Welcome to the group of Prof. Kay

These pages give an overview of the research/teaching/training and the people involved. The group has several strands:

 

News from the working group

PCB Seminar Announcement - SuSe25

We are starting a new seminar series, covering the areas Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB). Our guest speakers coming will report on their current research topics, introducing them from a basic level to allow accessibility for an non-expert audience. 
Our first seminar will already take place next week Tuesday (13.05.) at 16:00 in our ground floor seminar room (B2 2 - 0.06). Attached is a little flyer with all the dates.
We hope many will be able to attend. Looking forward seeing you.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Christoph Zollitsch.

 

Congratulations, Dr Wiedemann!

We are delighted to congratulate Haakon Wiedemann on the successful defence of his dissertation and the award of his doctorate!
With his thesis on ‘From Spins to Solutions: Expanding the Horizons of Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Spectroscopy’ he has made an outstanding scientific achievement and successfully defended it. 
In his work, he combines the experimental and theoretical approaches of magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
His studies range from radical formation in aluminium complexes, mechanochemical reduction processes and dipolar couplings to the characterisation of novel LaCoO₄/graphene nanoparticles and aluminium porphyrins. The development of optimised microwave resonators and investigations into MASER coupling and the dynamics of membrane proteins were also included in the work.
This dissertation deepens the applications and theoretical foundations of ESR spectroscopy and paves the way for interdisciplinary advances in chemistry, physics and biosciences - with innovative impulses for research and technology.
Over the past few years, we have experienced him as a committed, valued and inspiring colleague - for which we would like to express our sincere thanks.
All the best for the future - and continued success!
Harubaru to kokoro tsudoite hana sakaru - When distantminds come together, cherries blossom

 

Master thesis Jonas Bach

We would like to congratulate Jonas Bach on successfully completing his Master's thesis, ‘Bridged DTDA radicals: synthesis and characterisation’, in the Kay working group.
The thesis describes the synthesis of so-called dithiadiazolyl radicals connected via a flexible chain. The length and stericity of the chain were chosen so that the radicals could be arranged in an energetically favourable position, promoting the formation of pancake bonds. Exchange interactions between the radicals can be observed in the corresponding EPR spectra. The crystal structure has been obtained, and subsequent doctoral theses will investigate the optoelectronic properties and synthesise further derivatives of bridged DTDA radicals.

Previous News

Feierliche Wiedereröffnungs des NanoBioLabs

Das NanoBioLab war von August bis Oktober 2024 für Sanierungsarbeiten vollständig für den Publikumsverkehr geschlossen. Nach dem Umbau wurde das NanoBioLab in einer Feierstunde am 29.10.2024 wiedereröffnet.
Die Feierstunde wurde durch Grußwort und nachfolgendem Festvortrag begonnen, in welchem zukünftige Projekte des NanoBioLabs vorgestellt wurden. Zuvor konnte an Führungen durch das frisch sanierte NanoBioLab teilgenommen werden. Zum Abschluss gab es einen Imbiss mit Sektempfang!
Wir bedanken uns an bei alle Teilnehmer/Innen und allen Mitwirkenden der Feier. Außerdem möchten wir uns bei allen bedanken, die die Sanierung ermöglicht haben! Danke an Hiwis, Studierende, FJSler*innen, Lehrkräfte, Professor*innen und Unterstützer des Labors.

 
18th Symposium of the Spin Chemistry Meeting (SCM) in Japan

From 15 to 19 September, the 18th Symposium of the Spin Chemistry Meeting (SCM) took place in Kobe, Japan. The programme consisted of five days of interesting lectures, posters and international scientific exchange. The research areas presented showed the broad versatility in the application of electron spin resonance (ESR): from spintronics to materials science and biological applications, interesting new findings were presented. Many doctoral students (including one of our employees) also used this opportunity to present their own doctoral theses and the associated international research from many different countries. The presentations were complemented by many coffee breaks and delicious Japanese food. The conference ended with the conference dinner, which was a very successful conclusion to the conference. After the conference, our employees also went on an excursion to Saitama University in Tokyo. The trip was rounded off with a cultural visit to the Kamakura district, where many Buddhist and Shinto temples could be seen.

