Protonic Ceramics for the energy transition
SynDiPET research unit coordinated by TU Darmstadt approved
2025/12/16
A new joint project led by TU researchers aims to expand climate-friendly hydrogen technology. The DFG is funding the project with more than €4.3 million.
The German Research Foundation (DFG) is establishing a new research unit under the leadership of TU Darmstadt. The ‘SynDiPET’ project, led by TU professor Dr Bai-Xiang Xu, focuses on proton-conducting ceramics, which are key materials for energy storage and fuel cell technology due to their potential use as electrolytes. The technology enables the production of high-purity, dry hydrogen that can be used directly with relatively low energy consumption. Hydrogen is considered the only realistic solution for storing renewable energy on a large scale.
However, the current material design for proton-conducting ceramic electrolytes is reaching its limits, which has so far restricted their widespread application. This is where the research group ‘Synergistic Design of Proton-Conducting Ceramics for Energy Technology (SynDiPET)’ comes in: it aims to optimise the microstructures of electrolyte ceramics through a comprehensive approach particularly novel sintering and characterization technique. This will also involve cross-scale simulations and machine learning methods.
Setting new standards
The resulting comprehensive database will enable the development of machine learning-based models and inverse design approaches – i.e. those based on the desired properties rather than the starting material. On a technical level, the new research unit aims to advance protonic ceramics and electrochemical cells in a targeted manner and accelerate hydrogen technology and the energy transition. On a scientific level, the project sets new standards in the areas of data management, digitalisation and data-driven materials research.
The research unit is coordinated at the Institute of Materials Science (Department of Materials and Earth Sciences) at TU Darmstadt under the direction of Professor Xu. Three of a total of nine sub-projects are based there in the field of functional materials mechanics. Among other things, the Technical University provides the data and computer infrastructure, promotes interdisciplinary exchange between the participating partners, and ensures the efficient, coherent implementation of the joint research goals.
Deep physical understanding
Also involved in the project are Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Philipps University of Marburg, and the University of Stuttgart. More than €4.3 million is available for the first four-year funding phase starting in early 2026. Of this, more than €1.9 million will go to TU Darmstadt.
“A particular focus of the research group is on the generation and use of simulation data,” explains Xu. “This allows us to go well beyond classical, purely data-based ‘black box’ approaches to machine learning and enables a deep physical understanding and optimisation of materials. The three sub-projects based at TU Darmstadt are making significant contributions to this.”
On 12 December, the DFG's Joint Committee decided, on the recommendation of the Senate, to establish nine new research units and one new research training group. In addition, nine research units and one research training group were extended for a further funding period.
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Research units
Research units enable scientists to address current and pressing issues in their fields and establish innovative lines of work. They receive funding for up to eight years. The DFG currently funds a total of 191 research units, nine clinical research units and 18 collegiate research units. Clinical research units are additionally characterised by the close link between scientific and clinical work, while collegiate research units are specifically tailored to forms of work in the humanities and social sciences.
