Three events, three cities and a wide range of topics: In October 2026, HIPOLE Jena researcher Akbar Valaei travelled to Brussels, Hamburg and Berlin to explore developments in solar fuels, hydrogen technologies and industrial automation.
The first stop was the SUN2X-SET Roadmapping Workshop 2026 at the European Commission in Brussels. Together with Dr Jacob Schneidewind, an associate member of HIPOLE Jena, Valaei exchanged ideas with researchers and experts on current challenges and future research priorities in the field of Direct Solar Fuels (DSF). Discussions focused on different technological approaches to producing sustainable fuels using solar energy.
He then attended the Hydrogen Technology World Expo 2026 in Hamburg, where he learned about new technologies for hydrogen production, processing and storage. The event also provided insights into technical solutions and opportunities to connect with potential partners for the further development of solar-powered hydrogen systems.
His final stop was AUTOMA Chem Berlin 2026, which focused on artificial intelligence, digitalisation and automation in the chemical industry. Topics of particular interest included digital twins, process optimisation and automated research. These developments could also open up new possibilities for laboratory workflows and reactor monitoring.
The three events gave Valaei the opportunity to exchange ideas with researchers and industry representatives, learn about new technologies and build connections for potential future collaborations.
