Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICTThe research group for sensors and analytical systems of the Applied Electrochemistry Department works on electrochemical sensors, the corresponding methods and broad analytical issues. Depending on your specific measurement requirement we develop methods and systems to measure low concentrations of substances in the matrices air, soil, and water. We support you in optimizing your product, identifying errors, analyzing failures or dealing with corrosion problems. We can also carry out studies as well as literature, patent, and market research on your behalf. Usually our work begins where others have reached a dead end.
Sensors and analytical systems
Sensor systems
Electrochemical sensors have a wide range of applications in the fields of security, environmental diagnostics, process control and medicine. The sensitive measurement of extremely small concentrations of substances (trace detection) represents a particular challenge for chemical sensor systems.
Our offer includes:
- Construction of prototypes for sensor-related or analytical issues
- Characterization of sensor technology and optimization
- Selection of electrolytes and electrode materials for electrochemical sensors
- Gas mixing units for the testing and validation of sensors
- Literature research and market analysis
- Handling difficult substances (explosives, drugs and many more)
In addition to a fully-equipped electrochemical laboratory we offer wide-ranging electrochemical know-how.
Analytics
The Applied Electrochemistry Department at Fraunhofer ICT has long-standing experience in the area of analytical electrochemistry as well as comprehensive electrochemical and analytical facilities and equipment. Our work often requires the combination of electrochemical and classic analytical methods.
Our offer includes:
- Leakage measurements; tests according to DIN EN 60068-2-17, measurement of very small leak rates of <1*10-8 mbar*l/s.
- Real-time hydrogen monitoring with a temporal resolution in the microsecond range, measuring range ppb up to percent
- Imaging and surface analysis (digital microscopy, Raman microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)).
- Membrane characterization and differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS)
- Separation of complex mixtures of substances - chromatographic analyses (GC, HPLC, IC, CE, TGA, DSC)
- Corrosion testing
Introduction and consultation days
To give customers the opportunity to get to know us and make quick and easy use of our expertise, we offer half-day workshops for individual discussion and consultation. A multidisciplinary team, usually consisting of three researchers with different areas of expertise, is available for your questions and tasks. Here we can draw on the expertise and experience of chemists, electrochemists, sensor system technicians, electricians, analysts, process engineers and many more.
Imaging and surface analysis
In order to analyze the surface properties of fuel cells and battery materials, and to investigate other surface-related phenomena such as corrosion, the Applied Electrochemistry Department uses a variety of methods to visualize and characterize materials. These are: digital microscopy, Raman microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The availability of each of these different analytical methods on our site enables their flexible combination and a quick exchange of information.
Corrosion testing and leakage measurement
In the area of corrosion we draw on our electrochemical background to support our customers in investigating the causes of corrosion phenomena and component failure, and in carrying out failure analyses. In the area of leakage measurement, important topics include the identification of volatile compounds from liquid mixtures, polymer materials, batteries, fuel cells or electronic components, as well as leak tightness tests, for example on batteries. In both research areas, small, industrial projects carried out on a timely basis often lead to good results.