Hydrogen – Fundamentals of Production, Storage & Transport, Applications, and Economy.

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Educating Hy-Potential researchers on various topics across the breadth of hydrogen-related technologies and systems analysis.

This is the first of two winter schools to be organized during each cohort of the IRTG by bringing together all participants. Lectures will be held in a hybrid online/live format. It will be a three-day event in which half a day will be allotted to each research area during which the professors will hold lectures on the fundamentals of their expertise areas. The second winter school will be organized in the third or fourth year of the IRTG in a similar time format. This time, however, the doctoral researchers (plus a few invited speakers) will hold lectures on the advanced topics of their research area, including their research outcomes. 

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The Hy-Potential Winter School

Hy-Potential researchers from RWTH Aachen and the Institute of Science Tokyo will present their approaches across different stages of hydrogen technologies.

The upcoming Hy-Potential Summer Workshop will bring together researchers from RWTH Aachen University and the Institute of Science Tokyo to present their latest approaches in hydrogen technologies. This event offers a valuable opportunity to gain insights into various stages of the hydrogen industry, from production and storage to utilization. Participants will have the chance to exchange ideas, discuss emerging challenges, and build connections across international research communities.

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The Hy-Potential Summer Workshop

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Annual conference of the Zukunftscluster Wasserstoff

Hydrogen as an energy carrier offers the possibility of establishing a local and global CO2-neutral energy economy. The Hydrogen Clusters4Future bundle already existing expertise in the field of hydrogen technologies in and around Aachen with actors from Industry, Science and Society. All while considering the entire hydrogen life cycle – from production to storage and distribution to use. The Aachen Hydrogen Colloqium brings together researchers and stakeholders for an intense two days of exchange, impact and networking!

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Aachen Hydrogen Colloquium

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Imprint

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Privacy Policy

Several doctoral and postdoctoral positions open on a diverse range of topics!

Open Positions 

# Be a leading innovator in the transition to a green economy!
# Realize your Hy-Potential!

The International Research Training Group between RWTH Aachen University & Institute of Science Tokyo, **Hy-Potential**, is inviting applications from excellent candidates with a Masters degree (or equivalent) for advancing the state of research on the fundamentals of hydrogen production, storage & transport, applications, & economy and to participate in a holistic training program in all these areas.

## What’s in it for you?
- Research in an excellent, diverse & highly interdisciplinary global team
- Special mentoring & coaching program _Women of the IRTG_ for female candidates
- 6-month exchange visit to TokyoTech for collaborative research 
- Participation in regular summer schools, workshops & international conferences
- Highly individualized training program to enhance your soft & transversal skills 
- Professional networking with pioneers from both industry & academia
- Financial support after PhD for continuing original & excellent research if selected

The qualification program for doctoral candidates will open a wide range of career paths including positions in industry, engineering consulting, energy-related NGOs, energy policy, and of course, academia! The goal of the postdoctoral training will be the pursuit of a career in scientific research by providing them opportunities to participate in advising, advance their scientific profile with high impact publications, as well as train them in writing research proposals and group leadership.

## Selection procedure
Doctoral candidates will be selected in a transparent process based on the relevance of their educational background, academic achievements, excellence in Master’s research, previous internship experiences, recommendations, and assessments in interviews. **We seek applicants who bring diversity to the talent pool and have Master’s level research expertise related to the relevant topics. We highly encourage female and international candidates to apply!** Postdoctoral candidates will be appointed based on the scientific excellence and impact of their doctoral research, research statements, publications, recommendations, and interview assessments. 

Each applicant is required to submit the following application documents: cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of their degree certificates, 3 references including a letter of recommendation signed by the supervisor of their Master's or doctoral thesis, and a personal statement to relate their plans to the scientific scope of the IRTG. For postdoctoral positions, a research statement is additionally required.  

All the information on the specific PhD openings can be viewed below. Interested doctoral candidates should directly apply to the PI leading the corresponding research topic of interest. After evaluation of the application documents the candidates will be invited to a personal interview. For any other queries please contact us at [hypotential@itv.rwth-aachen.de](mailto:hypotential@itv.rwth-aachen.de).



Find out more about important upcoming events related to Hy-Potential, and hydrogen research in general!

Events

Hy-Potential

Hy-Potential is a DFG funded International Research Training Group (GRK 2983/1) between RWTH Aachen University & Institute of Science Tokyo


Principle investigators and researchers involved in Hy-Potential

People

The excellent and diverse team of PIs involved in the Hy-Potential have both complementary and overlapping expertise, which enables a highly interdisciplinary research structure to bring together researchers with a wide range of expertise and interests. At a broader level, the research structure is woven out of various complementarities arising from theoretical versus experimental and fundamental versus system scale research. This is only made possible due to the collaboration between RWTH Aachen and Institute of Science Tokyo. This holistic structure is ideal for the all-round training of the researchers because it allows the development of fruitful synergies in research. 

