Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin HZB focuses on two topics: On the one hand, researchers are investigating materials for energy conversion and storage, such as solar cells, batteries and catalytically active materials. On the other hand, the HZB is developing new concepts for particle accelerators that produce a special kind of X-ray light (synchrotron light), as well as highly sensitive methods and instruments for studying materials with this light. The current synchrotron radiation source BESSY II is the most important tool for this: here, researchers gain insights into the structures and processes of a wide variety of objects under investigation, such as solar cells, battery materials, catalytically active materials, and even viruses, bacteria or meteorites. Every year, BESSY II records around 2700 visits from measurement guests from 28 countries. The aim of the HZB is to understand, develop and optimise new energy materials and thus make a relevant contribution to the decarbonisation of the energy system.

Main research areas:

• Photovoltaics
• Materials for energy storage
• Novel catalysts
• Energy-efficient information technologies
• Accelerator technology