News Archive

July 14, 2023 | Student group visits BASF's Ludwigshafen site
29 chemistry students from Saarbrücken spent an informative day at BASF in Ludwigshafen. In addition to a visit to the visitor center, the program included a tour of the site, a visit to a petrochemical plant and an information session on career opportunities as an industrial chemist. Prof. Guido Kickelbick accompanied the group of students and expressed his special thanks to Dr. Alexander Düfert from BASF for co-organizing the excursion. Together with Dr. Alexander Traut, Dr. Dorothea Ziegler and Dr. Geogios Dodekatos, he was available to answer the students' questions about application procedures and development opportunities at BASF.

July 12, 2023 | Working Group Kickelbick take part in the 10th European Silicon Days
Members of the Kickelbick working group together with members of the Scheschkewitz working group participated in the 10th European Silicon Days in Montpellier from July 10 to 12, 2023. Prof. Kickelbick gave an invited lecture and Svenja Pohl and Jan-Falk Kannengießer presented their research work as poster contributions.

June 16, 2023 | Team of our working group participates in the company run in Saarbrücken
A team of the Kickelbick working group participated in the company run in Saarbrücken on 16.06.2023. At high temperatures, all participants reached the finish line. Congratulations on this great performance!

June 06.-10., 2023 | Stefan Engel and Elias Gießelmann present their research findings at the Hirschegg Seminar
At the 50th anniversary of the Hirschegg Seminar, Stefan Engel and Elias Gießelmann presented their research results in scientific talks. The annual "Hirschegg Seminar" is a long-established institution of German-speaking solid state chemistry, at which doctoral students present and discuss their research results in detail.

May 13, 2023 | Workgroup takes part in Open Day
A mobile measuring station of the Environmental Analysis Unit will be set up at the central meadow to show how online-monitoring of rivers in Saarland works. Prof. Kickelbick gives two lectures on "Sustainability and the role of Chemistry".

May 10, 2023 | Article of Elias Gießelmann accepted for publication in Inorganic Chemistry
The article „Formation of the Sub-Oxide Sc₄Au₂O_1–x and Drastically Negative ²⁷Al NMR Shift in Sc₂Al” based on research findings of Elias Gießelmann has been accepted for publication in Inorganic Chemistry. This is a cooperation with Samir F. Matar from the Lebanese German University, LGU in Jounieh, Lebanon.

May 2, 2023 | Dr. Mathilde Laird starts her Alexander-von-Humboldt research scholarship
Dr. Mathilde Laird starts her two-year research scholarship in our workgroup on "Thermoreversible bonding in silsesquioxanes". Welcome Mathilde!

28.04.2023 | Organic groups have a major influence on the formation of silsesquioxanes with special properties
In a publication accepted today in the Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, Svenja Pohl shows in a systematic comparative study that the organic residue on the silicon atoms of silsesquioxane polymers has a significant influence on the degree of condensation of the polymers. This is also decisive for the softening range of the polymers. The study contributes to the understanding of how the properties in so-called "melting gels", which exhibit thermoplastic behavior in a certain temperature range, can be influenced by the chemical composition (see https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10971-023-06126-6).

March 8, 2023 | Inorganic-organic hybrid materials show exceptional electrochemical properties
So-called luminescent solar concentrators make it possible to capture diffuse sunlight in order to use it to generate electricity. Solar radiation is captured by colored plastic panels, and at the edges, microsolar cells convert the resulting light into electricity. In cooperation with the research group of Prof. Andrea Pucci at the University of Pisa, a material developed at the UdS was used for the first time for flexible solar concentrators. The corresponding article was published in Polymer Chemistry (see: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/py/d2py01428a). For further information, see this press release: https://www.uni-saarland.de/aktuell/chemiker-solarzellen-farbig-26511.html and this TV report:https://www.sr-mediathek.de/index.php?seite=7&id=127114&startvid=10.

March 2023 | Johannes Krebs starts his Master thesis
The thesis will compare mechanochemical surface functionalization of nanoparticles with methods of traditional surface functionalization.