Recent news about Hy-Potential's research, impact, and networks!

Updates

Contact

**Email:**
hypotential@itv.rwth-aachen.de

**Phone:**
+49 241 80-94607

About

## Why hydrogen?
The pressing significance of climate change and its associated risks to humanity are widely acknowledged, necessitating an urgent shift in our energy systems towards carbon neutrality. The substantial potential of renewable wind and solar energy must be utilized to achieve defossilization. However, widespread utilization of these intermittent sources requires effective means for transporting the energy over long distances and storing it for extended periods, for which hydrogen is very well suited. Hydrogen can be produced with good efficiency and offers remarkable versatility as a chemical energy carrier for various on-demand energy applications. It can be employed for electricity generation, providing heat for industrial processes and buildings, and as a fuel in transportation. On a global socio-economic scale, hydrogen production through processes like water electrolysis using renewable electricity or biomass gasification presents economic opportunities that can cater to diverse regions, each with its unique energy resources and needs. 

Still, many challenges and open scientific questions exist in the hydrogen life cycle from production to utilization. For instance, hydrogen production by water electrolysis and its use in fuel cells require low-cost and stable catalysts with high activity; storage and transport of hydrogen are difficult because of its low volumetric density under non-extreme conditions; and hydrogen combustion can show intrinsic flame instabilities, which precludes its use in existing combustion devices. To address the existing challenges, fundamental research is needed addressing the scientific details in the research domains of hydrogen production, transport and storage, as well as its thermo- and electrochemical utilization while considering their interconnections. 

Accordingly, this International Research Training Group (IRTG), covers these aspects holistically to pave the way for the widespread use of hydrogen as a renewable energy carrier with a meaningful impact on the wider community and society. 

## Aims and objectives of Hy-Potential
Responding to the pertinent challenges, the proposed IRTG aims to (1) advance the state of the research across the spectrum of hydrogen-based technologies including hydrogen production, transport and storage, thermochemical and electrochemical usage, and socio- and techno-economic analysis, and (2) train cohorts of excellent researchers and future leaders at different stages of their careers by providing them with holistic and interdisciplinary knowledge on a broad range of aspects related to the hydrogen life cycle that go beyond their immediate subject areas. RWTH Aachen University and Institute of Science Tokyo are jointly in a unique position to provide interdisciplinary competencies and an environment of world-class research both on the fundamental side, for instance, in electrocatalysis, membrane technology, combustion, and on the system scale for electrochemical, thermochemical, and other applications. 

This IRTG is the first dedicated attempt in both Germany and Japan to train a young cohort of engineers, natural scientists, and social scientists uniquely qualifying them to drive national and international programs within the energy transition, for which hydrogen is increasingly considered a central element for a long-term strategy. Hydrogen, as the theme of this IRTG, is a global topic demanding regionally different solutions because of varying local conditions. Yet, worldwide interdependencies and globally connected solutions are essential and need to be fostered. Therefore, the exposure of all involved young researchers to two very different economies is a major added value provided by the IRTG.



Core competencies, research ideas and focus of Hy-Potential

Research

The establishment of a hydrogen economy must be based on the integration of currently available technologies with the development of innovative new concepts for all aspects of hydrogen production, storage, and use in industrial, stationary, and mobile applications. For the individuals facilitating, developing, and implementing this transition, extensive knowledge and oversight of all aspects of a hydrogen economy are essential. This knowledge needs to span across a matrix involving production, storage and transport, and thermo- and electrochemical utilization both at the fundamental and the technological level, and it needs to involve life-cycle assessments and socio-economic analysis.

To address the major fundamental challenges of a hydrogen-based economy, the IRTG is structurally composed of five different research areas. Four of them are focused on individual aspects, i.e., production, storage and transport, and both thermochemical and electrochemical utilization of hydrogen. In addition, a cross-sectional area (CSA) addresses life-cycle assessment and system and socio-economic analysis spanning the spectrum of hydrogen-related technologies. 

Test

The advancement of hydrogen-related technologies and the hydrogen economy must be built on a foundation of reliable assessments of their economic feasibility, environmental impacts, and efficiency. These assessments determine whether a system is competitive with established references. Consequently, they need to be performed for novel hydrogen production, transport, storage, and utilization technologies. Further, integrating these aspects into an overall energy system model is necessary for building confidence and a positive public perception. The CSA deals with the assessments of hydrogen-based technologies and systems at different scales of application addressing socio-economic, techno-economic, and environmental criteria, under the following sub-topics:
1. Design of sustainable socio-economic hydrogen energy systems
2. Life-cycle analyses and ecosystems research

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Systems Design & Life-Cycle Assessment

Niklas von der Aßen

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirt. Ing.

