Science News

Researchers from the Interface Science Department (ISC) of the Fritz Haber Institute and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) have provided insight into the significant morphological changes that Cu surfaces undergo during the electrochemical reduction of CO₂, which influences the type of products formed. This combined theory (UCLA)-experimental ISC-FHI) study highlights the importance of specific surface defects, that are created and transformed in the course of the reaction, for enhancing the efficiency of CO₂ conversion into industrially valuable chemicals. more

Researchers have observed hydrogen and deuterium molecules in tiny spaces called picocavities using advanced spectroscopy. This study reveals unique differences between the molecules due to quantum effects, potentially aiding future research in energy storage and quantum technologies. more

An international team of scientists have utilized photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD) to study alanine, a chiral amino acid, in water. This research reveals how alanine's molecular structure changes with pH levels and demonstrates the potential of PECD for understanding solvated chiral molecules under biologically relevant conditions.
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Researchers at the Fritz Haber Institute have developed the Automatic Process Explorer (APE), an approach that enhances our understanding of atomic and molecular processes. By dynamically refining simulations, APE has uncovered unexpected complexities in the oxidation of Palladium (Pd) surfaces, offering new insights into catalyst behavior. more

An international collaboration, including researchers from the Molecular Physics Department of the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, reveals the formation of neutral sulfur atoms during the decay of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) under high-energy X-ray exposure. This study, utilizing advanced synchrotron-radiation techniques, provides new insights into the complex interactions of X-rays with matter, essential for scientific and technological advancements. more

Researchers have developed a novel method to trace light fields directly inside cavities, providing in-situ measurement where future field-resolved studies of light-matter interactions will happen. more

The urgent need for a transition to sustainable energy sources demands a significant acceleration of traditional research and development cycles. Self-driving labs (SDLs), powered by artificial intelligence (AI), could play a pivotal role in this transformation. In a perspective paper in the renowned journal Nature Catalysis, researchers from the Theory Department at the Fritz Haber Institute discuss the role played by humans in future such self-driving labs for catalysis research. more