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Sustainable technologies

Titelbild.
Foto: Colourbox

How can physics contribute to a safe, climate-friendly and resource saving energy supply of the future? We are developing technologies to do this—from innovative solar materials to novel energy storage systems. 

A particular focus is on the conversion of sunlight into electricity: We are investigating materials and concepts for high-performance and environmentally friendly solar cells, especially perovskite tandem cells. We are focusing not only on achieving high efficiency but also on utilizing environmentally friendly, available, and energy-efficient materials. The goal is to ensure real sustainability, one that goes beyond only considering technical efficiency, also taking rebound effects into consideration. 

We are also studying the electrochemical conversion and storage of energy. Using high-resolution measuring methods—for example, electron microscopy—and theoretical models, we analyze how electrons and ions move in electrochemical systems, how interfaces change, and how the understanding gained can be used to develop long-lasting, safe, and efficient storage systems.

Our research aims at solutions that can be integrated into a circular economy due to an approach centered on material-oriented development, system efficiency, and a deep physical understanding of the underlying processes.

Contributing researchers and their research areas

  • Jan Christoph Goldschmidt, Physics of solar energy conversion 
    Fabrication, characterization and modeling of perovskite solar cells
  • Martin Koch, Semiconductor photonics 
    Development and application of terahertz spectroscopy, for example to determine the water content in plants/detection of microplastic
  • Kerstin Volz, Functional materials 
    Structural analysis of battery materials using electron beam microscopy; growth of laser materials and tandem solar cells
  • Stefan Wippermann, Ab-initio energy materials
    Ab-initio molecular dynamics of electrochemistry, batteries and power-to-x

Collaborative research projects

Associated study programs