A gift from a German company will help UConn explore more avenues in clean energy.

The Rauschert Group, a company based in Germany that develops and manufactures ceramics, engineering plastics and hybrid components, has funded a scholarship for two students annually at UConn’s Fraunhofer Center for Energy Innovation (CEI).

“We’re very appreciative of Rauschert’s generosity,” said Professor Prabhakar Singh, Director of the Center. In addition to the installation of a pilot filtration unit at CEI’s laboratories, the scholarships enable two graduate or undergraduate students to conduct research and gain hands-on experience in the field of ceramic filtration. Scholarships will be given to students selected on the basis of their academic performance and interest in the technology.  

Rauschert has developed ceramic filtration membranes that can be used in the production of food and pharmaceutical products, as well as in waste water recovery. It started working with CEI earlier this year to promote its filtration products and to further develop the technology.

“The scholarships will enable two graduate students to conduct research in the field of ceramic filtration, to further knowledge and potential applications in clean energy,” said Dr. Richard Metzler, Managing Director of Rauschert. “The students’ work will help support Rauschert to develop key applications for the North America market.”