Promoting young talent: Pupils immerse themselves in nanoworlds at ZBT

The NanoSchoolLab of the University of Duisburg-Essen was a guest at ZBT. Eleventh-graders built components for electrolysis cells and tested them.

Eleven Year 11 students from two Duisburg secondary schools recently took a look at the world of nanoparticles in fuel cell and electrolysis technology at the ZBT – Center for Fuel Cell Technology. They came over to us as part of an event organized by the NanoSchoolLabs “Insights into the nanoworld” at the University of Duisburg-Essen to experience the application of nanoparticles for themselves in the ZBT laboratories.

The so-called membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is the electrochemical heart of a fuel or electrolysis cell. Nanomaterials are used primarily in the field of catalysts. The students learned about the process chain for manufacturing the MEA and carried out practical experiments themselves.

Nanotechnology at its best

In wet chemistry, the students were able to weigh catalyst powder, pipette solvent and ionomer and disperse the whole thing in an ultrasonic bath to produce a dispersion. Catalyst layers were then sprayed in the coating laboratory. Finally, the self-built MEAs were tested in the electrolysis cell in the test bench laboratory. At each station and during all activities, the ZBT scientists explained the underlying physical and chemical principles.

The NanoSchoolLab offers day courses, project courses and teacher training on nanotechnology topics from the fields of physics, engineering and chemistry. The offer is aimed at courses in grades 8 to 13 at grammar schools, comprehensive schools, secondary schools and vocational colleges. Visiting the NanoSchoolLab is free of charge.

to the NanoSchoolLab of the University of Duisburg-Essen

Image Collection

How to... Catalyst dispersion: a brief introduction by ZBT doctoral student Adib Caidi How to… Catalyst dispersion: a brief introduction by ZBT doctoral student Adib Caidi
Try it out for yourself: Participants were able to make a catalyst dispersion themselves. Try it out for yourself: Participants were able to make a catalyst dispersion themselves.
A short trip into the nanoworld: ZBT doctoral student Miriam Hesse shows NanoSchoolLab participants the ZBT laboratories. A short trip into the nanoworld: ZBT doctoral student Miriam Hesse shows NanoSchoolLab participants the ZBT laboratories.

More News

Successful networking in Duisburg: Regional hydrogen practice meets research, industry and politics

On 5 February 2026, the 4th networking meeting of the Mat4Hy collaboration platform took place in Duisburg together with H2!Raum – directly opposite the ZBT.

Read more

Double doctoral success at ZBT

There was double cause for celebration at ZBT: Sebastian Hirt and Viktor Mackert successfully completed their doctoral programmes with the successful defence of their dissertations.

Read more

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