The starting point of this area is to rapidly find novel, potentially disruptive functional materials (electrocatalysts such as high entropy alloys, 2D materials, membranes) and process them into an electrochemical functional environment that enables meaningful in-system testing.

To achieve the goal of a scalable and knowledge-based approach with feedback from the system level to material exploration, quantum mechanical calculations, advanced approaches to (nano)-particle synthesis e.g. from the gas phase or laser ablation, extended screening, and surface modification via plasma will be linked across scales with process and manufacturing technology. The latter include the generation of tailored hierarchical structures by spray drying as well as roll-to-roll coating and additive manufacturing ("3D printing").

Meaningful testing in full cells, e.g. at the ZBT, enables accelerated processing of new materials and the transfer of innovation from the laboratory to industry.