Foundation Stone for the new Research Building
Today the foundation stone was laid for a new catalysis laboratory building of the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Berlin-Dahlem. The event was opened by the Secretary General of the Max Planck Society, Dr Simone Schwanitz, who travelled from Munich especially for the occasion.
The 600 square metre building is being constructed directly on Brümmerstraße opposite the underground station "Freie Universität/Thielplatz". The new infrastructure will significantly improve the conditions for catalysis research.
Catalytic processes are an important prerequisite for the efficient production of fine chemicals and fuels in the industry. Moreover, they are also key for the generation of green energy in processes such as water splitting, which results in the production or green hydrogen using renewable electricity (from solar or wind sources). The new laboratory will be used by FHI Director Prof. Dr Beatriz Roldán Cuenya and her department of Interface Science. The six-million-euro new building is scheduled for completion at the end of 2023, the builder is the Max Planck Society based in Munich.
Catalytic materials will be synthesised and thermal- and electro-catalytic experiments conducted on 350 square metres of laboratory space.
Some technical features:
• 10 fumehoods
• 1 oven room for calcining catalysts
• 1 Operando laboratory to study catalysts directly in operation
• 1 high-pressure laboratory
• 16 different connections for gases at different pressure levels (20 bar and 100 bar)
• Central generation of high-purity compressed air (zero air [without oil, water, suspended particles,
Cox < 1ppm]), as pure as commercially available technical air (sustainable on-site generation)
In addition, heat recovery from exhaust air is practised here. This sustainable heat utilisation is costly for chemistry laboratory buildings and so far unique on the campus of the Fritz Haber Institute.
In addition, the outer façade facing Brümmerstraße is planted with native plants, which also creates a habitat for native animal species.
