Nuclear fusion technology solutions, the generation and use of hydrogen, as well as the calibration and collaboration of industrial robots - researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will present innovative technologies at Hannover Messe, Hall 11, Stand B06 from April 20 to 24, 2026. In addition, additively manufactured multi-material ceramics, electrochemical synthesis processes, and quantum technologies will be showcased and KIT students will present their hyperloop concept.
More information on KIT's exhibits can be found in KIT's digital press kit for Hannover Messe 2026 .
"How we get around, communicate, or generate energy - much of this is currently being rethought. At KIT, we find answers to these fundamental changes in our everyday lives," says Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, President of KIT. " At the world's largest industry trade fair, we will therefore showcase groundbreaking technologies for the future. Visionary modes of travel, new options in robotics, decisive steps on the way towards the first nuclear fusion reactor, or secure communication via quantum networks: KIT will demonstrate what is possible when the best minds from around the world use our excellent research infrastructures."
On Tuesday, April 21, 16.15 to 17.00 hrs, Hesthaven will participate in a panel discussion on "European Defence: How We Build the Industrial Landscape We Need" in Hall 25, Center Stage.
Technology Developments Presented by KIT
Tritium Breeding Blanket - The Heart of a Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Nuclear fusion is deemed a key technology for the secure, climate-friendly energy supply in future. KIT researchers contribute to it by working on the heart of the reactor, the tritium breeding blanket (TBB). It is located between the plasma having a temperature of 150 million degrees Celsius and the near-zero superconducting magnets confining the plasma. This temperature difference poses a big technical challenge. At the same time, the TBB has to generate the tritium fuel that is indispensable for nuclear fusion. Development of the components opens up new perspectives for industry, examples being the production of durable materials and precision manufacturing technology.
photreon - Hydrogen from Nothing but Water and Sunlight
A photoreactor panel developed by KIT allows to produce hydrogen from nothing but water and sunlight. photreon's patented design is suitable for mass fabrication of large batches and enables scalable production of low-cost green hydrogen. In this way, photreon makes the use of green hydrogen economically efficient and strengthens the competitiveness of companies and industry locations in Germany.
Compressorless Gas Turbine - Record Runtime for Green Electricity Generation
An innovative compressorless gas turbine is setting new standards for the use of hydrogen in energy supply. The detonation burner based on pressure-gain combustion technology achieved a record runtime of 303 seconds, which surpasses the previous NASA record of 250 seconds. No additional energy is required to compress the air prior to ignition. Unlike natural gas, hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy. With the compressorless gas turbine, KIT has taken an important step towards efficient, high-performance technology for green electricity generation using hydrogen.
Calibration of Vision-guided Industrial Robots - Fully Automatic, Fast, and Accurate
Use of industrial robots is standard in manufacture. When they are equipped with cameras, they can react flexibly to their environment. Robot calibration is essential in applications requiring a high accuracy: The robot's geometry is determined, which means that the kinematic parameters are calculated. A new calibration method developed by KIT in cooperation with MVTec Software GmbH utilizes the robot's existing camera for calibration - a fast and inexpensive method to reach high accuracy for vision-guided robots.
Precise Collaborative Robotics - With Optimally Distributed Forces
