{"id":16111,"date":"2026-05-11T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/news\/open-fuel-cell-project-open-research-for-knowledge-transfer-in-the-energy-transition\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T10:58:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:58:34","slug":"open-fuel-cell-project-open-research-for-knowledge-transfer-in-the-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/news\/open-fuel-cell-project-open-research-for-knowledge-transfer-in-the-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Fuel Cell Project: Open Research for Knowledge Transfer in the Energy Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Open Fuel Cell Project: Open Research for Knowledge Transfer in the Energy Transition<\/h1>\n

How can knowledge from energy research reach as many people as possible and promote dialogue between science, industry, and society?<\/h4>\n

The ZBT at the event \u201cA Different Approach to Knowledge Transfer?! Real-World Labs, Pop-Ups, Performances, and Mobile and Outreach Initiatives in the Energy Transition <\/strong>\u201c at the Gelsenkirchen Science Park with a presentation on open hardware<\/strong> as a tool for open and participatory knowledge transfer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Open Hardware as a Pioneer in Open Knowledge Transfer<\/h2>\n

In her presentation, Theresa Schredelseker<\/strong>, Head of the Science Management and Communication Office at the ZBT, introduced the Open Fuel Cell Project<\/strong> and explained how open research and development approaches can help make innovative energy technologies accessible to the general public. Open hardware makes it possible to transparently document<\/strong> scientific developments<\/strong>, collaborate on their further development<\/strong>, and thereby create new forms of cooperation<\/strong> between research, education, industry, and civil society. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Experience fuel cell technology firsthand<\/h2>\n

The Open Fuel Cell was also presented live<\/strong> during the event. Burghard Lutter<\/strong>, who played a key role in advancing<\/strong> the development of the fuel cell, commissioned the system on site and explained its design and operation. The demonstration gave participants the opportunity to talk<\/strong> with ZBT researchers and discuss current developments<\/strong> in fuel cell research as well as the potential<\/strong> of open hardware concepts<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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The Open Fuel Cell Project: Open Technology for Research, Education, and Innovation<\/h2>\n

The Open Fuel Cell Project aims to provide a PEM fuel cell as freely accessible open-source hardware<\/strong>. All design data, CAD models, bills of materials, manufacturing documents, and technical documentation are made publicly available<\/strong>. This enables research institutions, universities, companies, makerspaces, and interested users to understand<\/strong> the fuel cell, replicate it<\/strong>, use it for teaching and demonstration purposes, and further develop it<\/strong> as part of their own research and development work. <\/p>\n

The project is guided by the fundamental principles of Open Science: transparency, traceability, and the collaborative advancement of scientific knowledge<\/strong>. Making the development documentation openly available is intended not only to facilitate access to fuel cell technology, but also to accelerate innovation, strengthen knowledge transfer, and promote international collaboration. At the same time, Open Fuel Cell offers a low-threshold platform for education and training in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and helps to convey this key technology in a clear and accessible way. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Knowledge Transfer as a Dialogue Between Research and Society<\/h2>\n

The event highlighted that knowledge transfer<\/strong> extends far beyond traditional collaboration with academic and industrial partners. Open research approaches create new opportunities<\/strong> to raise the profile of research, communicate technological developments in a way that is easy to understand, and actively<\/strong> involve various societal stakeholders in innovation processes<\/strong>. The ZBT views this dialogue<\/strong> as an important component of its research and knowledge transfer activities. <\/p>\n

The ZBT would like to thank Franz Fl\u00f6gel<\/strong><\/a> and the teams at the Institute for Work and Technology<\/strong><\/a> (IAT) at the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences<\/strong><\/a> and the Fraunhofer UMSICHT<\/strong><\/a> for the successful event and the inspiring professional exchange.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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The Open Fuel Cell Project website<\/h2>\n

For more information on the Open Fuel Cell Project<\/strong>, as well as all freely available design and development documents, please visit https:\/\/openfuelcell.org\/<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Contact<\/h3>\n

Head of Science Management and Communication<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n Dr. Theresa Schredelseker\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n <\/svg><\/i>\n +49 203 7598-3357<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n <\/svg><\/i>\n \n t.schredelseker@zbt.de<\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Media<\/h4>\n
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