Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems

What Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems does

Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems (TME) is an academic research and teaching chair within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University, located in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The chair is led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Pischinger and employs approximately 103 staff, conducting fundamental and applied research on the thermodynamics of mobile energy conversion systems, including internal combustion engines, fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen technologies, synthetic fuels, electrification, and hybrid powertrains. Its core technological asset is the Center for Mobile Propulsion (CMP), a real-time networked testing laboratory comprising engine, electric-machine, transmission, powertrain, battery, and fuel cell test benches, plus a Hardware-in-the-Loop facility, and supported by the Aldenhoven Testing Center for vehicle-level validation.

TME serves three primary stakeholder groups: RWTH Aachen students (who enroll in its lecture and laboratory offerings on Mobile Propulsion Fundamentals, Fuel Cells, Li-Ion Batteries, ICE Design/Mechanics, ICE Thermodynamics/Emissions, Transmission Development, Acoustics, and Catalysis); industry partners (automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers such as Pierburg/Rheinmetall and FEV Europe, plus Forschungszentrum Jülich) engaging in pre-competitive applied research; and research funding bodies (DFG, BMWK, BMBF, NRW Ministry of Culture and Science, the European Commission, FVV, FVA). It is a core participant in the DFG Excellence Clusters 'Fuel Science Center' (2019–2025) and its successor FSC2 (2026–2032), as well as RWTH's Center for Sustainable Hydrogen Systems, and has led or co-led major projects including ITE50+ (thermal efficiency above 50% via ultra-lean stratified combustion), H2.Modus (BMWK, fuel cell subsystems), H2UpScale and related EU Horizon Europe projects, and BMBF Clusters4Future initiatives HyInnoAEM and HyInnoSOC2.

As a public university chair, TME does not operate on a commercial revenue model. Funding flows through government research grants, European Commission programs, and industry research associations supporting collaborative R&D. The chair distributes its expertise through academic teaching, scientific publications and final reports, the annual Aachen Automotive Colloquium, contract research, and joint development with industry partners. The institutional entity is RWTH Aachen University (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen), a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (public-law corporation).

Name

Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems

Legal name

Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University

Website

https://tme.rwth-aachen.de

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

TME is an academic research chair at RWTH Aachen University led by Prof. Stefan Pischinger, employing ~103 staff to conduct research and teaching on mobile propulsion thermodynamics spanning internal combustion engines, fuel cells, batteries, hydrogen, and synthetic fuels. It serves students, industry partners, and government/European research funders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Research and Engineering Education (Mobile Propulsion)

NAICS

Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Demonstration Pilots, Testbeds & Standards Development (Prototype Validation, Certification, Field Trials) (EUAMAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Onsite Low-Carbon Heat & CHP (Electrified CHP, Fuel Cells, Renewable CHP) (EUABAJAI), Fuel Cell Distributed Generation (Hydrogen/Natural Gas SOFC/PEM) (EUACALAK)

Keywords

• Mobile propulsion research
• Hydrogen combustion engines
• Fuel cell systems
• Powertrain testing services
• Automotive engineering education

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems (TME) at RWTH Aachen University conducts academic teaching and applied research in mobile propulsion technologies. Its offerings comprise university courses covering internal combustion engines, fuel cells, batteries, transmissions, acoustics, and catalysis, alongside the Center for Mobile Propulsion (CMP) testing facility which supports industry- and government-funded research on hydrogen combustion engines, fuel cell systems, battery technology, synthetic fuels, and sustainable mobility solutions.

Product overview

The Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems (TME) at RWTH Aachen University operates as an academic research and teaching institution rather than a commercial product company. Its offerings consist of educational programs through lectures and laboratories, and research/testing infrastructure through its Center for Mobile Propulsion (CMP). The academic offerings include courses on Mobile Propulsion Fundamentals, Fuel Cells, Li-Ion Batteries, Internal Combustion Engines (covering both design/mechanics and thermodynamics/emissions), Transmission Development, Powertrain Calibration, Acoustics, and Catalysis. The research infrastructure includes comprehensive testing facilities: engine test benches, electric machine test benches, transmission test benches, powertrain test benches, battery test benches, fuel cell test benches, a Hardware-in-the-Loop laboratory, vehicle chassis dynamometer, optical analysis facilities, and test tracks at the Aldenhoven Testing Center. These facilities support research into hydrogen combustion, fuel cells, electrification, hybrid powertrains, synthetic fuels, and sustainable mobility technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile Propulsion Fundamentals (MPF) Fundamental academic course covering the basics of mobile propulsion technologies including engine fundamentals and drive systems, offered to RWTH Aachen University students in energy and mechanical engineering programs.
• Fuel Cells (FC) Academic course covering fuel cell technology for mobile propulsion applications.
• Li-Ion Batteries for Mobile Propulsion (LIBmP) Academic course covering lithium-ion battery technology specifically designed for electric vehicle applications.
• Internal Combustion Engines: Design and Mechanics (ICE-D/M) Academic course covering the mechanical design and construction aspects of internal combustion engines.
• Internal Combustion Engines: Thermodynamics and Emissions (ICE-T/E) Academic course covering thermodynamic processes and emission characteristics of internal combustion engines.
• Transmission Development for Electrified and Conventional Vehicles (GekF) Academic course on transmission development for both electrified and conventional passenger vehicles.
• Powertrain Calibration Propulsion Systems (PCPS) Academic course on calibration techniques and methodologies for powertrain systems.
• Acoustics of Mobile Propulsion Systems (AmA) Academic course covering acoustic analysis and noise reduction in mobile drive systems.
• Catalysis in Mobile Propulsion (KMA) Academic course covering catalytic exhaust gas treatment for mobile propulsion systems.
• Laboratory for Mobile Propulsion (LaMA) Hands-on laboratory course providing practical experience with mobile propulsion systems and testing equipment, offered to RWTH Aachen University students.
• Center for Mobile Propulsion (CMP) Testing Services Real-time networked testing laboratory offering engine test benches, electric machine test benches, transmission test benches, powertrain test benches, battery test benches, fuel cell test benches, and Hardware-in-the-Loop testing capabilities for industry and academic research collaborators.
• Vehicle Chassis Dynamometer Testing Vehicle testing facility using a chassis dynamometer for comprehensive vehicle performance testing, available for research collaborations with industry partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research contributing to climate-neutral mobility through hydrogen combustion engines, synthetic fuels, and electrified drive systems
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

