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The junior research group „Electrochemical Energy Systems“ works on fuel cells, batteries and electrolyzers. The group is dedicated to integrating latest material developments into state-of-the-art electrochemical energy systems.

To date, the most widespread water-splitting technology is the proton-exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis due to its efficiency, long-term stability and operation at high current densities. While PEM electrolyzers are commercially available, their costs are still high due to the acidic environment, fluorine-based membranes and noble metal catalysts. Therefore anion-exchange membrane (AEM) based electrolyzers have attracted attention, since they combine the advantageous properties of PEMWEs with the promise of significant cost reduction.

For this purpose, we are looking for a motivated student to help develop membranes/electrodes for AEM electrolysis. You will be working in close collaboration with our PhD-students, post-docs and engineers, mostly in the laboratory measuring and analyzing fabricated devices using X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry.

The use of hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles and trucks is one possibility to reduce the CO2 emissions emitted by the transport sector. Since the catalyst is one of the main cost drivers in the system, this area has become the focus of research in the past years. The junior research group „Electrochemical Energy Systems“ at the Institute of Microsystems Engineering and the Hahn-Schickard Institute in Freiburg investigates state-of-the-art hydrogen technologies and develops novel fuel cell concepts in cooperation with industry partners.

Fuel cells play a key role in reducing CO₂ emissions in the transport sector by converting the chemical energy of hydrogen into electrical energy to power the vehicle. However, the efficiency of state-of-the-art fuel cells is mainly limited by transport processes in the electrodes. This project aims to improve the efficiency and make fuel cells more competitive. For this purpose, the current understanding of the phenomena limiting the performance and durability will be investigated.