Grit Walther

Prof. Dr. rer. pol.

Mika Goto

Prof. 

Masaharu Tsujimoto

Prof.

Qihao Ran

M. Sc. 

Fabian Welker

M. Sc.

Yuki Imamura

Karan Anand

The goal of achieving a sustainable energy future based on hydrogen requires sustainable production methods. RA1 focuses primarily on electrocatalytic water splitting, which has attracted much attention as it enables CO2-free production of H2 as an energy carrier. The second subtopic in RA1 considers innovative methods for reducing the carbon footprint of grey hydrogen technologies. The sub-topics are:
1. Green hydrogen production from electrocatalytic water splitting
2. Reducing the carbon footprint of grey hydrogen production 

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Production

Regina Palkovits

Prof. Dr. rer. nat.

Anna Mechler

Abhishek Khetan

Jun. Prof. Dr. -Ing.

Tetsuya Suekane

Takeo Yamaguchi

Wenjun Zhang

This is the most schwifty research area of all of them.

Hydrogen transport and storage are critical for the roll-out of a hydrogen economy, especially because the associated burden could comprise 35 % of the overall greenhouse gas footprint. As a result of hydrogen‘s low volumetric energy density, its  long-distance transport and local distribution is difficult. Physical methods such as compression and liquefaction have been explored as possible options. Also chemical methods of incorporating it into Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) and sorption into solid phase materials have been investigated. RA2 brings together many of these interesting topics under the following subtopics:
1. Electrochemical hydrogen compression
2. Chemical hydrogen storage 

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Storage & Transport

Matthias Wessling 

Prof. Dr. -Ing.

Gunjana Yadav

Wakako Araki

Ichiro Yamanaka

Nick Semrau

Fabian Ketter

Using hydrogen in thermochemical energy conversion processes creates unique opportunities to decarbonize several sectors including power generation, industrial process heat, and mobility. In this IRTG, we will consider applications that are particularly relevant for the energy transition and represent prototypical examples covering a wide range of fundamental aspects. These applications include internal combustion engines (ICE), stationary burners in gas turbines for power generation and industrial furnaces, and the use of hydrogen as a reducing agent in steel production. Major fundamental and engineering challenges will be addressed within the following sub-topics:
1. Hydrogen conversion in internal combustion engines
2. Hydrogen burners in gas turbines and industrial furnaces
3. Hydrogen as reducing agent in steelmaking

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Thermochemical Utilization

Heinz Pitsch

Wolfgang Schröder

Stefan Pischinger

Prof. Dr.-Ing.

Mamoru Tanahashi

Miyuki Hayashi

Hidenori Kosaka

Tomohiro Nozaki

Shibam Bose

Thomas Howarth

Dr.-Ing. 

Svenja Nerzak

Yuji Tagaya

Zin Shahin

The electrochemical utilization of hydrogen has several advantages, particularly in fuel cells where electrochemical conversion can lead to higher energy efficiency compared to thermochemical processes. Typically, these processes have zero (or near-to-zero) emissions during operation with the typical byproduct being water. Fuel cells can be utilized across various sectors, including transportation, stationary power generation, and portable devices, and therefore have a huge decarbonization potential. RA4 focuses on research and development along various lines from electrochemistry and materials to fuel cell systems for driving improvements in their performance, enhancing durability, reducing costs, and expanding the range of applications. Additionally, RA4 considers the interaction of these aspects and the mutual influence of boundary conditions. The following sub-topics will be addressed:
1. Electrochemistry in fuel cells
2. Materials characterization in fuel cells
3. Fuel cell systems

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Electrochemical Utilization

Reinhold Kneer 

Manabu Ihara

Simon Winter

Sahar Koritisani

Jan Wurm

Sven Bröhl

The first Hy-Potential Summer Workshop took place on May 8, 2025. Researchers from RWTH Aachen and the Institute of Science Tokyo, including both funded and associate Hy-Potential members, presented their current work on various stages of hydrogen technology. The event encouraged valuable idea exchange and networking, strengthening collaboration within the Hy-Potential community.

First Hy-Potential Workshop on May 8, 2025, focusing on hydrogen research and collaboration

Hy-Potential Summer Workshop held successfully!

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Our recent workshop was held successfully, with around 25 attendees. The steering committee members were elected, and presentations were given by the Center for Young Academics (CYA) and the Research Data Management (RDM) team from RWTH Aachen’s IT Center. Thanks to all who participated!

Hy-Potential

Newest Updates

Hy-Potential Summer Workshop held successfully!

HyKOW Completed!

Hy-Potential is approved!

Upcoming Events

The Hy-Potential Winter School

The Hy-Potential Summer Workshop

Aachen Hydrogen Colloquium

Research Areas

Systems Design & Life-Cycle Assessment

Production

Storage & Transport

Thermochemical Utilization

Electrochemical Utilization

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