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Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• RWTH Aachen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTME is an integral part of RWTH Aachen University, operating within Faculty 4 (Mechanical Engineering). The chair collaborates with numerous other RWTH institutes including the Institute for Heat and Mass Transfer, Institute for Production Engineering, and others for interdisciplinary research projects.
• Center for Sustainable Hydrogen SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTME is actively involved in this RWTH-wide research center focused on sustainable hydrogen technologies, collaborating on projects related to hydrogen combustion engines, fuel cells, and electrolyzers.
• Fuel & Chemical Science Center (FSC2)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTME participates in the DFG-funded Excellence Cluster FSC2 (EXC 2186/2) developing adaptive conversion systems for renewable energy carriers and chemicals, focusing on ammonia combustion and tailored catalytic exhaust gas conversion.
• Aldenhoven Testing Center (ATC)majorTechnology or IntegrationTME utilizes the ATC vehicle test track for real-world testing of propulsion systems developed at the chair's facilities.
• Forschungsvereinigung Verbrennungskraftmaschinen e.V. (FVV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTME is a key research partner in numerous FVV projects including ITE50+, HyFuel2035, Cool-Bat, and others focused on internal combustion engine optimization, NVH, emissions reduction, and alternative fuels.
• Forschungsvereinigung Antriebstechnik e.V. (FVA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTME collaborates on FVA-funded research projects related to drivetrain and transmission technology development.
• Pierburg GmbH (Rheinmetall AG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in the H2.Modus project consortium developing innovative modules and subsystems for fuel cell systems, focusing on anode path components including hydrogen recirculation and water management.
• FEV Europe GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in the H2.Modus project contributing to the development of fuel cell system components and simulation models for thermodynamic analysis.
• Forschungszentrum Jülich (IEK-9)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in the DryHy project where Jülich's IEK-9 provides SOEC stacks and machine carriers for the high-temperature electrolysis system.
• Mercedes-AMGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner providing guest lectures and insights into high-performance electric vehicle development; featured speaker at TME's Förderpool-Event.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• FEV Group GmbH: A global engineering services provider in powertrain and vehicle development, including ICE, hybrid, battery, and fuel cell testing. Direct industry partner of TME on H2.Modus; broader commercial scope than a university chair but overlapping capabilities.
• AVL List GmbH: Global mobility and powertrain engineering company with extensive ICE, battery, and fuel cell testing and simulation capabilities. Operates as a commercial counterpart to academic research in the same domains as TME.
• Robert Bosch GmbH: Global Tier-1 supplier with major in-house R&D on powertrain, battery, and fuel cell systems. Represents a large-scale industrial counterpart whose internal research capabilities partially overlap with TME's portfolio.

Direct peers

• Institute of Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems (VKM), TU Darmstadt: A leading German university chair conducting research on internal combustion engines, powertrains, and alternative fuels. Directly comparable in mission (engine/powertrain research) and customer base (German OEMs and Tier-1s).
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – Institute of Internal Combustion Engines (IFKM): University institute focused on ICE and alternative powertrains, with significant hydrogen and e-fuels research. Directly comparable in research scope, teaching, and industry-funded project model in Germany.
• Institute of Automotive Technology (FTM), TU Munich: Top-tier German automotive research chair with deep industry collaborations across OEMs. Comparable in talent production, research funding profile, and partnerships with German automakers and suppliers.
• Institute for Combustion Engines (ivb), TU Braunschweig: A university research institute specializing in ICE and powertrain research, with similar FVV/FVA industry linkages. Direct comparability in research scope, teaching function, and German automotive industry orientation.
• Institute for Powertrains and Automotive Technology (IFK), RWTH Aachen: A sister chair at RWTH Aachen focusing on powertrain and vehicle systems. Operates within the same faculty and shares facilities, faculty ecosystem, and industry partner network, making it the closest institutional peer.

Emerging players

• Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design (IEM): Applied research institute in mechatronics and vehicle systems, often collaborating with German OEMs. Adjacent research scope with strong industrial translation focus, complementing but not directly competing with TME's thermodynamics focus.

Others

• Forschungszentrum Jülich (IEK-9): German national research center focused on electrochemical energy conversion (including SOEC). Active TME partner in the DryHy project on high-temperature electrolysis, making it a peer in adjacent R&D themes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tme-cmp-rwth-aachen-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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