Appointment to University of Florida
After two years of postdoctoral research at HZB, Dr. Charles Hages has received an appointment as Assistant Professor at the University of Florida. © Privat
Dr. Charles Hages has received an appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Florida. Hages has been a postdoctoral researcher at HZB in the Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials for two years. At University of Florida, Hages will advance his work in developing energy materials and looks forward to continued collaborations with his HZB colleagues.
Prior to coming to HZB, Charles (Chuck) Hages pursed his doctoral degree at Purdue University in Indiana, USA, working in nanoparticle/solution-based photovoltaics. During this time Hages worked with many HZB researchers as part of an international research effort to develop earth-abundant photovoltaic materials. Following his Ph.D. work, Hages joined HZB as a postdoc to learn and contribute to state-of-the-art semiconductor characterization work being done in the group of Dr. Thomas Unold.
“Thomas has been a valuable mentor for many years – I look forward to many more discussions and collaborations in the future,” says Hages. As a chemical engineering faculty, Hages will specialize in various synthesis processes and characterization techniques for novel semiconductor-based energy materials, from solar cells and light-emitting diodes to supercapacitors, thermoelectric materials, and electrodes for chemical energy storage, for example.
Hages is now looking forward to new challenges, including teaching, where he will initially develop a course on electron transport for chemical engineers. What is he taking with him from his time at the HZB? “I enjoy the honesty and openness of our scientific discussions and debates. Also our group cohesion of meeting regularly, not only for meetings or weekly seminar, but also for coffee, daily lunch, and after work. I'd like to keep it that way in my new group.”
- Battery research with the HZB X-ray microscopeNew cathode materials are being developed to further increase the capacity of lithium batteries. Multilayer lithium-rich transition metal oxides (LRTMOs) offer particularly high energy density. However, their capacity decreases with each charging cycle due to structural and chemical changes. Using X-ray methods at BESSY II, teams from several Chinese research institutions have now investigated these changes for the first time with highest precision: at the unique X-ray microscope, they were able to observe morphological and structural developments on the nanometre scale and also clarify chemical changes.
- Martin Keller elected new president of the Helmholtz AssociationThe Helmholtz Association has appointed internationally respected US-based scientist Martin Keller as its new president. Her has lived in the United States for nearly three decades, during which he has held various scientific leadership roles at prominent institutions. Since 2015, Keller has directed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. His term begins on 1.11. 2025.
- Rutger Schlatmann re-elected as ETIP PV ChairThe European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV) was created by the European Commission in order to promote photovoltaic technologies and industries in Europe. Now, the ETIP PV Steering Committee elected a new Chair, as well as two Vice-Chairs for the term 2024 – 2026. Rutger Schlatmann, head of the division Solar Energy at the HZB, and professor at HTW Berlin, was re-elected as the ETIP PV Chair.