Departments

Physical Chemistry - AG Prof. Dr. Markus Bäumer

The main focus of research carried out in the department of Physical Chemistry is the investigation of materials (in particular nanostructured materials) synthesized by innovative, non-traditional preparation techniques aiming at the exploration of their surface (chemical) and catalytic properties.

Hybrid Materials Interfaces (HMI) Group - AG Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lucio Colombi Ciacchi

The Hybrid Materials Interfaces (HMI) Group at the Faculty of Production Engineering has been founded in October 2008 as an Endowed Chair of the Conrad Naber Foundation. The focus of its research lies on the atomic-level studies of interfaces between technological materials and biological macromolecules, with applications in the fields of biomedical implants, biosensors, pharmaceutical packaging, biocompatible adhesives, and many others. The study of nanoparticulate materials, especially in battery cathodes, is a further research area. The activities of the group comprise on one side experimental research, mainly by means of atomic force microscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy. On the other side, advanced theoretical modelling from the quantum to the classical level of precision is employed. The group members are affiliated to the Bremen Center for Computational Materials Science (BCCMS) and the Centre for Environmental Research and Sustainable Technology (UFT).

Neurobiochemistry - AG Prof. Dr. Ralf Dringen

The Neurobiochemistry group investigates basal mechanisms of the metabolism of the individual types of brain cells as well as the metabolic interactions that take place between different types of brain cells. Aim of the studies is the improvement of the understanding of the basal metabolism in brain and of the molecular mechanisms contributing to the reported disturbances in brain metabolism in neurological disorders.

Ecology - AG Prof. Dr. Juliane Filser

The department of General and Theoretical Ecology studies interactions with their biotic and abiotic environment. The resulting ecosystem services, particularly those of soils, are an essential basis for human existence. New products and technologies are accompanied during the development process in order to avoid undesired environmental effects.

Environmental Process Engineering - AG Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sven Kerzenmacher

The Environmental Process Engineering research group performs interdisciplinary research on fundamentals, material, and processes for environmental engineering and sustainable biotechnology. Its research is centered on new processes for energy-efficient wastewater treatment, bio-production, and resource recovery. This includes the use of biocatalysts such as enzymes or microorganisms for production and remediation processes, for instance the electrochemical hydrogen generation or the removal of anthropogenic micro-pollutants from wastewaters.

Chemical Engineering - AG Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jorg Thöming

The department of Chemical Engineering is engaged in topics referring to reaction and separation technology for sustainable processes. Special attention is paid to the influence of heat- and mass transport on processes in (micro-)structured systems. Additionally, the effects of superimposed electrical fields are studied in both reaction and separation processes.

Marine Ecology - AG Prof. Dr. Christian Wild

The department of Marine Ecology pursues an interdisciplinary approach and uses a range of appropriate tools from the fields of ecophysiology, biogeochemistry, and microbiology in order to address the following focal research areas:

Ecosystem engineers and other key organism groups
Dynamics of benthic communities
Nutrient cycles and energy transfer

The Dynamic Ecological Chemistry group studies the impact of environmental change at different timescales (daily, annually, end-of-century) on those interactions and processes of marine organisms that are mediated through chemical cues and signals. Our aim is to understand which aspects of their communication and interaction are impacted by which abiotic factors (focusing on temperature, pH and oxygen) and which strategies the organisms use to compensate for the effects.

Prof Dr La Mantia's working group focuses in particular on the electrochemical conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy and develops efficient methods for energy storage. The working group deals with a variety of different topics in the field of experimental electrochemistry, whereby the experiments are supported by physical modelling.

The focus of the scientific work is on the development of batteries for stationary applications, in particular aqueous lithium-ion and metal-ion batteries. Both new materials and new concepts are being developed and tested to increase the service life and efficiency of the batteries. These include aqueous zinc-ion and mixed-ion batteries, electrochemical ion pumping for the conversion of heat at low temperatures, lithium recovery from salt water, desalination of seawater and energy recovery from salt gradients.

Dr Cyprien Verseux's department is concerned with the in-situ use of resources and the production of resources from local (Martian) materials. The realisation could be based on biological systems, as we often do on Earth: Microorganisms could, for example, be used to produce medicines, food, oxygen, biomaterials and various industrially usable chemicals, to break down metals and to process waste. However, if biological systems rely exclusively on materials imported from Earth, their operating time is limited without replenishment. In order to be sustainable, such systems should be able to operate with the materials available on the market.

Updated by: Janiene Bobrink

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