HI ERN | EN

Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy

The Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HI ERN) investigates and develops material- and process-based solutions for a climate-neutral, sustainable, and cost-effective utilization of renewable energies. The institute works on the structural and functional characterization, modeling, and processing of materials relevant to hydrogen and solar technology. The common goal is the understanding of structure-performance-process relationship on the mesoscale.

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RECENT NEWS

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7 March 2025

“Advanced Materials” publishes review article on the influence of ionizing radiation on quantification for in situ and operando LP-TEM

Researchers have developed strategies for dealing with beam effects that, when used correctly, improve LP-TEM results and make it an even more powerful analytical tool. As a result, LP-TEM has the potential to revolutionize nanoscience in liquid media. The team of authors includes the leading group in the field of LP-TEM, led by Frances M. Ross (MIT).

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20 January 2024

Prof. Gabriel da Silva as visiting professor at HI ERN

The chemist Prof. Gabriel da Silva from the Federal University of Viçosa (Brazil) will research different electrochemical systems during his stay at HI ERN. The visiting professorship is the basis for a long-term research cooperation with Brazil in the field of renewable energies.

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15 January 2025

The LOHC One Reactor will give rise to the world's largest facility for stationary and reversible hydrogen storage based on LOHC technology

With the LOHC One Reactor, an important building block for research into innovative technologies for the energy supply of the future is being delivered to the Jülich campus. This will give rise to a new type of hydrogen storage facility at Forschungszentrum Jülich, which is scheduled to go into research operation in 2026.

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9 January 2025

"pv magazine" reports on newly developed strategy in the field of materials research

By skillfully combining AI with fully automated high-throughput synthesis, new organic molecules were found within a few weeks that could be used to build solar cells with above-average efficiency - including those that outperform other state-of-the-art materials. The results of the research work were published in the renowned journal Science, and "pv magazine" is currently reporting on them.

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20 December 2024

DFG research group seeks new possibilities for the spatial design of high-frequency products

The researchers at "3D-HF-MID" want to develop new methods for manufacturing high-frequency assemblies. At HI ERN, the focus is on the development of highly conductive composites and novel dielectric materials for printed HF structures, as well as the simulation and optimization of the aerosol jet printing process.

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13 December 2024 | Press Release

Faster to Better Photovoltaic Materials with AI

Researchers demonstrate how the use of machine learning greatly accelerates the search for new semiconducting molecules for perovskite solar cells. The research was published in the journal Science.

UPCOMING Events

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10 July 2025 | Erlangen

Save the date: CareerDay 2025

Networking with industry partners of the institute, job fair and personal insights into the careers of HI ERN alumni: after the successful kick-off event last year, HI ERN PhD students can once again take away important impulses and contacts for their own career planning at this year's CareerDay. Further information will follow.

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25 October 2025

Save the date: Long Night of the Sciences 2025

Curious visitors welcome! Exhibits and the direct exchange with our scientists offer interested parties exciting insights into the work of the HI ERN and illustrate the scope of our research in the field of renewable energies.

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Degree programme | Lecture series

Study for a better future with Clean Energy Processes

The energy transition is one of the great challenges of our time: Where will energy come from in the future? And how can it be stored and used efficiently in a sustainable chemical industry? The focus is on sustainable production as well as the distribution and use of renewable energies for industry - always taking into account socio-economic, ecological and legal factors. Students benefit from a research-strong, interdisciplinary approach as well as FAU's close ties to HI ERN.