News
![[Translate to English:] Dr. Kazuki Morita (links), Dr. Qingping Wu (rechts), HZB Berlin](/fileadmin/_processed_/f/4/csm_hzb-fellows_afc8411f23.webp)
Two Humboldt-Fellows join HZB
Kazuki Morita and Qingping Wu contribute their expertise in materials and energy research at HZB:
In 2024, two young scientists joined HZB as Humboldt Fellows. Kazuki Morita joined Prof. Antonio Abate's group and brings his expertise in modelling and data analysis to solar energy research. Qingping Wu is an expert…
Community-driven mini-grids in Nigeria
RLI research project shows ways to sustainably electrify rural regions:
In the project ‘Communities of Practice Nigeria’ (CP Nigeria), researchers from Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI), together with experts from partner organizations, have developed results for the promotion of clean and…
Why an economical Iridium catalyst works so well
An HZB team revealed that the special chemical environment in the P2X catalyst promotes water splitting during electrolysis:
Iridium-based catalysts are needed to produce hydrogen using water electrolysis. Now, a team at HZB has shown that the newly developed P2X catalyst, which requires only a quarter of the Iridium, is as efficient and…
High-performance charging for e-buses in public transport also possible without grid expansion
Successful outcome of the ‘Buffered-HLL’ pilot project for energy- and cost-efficient charging with flywheel mass storage systems:
The nationwide pioneering pilot project ‘Buffered-HLL’ for energy- and cost-efficient high-performance charging with flywheel mass storage for electric buses in local public transport successfully concludes its…
Hydrogen: Breakthrough in alkaline membrane electrolysers
Research team developed a highly efficient and very inexpensive AEM electrolyser:
A team from the Technical University of Berlin, HZB, IMTEK (University of Freiburg) and Siemens Energy has developed a highly efficient alkaline membrane electrolyser that approaches the performance of established PEM…
International alliance for reproducibility of perovskite solar cells
TEAM PV to drive further development and comparability of low-cost solar modules:
Ten teams at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin are building a long-term international alliance to converge practices and develop reproducibility and comparability in perovskite materials. The TEAM PV project is funded by the…
Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech appointed to the Energy Research Advisory Council
HZB‘s Scientific Director will advise the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) on the direction of its energy research policy:
The Federal Minister of Economics Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, has appointed an advisory board to advise the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) on the energy research programme.…
HZB's Photovoltaic living lab reaches the 100 Megawatt-hour mark
The solar facades of the building in Adlershof provide insights into building-integrated photovoltaics:
About three years ago, the living laboratory at HZB went into operation. Since then, the photovoltaic facade has been generating electricity from sunlight. On September 27, 2024, it reached the milestone of 100…
MXenes show talent as catalyst for the production of green hydrogen
This class of materials is more stable and efficient than the best metal oxide catalysts currently available:
The MXene class of materials has many talents. An international team led by HZB chemist Michelle Browne has now demonstrated that MXenes, properly functionalised, are excellent catalysts for the oxygen evolution…
Greenhouse gas neutral research
HZB wants to be a role model for a clean future:
“When a research institution is heavily focused on renewable energies, it should set an example in its efforts for climate protection,” says Carina Hanke. “Because of this, HZB has committed itself to become…
IKZ, BAM, UDE and BESTEC successfully completed KostSol project
The aim of the joint project was to reduce costs in the production of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells through laser-induced structure formation on surfaces:
The joint project "Cost-Efficient Fabrication of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells through Laser-Induced Surface Structuring" (KostSol), funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), in…
Green hydrogen: “Artificial leaf” becomes better under pressure
Pressures between 6 to 8 bar can increase the efficiency of hydrogen production with sunlight in photoelectrochemical cells:
Hydrogen can be produced via the electrolytic splitting of water. One option here is the use of photoelectrodes that convert sunlight into voltage for electrolysis in so called photoelectrochemical cells (PEC cells).…
Green hydrogen from direct seawater electrolysis
International experts compare different approaches and warn against hype:
At first glance, the plan sounds compelling: invent and develop future electrolysers capable of producing hydrogen directly from unpurified seawater. But a closer look reveals that such direct seawater electrolysers…
BESSY II shows how solid-state batteries degrade
A team of researchers from HZB and Justus Liebig University Giessen present a new method for surface characterization of battery materials:
Solid-state batteries have several advantages: they can store more energy and are safer than batteries with liquid electrolytes. However, they do not last as long and their capacity decreases with each charge cycle.…
From waste to value: The right electrolytes can enhance glycerol oxidation
HZB team investigates how waste materials can be used more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly way:
When biomass is converted into biodiesel, huge amounts of glycerol are produced as a by-product. So far, however, this by-product has been little utilised, even though it could be processed into more valuable…
LUM science prize Young Scientist Award 2024
M. Sc. Amin Said Amin was honored at the 11th International Conference on Dispersion Analysis and Materials Testing:
From June 10th to 11th, 2024, LUM GmbH hosted the 11th International Conference on Dispersion Analysis and Materials Testing. 70 participants from 14 countries around the world took part. Three candidates from France,…
Good clean fun times two
DLR is working at two new institutes in Cottbus to help make industry and flying more sustainable :
Lowering CO₂ emissions is a pressing problem of our time. In Cottbus, people are working on solutions for it. Supported by funding for structural economic change, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) founded two…
Open letter to BNetzA: Making network data more usable
25 organisations around the Reiner Lemoine Institute call for more transparent data to increase efficiency in the energy transition and grid expansion:
In an open letter, the Reiner Lemoine Institute, together with an alliance of research, industry and associations, appeals to Germany’s Federal Network Agency Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) to make grid data even more…
Chilean President visits Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
Together with a delegation of 50 people, Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font visited the research facility in Adlershof on 11 June:
The President of Chile, Gabriel Boric Font, visited HZB on 11 June with a delegation of 50 people. Among the highlights of the evening were the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chilean Corporation…
Charging requirements for electromobility in Germany reassessed up to 2030
Study on publicly accessible charging points and charging capacity sets guidelines for expansion:
The study ‘Charging infrastructure after 2025/2030: Scenarios for the market ramp-up’ by the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure (Leitstelle) has been published in an updated new edition. Its results are not…