“Ziel2” Projects funded by the EU and the North Rhine-Westphalian Government
NETZ – Nano Energy Technology Center (2009-2012)
The "Ziel2 NETZ" project brings together partners from the fields of research and industry. With the help of nanotechnology, they are working together to open up new ways of achieving more efficient and environmentally-friendly applications of renewable energy. Nanotechnology is not just beneficial for new energy concepts that are yet to be developed, NETZ is also closely examining existing methods to see if they can be made even more efficient through the use of nanostructures and materials. So far, the implementation of nanoscale materials in industrial applications has failed due to the small number of suitable nanoparticles and materials available. However, using a cluster system for particle synthesis on a pilot scale, NETZ is in a position to supply its project partners with large quantities of nanoparticles with clearly defined properties. These nanoparticles then undergo interdisciplinary characterization before being processed further. In addition to more than 50 researchers from the University of Duisburg-Essen, a consortium of research facilities are also involved in NETZ, including teams from the Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA), the Fuel Cell Research Center (ZBT), the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, and Münster University.
ZF^3 – Center for Filtration Research and Functionalized Surfaces (2009-2012)
In the ZF3 project, function filters are being developed to separate gases from dust particles, remove unpleasant odors, and absorb toxic substances, for example. Researchers use innovative structures for these filters such as microfibers and produce nanoparticles specifically for these structures. This research involves the following three issues: the removal of highly toxic gas components, the filtration of liquid aerosols, and the separation of particles on fiber filters. The Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA) is taking the lead in this project, collaborating with the Institute for Combustion and Gas dynamics (IVG), the University of Duisburg-Essen "Thermal Process Engineering" chair, as well as the German Textile Research Center North-West (DTNW) in Krefeld.
http://www.iuta.de/index.php?article_id=550&clang=0
Contact: Dr.-Ing. Stefan Haep (Project Head)
NaSol – Semiconductor Nanowires for Photovoltaic Cells and LEDs (2009-2012)
Project partners are developing nanowire-based photovoltaic cells and LEDs because the semiconductor-layer systems that have been used up to now have reached their limits in terms of cost and materials. The goal is to achieve semiconductor nanowires that are significantly more efficient in terms of absorption and light emissions and which incur only minor losses when transporting energy.
This project is supported by AIXTRON AG based in Aachen, as well as the Center for Semiconductor Technology and Optoelectronics (ZHO) and the institute of “Electronic Materials and Nanostructures” at the University of Duisburg-Essen.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Gerd Bacher (Project Head)
