{"id":3761,"date":"2024-05-03T13:40:37","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T13:40:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prod.zbt.compositas.io\/zentrum\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T14:34:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T14:34:09","slug":"institute","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/institute\/","title":{"rendered":"Institute"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Overview of the ZBT<\/h1>\n

Application-oriented hydrogen, fuel cell and electrolysis research takes place in Duisburg at the ZBT.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Since its establishment in 2001, the ZBT – Center for Fuel Cell Technology in Duisburg has closed the gap between basic university research and industrial development departments.<\/p>\n

In more than 20 years, the ZBT has acquired comprehensive know-how in application-oriented research in the fields of fuel cells, hydrogen and electrolysis. With its expertise, ZBT is a sought-after research and development partner and consulting service provider. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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ZBT GmbH is a non-profit limited liability company (GmbH); the University of Duisburg-Essen<\/strong> has been the sole shareholder since 2005.<\/p>\n

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The position of Managing Director is held by Dr Peter Beckhaus<\/strong> (pictured, left), while the role of Scientific Director is that of Prof. Dr. Harry E. Hoster<\/strong> (pictured, right). The management team is completed by our Commercial Director, Jonas Sudhoff, and our Operations Manager, Bernd Oberschachtsiek. <\/p>\n

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As a member of the Johannes Rau Research Association<\/strong>, the ZBT receives support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.<\/p>\n

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ZBT’s approximately 180 employees have access to outstanding technical infrastructure, including production and test facilities, chemical laboratories, and high-tech analytics. Our portfolio is rounded off by state-of-the-art IT and software tools. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Departments<\/h1>\n

In our seven scientific departments<\/strong>, our large team of scientists work on research and industrial projects relating to practical issues concerning fuel cells<\/strong>, hydrogen<\/strong> and electrolysis<\/strong> on a daily basis. This ranges from functional materials, components and systems to entire infrastructures. We also investigate and continuously develop manufacturing processes to pave the way for optimal mass production. <\/p>\n

It is important to acknowledge the contribution of the many people who work in our Technical and Commercial Services departments to keep the instute running.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Electrochemical Components<\/h4>\n

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Electrolysis<\/h4>\n

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Fuel Cell Systems<\/h4>\n

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Fuel Cells & Stacks<\/h4>\n

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Fuels & Processes<\/h4>\n

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Hydrogen Infrastructure<\/h4>\n

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New Materials & Technologies<\/h4>\n

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Equipment<\/h3>\n

The media supply in our main laboratory<\/strong> has just been massively expanded so that we can also test in higher performance classes, for example in relation to mobility applications. We develop and build most of our high-tech test stands<\/strong> ourselves. In addition, we have many high-performance analytical devices<\/strong> for material characterisation, such as an X-ray microscope, 3D microscope and thermogravimetric analysis device.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the ZBT has successfully established a highly effective ammonia infrastructure<\/strong>, thereby promoting the advancement of technologies relating to hydrogen derivatives. On our hydrogen test field<\/strong>, we can set up and analyse the interaction of entire systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Software Tools\n <\/h3>\n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
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Ex-situ analysis\n <\/h3>\n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
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Stack test stands\n <\/h3>\n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n \n

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ZBT as a partner<\/h2>\n

For as long as the ZBT has existed, it has been a sought-after and reliable partner for projects<\/strong> relating to our areas of expertise. These include the production of green hydrogen by electrolysis<\/strong>, energy storage using hydrogen<\/strong> or derivatives, hydrogen refuelling station technology, materials for electrochemical energy conversion, fuel cells<\/strong> and much more. <\/p>\n

As an application-orientated research institute<\/strong>, the ZBT works together with partners from industry, research, politics and the general public. Since its foundation in 2001, the ZBT has completed over 370 funded projects worth more than 130 million euros. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Sustainability at ZBT<\/h2>\n

Sustainability<\/strong> is not just an option, it is a necessity. Climate change<\/strong> is one of the greatest challenges of our time. By using renewable energy and sustainable practices, we are helping to limit global warming and protect the environment.<\/p>\n

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Diversity<\/h2>\n

At ZBT, equal opportunities<\/strong>, diversity<\/strong>, and respectful cooperation<\/strong> are at the heart of our work. We are committed to helping our employees achieve a good work-life balance. We promote a working culture that welcomes different perspectives\u2014regardless of gender, origin, age, religion\/belief, disability, or sexual identity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Recent awards<\/h2>\n
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2025<\/div>\n

Wiley Top Cited Article Award 2025<\/h4>\n

Adib Caidi, ZBT, was honored by Wiley with the Top Cited Article Award 2025 of the journal Particle & Particle Systems Characterization for his publication “Key Control Characteristics of Carbon Black Materials for Fuel Cells and Batteries for a Standardized Characterization of Surface Properties”.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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CENIDE Best Paper Award 2024<\/h4>\n

Adib Caidi, ZBT, and Amin S. Amin, University of Duisburg-Essen, received the CENIDE Best Paper Award 2024 in the category \u201cFunctional materials for energy applications\u201d for their publication \u201cKey Control Characteristics of Carbon Black Materials for Fuel Cells and Batteries for a Standardized Characterization of Surface Properties\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Award for Best Master's Thesis from the Deutschen Wasserstoff-Verband (DWV) e.V.<\/h4>\n

The master’s thesis of our research assistant Enado Pineti was honoured by the German Hydrogen Association as the best academic thesis of 2024.\r\n\r\nHis Master’s thesis titled “Herstellung und Optimierung edelmetallfreier Katalysatorschichten f\u00fcr die Anionenaustauschmembran-Wasserelektrolyse (AEM-WE) mittels korrosiver Abscheidung” (title translation: Production and optimisation of precious metal-free catalyst layers for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEM-WE) using corrosive deposition) was awarded in the Master’s category.\r\n<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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find out more about <\/br>Membership <\/br>now<\/h3>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/figure>\n
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Our supporting association<\/h2>\n

The Verein zur F\u00f6rderung des Zentrums f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik e.V. <\/strong>supports the ZBT in its work. Members gain insights into research and development at the ZBT and make valuable contacts with each other as well as the ZBT.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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