Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie

Materials for tomorrow

How are the technical properties of a material and its microscopic structure connected? This is the question that researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB, former HMI) are asking. They are studying new materials and complex material systems. In their work, they always bear innovative production processes in mind as a matter of policy. Solar energy research forms the second focus at the HZB.

The Helmholtz Centre operates two large-scale scientific facilities for its research work on the structure of matter. These facilities are the research reactor BER II for experiments using neutron radiation and the ion-beam laboratory (ISL). These provide highly-specialised sample environments where experiments can be carried out under the most demanding conditions - an opportunity that is also gladly and often used by external international scientists.

Structure research in atomic dimensions

The HZB's structural researchers investigate the atomic and magnetic structures of solid bodies, the structure-property relations of materials, inner dynamics and phase conversion in condensed matter, and they use ion radiation to analyse and modify materials. In addition, scientists study questions of biophysics, research the use of neutron activation in analysing trace elements and use the proton radiation produced by the ion-beam lab to treat eye tumours.

Research for tomorrow's solar cells

In its solar energy research, scientists are studying the solar cells of the next and one after next generation - which means developing new classes of materials and innovative cell structures. Efficient and competitive thin-layer solar cells and multispectral cells represent the long-term goals of this research. The field of HZB solar energy research extends from fundamental the atomic-structural and electronic properties of photovoltaic materials all the way through to searching for and testing new technological production processes in close collaboration with industry.

Cooperation and networking are writ large at the HZB with its 860 staff. Around 70 doctoral students from universities in the region do their research and gain their qualifications at the HZB. While beyond the region of Berlin-Brandenburg, the HZB cooperates with around 300 partners from German and international universities, research institutes and companies.