GRK 2495:  Energy Conversion Systems: From Materials to Devices

• Subject Area: Materials Science ; Systems Engineering
• Term: since 2020
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 399073171

The primary research objective of the proposed IRTG is the improved understanding of electro-mechanical (piezoelectric) and electro-optical (photovoltaic and water splitting) energy conversion systems based on lead-free perovskite-based materials. Development of lead-free systems is important due to increasing international regulations banning the use of heavy metals in, e.g., electronic devices. Such alternative energy sources will become increasingly vital over the next decades, not only as sources of renewable energy but also for high-tech applications, such as powering unattended wireless sensors. Of particular importance is the improved understanding of multi-length scale phenomena responsible for the energy conversion, development, and implementation of state-of-the-art lead-free perovskite materials, novel 2D and 3D processing techniques, and integration into devices. Various synthesis, manufacturing, and experimental techniques will be utilized and coupled to cutting edge simulations, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration. Due to the nature of such systems, it is vital to bring together an interdisciplinary team of researchers that spanthe important length scales, which will allow critical, length-scale-specific phenomena to be directly addressed in a collaborative research and training environment. This results in a novel combination of research subjects. In addition, the enhanced internationalization provided by the IRTG will facilitate mutual access to a wide array of experimental techniques and measurement equipment, extensive and varied expertise in atomic-scale to macroscale modeling, experimentation, and manufacturing techniques, and provide links to Japanese industrial partners, which otherwise would not be easily accessible.

• DFG Programme: International Research Training Groups
• International Connection: Japan
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• IRTG-Partner Institution: Nagoya Institute of Technology
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Kyle Grant Webber
• IRTG-Partner: Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Ken-ichi Kakimoto
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Christoph J. Brabec; Dr. Maria Rita Cicconi; Privatdozent Dr.-Ing. Tobias Fey; Professor Dr.-Ing. Georg Fischer; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Heiss; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Julia Mergheim; Professor Dr. Bernd Meyer; Professor Dr.-Ing. Paul Steinmann; Professor Dr.-Ing. Peter Wellmann; Dr. Frank Wendler; Professor Dr. Michael Zaiser