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7Ex Wins JUICE Innovation Contest 2025 – Turning Science into Business
Jülich, September 26, 2025 – At this year’s JUICE Innovation Contest, six teams from Forschungszentrum Jülich pitched how their science could become real-world innovation. The jury awarded first place to 7Ex for its breakthrough in sustainable lithium recovery. H2Cycle and NeuroSense took second and third place.
The contest marks the finale of the Jülich Innovation & Entrepreneurship Certificate Program (JUICE). Over six months, participants learn entrepreneurship, transfer, and business model design – and develop concrete innovation cases with industry potential.
The Winners
1st Place: 7Ex
Andreas Kuhlmann (INW-1), Marten Huck (INW-1), Max Meyer (IET-2), Mohamed Elbashbishy (ITE)
7Ex developed a modular electrochemical system that extracts high-purity lithium from diverse sources – from old batteries to recycling “black mass” – without additional chemicals. The process is energy-efficient, runs on renewables, and integrates easily into existing plants. By securing sustainable raw material supply chains, it makes e-mobility greener and more reliable.
2nd Place: H2Cycle
See Yuan Choo (INW-4), Dominik Sachse (IET-4)
H2Cycle created a plug-and-play, container-based system that recovers hydrogen from industrial exhaust gases using LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier) technology. The approach reduces costs, saves energy, and simplifies logistics – an important step toward a sustainable hydrogen economy.
Platz 3: NeuroSense
Kevin Lengefeld (IBI-3), Sergo Gegechkori (INM-4), Fatemeh Mahani (INM-3)
NeuroSense is developing an implantable, wireless sensor that enables real-time monitoring of neurotransmitters in the brain. This innovation could accelerate drug development for neurodegenerative diseases by combining sensor technology, wireless data transfer, and advanced analytics.
Real-world impact from Jülich research
“JUICE challenges young researchers to turn science into real-world solutions,” said Dr. Dennis Oliveira, team lead of Entrepreneurship Education at Forschungszentrum Jülich. “The results show the incredible potential of Jülich’s science – and every year we’re impressed anew.”
Jury of Experts
The pitches were evaluated by a jury of experts from science, business, and the startup ecosystem:
Dr. Christian Cremer, Head of Innovation Division, FZJ
Dr. Ansgar Schleicher, CEO, TechVision Fonds Aachen
Dr. Marita Mehlstäubl, Head of Transfer & Scouting, Gateway Excellence Startup Center
Sara Usinger, Deputy Project Lead, Startup Village
About JUICE
The Jülich Innovation & Entrepreneurship Certificate Program (JUICE) is held annually at Forschungszentrum Jülich. Over six months, participants are introduced to methods from innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer – from business model design and intellectual property to pitch training. Guided by experts and coaches, the young researchers develop transfer cases that are presented at the JUICE Innovation Contest.
“Our researchers don’t have to bring their own ideas to JUICE,” explains Innovation Manager Dr. Vanessa Leffler, who leads the program. “They can join existing teams and experience how scientific approaches can evolve in many directions – whether towards a startup, a collaboration, or other transfer pathways.”
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Last Modified: 02.10.2025