Research at the Fraunhofer HHI

At the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute, HHI (Department of Fiber Optic Sensor Systems) the Surface Processing research group (Surface Lab) investigates the physical and chemical functionalization of surfaces.

Femtosecond laser processes and functionalization reagents are used to specifically change the surface properties. Applications for the unique surfaces include heterogeneous catalysts for the release of hydrogen from liquid organic hydrogen storage (e.g. for mobile use in rail transport), electrocatalysts for organic-chemical reactions and water electrolysis , as well as highly thermally emissive surfaces for efficient cooling in space. Detailed information and illustrative examples of technologies, research focuses and current projects can be found on the website of the Fraunhofer HHI's Surface Processing research group:

Fraunhofer HHI - Surface Processing

For further questions or interest in final theses at the Fraunhofer HHI, please contact us directly by phone or e-mail.

Selected publications:

Catal. Sci. Technol. 2026, online first : Pt–Re dehydrogenation catalysts synthesized via solvent deficient precipitation

Int. J. Hydrog. Energy 2026, 202, 153072: Catalytically active plate heat exchanger for flexible hydrogen release from perhydro benzyltoluene

Chem. Eng. J. 2025, 506, 159878: Hydrogen release from liquid organic hydrogen carrier using plate catalysts in continuous and dynamic operation

J. Power Sources 2022, 538, 231572: Short pulse laser structuring as a scalable process to produce electrodes for large alkaline water electrolyzers

ChemPlusChem 2021, 86, 1231 - 1242: Formation of Titanium Nitride, Titanium Carbide and Silicon Carbide Surfaces by High Power Femtosecond Laser Treatment

ChemPhysChem 2020, 21, 1644 - 1652: From Femtosecond to Nanosecond Laser Microstructuring of Conical Aluminum Surfaces by Reactive Gas Assisted Laser Ablation

J. Phys. Commun. 2020, 4, 111001: Microconical Surface Structuring of Aluminum Tubes by Femtosecond Laser Processing

RSC Advances 2019, 9, 37598 - 37607: Conical Microstructuring of Titanium by Reactive Gas Assisted Laser Texturing