Science News

Scientists from the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of nanotechnology, as detailed in their latest publication in Advanced Materials. Their paper, titled „Spectroscopic and Interferometric Sum-Frequency Imaging of Strongly Coupled Phonon Polaritons in SiC Metasurfaces," introduces a novel microscopy method that allows for the unprecedented visualization of nanostructures and their optical properties. more

A recent publication in Nature Communications by researchers from the Interface Science Department at the Fritz Haber Institute introduces a new advancement in the fight against climate change. Their study, „Reversible metal cluster formation on Nitrogen-doped carbon controlling electrocatalyst particle size with subnanometer accuracy," showcases a novel method for understanding the mechanisms of carbon dioxide (CO₂) re-utilization leading to fuels and chemicals. This work paves the road for the further optimization of this catalytic process driven by renewable electricity. more

The Theory Department of the Fritz Haber Institute calls attention to catalyst morphology as a key factor in determining what product is being formed during an electrocatalytic reaction. The analysis, published in Nature Catalysis, explores how the ‘roughness’ of a catalyst surface changes the selectivity for a number of technologically important reactions, including the electrochemical conversion of CO₂ into fuels and H₂O formation in fuel-cells. The results offer a new perspective on how catalyst design could optimize electrochemical processes, while challenging the traditional picture that focuses entirely on the nature of the active site at the atomic level. more

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society presents an in-depth analysis of how ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in aqueous solutions interacts with magnesium ions. Conducted by researchers from the Department of Molecular Physics at the Fritz Haber Institute, in collaboration with the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Southern California, the paper titled "How Does Mg²⁺_(aq) Interact with ATP_(aq)? Biomolecular Structure through the Lens of Liquid-Jet Photoemission Spectroscopy" introduces Liquid-Jet Photoemission Spectroscopy (LJ-PES) as a method for probing the electronic structure of this biomolecule in a complex aqueous-solution environment. more

Addressing climate change demands rethinking of established chemical processes on a timescale of years rather than decades as in traditional R&D cycles. In collaboration with BasCat (UniCat BASF JointLab), a team of researchers from the Theory Department at the Fritz Haber Institute developed an accelerated discovery approach to identify a promising catalytic promoter formulation for the conversion of propane into the base chemical propylene. Discovered in a few weeks and with fewer than 100 experiments conducted, the novel promoted catalyst rivals those discovered through decades of research. The findings, published in ACS Catalysis, not only highlight the partnership's success but also open avenues for a more efficient and informed development of multi-promoter formulations.
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A recent study, published in Nature Communications, marks a significant leap towards an eco-friendly energy solution by showcasing advances in the production of green fuels. This research, conducted by the Department of Interface Science at the Fritz Haber Institute, reveals how new modes of operation in electrocatalysis can serve to boost the production of alcohol fuels using carbon dioxide (CO₂) and electricity from renewable sources. more

The THz Structural Dynamics group of the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Fritz Haber Institute has made a significant advancement in light research, as detailed in their recent publication in the journal Optica, titled „Quartz as an Accurate High-Field Low-Cost THz Helicity Detector.” Their work introduces a fast, cost-efficient, and precise technique for analyzing complex waveforms of Terahertz (THz) light, a part of the far-infrared spectrum that is invisible to the naked eye and most detectors. Strong THz laser pulses are further crucial for exploring and manipulating fundamental properties of materials at ultrafast speeds. more