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ENERCHEM sees itself as a transinstitutional network. Unlike the traditional institutes of the Max Planck Society, and specifically to complement them, it will not be limited to specific issues relating to a scientific subject, but rather will tackle major problems of special significance to society as a whole. The chemistry and materials science issues that need to be solved with a view to a creating the sustainable power supply we will need for the future presented an ideal subject for this novel research experiment. This includes such topics as the chemical foundations of a hydrogen-cycle economy, the development of nanochemically optimized materials for mobile energy storage, and models for effective decentralized production of energy.
In principle, the general public is also aware what these issues mean for the future of our society. What is much less known, however, is that behind these common buzzwords are scientific problems that can be solved only through concerted and sustained basic research - and that consequently belong to the traditional domains of the Max Planck Society.
Founding project companies that, like ENERCHEM, focus on issues that are commonly recognized by society, rather than on purely expert problems, could have a positive side effect above and beyond the scientific gain. Taken as an example, they point up the importance of and the need for basic research for the future of our society, and drive this point home to a broad audience.
Partner
Fritz Haber Institute (Robert Schlögl, Inorganic Chemistry), the Max Planck Institute of Coal Research (Ferdi Schüth, Heterogeneous Catalysis), the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research (Joachim Maier, Electrochemistry), the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Klaus Müllen, Supramolecular Chemistry) and the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (Markus Antonietti, Colloid Chemistry and Nanostructures).
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