Partners

The Leibniz Association connects 95 independent research institutions dedicated to bridging the gap between fundamental science and applied research and development. INP - Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology e.V. is the largest non-academic research institute in Europe within the field of low temperature plasma.

The INP Materials and Surfaces Program conducts research and development of nanostructured materials and thin layers produced by plasma-assisted techniques both at low and atmospheric pressure. At the core of the program, physical and chemical vapour deposition (PVD and CVD) processes are developed for synthesis of high performance thin layers, for instance composed of complex metal alloys and ceramics, multi-layer systems and hybrid materials of metals, ceramics, polymers and carbon. Recent developments in the area of advanced materials for energy storage and conversion are headed by the research group Materials for Energy Technologies focusses on development of innovative synthesis pathways in plasma-processing, enabling breakthrough of cost-efficient production and long-term stable high performance fuel cells, electrolyzers and batteries.

In collaboration with our partners, electrochemical active layers such as electrolytes, electrodes and catalysts are synthesised by means of precisely controlled processes as well as corrosion protection and hydrogen barriers on steel and bipolar plate components. Development of processes and optimisation of properties are closely accompanied by screening-type and in-depth structural, crystallographic and electrochemical characterisation by means of a broad portfolio of analytical methods.

Dr. Angela Kruth with a material scientist background has a long-term experience in developing nanomaterials for energy applications with an application-orientated approach. After obtaining a Chemistry degree from University of Greifswald, Germany, her PhD Thesis in 1999 under Supervision of Prof. Anthony R. West at University of Aberdeen, UK, was on the topic of synthesis and structural and electrochemical characterisation of a new MIEC non-stroichiometric perovskite solid solution, Ca2-zMn2-xNbxO6-y for application as electrode materials in SOFC and gas sensors.

At University of St Andrews, UK, under supervision of Prof. John T. S. Irvine she developed a BaCe0.9Y0.1O3-y proton conducting perovskite membrane for enhancement of Haber-Bosch synthesis of ammonia within the frame of a EPRC project as well a perovskite membrane-based high temperature steam electrolyseur and new Sc-/Y-doped ZrO2 oxide ion conductors for SOFC. From 2005, the focus of work shifted towards development of a ceramic co-catalyst and support in polymer exchange membrane fuel cells for direct utilization of methanol as a fuel, followed by a proof-of-concept and technology transfer supported by a Royal Society of Edinburgh Scottish Enterprise Fellowship.

From 2010, she is project leader at the INP in Greifswald focussing on the development of plasma-enhanced thin film and nanoparticle deposition processes that enable the economic large-scale synthesis of energy materials. Since 2019, she Head of the INP research group Materials for Energy and speaker and coordinator of the CAMPFIRE Alliance - a partner network of industry and research institutes within the Region North-East in Germany that is developing new technological routes to establish green ammonia as a carbon-free fuel and energy carrier.

The hydrogen and fuel cell center "Zentrum für BrennstoffzellenTechnik" (ZBT GmbH) founded in 2001 is supporting industry to speed up the market introduction of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies.

ZBT employees an interdisciplinary team of almost 100 qualified personnel, most having many years of experience in the field of research and development. Their extensive expertise and the outstanding infrastructure are incorporated in numerous co-operative ventures with industrial companies and research partners. Projects and services of ZBT cover a wide range from the development of reformers, fuel cell stacks and completely serviceable systems, the testing of production and manufacturing technologies for cell components and whole fuel cell stacks through to the testing of market-based developments with a view to licensing.

Among other things ZBT worked in the project “Toplaterne”, which was a sub venture of the lighthouse project e4ships (funded by Federal Republic of Germany), and was also involved in the ”E-Binnenschiff” project, funded by North Rhine Westphalia. In that frame ZBT developed several Excel based tools for calculation of specific fuel emissions, life cycle assessment and efficiencies of energy chains for maritime and inland ship applications.
ZBT is a non profit limited company (GmbH), CEO is Prof. Dr. Angelika Heinzel. Share holder is the University Duisburg-Essen.

