Press releases, interviews and news

The “Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)” is the central functional component of PEM electrolysis: It is where electrochemical water splitting takes place using renewable electrical energy to produce green hydrogen. At the same time, the production of the electrode and membrane assembly involves the use of critical and costly raw materials such as iridium, platinum, and titanium. Researchers in the “CircuPEM – Circular Economy for PEM Electrolysis” project are exploring how these materials can be recycled at the end of the MEA’s life cycle.

Since 2016, industry and academia have been collaborating on the Carbon2Chem^® project to explore how climate-damaging industrial emissions can be put to good use. The goal: to stop viewing carbon dioxide merely as an emission and instead treat it as a raw material for new products. As the project marks its 10th anniversary, this approach works – even on an industrial scale.

How can we make mobility more climate-friendly without losing sight of technical and economic realities? Andreas Menne, Head of the Carbon Utilization and Synfuels department at Fraunhofer UMSICHT, discusses the potential and limitations of alternative fuels, the role of green hydrogen and the question of which applications will continue to require liquid energy carriers.

Till Olligschläger is studying mechanical engineering at Ruhr University Bochum. He is writing his master’s thesis on “Design and development of a press for the assembly and temperature-controlled leak testing of electrolysis stacks” at Fraunhofer UMSICHT. In this interview, he reveals that there are two things he particularly likes about the institute: on the one hand, dealing with current and sustainable topics, and on the other, the positive work atmosphere.

Logistics companies are currently facing growing pressure to transform: Energy-intensive road freight transport is associated with high fossil fuel consumption and thus fuel costs that are currently difficult to predict. At the same time, regulatory and customer requirements for sustainable supply chains in logistics are increasing. The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT and Joachim Schultz GmbH (JSG) are jointly investigating how a low-greenhouse-gas energy and mobility strategy can be developed under these conditions in a funded project.

The UMSICHT Research School was launched ten years ago. Its objective: to support doctoral students on their way to doctoral studies – within three to four years. The figures show that the Research School concept has proven its worth: To date, almost 90 graduates have successfully completed their dissertations. We spoke to some of them about their experiences – among them Dr. Matthias Lehmkühler.

Recycling and waste management facilities are among the most energy-intensive sectors of the economy: Crushers, screening and drying plants, mobile machinery, and complex logistics processes result in high consumption of electricity, heat, and fuel. The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT and HDB Recycling GmbH are collaborating on a joint project to determine how a climate-neutral energy supply can still be achieved: With the help of a transformation plan, the company’s site in Hünxe is to become greenhouse gas-neutral by 2045 – without jeopardizing economic viability or competitiveness. Within the next ten years, emissions caused by electricity, heat, and fuel consumption are to be reduced by at least 40 percent.

Jana Lieske-Overgrand is pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry at the University of Duisburg-Essen and is writing her master’s thesis at Fraunhofer UMSICHT. Since joining the team as a research assistant in catalyst testing, she has been involved in various research projects. In this interview, she talks about her daily work routine, the high level of personal responsibility in practical research, and the trusting atmosphere within the team.

The UMSICHT Research School has been supporting young researchers on their path to a doctorate and creating space for exchange, structure, and support for ten years. In this interview, Dr. Dr. Alina Gawel talks about how she has grown both professionally and personally through the Research School – and why patience, frustration tolerance, and team spirit are indispensable for everyday scientific work.

Housing companies and real estate firms face the challenge of making their housing stock climate-neutral, affordable, and future-proof. The multitude of technical options, regulatory requirements, and funding opportunities makes decision-making complex – especially when measures are considered in isolation. Integrated district energy concepts provide clarity here: They consider heat, electricity, buildings, grids, and mobility in context, identify synergies, and provide a robust foundation for strategic investments. In this interview, Pierre Krisam from our Energy Systems Integration department explains what such a holistic approach looks like in practice and what added value it offers compared to individual measures.