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.

Das Team von 7Ex
7Ex: Marten Huck (INW-1), Mohamed Elbashbishy (ITE), Andreas Kuhlmann (INW-1), Max Meyer (IET-2)
Forschungszentrum Jülich/ Buglowski


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.

H2Cycle: Wissenschaftlerin vor JUICE Hintergrund
H2Cycle: See Yuan Choo (INW-4)
Forschungszentrum Jülich/ Buglowski
Team Neurosense vor JUICE Hintergrund
NeuroSense: Kevin Lengefeld (IBI-3), Sergo Gegechkori (INM-4)
Forschungszentrum Jülich/ Buglowski

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.”

Learn More

Discover JUICE Program

JUICE Innovation Contest Gruppenfoto
Participants, jury and organisation team at JUICE Innovation Contest 2025
Forschungszentrum Jülich/ Buglowski
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Contact

Dr. Vanessa Leffler

Innovationsmanagerin

    Building 15.3 /
    Room 3007
    +49 2461/61-6905
    E-Mail

    Last Modified: 30.09.2025