Jul. 08, 2026
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin Drives New Materials Development with Its Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech, Scientific Director of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
The Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest research organization, comprises 18 research centers and employs approximately 48,000 people. One of those centers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), became an RD20 member in 2025. HZB is developing new materials and technologies to support the future supply of energy without contributing to climate change. Home to the BESSY II synchrotron radiation facility, which enables researchers to probe the properties of matter, the institute attracts scientists from around the world. We spoke with Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech, scientific director of HZB, about the institute’s research activities and its expectations for RD20.
