From November 11 to 14, 2025 the Fritz Haber Institute has been visited by its Scientific Advisory Board that provides scientific advice, evaluates the research done at the institute, and also guides its strategic development. Visits of the SAB are an essential part of the evaluation of the institutes of the Max Planck Society. more

Researchers from the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society (FHI) have uncovered how carbonate molecules affect the conversion of CO₂ into valuable fuels on gold electrocatalysts. Their findings reveal key molecular mechanisms in CO₂ electrocatalysis and hydrogen evolution, pointing to new strategies for improving energy efficiency and reaction selectivity. more

The Fritz Haber Institute is once again proud to have supported the Berlin PostDoc Day (PDD25), an annual event that has established itself as a significant platform for PostDocs across various disciplines. This year, the event took place on November 6^th and 7^th as part of the Berlin Science Week and was organized by a diverse team of Berlin-based PostDocs from MDC, FMP, FHI, Charité, and BAM. Around ten FHI researchers attended, with five FHI postdocs and senior PhD students presenting their work in the poster session, showcasing the institute’s commitment to fostering scientific exchange and early-career development. more

Four scientists from the Fritz Haber Institute are on the list of Highly Cited Researchers 2025 published by Clarivate Analytics: the Director of the Interface Science Department, Prof. Beatriz Roldán Cuenya; two group leaders of the same Department, Dr. Janis Timoshenko and Dr. Arno Bergmann, and former Director Prof. Robert Schlögl. This result underscores the FHI’s internationally leading role in physics, chemistry, and materials science. more

Antonia Herzog, who completed her PhD in the Interface Science department in 2023, has been appointed as a tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) after two years of postdoctoral studies at MIT. With her success story, the young scientist is encouraging women in science to pursue an academic career. more

Researchers from the Department of Molecular Physics at the Fritz Haber Institute have demonstrated the first magneto-optical trap of a stable ‘closed-shell’ molecule: aluminum monofluoride (AlF).  They were able to cool AlF with lasers and selectively trap it in three different rotational quantum levels - breaking new ground in ultracold physics. Their experiments open the door to advanced precision spectroscopy and quantum simulation with AlF.  more

Prof. Karsten Reuter, Director of the Theory Department at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society and a leading catalysis expert, has been awarded one of the 66 prestigious ERC Synergy Grants for “MAGNESIS—Magnetically Enhanced Electrocatalysis,” together with Prof. Galán-Mascarós (ICIQ, Spain), Prof. Jeppe V. Lauritsen (Aarhus University, Denmark), and Prof. David Écija (IMDEA Nanoscience, Spain). Over the next six years, the €12 million project will uncover how magnetic fields can help to drive electrochemical reactions more efficiently—from studying what happens at the atomic level to testing complete devices such as fuel cells and electrolyzers. more