Optical Switching - Movie

October 21, 2010

Short video on optical switching in a porous silica matrix.
Press this link in order to see the same phenomenology for porous alumina!

For more information on the physics of the process, see the following article - pdf.

Smectic and nematic order of 8OCB

October 12, 2010

Optical birefringence study on the phase transition behavior of a rod-like liquid crystal (8OCB), confined in silica channels, published in Applied Physics Letters (pdf).

Thermotropic nematic order upon nano-capillary filling

5.4.2013 Thermotropic nematic order upon nano-capillary filling

Our study on the optical birefringence and light absorption of silica nanochannels filled by a rod-like liquid crystal (published in Physical Review E (pdf)) documents that the thermo-optical properties of nanoporous systems (or single nano-capillaries) can be tailored over a surprisingly wide range simply by variation of the the filling fraction with liquid crystals.

Neutron Spin Echo study on confined liquids

September/October 2010


Neutron spin echo studies on the dynamics of polymers and alkanes confined in silicon nanochannels (published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters and in Macromolecules) indicate sticky boundary layers and anisotropic self-diffusion dynamics.

Three-stage disputation marathon

19./21./23.07.2010

Patrick mastered a three-stage disputation marathon within one week - Matthias and Simon successfully finished their PhD!

from left to right: Matthias Wolff, René Berwanger, and Simon GruenerMatthias Wolff, René Berwanger, and Simon Gruener (f.l.t.r.) proudly present their mortarboards from their PhD graduation. Congratulations!

Theses and disputation talks are available online!

  1. Polymorphism of Nano-Alcohol
  2. Start of TemplDisco
  3. ESRF Synchrotron Run
  4. Template assisted growth of copper and semiconducting cuprous oxide

Page 19 of 22

News

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

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

  • 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.

  • 18.11.2024 Ultrafast X-ray imaging at the European XFEL of a water droplet sucked into a porous silicon membrane by capillary action