We are looking forward to future conferences, as they are an ideal networking opportunity and a source of inspiration to keep up to date with the latest research.

 
Preliminary maths course for first-year chemistry students (Bachelor & teaching degree)

Are you about to start your bachelor's or teacher study in chemistry? Then our maths pre-course for first-year students is just right for you! From 30 September to 11 October, you can optimally prepare for the start of your studies. Exciting lectures await you in the morning and in the afternoon you will work in groups on customised exercises - perfect for directly applying what you have learned.
The first day starts with an introduction, getting to know each other and a campus tour. On 10 October, you will have the chance to get to know the chemistry department and some of the professors. There will also be a Freshers' Day with the Chemistry Student Council after lunchtime and the Chemistry Student Council's pub crawl in the evening.
Take the opportunity to get valuable tips, get to know the university and your fellow students and make contacts with older students.
Register now via the  Link! You can find detailed information on our Moodle platform and on the first day of the course. We look forward to seeing you!
(Photos: www.uni-saarland.de/universitaet/aktuell/fotos.html )

 
Collaboration between biology and physical chemistry provides important contribution to protein dynamics

Fats are the most important energy stores in the human body and are stored in lipid droplets within cells. Very little is known about how these droplets work. However, a team led by Saarland University biologist Bianca Schrul, in collaboration with our research group, has gained insights into a specific protein in the envelope of these lipid droplets.
Their work, published in the renowned journal Nature Communications, focuses on a protein called UBXD8 that is found in the lipid droplet envelope. Proteins play an important role in cells, for example by ensuring that messenger substances and energy enter and leave individual cell organelles and cells as a whole. What makes proteins such as UBXD8 special is that they function in both the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a net-like structure within the cell, and the lipid droplet envelope. Lipid droplets are formed in the ER by protruding from its membrane, acting as small fat storage spheres.
With our assistance, Bianca Schrul's research team was able to experimentally disprove the current theory that UBXD8 is passively integrated into the lipid droplet membrane, i.e. without further external influence or major changes in shape.
This opens the door to further research that could help us to better understand metabolic diseases.

 
Conference of the ESR interest group

The annual conference of the ESR interest group of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) took place at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, from 8 to 10 April 2014. The programme consisted of three days with a lot of interesting lectures, posters and scientific exchange. The research areas presented emphasised the broad versatility in the application of electron spin resonance: from biological studies on proteins to catalysis and the link between 3D printing and ESR. Many doctoral students also used this opportunity to present their own doctoral theses and the associated international research from many different countries. The presentations were complemented by many coffee breaks and very tasty English food. The conference ended with the conference dinner, which was a very successful conclusion to the conference.
Following this conference, our employees also went on a short excursion to University College London (UCL) on Thursday, where Prof Kay also holds a professorship. The trip was rounded off with a culinary visit to an Indian restaurant in London, which was a great pleasure for everyone. 
We are looking forward to future conferences, as they are an ideal source of inspiration and information to keep us up to date with the latest research.

 
Bruker ESR Users Meeting 2023

The event started with an opening speech and presentations on developments in Bruker's product range. At lunchtime there were guest lectures by researchers on their field of research at the ESR. A tour of Bruker's test laboratories with numerous spectrometers was the highlight of the day. At the end, there was a lively discussion about things Bruker could improve to keep the user experience high. In between there were many breaks with plenty of food and drink.

 

Contact Prof. Kay

Prof. Dr. Christopher W. M. Kay 

Geb. B2 2 Raum 0.24
Tel:  +49 681 302 2213
Fax: +49 681 302  4759
christopher.kay(at)uni-saarland.de

Contact Secretary

Petra Theobald

Building B2 2 Room 0.22
Tel:  +49 681 302 2473
Fax: +49 681 302 4759
p.theobald(at)mx.uni-saarland.de

Monday to Thursday 1 o'clock (p.m.) to 4 o'clock (p.m.)
Friday fortnightly 8 o'clock (a.m.) to 12 o'clock (p.m.)