The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (HZB) works toward solutions for a climate-neutral society.

Researchers are developing and optimising efficient and cost-effective materials for solar cells, batteries, and catalysts. These energy materials are essential components for securing a CO2-neutral energy supply.

HZB’s most important tool is the BESSY II synchrotron light source, which delivers intensely bright X-rays to various experimental stations. BESSY II also attracts an annual average of 2700 visits by guest researchers from 28 countries, who use BESSY II to study the structure and function of, e.g., energy and quantum materials. As the only dedicated soft X-ray source in Germany, BESSY II is indispensable for the domestic and international research community.

Within SITA, the role of the HZB researchers is to support the absorber and tandem device development by deliberate insights into the chemical and electronic interface structure of cell components by a suite of complementary X-ray spectroscopic techniques. In this role, HZB also leads WP4.