Friedrich Schiller University Jena will be represented at the Hannover Messe from 20 to 24 April 2026. Its research and transfer projects on sustainable water treatment, green hydrogen, innovative energy storage and the digitalisation of cultural heritage can be found at the joint stand ?Research for the Future? in Hall 11 (Stand B42). Five projects will be presented.

New materials for clean water

One focus of the trade fair presentation is on new technologies for removing pollutants from water. Researchers at the University of Jena are working on regenerable adsorbers that can specifically bind nitrate and heavy metal ions. For this purpose, porous ceramic carrier materials are functionalised with organic molecules. The functional groups introduced ensure that certain substances can be selectively removed from the water. In contrast to conventional adsorbers, which have to be regularly replaced and disposed of, these materials can be regenerated by external stimuli such as UV light or pH changes.

Another approach to removing pollutants from water is pyrocatalysis. The ?PyreH2O? research group led by Dr Marcus Franke is investigating this phenomenon as a novel approach to the degradation of micropollutants in water.

Solutions for sustainable water management

The Thuringian Water Innovation Cluster (ThWIC), headed by Prof Dr Michael Stelter, will also be represented at the trade fair. The future cluster, co-initiated by the University of Jena, combines research from water technology, data science and social research to develop solutions for sustainable water management.

After all, the supply of clean water is one of the greatest social challenges of the future. In order to avoid water scarcity and the associated potential for social conflict, technological innovations such as new methods of water treatment or smart water monitoring are just as important as social innovations, e.g. new water utilisation regimes or assessment procedures.

Making better use of solar energy for hydrogen

In the area of energy, the University of Jena is presenting a novel approach for the more efficient use of solar energy with the project ?PY-PHO-HYBRID-ENERGY for Solar-Water-Splitting? by Dr Sebastian Engel. The focus is on hybrid membranes that combine different forms of solar energy utilisation: While the long-wave portion of the solar spectrum is utilised for heat generation in a similar way to solar thermal energy, the short-wave portion is used for direct hydrogen production through solar water splitting. This avoids the usual diversions via the coupling of photovoltaics and electrolysis. The stored thermal energy also helps to significantly increase the efficiency of the photocatalytic process. The aim of the research group is to increase the overall efficiency of solar energy utilisation, including hydrogen as a long-term storage medium, to more than 65 per cent.

Organic batteries for the energy transition

The University of Jena is also showcasing pioneering solutions in energy research. Developments in organic batteries will be presented, on which teams led by Prof. Dr Ulrich S. Schubert at Friedrich Schiller University and the Helmholtz Institute HIPOLE Jena are working. These energy storage devices are based on organic compounds and could partially replace scarce and toxic inorganic electrode materials.

The materials are considered to be potentially more environmentally friendly, easier to process and mechanically flexible. This makes them suitable for large stationary storage systems, such as solar and wind farms, as well as for small, flexible applications in smart clothing, sensors or packaging or in combination with organic solar cells.

Making cultural heritage digitally accessible

With the ?cultur3D? project, the stand also features a project that focuses on the digitalisation of cultural heritage. Under the direction of Dr Andreas Christoph, the Thuringian University and State Library Jena, together with the Thuringian Competence Centre ThEX, will be presenting 3D technologies with which cultural objects can be digitally recorded, processed and made usable in a variety of ways.

These technologies create new opportunities for museums, libraries and other cultural institutions. Cultural heritage can thus not only be preserved, but also made accessible for research, mediation and the public.

Information on all projects is also available at: forschung-fuer-die-zukunft.de/hm2026.htmlExternal link