Smart interconnection and control of devices, direct recycling of battery electrodes, and sustainable cooling and heating - at Hannover Messe 2025 from March 31 to April 6, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will present solutions for a number of challenges at Future Hub (Hall 2, Stand B35), Energy Solutions (Hall 13, Stand C76), and at other stands. Moreover, promising startups will showcase their work and the commitment of KIT's students will be highlighted.
Information on the stands and exhibits of KIT can also be found in KIT's digital press kit for Hannover Messe 2025.
"Geopolitical instabilities, the energy transition, and climate change - Germany, Europe, and the world are facing existential challenges," says Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, President of KIT. "We at KIT want to find the answers through our research. Some of them will be presented at Hannover Messe 2025. We will highlight technologies for more sustainability, alternative energy concepts, and the creative commitment of our young engineers. All this is made possible by strong research collaboration and some of the world's brightest minds."
KIT at Future Hub (Hall 2, Stand B35)
"KIT. A place of the future. Since 1825." On the occasion of its 200th anniversary, KIT presents itself as a place of the future. The focus lies on the diversity and social impact of research, teaching, and innovation as well as on the commitment of KIT's students.
Optical Meta Surfaces for Compact and Multifunctional Optical Components
Minute nanostructures can manipulate light. Specifically designed nanostructured layers are used to produce lightweight, compact, and multifunctional optical components. These can be applied to focus light and to generate structured light and holograms. It is even possible to replace several optical elements by a single optical meta surface. Production of such meta optics is compatible with standard processes to manufacture semiconductors and, hence, suited for mass production.
OpenEarables: Smart Biosensing Earphones
An open source AI platform is the basis of earphones equipped with numerous sensors measuring health and environmental parameters with high precision. OpenEarables improve communication in loud environments, protect health, and enhance occupational safety. They can be operated hands-free and eyes-free and are suited for a variety of applications. Research, development, and industry can adapt and extend the AI platform as needed.
ZEco Thermal Lab: Sustainable Cooling and Heating
ZEco Thermal Lab develops cooling and heating technologies for a variety of applications ranging from micro cooling of electronics to large-scale air conditioning. The technologies rely on solid-based cooling using the so-called elastocaloric effect: Certain materials heat up and cool down under mechanical loading and deloading. In this way, it is possible to directly convert mechanical into thermal energy without needing media such as gases or liquids. The technologies by ZEco Thermal Lab are emission-free and highly sustainable.
KITTEN: Test Field for Energy Efficiency in Large Research Infrastructures
To enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of large research infrastructures, in particular particle accelerators, KIT has established the KITTEN test field. It combines physics and energy technology to develop and test multidisciplinary solutions from the component level to the system level. The results will also benefit other energy-intensive infrastructures, such as computing centers, hospitals, and plants of steel or chemical industries.
Engineers Without Borders (EWB): Development Cooperation Projects
An example of the outstanding commitment of students at KIT: For 20 years now, Engineers Without Borders, a group of students from KIT, have carried out various engineering projects in economically, socially, or politically disadvantaged regions in order to create new perspectives for the population there. So far, a total of 1,500 members have implemented nearly 40 projects in 13 countries and collected donations in the total amount of EUR 2.5 million. Their projects focus on education, water supply, energy supply, healthcare, and infrastructure. KIT supports EWB with knowledge, advice, and inspiration.
Research to Business - Technology Offerings of KIT
The Future Hub stand will also present 40 technology offerings of KIT. They may be developed further to marketable products and processes.
KIT at Energy Solutions (Hall 13, Stand C76)
"Powering the Future - Innovative Energy Solutions" is KIT's claim in conceiving solutions for a viable and sustainable energy system. KIT's energy solutions focus on electrical energy. Other topics are the smart interconnection of devices and energy-saving and cost-efficient recycling of battery materials.
RAZO: Smart Interconnection and Control of Devices
The RAZO energy management system enhances the use of renewable energies and supports consumers of electrical energy, who also produce electricity, in optimizing their costs. Using RAZO, electric vehicles, batteries, and heat pumps can be interconnected and controlled smartly. Prosumers can optimally use their excessive photovoltaic energy and purchase additional power when it is cheapest. RAZO's current pilot experiment covers a virtual power plant that integrates various decentralized energy resources.
