The department „Structural and Functional Ceramics“ is focusing on ceramic matrix composites and functional ceramic materials for applications in aeronautics, space, and solar-thermal energy. Such high-temperature materials are being developed for new energy efficient and low-emission gas turbine engines as well as for energy generation and storage in concentrating solar power (CSP) processes.
Future air transportation as well as energy generation are driving the development of innovative materials. Highly efficient and low emission gas turbine engines are a key research and development target of DLR. A promising way to achieve this are innovative ceramic structural materials, for example by high-temperature resistant fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites for linings of gas turbine combustion chambers or other hot-gas ducts.
A further, focused field of research and development at DLR are generation and storage of solar-thermal energy. The department is working on high-temperature resistant functional ceramics for solar absorber structures, generation of solar fuels, and thermal-chemical energy storage.