Rheinmetall and Tongji University: Joint lab for new energy vehicle technology

• Longstanding partnership between Rheinmetall and Tongji University
• Joint lab at the School of Automotive Studies
• Research and innovation in fuel cells

Rheinmetall AG, the German technology group, and Tongji University in Shanghai have recently set up a joint lab to foster cooperation in new energy vehicle technology. The joint lab, which will focus primarily on research and innovation in fuel cells, forms part of an endowed chair at the School of Automotive Studies. As an important supplier to the global automotive industry, Rheinmetall maintains a number of production plants at 17 locations in China.

Rheinmetall and Tongji University held a joint opening ceremony on April 16 at Rheinmetall China headquarters in Hongqiao. During the ceremony, Peter Willemsen, President of Rheinmetall China, and Professor Zhang Lijun, Dean of the School of Automotive Studies and holder of the endowed chair, signed an agreement for the joint lab on behalf of both parties.

“With the joint lab, we aim to develop application-oriented solutions related to fuel cells for the fast-growing Chinese market”, stated Peter Willemsen. He added: “We are looking forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with Tongji University, pursuing the twin goals of innovation and educating highly qualified students.”

Pierburg, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall, is further developing its existing tech­nologies in pumps and valves for internal combustion engines to the application in alternative drive trains, such as fuel cells and other new energy vehicles. Furthermore, the company has developed additional products that have so far held a special position on the market: the electrical coolant pump and a hydrogen recirculation blower (HRB). Both are suitable for low voltage and 400- and 800-volt vehicle high voltage systems.