Collaboration between HZB and the University of Freiburg
The theory group with Joe Dzubiella. © HZB
Through a Joint Research Group entitled “Simulation of Energy Materials“ Prof. Joachim Dzubiella of the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg will be able to continue his collaboration with the HZB. The theoretical physicist headed the “Theory and Simulation“ group at the HZB until recently and worked closely together with colleagues conducting experimental research. The new research group will concentrate on electrochemical energy storage and solar fuels.
From 2010 until spring 2018, Joachim Dzubiella was a scientist at HZB carrying on research and building up his theory group. He appreciated the short paths to experimentalists and worked closely with them. In 2015 he received a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council that enabled him to further expand his group.
The physicist accepted a W3 professorship in Applied Theoretical Physics at the University of Freiburg In April 2018. But the collaboration with the HZB will continue. This has been made possible now through a Joint Research Group entitled "Simulation of Energy Materials" funded by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and the University of Freiburg.
“In the field of solar fuels, there is great interest in more clearly understanding the processes taking place at the catalyst layers that facilitate the splitting of water“, explains Dzubiella. There are also numerous aspects of electrochemical energy storage that can be analysed significantly better through modelling. The Joint Research Group currently consists of seven researchers. The focus is on what happens at the interfaces between liquid and solid phases, which are simulated by theorists with computer models in order to track down the driving forces.
The group members from Freiburg and Berlin will exchange ideas with Skype meetings, visits, and retreats in the countryside. Initial funding has been secured for five years.
More Information: http://helmholtz-berlin.de/forschung/oe/ee/simulation/
- New Method for Absorption Correction to Improve Dental FillingsA research team led by Dr. Ioanna Mantouvalou has developed a method to more accurately depict the elemental distributions in dental materials than previously possible. The used confocal micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) analysis provides three-dimensional elemental images that contain distortions. These distortions occur when X-rays pass through materials of different densities and compositions. By utilizing micro-CT data, which provides detailed 3D images of the material structure, and chemical information from X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) experiments conducted in the laboratory (BLiX, TU Berlin) and at the synchrotron light source BESSY II, the researchers have improved the method.
- Helmholtz Institute for Polymers in Energy Applications (HIPOLE Jena) InauguratedOn June 17, 2024, the Helmholtz Institute for Polymers in Energy Applications (HIPOLE Jena) was officially inaugurated in Jena in the presence of Wolfgang Tiefensee, Minister for Economy, Science, and Digital Society of the Free State of Thuringia. The institute was founded by the Helmholtz Center Berlin for Materials and Energy (HZB) in cooperation with the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. It is dedicated to developing sustainable polymer materials for energy technologies, which are expected to play a key role in the energy transition and support Germany’s goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2045.
- “Research and development in times of war: not only possible, but crucial!”The Ukraine Recovery Conference took place in Berlin on 11 and 12 June. On a side-event representatives from Helmholtz, Fraunhofer and Leibniz discussed how research can contribute to the sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine.
In this interview, Bernd Rech, scientific director at HZB, talks about the importance of research during the war and projects such as Green Deal Ukraina.