the latest developments in the field of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure. Read more
MCIC2025 – 7. Materials Chain International Conference 27. October, 2025 Our scientists attended this year's MCIC2025 at Ruhr University Bochum to learn about and discuss the latest research findings – and to present our work there. Read more
Electrolysis conference in Freiburg – ZBT at ICE2025 15. September, 2025 The 5th International Conference on Electrolysis provided a platform for inspiring presentations, workshops and excursions, as well as exciting discussions on the latest innovations and applications in the world of electrolysis. Read more

Contact

Editorial office

Henning Winter
+49 203 7598-3346
Bürosituation mit Mann mit Headset hinter einem Monitor

Discover more

Projects

The ZBT conducts research, development and consulting in the fields of hydrogen, fuel cells and electrolysis. In its research projects, the ZBT covers the entire spectrum from basic research, primarily in the field of new materials, to application-oriented research and R&D projects for industry.

Career

Job opportunities in hydrogen research: The ZBT is looking for reinforcement in the areas of research, technology and administration. Work with us on pioneering hydrogen technologies!

Events

ZBT conferences and workshops, ZBT speakers at industry events, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions – there are plenty of opportunities to meet us and get in touch. Here is an overview.