2025

"pv magazine" reports on newly developed strategy in the field of materials research

By skillfully combining AI with fully automated high-throughput synthesis, new organic molecules were found within a few weeks that could be used to build solar cells with above-average efficiency - including those that outperform other state-of-the-art materials. The results of the research work were published in the renowned journal Science, and "pv magazine" is currently reporting on them.

The LOHC One Reactor will give rise to the world's largest facility for stationary and reversible hydrogen storage based on LOHC technology

With the LOHC One Reactor, an important building block for research into innovative technologies for the energy supply of the future is being delivered to the Jülich campus. This will give rise to a new type of hydrogen storage facility at Forschungszentrum Jülich, which is scheduled to go into research operation in 2026.

Prof. Gabriel da Silva as visiting professor at HI ERN

The chemist Prof. Gabriel da Silva from the Federal University of Viçosa (Brazil) will research different electrochemical systems during his stay at HI ERN. The visiting professorship is the basis for a long-term research cooperation with Brazil in the field of renewable energies.

“Advanced Materials” publishes review article on the influence of ionizing radiation on quantification for in situ and operando LP-TEM

Researchers have developed strategies for dealing with beam effects that, when used correctly, improve LP-TEM results and make it an even more powerful analytical tool. As a result, LP-TEM has the potential to revolutionize nanoscience in liquid media. The team of authors includes the leading group in the field of LP-TEM, led by Frances M. Ross (MIT).

Navigating the Energy Transition in Korea and Germany: KAST-Leopoldina Perspectives

The paper covers the fields of solar technologies, hydrogen, batteries, grid management, and future energy sources. It highlights scientific challenges, identifies priorities for bilateral research, and offers recommendations for policymakers in Korea and Germany. This joint paper builds on the proceedings of the 8th bilateral symposium by Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) and German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

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Great honor: Three HI ERN researchers at the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Dr. Tatiana Priamushko, Joanna Przybysz and Nico Röttcher, three talented young researchers, have been selected to take part in the coveted event. During the event they will have the opportunity to come into contact with numerous Nobel Prize winners and present their own research to a high-caliber audience.

Prof. Christoph Brabec new member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Membership in the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities is one of the highest scientific honors in Bavaria. The plenum elected a total of 14 scientists as new members. All members must have contributed to a "significant expansion of knowledge" in their field through their research.

Transition to zero-emission energy "costs" 1% of global GDP

The transition to an emissions-neutral energy system requires an investment of about 1% of global GDP. This is comparable to major historical projects. This is the conclusion of Dr. Ian Marius Peters (HI ERN) and Prof. Christian Breyer (LUT University, Finland) in their latest study. The results were recently published in the journal Joule.

Dr. Yi-Hsuan Wu receives Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdocs

For his work in the field of Electrochemical Glycerol Oxidation (GOR), Dr. Yi-Hsuan Wu received the Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdocs. The goal of his research is to improve product selectivity and stability in the electrochemical oxidation of glycerol. Optimizing the catalysts will help to make the electrochemical conversion of glycerol more efficient - an important step towards sustainable hydrogen production and value creation from biomass.

New method developed for identifying side products in LOHC systems

Repetitive storage cycles can give rise to undesirable side products that deposit on catalysts and impair their function. Using a special analytical method, these side products can now be precisely identified and their structures determined. This will enable processes to be optimized in the future in order to minimize contamination and reduce costs and resource consumption.

New impulses for semiconductor research

Starting in October 2025, the DFG will fund the new Collaborative Research Center (CRC) “ChemPrint – Next-Generation Printed Semiconductors: Engineering at the Atomic Level Using Molecular Surface Chemistry” at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). HI ERN is also participating in the CRC.

Efficient Laser Process Yields Crystalline Iridium Oxide Nanoparticles with promising Catalytic Properties

Researchers have developed a laser-induced nanoscale engineering process that enables the controlled synthesis of ultra-small, crystalline iridium oxide nanoparticles. These materials demonstrate outstanding activity and stability in the anode reaction of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis—a key process in green hydrogen production.

The ideal recyclable solar cell: Comment in Nature Reviews Chemistry

The two authors Dr. Ian Marius Peters and Prof. Christoph Brabec are calling for a radical rethink in the design of solar cells. In future, these must be conceived as a compromise between performance, longevity and recyclability in order to realize a sustainable circular economy in solar energy.

Green hydrogen in fuel cell quality from the municipal gas grid

For the first time, high-purity hydrogen has been isolated electrochemically from the municipal gas grid. Hydrogen is produced when excess wind power electricity is fed into the gas grid. Since the successful commissioning in May of this year, the recovery of pure, high-quality hydrogen has been demonstrated through reconversion into electricity in a fuel cell.

What's next? Inspiration for the next career step at the 3rd Career Day

An academic career, a move into industry, or starting your own business with a great idea? The third HI ERN Career Day once again offered doctoral students and postdocs at HI ERN personal insights into the individual career paths of alumni, networking opportunities with companies in the region, and an overview of the wide range of support available at the institute.

Open-Access-Publication of the Month

The current Open Access publication of the month deals with the question of how tiny colloidal particles suspended in a liquid can arrange themselves into ordered monolayers when the liquid dries. Such ordered monolayers of colloidal particles are crucial for numerous applications, including optoelectronics, surface modification, photovoltaics and catalysis.

Prof. Gabriel da Silva receives CAPES-Humboldt Research Fellowship

This research grant from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) enables scientists with above-average qualifications from Brazil to carry out research stays in Germany. Gabriel da Silva, a chemist and professor at the Federal University of Viçosa in Brazil, is currently a visiting professor at HI ERN.