Pfeiffer Vacuum supports young research team at the Schülerforschungszentrum Nordhessen

State-of-the-art pump technology from Pfeiffer Vacuum in use with a ZEISS scanning electron microscope at the Schülerforschungszentrum Nordhessen.

- Donation helps in the development of new technologies
- State-of-the-art pump technology in use with the scanning electron microscope
- Reduction of CO2 footprint

Young researchers from various disciplines utilize the infrastructure and opportunities of the Schülerforschungszentrum Nordhessen (SFN) to develop ideas for new processes and products. Pfeiffer Vacuum now supports the Schülerforschungszentrum through the donation of a fore-vacuum pump.

As part of a project, students are developing a filter for single-family homes that converts CO2 into O2. The exhaust gases from gas or oil heating systems are passed through a flat algae tank, which can be mounted on any house wall. Through photosynthesis, oxygen is produced from the CO2 in the exhaust gases. The team is currently working on developing a stable process. An electron microscope, donated by ZEISS, assists them in this.

An electron microscope is an instrument that makes the smallest structures visible. Vacuum pumps are necessary for operating such a device, and they contribute to the energy balance of the electron microscope. Since it is currently not possible to quantify the energy balance of an electron microscope, the Schülerforschungszentrum in Kassel has taken on this task: young people are scientifically investigating the CO2 footprint of an electron microscope.

Dr. Frank Zeismann, University of Kassel, supervises the experiments: "Already after replacing the old pump with the Pfeiffer Vacuum HiScroll, we were impressed by the low noise emission. The students plan to observe the power consumption, document it scientifically, and thereby generate a decision-making aid for the manufacturer."

Andreas Schopphoff, Head of Market Segment R&D at Pfeiffer Vacuum: "Supporting young scientists is a matter close to Pfeiffer Vacuum's heart. We are pleased to provide the most modern dry fore-vacuum pump available to the Schülerforschungszentrum to help optimize the CO2 footprint of the microscope and contribute to sustainability. This new scroll pump perfectly complements the already installed turbopump from Pfeiffer Vacuum. Electrical large devices, for which vacuum is a basic requirement, have enormous potential for energy savings. Modern technology and intelligent control can unlock this potential. I am very glad that dedicated young people are helping with this."