More than 20 years of experience in the economic and thermodynamic analysis of advanced energy processes, with a special focus on hydrogen and fuel cell technology. As department leader of the microsystems and fluid mechanics he responsible for 14 scientists that work in this field at ZBT.

This research covers the development of laser method of in operando measurement of fluid flows in fuel cells. The material development of novel material and bipolar concepts for mobile (bike, aircrafts, passenger vehicles, portable hybrid fuel systems) as well as the development of complete micro fuel systems. The scientific results of his were transferred into SME networks (ZIM Innovationsnetzwerk, BISNET “ Brennstoffzellen in Serie”) to commercials the results. The network were managed be himself with 20 involved SMEs in three different product streams . His current task is the strategic management of the campfire (a green ammonia to power for maritime applications) project in Germany.

Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) is a scientific-technological university which trains engineers, architects and industrial designers. It is the largest technical university in Italy, focused on the quality and innovation of teaching and research, developing a fruitful relationship with business and productive world by means of experimental research and technological transfer.

The Politecnico is consistently in the top 10 European universities, according to QS Ranking, in 7 research areas spanning from  Architecture & Built Environment to Computer Science & Information Systems; Civil & Structural Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Electronic Engineering; Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering. Research constitutes a parallel path to that formed by cooperation and alliances with the industrial system, in many cases favored by Fondazione Politecnico and by consortiums to which Politecnico belongs, allowing the university to follow the vocation of the territories in which it operates and to be a stimulus for their development.  

Politecnico takes part in several international research and training projects collaborating with a world network of leading technical universities and research centers. The Department of Energy, in particular, studies disciplines and technologies relating to the production, conversion, transport and use of energy, in terms of a complete social and environmental sustainability.

Prof. Stefano Campanari holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Energy Sciences, obtained in 1999 at Politecnico di Milano, Italy.  He has been associate professor of Energy Systems at the School of Industrial Engineering of Politecnico di Milano since 2006, where he became Full Professor in 2018. His main research activities are related to advanced power cycles, hydrogen production, fuel cells and CO2 capture, as well as to distributed cogeneration power plants.

Author of over 150 publications on international journals and congresses, with H-Index 30, and three books related to the research activity. Scientific responsible of the Lab of Micro-Cogeneration and Energy Conversion at the Department of Energy at POLIMI, he has been recipient of six international best paper awards at ASME Turbo Expo, where he is member of the IGTI committees “Cycle Innovation” and “Industrial & Cogeneration”. Editorial board member of the Journal ‘Applied Energy’ (Elsevier Science).

Fraunhofer is Europe’s largest application-oriented research organization with 74 institutes and more than 28,000 scientists and engineers. The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems located in Dresden and Hermsdorf covers the complete field of advanced ceramics.

Fraunhofer IKTS develops concepts for product and process innovations in numerous trendsetting industry sectors. The section Environmental and Process Engineering represents one of the biggest European research groups in the field of ceramic membranes. Ceramic membranes, filters, adsorbents and catalysts from Fraunhofer IKTS play an integral role in gas processing and water treatment processes. The Fraunhofer IKTS participates mainly with its department HTSC (High-Temperature Separation and Catalysis) dealing typically with development of MIEC (Mixed Ionic Electronic Condcutors) membranes for O₂ and H₂ separation, oxygen storage materials (OSM) and mixed oxide catalysts for heterogeneous catalysis.

HTSC works along the whole chain from powder synthesis along ceramic shaping, characterization and simulation up to building up of demonstration plants. Presently, department HTSC deals especially with application of MIEC membrane plants for energy saving and CO₂ capture in combustion processes. As a result of these activities, pressurized combustion of carbon-free fuels in a membrane reactor was identified as promising route for more efficient power production.

