Making advanced materials and methods accessible to all

Innovations in materials and analytical technology are transforming industries, but smaller and medium-sized companies often struggle to access them due to cost and complexity. A new collaborative research initiative is changing that by providing simplified entry points to advanced methods that were once limited to large labs.

One breakthrough example combines laser ablation with a precision spray process to produce graded membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) that allow testing of up to ten different catalyst compositions in a single experiment. This dramatically increases testing speed and data quality, offering new insight into material performance under real operating conditions. 

Complementing this is magnetic field–based operando analysis, a powerful technique that records localized activity across complex cells non-invasively. This approach provides detailed, real-time information about how materials behave during operation, supporting faster optimization of products ranging from electrodes to full systems. 

What makes these technologies truly game-changing is not just their capability, but the effort to make them accessible. By lowering technical and logistical barriers, small and medium enterprises along the entire value chain—from catalyst producers to measurement specialists—can integrate high-end analytical tools into their workflows. This enables better quality control, more rapid innovation cycles and stronger competitive positioning. 

At events like HANNOVER MESSE, companies and research centers are showcasing these developments live and discussing how they can be adopted in practical applications. For smaller firms in particular, the opportunity to engage directly with technology experts and see tools in action helps demystify advanced technologies and opens pathways to adoption that were previously out of reach. 

Overall, this shift toward inclusive technology access helps democratize innovation, ensuring that high-tech solutions no longer belong only to the largest players. As SMEs begin to leverage these new capabilities, the industrial ecosystem becomes more dynamic, competitive and ready for future challenges.