Viennese researchers develop groundbreaking technologies for clean energy!

Viennese researchers develop groundbreaking technologies for clean energy!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - The urgency is great! In view of the progressive climate change, a team of around 120 researchers at the Technical University of Vienna is working to find groundbreaking solutions for the energy storage of the future. This initiative, known as the Excellence Cluster MECS (Materials for Energy Conversion & Storage), started in October 2023 and has already received a funding of 35 million euros, supported by the Austrian science fund and the universities involved. The aim is to find what they are looking for in the search for effective catalysts that help to push the switch to renewable energies, the researchers and Club Tirol Vice President Renate Danler.

energy conversion in focus

In order to lay fossil fuels Ad Acta, innovative approaches are needed. Günther Rupprechter, research director of the cluster, explains that the researchers are working on two main methods: electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. The former enables the conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen with the help of electricity from renewable sources. The photocatalysis uses solar energy for direct hydrogen production - a method that has enormous potential, such as Dominik Eder, professor of molecular material chemistry. But the devil is in detail: tailor -made nanocatalysts are required to efficiently implement these technologies and to meet the challenges of energy storage in the long term.

The challenges are diverse: hydrogen is difficult to save or transport, so the scientists also research the generation of alternative fuels, such as ants or even ammonia through photocatalysis. Although the process is currently energy -intensive, research shows initial success and gives reason to hope for industrial applications in the future. As reported by the University of Vienna, a practical implementation of the research results could be possible within the next ten years - a revolutionary development for the energy management of the future.