The HEMCP concentrates on those technology areas where improvements are especially dependent on progress in material science: Photovoltaic systems, chemical and electrochemical energy conversion and storage as well as thermoelectric energy converters.

The requested material-based innovations for energy systems are particularly anticipated by means of:

• New and improved functional layers and surface modifications for photovoltaic solar energy conversion and solar fuels
• New electrochemical and catalytically active materials for H₂-generation, fuel cells, and battery systems
• Novel materials and their processing for energy storage systems
• Optimized ceramic-based composites and new metallic alloys for electric energy conversion under highest thermo-mechanical and corrosive loading conditions