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 are a member of the Centre for Molecular Water Science CMWS, the Collaborative Research Centers CRC 986 “Tailor-Made Multi-Scale Materials Systems” and 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

  • March 2024 - Revolution through Water 

    A new research initiative has been launched at the TUHH with a strong involvement of our institute. See the project website here and also a research news contribution on this research project here.

  • 08.11.2023 New group photo!

  • 15.02.2023 Our article on the fabrication of hierachically porous silicon and silica has been published in the jorunal 'Small'. See also DESY's press release.

     

  • 28.11.2022 A study on in operando high-resolution X-ray diffraction and electron tomography-based micromechanical computer simulations of electrochemical actuation in pSi-polypyrrole composites was published in Physical Review Materials.

     

  • 14.11.2022 Hamburg scientists win North German Science Prize: The Centre for Multiscale Integrated Materials Systems (CIMMS), a materials science centre in which our institute is involved, receives the North German Science Award 2022. Here you can find the corresponding press release in German and here a short summary on Instagram.