Dr. Ralf Kriegel (male) will have the project lead at Fraunhofer IKTS. He is working on mixed conducting materials since 1990, at first about material synthesis, oxide ion diffusion, chemical expansion and oxygen permeation. Presently, membrane production, process development and basic design of membrane plants are in the focus of his work.

He joined the institute in 2006 and becomes the leader of the group “Mixed conductors and catalysis” two years later. Together with his associates, he was awarded for the proof of concept of “Ceramic Membranes for Oxygen Production” by the Thuringian Research Award 2010 for Applied Research.

Since 2014, he is leading the department HTSC dealing mainly with ceramic adsorbents for gases, mixed conducting membranes and catalysts for heterogeneous gas reactions and combinations thereof inside membrane reactors. His approach of a self-pressurizing of combustion gases using „solid oxygen“ opens two routes for a more efficient energy conversion. The route based on a membrane reactor is used for the HiPowAR concept of pressurized ammonia combustion.

První brněnská strojírna, a.s. (PBS Brno) supplies complex power-generating units and develops advanced industrial boilers and turbosets for electricity and heat generation. PBS Brno offers comprehensive services and EPC project partnerships for streamlining heat and electric power generation with improved efficiency and minimized environmental impact.

PBS Brno holds innovative proprietary technology for industrial boilers and steam turbine designs for various fuel types, including advanced biomass and waste combustion. Its technical know-how is backed by more than a 200-year tradition. The first turbine under the PBS brand was designed and manufactured by the company as early as 1906. První brněnská strojírna, a.s. is a member of the prestigious multinational PBS GROUP a.s.

The product portfolio includes various industrial, biomass and waste boilers and heating units, back-pressure turbines (300 kW – 5 MW) and condensing turbines (600 kW – 6 MW). PBS Brno provides a full range of services to its clients, including design, technology, production planning, manufacturing, installation, testing, and maintenance.

COO at První brněnská strojírna, a.s.
Michal is an executive leader at PBS Brno, active in the energy sector since 2001, and has over a decade-long track record of management and implementing technological innovations of complex rotating machine systems. His professional background covers applied mechanics, numerical simulation methods of thermal distortions and fatigue, modal and ODS analyses, and high temperature and dynamic experimental measurements using optical systems or electric potential drop methods.

Recognized as one of the top 10 Czech managers of 2018 for his work on a joint project with the European Space Agency on developing Europe's unique electric cycle rocket engine adapting high-speed rotating machine technology.

Michal is an accomplished innovation manager endorsing a holistic approach to leadership within tech-companies. He also accentuates the independence and originality of thought of employees. He leads diploma theses, discussions with students, and facilitates communication between the business and academic communities.

His interests include the popularization of science and the advocacy of the win-win approach. Michal enjoys his free time with his wife and two daughters, and he also loves to relax by expanding his private arboretum, which is his great passion.

RANOTOR AB is founded by the former project leader of SAABS steam engine for vehicles. Reciprocating piston engine is a better type of expander than steam turbine when the power output is below 1000 kW. The project was ceased when the catalytic converter emerged but there has been an interest for the technology on and off for both stationary as well as mobile application.

Several project together with industry and universities has been carried out and the last years, RANOTOR has got costumers that want modern steam engines for WHR (Waste Heat Recovery) and there is strong interest for the steam engine to exploit different types of unrefined and cheap biofuel but also other fuel as hydrogen, hydrogen peroxide, iron powder and Concentrating Solar Power

Mr. Peter Platell graduated in 1983 from KTH (Royal University of Technology Stockholm) with a Master of Science degree, majoring in Power and Heating. After graduating from KTH, Peter has worked as energy consultant, with automotive engines and building HVAC-systems.  Peter has been a doctoral student at KTH and graduated a Technical Licentiate (PhD) degree 1993.

Peter has also published several R&D works regarding small-scale CHP, solar energy, ground couple heat pumps, Low Exergy HVAC systems and published several international papers. Over the past 15 years, Mr. Platell has primarily worked with the commercialisation of his research developments in his own companies.