The Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden conducts applied research with industrial and public partners in the fields of material and system development for the production and storage of hydrogen.

On the one hand, new electrode materials and designs for alkaline water electrolysis are being researched. The aim is to increase the efficiency of the electrolysis process (reduction of overvoltage) and improve the long-term stability of the materials. Furthermore, we are aiming to increase the current densities from the current 300 mA/cm² to 600-800 mA/cm². Glassy metal alloys and three-dimensional cellular metal structures are used for this purpose, the electrochemical properties of which are determined by the composition of the alloy and its microstructure.

Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden is also developing materials, manufacturing processes and systems for the reversible solid-state storage of hydrogen for portable, mobile and small stationary applications. The focus is on conventional metal hydrides, magnesium-based light metal hydrides, complex hydrides and composite materials, which are used in nanostructured form, whereby the kinetics of hydrogen sorption can be significantly increased and their storage capacity increased. Special metal hydrides are also being developed as disposable storage materials, whereby the hydrogen is released thermally or by adding water.