March 6, 2023 | Elias Gießelmann takes part in NMR Workshop
Elias Gießelmann takes part in the fifth G-NMR School at the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Feb 10, 2023 | Mechanochemistry allows a fast and energy-efficient production of black metal oxides
Metal oxides are usually colourless solids. When we are able to reduce the metal ions successfully, so-called black metal ions will result. These often have extraordinary electronic and catalytic properties. In a study of Anna Michaely in co-operation with a team of other authors, they succeeded to produce black titanium oxide (TiO₂) and black niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅) after just 10 min. by a simple chemical conversion in a ball mill. These black metal oxides showed the expected changes in their electronic properties and for the titanium dioxide, a significantly higher activity in its photocatalytic properties could be proven. The study was published in Chemistry – A European Journal (https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/chem.202300223)

Feb 6, 2023 | Publication of Stefan Engel & Elias Gießelmann accepted in "Inorganic Chemistry"
The publication „Theoretical and ²⁷Al NMR Spectroscopic Investigations of Binary Intermetallic Alkaline-Earth Aluminides” based on the research findings of Stefan Engel and Elias Gießelmann has been accepted by "Inorganic Chemistry".

Jan 9, 2023 | Publication of Stefan Engel accepted by "Zeitschrift für Naturforschung B"
The publication „Eu₄Al₁₃Pt₉ – a coloring variant of the Ho₄Ir₁₃Ge₉ type structure” based on the research findings of Stefan has been accepted by "Zeitschrift für Naturforschung B".

Jan 3, 2023 | Structure of food supplements for silicon uptake explained
Food supplements are often praised as healthy. But the uptake of the contained substances strongly depends on their chemical composition and structure. In a new study, Yannic Curto and Dr. Marcus Koch (INM, Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien) were checking food supplements on the uptake of silicon. They noticed significant differences between the preparations which can have an impact on the biological uptake of silicon. The study was published in Solids (https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6497/4/1/1)

Dec 21, 2022 | Inorganic-organic hybrid materials show extraordinary electrochemical properties
In a co-operation with the working group of Prof. Volker Presser of INM (Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien), inorganic-organic hybrid materials were produced containing both redox active inorganic and referring organic components. In co-operation with other scientists, Mana Abdirahman Mohamed and Stefanie Arnold were able to continuously synthesize these materials in a wet-chemical process and to characterize them electrochemically. The materials received represent a new category of electrode materials for lithium-ion-batteries. They can be synthesized in a so-called Microjet-Reactor by an efficient scalable precipitation reaction at room temperature, using cost-effective reactants. The study was published in ChemSusChem (https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cssc.202202213).

Dec 21, 2022 | Publication of Stefan Engel accepted by "Monatshefte für Chemie"
The publication „MAl₄Ir₂ (M = Ca, Sr, Eu): superstructures of the KAu₄In₂ type ” based on the research findings of Stefan Engel has been accepted by "Monatshefte für Chemie".

Dec 16, 2022 | New project to examine applicability of so-called melting gels for optical lenses
In the new project, a one-component-silicon is developed as a starting material for the injection moulding production of transparent colourless sensory lenses with a high scattering index and a good temperature resistance. The high temperature resistance after stabilization allows a treatment of the lenses in a reflow process.  The lenses obtained are tested for a possible use e.g. in medical optics under sterilization conditions (water vapour, UV radiation, hydrogen peroxide). The project is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection within the scope of the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM).