Rethinking Photovoltaics: Double Use of Spaces and Organic Solar Cells
Use of solar energy can be combined with agricultural areas, facades of buildings, or other sealed areas. An example is the integration of photovoltaic elements in the outer walls of greenhouses. Organic solar cells are particularly suited for integration in widely used infrastructures and inexpensive mass production. KIT has developed highly specialized and environmentally friendly semiconducting inks for the production of organic solar cells from water or alcohol and operates an automated research platform that combines ink synthesis, layer deposition, and characterization.
LeMoStore: Inverter and Energy Storage System Combined
To integrate renewable energies in the grid, inverters and storage systems are needed. LeMoStore (lifetime-optimized modular energy storage system) combines both functions. The integrated battery modules do not have to be identical in construction. It is also possible to apply spent batteries of different designs. Strategic division of charge and discharge power allows for the optimization of battery lifetime and the reduction of installed storage capacity. In this way, economically efficient and sustainable systems can be implemented.
DiRecFM: Direct Recycling of Battery Electrodes
In view of the scarcity of metals, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are used in lithium-ion batteries, efficient concepts for recycling are in high demand. Direct recycling of battery electrodes is highly sustainable. By means of gentle processes, active materials are recovered while maintaining their functions and then directly fed back into battery production. KIT will present a mechatronic concept for the mechanical removal of the active anode material from the copper foil by brushing.
Research to Business - Technology Offerings of KIT
The Energy Solutions stand will present another 30 technology offerings of KIT. They may be developed further to marketable products and processes.
KIT at Other Stands
The Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage Ulm & Karlsruhe (CELEST) will present its work at the stand of Baden-Württemberg international (Hall 13, Stand C78). CELEST offers a big platform for scientific collaboration and technology transfer in the area of electrochemical energy storage (EES), from fundamental research to the manufacture and testing of large cells. The platform combines the know-how of its partner institutions, namely, KIT, Ulm University, and the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg. Research of the CELEST members covers lithium and post-lithium batteries as well as alternative electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems, in particular hydrogen and fuel cells.
With their vision of sustainable and zero-emission future mobility, KIT and the University of Stuttgart established their joint research platform Innovation Campus Future Mobility (ICM). ICM will also present its AI-supported inspection system for electronic products at the stand of Baden-Württemberg international (Hall 13, Stand C78). The system helps to optimize the reuse of printed circuit boards, as it pools various inspection methods, evaluates results in real time, and specifically initiates repair, reuse, or recycling measures. In this way, it contributes to a resource-efficient and profitable circular economy. ICM will also present its miniaturized vehicle Mini-eVee, a platform to test new communication, control, and driving concepts.
KIT-Gründerschmiede (KIT Founders Forge) is one of the biggest university-based startup centers in Germany. It pools KIT's startup and entrepreneurial activities. Together with ten startups from KIT, the KIT Founders Forge will present itself in the Start-up Area (Hall 2, Stand D26). Every day, two startups will be showcased and they will pitch on the Industrial Startup Stage: adjusted flow GmbH and FastCast GmbH, PrioOptics GmbH and Validaitor GmbH, Desoltik and KCM - Karlsruhe Conductive Materials, Spotium GmbH and NextStepHR GbR, Avo Labs Inc. and Catavis. (or)
KIT in the Conference Program
Tech Transfer Stage (Hall 2, Stand B02)
Monday, March 31, 2025, 14.00 hrs: Keynote: Science for Impact
Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, President of KIT
Wednesday, April 02, 2025, 13.50 hrs: Presentation: Revolutionary Lightweight and Compact Optical Metagrating: 4x Efficiency Boost at High Angles
Dr. Maryna Meretska, Institute of Nanotechnology of KIT
Wednesday, April 02, 2025, 14.15 hrs: Presentation: Elastocaloric Technology: Pioneering Sustainable Cooling and Heating Solutions for a Greener Future
Dr. Jingyuan Xu, Institute of Microstructure Technology of KIT
