At the Institute of Energy Materials and Devices – Structure and Function of Materials (IMD-1), we develop and characterize high-performance structural and functional materials, as well as working media, for both centralized and decentralized energy conversion and storage systems. Our interdisciplinary research aims to advance the understanding of material behavior and underlying processes across a range of energy technologies. One key area of focus is the study of solid oxide cells in both fuel cell and electrolysis modes. In this context, we use a variety of experimental techniques, analytical methods, and modeling approaches. To support the global transition to green hydrogen, enhancing the reliability of solid oxide electrolyzers is a crucial step. This requires a deep understanding of the correlations between mechanical properties and microstructure under application-relevant conditions.

• Design and execution of experiments to investigate mechanical properties under application-relevant conditions
• Microstructural characterization using advanced optical and electron microscopy techniques
• Analysis and correlation of mechanical behavior with microstructural features and failure mechanisms
• Development of models to describe degradation mechanisms and predict component lifetime
• Presentation of research findings at project meetings, workshops, and international conferences
• Publication of results in peer-reviewed scientific journal