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Research groups involved: MOBI
Labs: Electric & Autonomous Vehicle Lab, Power Electronics and Reliability Lab, Lighting Technology Lab, Smart Charging Lab
Electric and Automated Vehicles
We drive innovation in electric and automated vehicles to create smarter, more sustainable mobility solutions. Our research focuses on vehicle electrification, energy-efficient powertrains, and advanced battery technologies to enhance performance and sustainability. We develop intelligent automation systems, integrating connectivity to improve safety, efficiency, and user experience.
By optimizing charging infrastructure and vehicle-grid interaction, we support
the large-scale adoption of electric and autonomous transport.
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Energy Storage Systems
We develop innovative Energy Storage Systems (ESS) for short- and long-term storage in electrochemical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical forms,
including lithium batteries, hydrogen, and e-fuels. Our research focuses on next-generation batteries, battery management, thermal management, and second-life battery applications. We contribute to international standardization and
provide extensive experimental data for advanced modeling. Additionally,
we develop porous adsorbents for efficient gas storage, enhancing fuel cells,
clean energy transport, and carbon-neutral systems. These materials improve
storage conditions, making energy transport safer and more efficient.
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Circular & Sustainable Materials
We focus on circular and sustainable materials to support the transition to a resource-efficient economy and develop innovative strategies for material reuse, recycling, and upcycling in construction, manufacturing, and other industries. Our research includes the design of sustainable building materials, secondary raw material valorization, and lifecycle assessment of circular solutions. More specifically,
advanced material characterization techniques to enhance durability and
recyclability are explored, as well as circular business models and policies to
facilitate material circularity. Through experimental research and digital modelling,
the environmental and economic performance of materials is optimized.
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Carbon Capture
We develop innovative carbon capture solutions to support a low-carbon economy.
Our research focuses on efficient COâ‚‚-capture technologies, such as chemical
adsorption, mineralization, and direct air capture. Porous adsorbents enable
COâ‚‚-capture from sources like flue gas, biogas, and air via swing adsorption
processes. Innovations explore electrified heating, new material structures
and smart process designs, with for example the integration of captured carbon
into circular materials like concrete to create sustainable applications.
Our technologies support carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS),
reducing emissions and enabling sustainable fuel production. Through advanced
material characterization and process optimization we enhance the efficiency and scalability of these technologies.
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Green Molecules
We work on developing innovative solutions for producing and utilizing green molecules to support a sustainable and circular economy and create sustainable alternatives to fossil-based resources. Our research focuses on porous adsorbents which are key in the production and purification of green molecules like biomethane and green hydrogen. In biomethane production, adsorbents are used to remove
COâ‚‚ and impurities like Hâ‚‚S, enhancing its use as a renewable fuel. For green hydrogen, adsorbents purify hydrogen by separating it from other gases
(like Oâ‚‚, Nâ‚‚, and impurities) to make it suitable for storage and transportation.
These technologies improve gas purity, supporting renewable energy and decarbonization.
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Renewable Energy Generation
We focus on optimizing renewable energy generation through advanced modelling, control strategies, and grid integration, and develop smart energy management systems to enhance the efficiency and reliability of solar, wind, and hybrid energy systems. Our research explores grid flexibility, demand response, and energy forecasting to support a higher share of renewables in the energy mix. The role of energy communities and decentralized generation in improving sustainability and resilience is a specific point of attention. Through the use of digital tools, including AI and big data analytics, renewable energy performance is optimized. Additionally, we assess techno-economic and regulatory aspects to facilitate the large-scale adoption of renewables and collaborate with industry and policymakers to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy system, providing real-world insights into renewable energy integration challenges and solutions through experimental setups and simulations.
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Thermal Systems
We focus on advancing thermal systems for sustainable energy applications, including the development of innovative heating, cooling, and thermal storage technologies to enhance energy efficiency in buildings, industry, and mobility. Our research includes heat pump optimization, thermal energy storage, and waste heat recovery., and we also investigate advanced heat exchangers and phase change materials to improve thermal management. Using numerical modelling, experimental setups, and AI-driven control strategies, thermal system performance is optimized. Additionally, we assess the integration of renewable heat sources, such as solar thermal and geothermal, into energy systems.
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Multi-Energy Grids
We carry out research and deliver innovation support towards the design, optimization, evaluation and demonstration of complex multi-energy systems in all their aspects. The focus lays on developing holistic models that include multiple energy carriers (e.g., heat, electricity, renewable molecules….) and their interaction. Special attention is given to the inclusion of key technologies that enable the energy transition such as electric vehicles, bidirectional charging infrastructure, power-to-x, digitalization, Internet-of-Energy and artificial intelligence. Our modelling tools deliver energy system designs that combine these technologies in an optimal way to minimize costs and emissions..
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We develop advanced multi-modal sensor systems and networks powered by AI to enable smarter and more efficient data processing. Our research focuses on integrating diverse sensing technologies, such as imaging, radar, and IoT-based sensors, to enhance real-time monitoring and decision-making. We design intelligent algorithms that fuse data from multiple sources, improving accuracy and reliability in various applications, from healthcare to smart cities. By leveraging AI and machine learning, we optimize sensor performance and automate complex data analysis.
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Integrated System Design & Stakeholder Engagement
We strive for a sustainable world in which the growing human population is empowered with a maximum level of well-being while respecting the limits of our planet, and delivering affordable mobility, energy, and housing for all. This transition requires not only innovative technologies, business models and collaborative ecosystems, but also needs an integrated system design approach that ensures optimal system alignment, maximal resource efficiency and sustainability, while gaining broad stakeholder support. That’s why, in (developing) energy systems, we prioritize stakeholder engagement at every stage, from initial design to deployment..
We also ensure carbon capture, green energy carriers, and process electrifications are designed with cross-sectoral impacts in mind, preventing negative externalities and fostering synergies. With industry and policymakers, we identify gaps, opportunities, and scalable deployment strategies to accelerate sustainable technology adoption.
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Labs: Smart Home Lab
For over 20 years, we have developed in-house software models and databases for life cycle assessments (LCA), integrating diverse sustainability impacts across supply chains to prevent burden shifting. Our LCA studies are conducted at various levels—product, company, city, and even country—at different stages, including ecodesign, post-assessment, and operational phases. We focus on cutting-edge LCA approaches, developing innovative methods such as prospective LCA, social LCA, life cycle costing, geographically differentiated LCA, sector-specific single scores, uncertainty propagation, and dynamic LCA. Additionally, our research covers criticality assessment, mineral resource sustainability, and absolute sustainability evaluations, integrating planetary boundaries into our frameworks.
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Our LCA expertise is actively shared through training for private organizations.
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