Intro

The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center (ZBT) was founded in 2001 as an affiliated institute of the University of Duisburg-Essen, linked via the Chair of Energy Technology in Engineering Sciences under the direction of Prof. Angelika Heinzel. Today, the institute has more than 100 employees and has been a member of the Johannes Rau Research Association since 2014.

The main research fields of the ZBT are fuel cell and hydrogen technology with a focus on applications in the field of electromobility and stationary energy supply. The use of hydrogen in the synthesis of CO₂-free or CO₂-neutral energy carriers is becoming increasingly important. In addition, one group is working on the improvement of modern, environmentally friendly batteries, such as the lithium sulphur battery.

The emission-free, electrochemical energy conversion processes, which are used in the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen in both the fuel cell and in batteries, are becoming ever more important in the context of climate protection. The use of hydrogen in industrial processes and syntheses, such as steel and plastics production, is also paving the way towards achieving the ambitious goals of avoiding CO₂ emissions.

With these research priorities, the ZBT addresses important energy technology topics in the context of the energy transition and climate protection.