Fascinating insights at the "10. Langen Nacht der Wissenschaften 2022"

Erlangen, 21.05.2022 - Lectures, exhibits and the direct exchange with our scientists offered the guests many insights into the work of HI ERN and illustrated the span of our research in the field of renewable energies.

After the long pandemic-related break, we were finally able to welcome interested visitors to our institute again in the best early summer weather: As part of the "10. Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften" (10th Long Night of the Sciences), the doors of our new research building on the southern campus of FAU, which was inaugurated only last year, opened.

Mobility of the future to touch

"Open doors!" was already the message in front of the entrance door: Here, the Toyota Mirai, our hydrogen-powered staff vehicle, was presented. Visitors were able to talk directly with researchers from HI ERN about hydrogen-powered electric and hydrogen mobility of the future.

Hydrogen deposit bottles

Hydrogen plays a key role in the energy transition - but transporting it is complex and expensive. So how can hydrogen be stored safely and for a long time? And how can it then be released again when needed?

Dr. Patrick Preuster and his team vividly demonstrated how the gas can be stored, transported and refueled in an organic carrier liquid (LOHC) like a liquid fuel, thus realizing a hydrogen economy in which no gaseous hydrogen needs to be handled. 

How supercomputers can help understand processes and transport properties 

The optimization of manufacturing processes and the properties of the materials used are essential in order to produce more efficient, cheaper and longer-lasting solar cells, fuel cells or catalysts. The possibilities offered by modern computer simulations were demonstrated by scientists from the Dynamics of Complex Fluids and Interfaces department at HI ERN using numerous examples. These include applications to pressure and coating processes, reactive flows and general transport processes at the interface between physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering. Interested visitors could try out for themselves how Europe's most powerful supercomputers can help to understand processes and transport properties on the atomic to the macroscopic scale. Aha moments were guaranteed!

Experience contactless measurement of solar modules

Infrared (IR) thermography is the imaging measurement of temperature with IR cameras. This offers excellent possibilities to measure solar modules without contact. The researchers explained how a drone with an IR camera is used to examine large solar parks or how invisible module defects can be made visible. Visitors were even able to have their own IR portrait created.

Impressionen

^{Copyright: Andreas Kraus sowie HI ERN/Jessica Pölloth}