Nov 8, 2022 | Lecture Series „Spaceship Earth“
The lecture series „Spaceship Earth“ enters the next round. Climate change is in focus, relating to far more scientific fields than only the (physical) climate research in the proper sense. Chemistry, Informatics, Medicine, Economics and many other bring their own view on climate change and climate protection. In a 12-part lecture series, experts from different fields examine their perspective on these topics. The lectures are open to the public from November 8 via livestream. The lecture series organised by Prof. Guido Kickelbick starts today with his lecture on „Climate-affecting Gases -Impact, Formation, Prevention“.
Program of the lecture series: https://www.uni-saarland.de/verwaltung/nachhaltigkeit/veranstaltungen.html


Oct 13, 2022 | Prof. Guido Kickelbick presents his scientific field in „Die Zeit“
What is Inorganic Solid State Chemistry all about? The weekly newspaper "Die Zeit" examines this question by an interview with the professor of Inorganic Solid State Chemistry Dr. Guido Kickelbick and the Chemistry-student Christopher Luckas.

Oct 1, 2022 | Prof. Guido Kickelbick elected speaker of the Conference of Chemistry Departments
The Conference of Chemistry Departments (KFC) is the association of the Chemistry Fields and Departments of universities and higher education institutions in Germany. It comprises about 60 institutions. Its main task is taking care of common matters in science and teaching of the participating departments. It represents the interests of Chemistry departments towards politics, expert associations and society. Link to the news article

Sept 30, 2022 | Achim Koch graduated
Achim Koch obtained his doctorate today. Congratulations! Theme: „Lithiation and Anionic grafting-from-Polymerisation on Silicon Dioxide Particles“

Sept 27-29, 2022 | Prof. Guido Kickelbick gives a lecture at the Materials Science and Engineering Congress in Darmstadt
The lecture on „Surface-Functionalized Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Building Blocks for more Sustainable Materials“ takes place within a symposium on materials for life-cycle management

Sept 7, 2022 | Helper’s Party for the assistants of the „Chemiedozententagung” in Saarbrücken
A Helper’s Party was organised to thank all assistants of the “Chemiedozententagung” in Saarbrücken (March 21 to 23, 2022).

Sept 2, 2022 | Inaugural Lecture of Dr. André Schäfer
After the successful conclusion of his habilitation procedure, Dr. André Schäfer gives his inaugural lecture on „Main-Group Metallocenophanes – From Interesting Molecules to Catalysis and Polymers“. After his lecture, he will obtain his authorisation to teach Inorganic Chemistry and the Dean will declare his appointment as ”Privatdozent” (Associate Professor).

August 2, 2022 | Environment minister Petra Berg visits measuring site for online-monitoring of rivers
Flexible online-monitoring combined with a sophisticated measuring strategy is a nation-wide role model. In the course of her summer tour, Saarland’s Environment Minister Petra Berg is visiting the mobile measuring station at the river Oster in Wiebelskirchen to inform herself on the project. One of the topics will be the data evaluation of the mobile measuring stations and how different measures around small rivers will improve the water quality and contribute to flood control and climate protection . Link to the news article

July 24-29, 2022 | Svenja Pohl and Prof. Guido Kickelbick take part in the Sol-Gel Conference of the International Sol-Gel Society in Lyon
Svenja Pohl is presenting a poster on „An Investigation of the Influence of Polycyclic Aromatic Groups on the Structure and Properties of Polysilsesquioxane Melting Gels“ and Prof. Kickelbick will give a lecture on „Controlled Formation of Polysilsesquioxane Structures applying Stabilized Silanol Groups“

Nov 14, 2022 | Prof. Holger Kohlmann gives a lecture at the Inorganic Colloquium
The former research assistant at the Institute of Inorganic Solid State Chemistry, Prof. Holger Kohlmann, gives a lecture today at the Colloquium of Inorganic Chemistry on: „Silicate hydrides, hydridosilicates, silicane and polysilylenides – new combinations of silicon and hydrogen“. Since 2012, Holger Kohlmann is a professor for Inorganic Chemistry at the Leipzig University.

June 27, 2022 | Elias Gießelmann participates in the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting
It is rare for a student or young scientist to have the opportunity to meet Nobel Laureates in person and to be inspired by their research achievements. It is even rarer to meet several Nobel Laureates at the same time in one place. However, a conference in Lindau, which has existed since 1951, makes this possible for a selected group of young scientists. This year, Elias Gießelmann, PhD student at the in the group of Prof. Guido Kickelbick, was chosen as one of 600 participants from all over the world to attend the meeting. More information about the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting can be found here.

