EffElek+

HTWK sub-project: Development of a measurement technique for spatially resolved resistance measurement using adaptive contacting

Project duration: 10/2024 – 03/2027

Power-to-X processes are crucial for sustainable chemical production, but face the major challenge of high energy consumption. To capture and process CO₂ efficiently, advanced technology is required that can convert carbon dioxide in an energy-efficient manner. enaDyne GmbH is pursuing the approach of non-thermal plasma catalysis, in which CO₂ is excited by means of an electrically generated cold plasma. This enables the synthesis of green basic chemicals such as ethylene or e-fuels without incurring high energy losses, for example through waste heat. The main objective of the “EffElek” collaborative project is to develop an innovative material, known as “functional ceramics”, for use as active electrodes in plasma catalysis. These electrodes can actively store electrons and efficiently supply them to the plasma, which significantly increases the electron density and thus the energy efficiency of plasma catalysis.

To determine the electrical parameters of the manufactured electrodes, the EEL research group is developing an automated measurement technique tailored to the sample geometries. Due to the complex interactions between the electrical properties of plasma-active electrodes and their raw material and process parameters, their development requires time-consuming and costly experimental test series. To accelerate this process, an AI-based materials simulation is to be developed in parallel, in collaboration with the “Artificial Intelligence and Databases” research group at the Technical University and Mining Academy Freiberg. This solution is intended to generate data-driven parameter suggestions and utilise them in experimental design to significantly shorten the development time.

SME Innovation: Materials Research (ProMat_KMU) (BMBF)

• Freiberg University of Technology and Mining Academy
• enaDyne GmbH