Departments

Work in the Department of Inorganic Chemistry (AC) aims at a a general understanding of heterogeneous catalysis. Catalysts consist of highly dynamic materials and an understanding of their function is only possible by considering their function over time and length scales. For this purpose, modern analytical methods are developed and applied in the AC department. The department has been led on an interim basis by Beatriz Roldán since April 2023.  more

The Department of Interface Science (ISC) investigates the structural and dynamic, electronic and chemical properties of tailor-made nanostructures and thin films. Their interfaces to gaseous and liquid environments are of particular interest for applications in catalysis and electrochemistry. The systematic use of advanced synthesis methods and state-of-the-art characterization techniques enables the ISC department to gain a deep mechanistic understanding of catalytic processes. more

Research at the Department of Molecular Physics focuses on structure as well as on intra- and intermolecular dynamics of molecular systems. Diatomic molecules or even biological macromolecules are studied either isolated or interacting with their environment. New experimental methods for manipulation and control as well as for characterization and spectroscopic investigation of these molecular systems are developed and applied. more

Research in the Department of Physical Chemistry (PC) focusses on the dynamics of elementary processes in solids and at surfaces, in particular, ultrafast dynamics of electronic excitations, electron-phonon coupling and interfacial charge transfer, surface reactions and molecular processes at interfaces as well as light-matter interaction at the nanoscale. more

The research in the Theory Department focuses on a quantitative modeling of materials properties and functions, and in particular on processes in working catalysts and energy conversion devices. For this we advance and employ predictive-quality multiscale models, advanced data science techniques and machine learning, thereby straddling the frontiers of physics, chemistry, computing sciences, as well as materials science and engineering. more