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Institute for Applied Hydrogen Research, Electro- and Thermochemical Energy Systems (H2Ohm) is a joint research facility at the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm which brings together top tier researchers from across our university to conduct interdisciplinary research on the development of new materials and systems in alternative energy storage and conversion. All our research revolves around electrochemical and thermochemical systems such as fuel cells and batteries and cogeneration machines using hydrogen-based energy sources. Researchers from five different Faculties are working together for a better understanding of the components and systems and their behaviour over time in realistic applications.

The Faculty of Applied Chemistry focusses on the development of accelerated stress tests, the application and development of in situ and ex situ characterisation methods, and is working on artificial intelligence enhanced analytical methods for the prognosis of deactivation mechanisms and the life span of electrochemical energy systems and their components. Researchers from the Faculty of Process Engineering are working on the thermal management of systems and the predictive maintenance of electrochemical systems based on data acquired during use of the systems. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Precision Engineering, Information Technology contributes its expertise to the issues arising in the electrical field of fuel cell systems. Finally, researchers from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Building Services Engineering are having a look at the application of batteries and fuel cells in vehicles ranging from automotive via trucks and buses to railway engines.

Current news from the H2Ohm

Doctoral project at the H2Ohm awarded the 2023 N-ERGIE research prize

Prof. Maik Eichelbaum, professor of analytical chemistry at the H2Ohm, received this year’s N-ERGIE research prize for the doctoral research project that he designed and supervised titled, “Analysis of corrosion and degradation processes in base metal alloy anion exchange membrane water electrolysers for commercial production of green hydrogen”. The N-ERGIE statement explained: “We are convinced that green hydrogen will be decisive for the transformation of our energy system and will contribute to decarbonization. To ensure energy security and stable and cost-efficient production, scientific investigation to optimise the generative process is essential. The timeliness, the objectives, and the resultant potential of the project were decisive in recognising Lisa Machard’s doctoral project with the 2023 N-ERGIE research award.” N-ERGIE is supporting Prof. Eichelbaum and Ms Machard in the implementation of the project with 4000 euros in prize money. The prize was presented by N-ERGIE to the winners personally on 13 June in a ceremony.

H2Ohm at the Bunsen-Tagung in Berlin

On 8 June Susanne Thiel, doctoral candidate supervised by Prof. Eichelbaum at the H2Ohm and member of the Faculty of Applied Chemistry at the Ohm, presented the BMBF-funded project, SMART.H2, at the Bunsen-Tagung in Berlin. At the annual conference for physical chemistry in Germany, she presented initial experimental results from degradation studies on fuel cells that were conducted in the project. The talk was part of this year’s conference theme, “Physical Chemistry of the Energy Transition”.

Study on hydrogen potential in the Nuremberg region

On behalf of the Department of Economics and Science of the City of Nuremberg, an interdisciplinary team of experts from various research institutions is investigating the potential of hydrogen as an economic factor and for applications in the city and Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. H2Ohm will analyse the potential of hydrogen for onroad heavy-duty vehicles.