LIST showcases top research during ministerial visit

The Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, and the Minister of Research and Higher Education, Stéphanie Obertin, visited the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) to explore the latest advancements in science and technology. The lab tour highlighted several groundbreaking projects guided by LIST scientific Director Lucien Hoffmann, reflecting the institute's pivotal role in driving technological innovation.

Advancing Renewable Energy with Ocean Waves

One of the presentations during the visit was LIST’s proprietary technology designed to address the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. The technology harnesses energy from ocean waves through a novel water electrolysis process. The principle of this technology—an electricity production system based on a chaotic trajectory pendulum—was validated in a wave pool at Thermes de Strassen. The demonstration included a 1/6th scale technological prototype equipped with an electrolyzer for in-situ hydrogen production. This prototype marks a significant step towards developing a fully autonomous marine-scale system. The technology promises to reduce hydrogen production costs and lessen dependence on critical metals and land resources compared to conventional renewable energy methods.

CubeSat Project: Luxembourg’s Leap into Space Innovation

The CubeSat project emerged as another highlight of the visit. This initiative represents Luxembourg’s first foray into nanosatellite technology with a focus on in-house scientific experiments. Scheduled for launch in January 2026, the CubeSat will test and advance LIST-developed technologies, including a pyroelectric energy harvester. This harvester, part of the satellite's payload, is designed to generate power from temperature fluctuations induced by the satellite’s orbit around the Earth.

The satellite would capitalize on temperature variations—exposure to solar heat and cooling during eclipse phases—to harvest energy. The mission includes three key technologies: a pyroelectric energy harvester, a super black coating for optimal thermal radiation absorption, and inkjet-printed sensors for monitoring. This project aims to enhance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of these innovations and explore their potential as alternatives to traditional photovoltaic panels in space.

The CubeSat project is a collaborative effort involving LIST, CSUM (University Space Center Montpellier), and local radio amateur clubs. It showcases a significant research collaboration aimed at pioneering energy harvesting systems in space and providing valuable insights for future missions.

Innovations in Nano-Analytics and Battery Technology

The visit also shed light on LIST's advancements in nano-analytics and battery technology. The institute is developing instruments for structural characterization and chemical analysis at the nanoscale, crucial for the progress of battery materials and complex electronic devices. Additionally, research into new materials combining copper and carbon nanostructures aims to reduce battery weight and enhance energy density, pushing the boundaries of energy storage technologies.

Visualisation and Real-Time Simulation Innovations

Further demonstrating its broad research capabilities, LIST presented its work on visualizing large, multi-dimensional databases using the LIST Visualisation Wall. This tool assists in identifying significant patterns and subspaces in complex data sets. The institute also showcased its real-time simulation and power electronics labs, used for developing and testing systems across aerospace, automotive, bioengineering, and energy sectors.

Strengthening Space Resources Research

In a significant development, a new agreement was signed during the visit to extend the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) activities until 2029. This agreement, signed by Lex Delles, supports the goals of the Luxembourg Space Agency and aligns with the Luxembourg government’s ambitions to advance space resources research. ESRIC aims to expand its research team to 100 members, further cementing Luxembourg’s position as a leader in space innovation.

Kathryn Hadler, director of ESRIC, stated: "The extension to the framework agreement between the Ministry of the Economy and LIST will support the continued growth of ESRIC. This will allow us to develop our research activities to continue to support the growing ecosystem in this field and to continue with our community building activities. It really demonstrates the commitment from Luxembourg to support space resources."

The visit of Ministers Lex Delles and Stéphanie Obertin to LIST underscored the nation's commitment to research and technological development. With projects spanning renewable energy, new technologies, space resources, and advanced materials, LIST contributes to Luxembourg’s scientific and technological progress on both national and international stages.