Science News

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

Scientists from the Interface Science Department of the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in collaboration with beamline scientists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have made an advancement in the field of electrocatalysis. Their latest research, published in the prestigious journal Nature Materials, sheds light on how catalysts can stay in unanticipated forms during the process of nitrate reduction. The study, titled "Revealing Catalyst Restructuring and Composition During Nitrate Electroreduction through Correlated Operando Microscopy and Spectroscopy," offers new insights that could pave the way for more efficient catalyst design. more

Scientists have long sought to understand the exact mechanism behind water splitting by carbon nitride catalysts. For the first time, Dr. Paolo Giusto and his team captured the step-by-step interactions at the interface between carbon nitride and water, detailing the transfer of protons and electrons from water to the catalyst under light. This discovery lays critical groundwork for optimizing catalyst materials for hydrogen production as a renewable energy solution. more

Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs) are efficient electrochemical devices that convert electrical energy into chemical energy by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, or carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen. A team of scientists from multiple institutions, led by researchers from the Fritz Haber Institute and the FZ Jülich, has provided unprecedented insights into the atomic-scale changes affecting SOEC performance. The team studied the aging and structural transformations of the electrode material Lanthanum Strontium Manganite (LSM) and the electrolyte Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) during operation. Their findings highlight how local solid-state chemistry, such as cation diffusion and secondary phase formation, influences both the performance and stability of SOECs, paving the way for strategies to improve the durability and efficiency of these cells. more