Welcome to the Institute for Materials and X-Ray Physics at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Germany


Illustration of our research topics
 
We conduct fundamental research in condensed matter physics and novel functional materials. We experimentally explore the multi-scale interplay of structure, dynamics and function of matter, benefiting from the vibrant and inspiring natural, materials and X-ray science environment of the Hamburg metropolitan area, including the Hamburg University, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon and the Deutsche Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY. Our Institute for Materials and X-Ray Physics (M-2) at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) is linked to DESY via a joint research group for high-resolution X-ray analytics of materials. We played a leading role in the research initiative resulting in the Cluster of Excellence EXC 3120 "BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials" and our institute director serves as speaker of the cluster. Furthermore, we are a member of the Centre for Molecular Water Science CMWS, the CRC 1615 "SMART Reactors for future process engineering", and the Cluster of Excellence EXC 2176 "Understanding Written Artefacts". Our research projects focus on how condensed matter behaves in extreme spatial confinement, especially in nanoporous media, and how this fundamental knowledge can be used for the design and fabrication of advanced materials.

Please feel invited to read more about our research activities, to browse our publication list or to get an impression of our group life (group members & alumni and events).

At present our main efforts are directed towards an understanding of:

 
  • Self-assembly, phase transitions, and dynamics of soft molecular condensed matter in geometrical confinement.
 
  • Adsorption-induced deformation and elastocapillarity upon condensation of liquids in porous media, most prominently hierarchical porous silicon and silica.
 
  • Fluid transport and rheology of liquids in porous media, in particular in nanoporous solids (Nanofluidics).

Switchable imbibition in nanoporous gold rise experiment

 
  • Design principles for mechanical, fluidic and photonic metamaterials based on combinations of porous solids with functional soft molecular fillings (electrolytes, (bio-)polymers, liquid crystals). 

 

 

 
  • The fundamental structural and statistical properties of fluid interfaces, that is the relationship between the thermodynamics, the microscopic structure of these interfaces and their microscopic and macroscopic hydrodynamics.

Small-angle X-ray scattering experiment at a liquid crystal confined in tubular anodic aluminium oxide nanochannels

 
  • Liquid wetting and spreading at planar interfaces.

Sessile water droplet on mesoporous silicon

 

News

  • 22.10.2025  Water as an energy carrier: nanoporous silicon generates electricity from friction with water

    Exciting news! Our new publication in Nano Energy presents a novel way for converting mechanical energy into electricity – by harnessing water confined in nanometre-sized pores of silicon as the active working fluid (press release).

  • 29.09.2025 Colossal Effect of Nanopore Surface Ionic Charge on the Dynamics of Confined Water

    In a recent publication, we report a particularly rewarding result from a French-German collaboration linking Hamburg, Rennes, Grenoble and Paris, with key neutron scattering experiments carried out at the high-flux neutron reactor of the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France. 

    We show that water behaves very differently when confined to tiny nanopores—and that surface charge makes all the difference. Adding ionic charges to pore walls dramatically slows down water motion, not just in the vicinity of the pore wall but throughout the entire pore. This long-range control goes far beyond simple wetting effects and highlights surface charge as a powerful tool for using water as a nanoscale working fluid in water-driven materials, membranes, and nanotechnologies.

  • 09.09.2025 When symmetry breaks in tiny spaces

    Nanopores unlock hidden chirality in exotic liquid crystals – with the observation now made by us within an international cooperation with Ukraine, France and Poland, they might find even wider usage in energy storage or conversion or tunable lenses (see press release).

  • 22.05.2025 Cluster of Excellence "BlueMat: Water-driven materials" approved

    BlueMat has been awarded funding through the Cluster of Excellence program (ExStra)!

    The application process was challenging: out of a total of 143 draft proposals for new clusters of excellence, only 41 were invited to submit a full proposal. In this second round, the new applications competed with the 57 already established clusters. Of a total of 98 applications submitted, only 70 were approved. The Cluster of Excellence will initially be funded for seven years until 2033.

    We would like to thank all of our partners for their hard work. The whole team is energized and eager to begin bringing our vision to life. Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this exciting journey!

  • 26.02.2025 Centre for Molecular Water Science (CMWS) inaugurated

    The DESY-initiated CMWS is a Europe-wide research network in the field of molecular water research. The CMWS declaration has been signed by forty-seven founding members from twelve countries – including fourteen German universities and eight Helmholtz Centres. See also the corresponding press release.