Department Solution Processing of Hybrid Materials & Devices
Department Solution-Processing of Hybrid Materials and Devices (SE-ALM)
The Unger Group develops next-generation prototypes of solution-processed optoelectronic devices, focusing on scalable manufacturing methods and high-performance materials. Established in 2017 as a Young Investigator Group led by Eva Unger, the group evolved in late 2021 into the Department of Solution-Processing of Hybrid Materials and Devices (SE-ALM). Our work emphasizes scalable fabrication techniques, including slot-die coating (SDC) and inkjet printing (IJP), even at the small-scale testing phase. For this, our group uses the infrastructure of the HySPRINT Innovation Lab and collaborates internationally with other groups as well as industrial partners.
Our interdisciplinary team includes chemists, physicists, and engineers, working closely with experts at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HUB). With an on-site presence in the research building, we leverage collaborations with chemistry and physics departments to foster innovation and achieve synergy in materials research.
Our key research areas include:
1. High-Throughput Combinatorial Synthesis: Leveraging IJP and SDC technologies, we develop combinatorial synthesis methods to systematically investigate hybrid materials’ properties with high efficiency.
2. Functional Ink Formulation: We create functional inks optimized for solution-based deposition of hybrid semiconductors. A special focus is placed on tailoring ink rheology for compatibility with scalable manufacturing processes.
3. In-Situ Process Analysis and Optimization: By applying optical and X-ray-based in-situ techniques, we analyze and optimize IJP and SDC manufacturing processes. This allows us to identify growth kinetics, intermediates, and the fundamental stages of material formation.
4. Prototype Development for Hybrid Energy Conversion: We aim to bring hybrid energy conversion technologies, such as solar cells and other optoelectronic devices, to a large scale by developing efficient and scalable device prototypes.
Picture during Berlin Long Night of Sciences in June 2024