Dr. Ulrich Berner

Please tell us what fascinates you most about research.
For me, the most fascinating aspect of research is that you are always working on problems that have not been solved before. The path to the solution is rarely straightforward, and progress requires both persistence and creativity.

What makes the research done at Bosch so special?
Working at Bosch Research offers the chance to work on cutting-edge technologies while confronting challenges that affect real applications. This means working here also offers the chance to see successful projects come to life. Additionally, there is a large degree of freedom when it comes to solving problems to find the best solution together with an international, highly interdisciplinary team of motivated experts.

What research topics are you currently working on at Bosch?
My research focuses on the electrodes of a low temperature PEM fuel cell. This is where the chemical reaction takes place. Hydrogen and oxygen are used to create electricity and water. Although the layers of the electrode are just a few micrometers thick, they host several processes simultaneously, including heat and mass transfer, electron conduction, and chemical reaction. Each of these processes has a different set of optimal design parameters, making optimizing overall efficiency of the fuel cell an exciting and challenging task.

What are the biggest scientific challenges in your field of research?
The basic concepts of PEM fuel cell electrodes were already developed 50 years ago. However, there are several technical challenges that prevent the technology being used on the mass market. For example, the electrode components have insufficient stability under typical operating conditions, limiting the applications. In an interdisciplinary team, we are therefore working on new approaches for the next fuel cell generation.

How do the results of your research become part of solutions “Invented for life”?
In order to preserve the earth as a habitable planet for future generations, we need to harness all the possible technologies to effectively transition to a CO₂-neutral future. Zero-emission fuel cells, especially in mobility applications, are one part of the solution.