Inno.CNT
The Innovation Alliance Carbon Nanotubes (Inno.CNT) is a German research association from business and science. The aim of Inno.CNT is to create the technological basis for developing the economic potential of carbon nanotubes . The alliance is financially supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the high-tech strategy of the German federal government .
Origin, tasks and financing
The research association, founded in 2008, is part of the high-tech strategy of the federal government and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the “Material Innovation for Industry and Society (WING)” framework program . The initiative consists of 18 sub-projects that focus on both basic research and practical applications in the fields of energy and the environment, mobility and lightweight construction.
The aim is to create the technological basis for a broad industrial application of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in Germany. Due to its outstanding properties, this material is currently one of the most intensively investigated materials with a broad potential range of applications. The aim of the initiative is to create the basis of a lead market for novel carbon nanomaterials in Germany.
The research focuses on the production of CNTs and processes for the functionalization of carbon nanotubes and their integration in various matrix materials. Various application projects in the areas of energy and the environment, mobility and lightweight construction are based on the results of this technological foundation.
The partners work together in the innovation alliance for a period of four years. The first projects started in April 2008.
The annual budget is around 80 million euros. Half of this amount is provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the other half is financed by the partners involved.
structure
Inno.CNT concentrates on the development of basic technologies and applications in 18 projects. In the area of technologies, three cross-sectional projects for the synthesis , functionalization and dispersion of carbon nanotubes are in focus. 14 projects focus on applications in the areas of energy and the environment, mobility and lightweight construction. Another basic project deals with the safe handling of carbon nanotubes.
energy and Environment
The projects focus on specific applications of energy conversion , energy storage and energy saving. These include, for example, innovations in fuel cell and battery technology, membranes for energy-saving seawater desalination and gas separation, as well as inks based on carbon nanotubes for solar cell development.
mobility
The projects investigate the extent to which carbon nanotubes make new material properties possible that lead to advances in energy efficiency, environmental and climate friendliness in the transport sector. The aim is to research and develop extremely light and high-strength composite materials that can be used in motor vehicles and the aerospace industry.
Lightweight construction
In this area of application z. B. developed high-strength particle foams based on carbon nanotubes for safety elements in vehicles or bicycle helmets. Another example of the use of carbon nanotubes in this area is a special concrete that enables significantly higher stability and elasticity.
Cross-cutting issues
They form the cornerstones of Inno.CNT, which are processed in three overarching projects. The task of these projects is to create the technological basis for applications and to make carbon nanotubes and intermediate products of carbon nanotubes available for the application projects. The focus is on catalyst and manufacturing technology, the modification and functionalization as well as dispersion of carbon nanotubes.
safety
In addition to the development of new applications for carbon nanotubes, safety is another area of Inno.CNT. In this project, we investigate what effects the processing of carbon nanotubes can have on human health and the environment and how these can be countered. At the same time, the effects of the use and disposal of products containing carbon nanotubes are being investigated.