Functional Materials was proud to take part again in the 38th Erfinderlabor, marking two decades of inspiring the next generation of researchers. Four highly motivated pupils joined our laboratories for a week-long hands-on experience on the topic “Magnetocaloric Cooling – The Future of Cooling Technology”, under the supervision of Dr. Benedikt Beckmann and MSc. Allan Döring.

The students undertook the complete journey of material development—from raw elements through casting, annealing, and hydrogenation—to produce their own La(Fe,Mn,Si)₁₃Hy samples. Next, they explored the materials’ microstructure and magnetocaloric properties to understand how each processing step influences performance. As part of the program, they also visited Magnetotherm Solutions GmbH, a spin-off of our department, to see how these advanced materials are used in real-world revolutionary cooling systems. The week concluded with an engaging presentation of their findings at the Merck center , rounding off an inspiring and very practical research experience.

We sincerely appreciate the strong collaboration and support from Merck KGaA, Zentrum für Chemie, TU Darmstadt – Institut für Materialwissenschaften, Magnotherm and CRC/TRR 270. We’re excited to continue contributing to this unique initiative in future editions of the Erfinderlabor. Let’s keep inspiring curiosity and passion for the future of STEM!

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