Making an invention, developing something new – for many people, that's an unattainable dream. Katharina Weingrill is living that dream, because innovation is a part of her daily work. Originally from Graz, she studied mechatronics at a dual university in Mannheim and now works at AVL in the PEM fuel cell system development department, an alternative hydrogen-based propulsion solution for electric vehicles. "I’m responsible," she says, "for the anode, the hydrogen pathway of the fuel cell system." Katharina is thrilled that innovation is deeply rooted in AVL's company DNA: "If you're a technician with a drive to develop new solutions, this is the perfect place. Every workday ends with the feeling: Something really cool happened today.”

A Creative Process

This is one reason AVL is one of Austria’s leading companies in terms of patent applications. Even from Katharina’s team, which includes chemists and mechanical engineers, developments have been patented: "An innovative solution often emerges from teamwork and is a creative process.” Most patents from her team relate to operating strategies for fuel cells. The fuel cell system receives commands from the control unit or its software, telling it which valve to open and how to operate at various temperatures. Katharina explains: „The contactor, a type of switch, can get stuck in a closed position, potentially causing an electric shock. We developed a safety system that checks whether the contactor is stuck during every startup.”

Opening Up to New Ideas

To encourage inventions, AVL allocates 10% of its annual revenue to self-financed research. Employees can work on topics, alongside their “normal” jobs, that may lead to patents. Katharina believes anyone who enjoys solution-focused work can enter the world of inventions, regardless of their background:“I went to a business school (HAK), and my parents don’t have a technical background. Ten years ago, I couldn’t have imagined myself inventing things. But when you’re in an innovative work environment, these things just happen naturally. You just need to be open to new ideas and opportunities.”In the future, her department will also focus on advancing fuel cell systems for ships and aircraft: “Fuel cells are becoming increasingly interesting beyond cars and trucks. I’m really looking forward to diving deep into these new and exciting fields.”