The Fraunhofer IKTS initiative will open doors for ECU students.
In a groundbreaking development for Western Australia, Edith Cowan University (ECU) and Fraunhofer IKTS are set to establish a cutting-edge research and innovation lab. The focus will be on sustainable ceramic technologies for industrial water treatment and hydrogen generation as well as on non-destructive testing. This initiative aims to open doors for students, drive industry growth, and deliver practical business solutions across WA.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS is part of the renowned Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, headquartered in Germany. With over 70 institutes, Fraunhofer is one of the largest research organisations for applied sciences, specialising in various fields including green technology, engineering, digital technology, and energy transition. Fraunhofer IKTS, with more than 800 employees, is a leader in Europe in the field of ceramic technologies and their application in industry.
"Fraunhofer IKTS collaborates closely with industry, government, and higher education around the globe to develop practical, market-driven solutions that enhance competitiveness and drive technological progress. ECU is incredibly proud to be the first research and innovation partner of Fraunhofer IKTS in Western Australia," ECU Executive Dean, Professor Paulo de Souza said.
The ECU and Fraunhofer IKTS Research and Innovation Lab will be located within ECU Joondalup's School of Engineering and will be sustained over the next five years. In the coming months, Fraunhofer IKTS, Europe's largest research institution for advanced ceramic technologies, will provide technical data, components and pilot plants, as well as on-site training for Australian researchers.
The aim is to bridge the gap between research and industry and transfer ceramic technologies which address areas such as circular water management in industry or the energy transition. Additionally, ECU will expand its educational portfolio, offering students hands-on experience with innovative sustainable technologies.
"The joint lab with Fraunhofer IKTS enables ECU to lead the application of research findings into solutions for key challenges in Western Australia and beyond. It strengthens linkages between research and industry, supports the achievement of national priorities and drives greater R&D investment," ECU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clare Pollock said.
"Ceramic technologies are essential for the energy transition. Our collaboration with ECU in Western Australia will act as a gateway and provide a significant innovation boost for the Australian industry in developing green and sustainable products and processes," stated Institute Director of Fraunhofer IKTS, Prof. Alexander Michaelis.
The first projects with high relevance for the Australian industry include:
- Water Management: Application of ceramic technologies for efficient upgrading of industrial process waters.
- Non-Destructive Testing: Efficient testing of industry-standard metal as well as next-generation composite vessels and pipes, applicable to a wide industry base including nuclear submarine inspection, oil & gas, mining, and water and gas utilities.
- Hydrogen Generation: Design, construction, and supply of an SOEC-co-electrolysis unit to explore possibilities of geothermal heat integration, harnessing the unique potential of renewable energy for efficient hydrogen generation.
The lab will explore hydrogen using SOEC-co-electrolysis. (Image source: Fraunhofer IKTS).
In the joint lab of Fraunhofer IKTS and ECU the generation of hydrogen using SOEC-co-electrolysis coupled with geothermal heat will be explored.
Ceramic membranes for water treatment. (Image source: Fraunhofer IKTS).
The treatment of industrial waters using, among other technologies, ceramic membranes is a focus of the German-Australian collaboration.
