CatLab, the new catalysis research center aiming to investigate and develop hydrogen-based energy systems for the future, is a joint platform established by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), the Fritz Haber Institute (FHI) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion (MPI CEC).
Experts from all three research institutions are coming together to focus on the development of climate-neutral processes that are key to a sustainable, hydrogen-based energy system. With their combined expertise in synthesis, analysis, material characterization, catalyst research, machine learning and other key areas, CatLab partners are set to achieve leaps of innovation in hydrogen research.
Catalysts play a crucial role in the process as they are at the core of many ‘green’ technologies and systems. Catalytic processes are needed to produce hydrogen and synthetic fuels from renewable energies. The innovative research at CatLab will investigate approaches to prepare catalysts based on functional thin films and their potential use. Such thin film based catalysts can be specifically adapted for different chemical reaction processes – a breakthrough approach that will open many future applications.
CatLab relies on strong collaborations with industry (BASF) and research institutions including UniSysCat, BasCat and Humbold Universität Berlin. The five-year project which is expected to cost about 100 million Euros, is partially funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) who support the initiative with more than 50 million Euros as part of the government’s National Hydrogen Strategy.
More on https://www.fhi.mpg.de/news-institute/start-of-catlab