New Materials and Technologies Department

The department’s core task is to develop inventions in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology and systematically transfer them into application-oriented research. This includes the analysis and development of new materials and processes.

The New Materials and Technologies department links basic research and industrial applications. The focus is on the development and characterisation of new materials for hydrogen and fuel cell technology and the optimisation of measurement methods and innovative processes. The materials and technologies can be used in a wide range of applications, from small portable fuel cell systems to future-oriented applications in shipping and aviation.

New methodological skills are acquired with the help of standardisation measures. Product and process optimisation and the development of test concepts for different types of fuel cells and electrolysers (NT-PEM, HT-PEM, NT-AEM) are also the focus of the work. Transport and reaction mechanisms in individual materials, components or entire systems are investigated using various modelling and simulation methods in addition to experimental characterisation.

In addition to material and technology developments, the three working groups ‘Material Analysis and Quality Assurance’, ‘Modelling and Simulation’ and ‘AEM Electrolysis and Fuel Cells’ carry out simulative investigations into fluid engineering and multiphysical issues in process engineering components.

Contact

Head of Department New Materials and Technologies

Dr. Susanne Palecki

+49 203 7598-2352

s.palecki@zbt.de

Working Group Material Analysis and Quality Assurance

The Material Analysis and Quality Assurance Working Group analyses and optimises components such as MEA materials, substrates and coatings for bipolar plates. The aim is to systematically evaluate material properties and investigate their behaviour under operating conditions such as cold start, frost or ageing.

One focus is on the development of test protocols and quality standards that enable the reliable characterisation of components for fuel cell and electrolysis applications.

In addition, we support industrial partners with simulations of porous materials, the evaluation of coating processes and the transfer of new processes into industrial workflows.

Contakt

Team Lead Material Analysis and Quality Assurance

Verena Lukassek

+49 203 7598-2343

v.lukassek@zbt.de

Working Group Modelling and Simulation

The Modelling & Simulation working group develops physically based models for analysing transport and reaction processes along the hydrogen value chain – from the microstructure of porous materials to the system simulation of entire plants.

We combine detailed CFD and multiphase models (e.g. Lattice Boltzmann, OpenFOAM) with reduced and data-based methods to efficiently evaluate design variants, predict degradation processes and develop control strategies. Applications range from single cells and stack simulations to tank filling, power-to-X systems and hydrogen filling stations.

Our models are closely linked to experiments and provide validated simulation data for the targeted optimisation of complex hydrogen technologies.

Contact

Team Lead Modelling and Simulation

Lukas Feierabend

+49 203 7598-2353

l.feierabend@zbt.de

Working Group AEM Electrolysis

The AEM Water Electrolysis working group develops key technologies for sustainable, precious metal-free hydrogen production. We combine the advantages of alkaline electrolysis with PEM membrane technology to create powerful and scalable AEM electrolysers.

Our focus is on the synthesis and characterisation of precious metal-free catalysts, the development of innovative membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and coating techniques such as doctor blade, slot die or spray coating. We analyse materials under real-life conditions through practical long-term tests with cell areas of up to 25 cm² and pressures of up to 8 bar.

We use high-resolution analytics (including µXRF mapping and layer thickness analysis) to ensure the quality of our developments, thereby laying the foundation for scalable, industrial AEM electrolysis.