June 16 – 18, 2022 | Mana Mohamed and Stefan Engel present research results on the “Hirschegg-Seminar”
The „Hirschegg-Seminar“ is a long-established institution of the German-speaking solid state chemistry where PhD students present and discuss their research results. The conference exists since the 1970s. Mana Mohamed and Stefan Engel will present their research results in the frame of scientific lectures.

June 6 – 10, 2022 | Anna Michaely and Tobias Straub present their research results on INCOME2022
This year, the 10^th conference for mechanochemistry and mechanochemical alloy will take place in Caligari, Italy. Anna Michaely and Tobias Straub are presenting their research results. The trip was co-financed by a GradUs grant. Many thanks! https://www.uni-saarland.de/forschen/gradus.html).

May 26, 2022 | PhD position in the field of Polysiloxane-based inorganic-organic hybrid materials

May 19, 2022 | New thermally stable one-component crosslinking silicones with high refractive index
Silicones with a high refractive index play an important role in many optical applications. In a recently published paper, we were able to show that polycyclic aromatic systems can significantly increase the refractive index as substituents on the silicon atoms in the silicones. Max Briesenick used a synthesis strategy optimized in our group, which allows the silicones to be crosslinked purely thermally without a catalyst. The crosslinked resins exhibited refractive indices above 1.6, very high optical transparency, and thermal stabilities up to 470 °C, and may thus be of interest for high-temperature optical applications. The study was published in Macromolecules (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00265).

May 9, 2022 | Elias Gießelmann starts his thesis
Elias Gießelmann starts his thesis on „Structural and Spectroscopic Analysis of (Oxidised) Intermetallic Aluminium compounds of Early Transition Metals".

April 26, 2022 | Lecture series „Raumschiff Erde - Nachhaltigkeit“
The lecture series „Raumschiff Erde – Nachhaltigkeit“ starts today with a lecture from Prof. Guido Kickelbick on „Sustainable Raw Materials Production and Urban Mining“. He gave a short broadcast interview on the subject on SR2. (link: https://www.sr.de/sr/sr2/themen/politik/20220426_kickelbick_guido_prof_urban_mining_interview_102.html). The whole series is once again organised by Prof. Kickelbick and deals with sustainability on an interdisciplinary base by 12 lectures during the summer term.

April 6, 2022 | Prizes for working group members at the „Promovierendentag der Naturwissenschaftlich-Technischen Fakultät“
Svenja Pohl won first place in the poster competition of the „Promovierendentag der Naturwissenschaftlich Technischen Fakultät“ with her poster on „Synthesis and Characterization of Polysilsesquioxane Hybrid Melting Gels“. Tobias Straub received a prize for his contribution on „Mechanochemical activation of metal oxides - Synthesis, modification and application of manganese oxides“. Congratulations to both working group members!

March 28, 2022 | Inaugural lecture of PD Oliver Janka
After his move from the University of Münster to the Saarland University, the inaugural lecture of Dr. Oliver Janka will take place today, including his appointment as a “Privatdozent” at the UdS.

March 21-23, 2022 | Chemiedozententagung 2022 in Saarbrücken
Junior researchers in Chemistry from universities and institutions are coming to Saarbrücken on March 21 to 23 to present their latest research, to network and exchange information. This conference of the „Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh)“ , organised in cooperation with the „Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Universitätsprofessoren und -professorinnen (ADUC)“, will be hosted this year by Prof. Guido Kickelbick. After the conference had to be cancelled or held on-line due to the Covid19-pandemic in the past years, it will be an attendance event again with more than 300 participants. Over 100 lectures of junior researchers on their latest findings are on the programme. Prof. Dr. Katja Heinze from the Johannes Gutenberg- University in Mainz will receive the „Elisabeth- and Prof. Dr. Horst-Dietrich Hardt-prize“ for her groundbreaking research in the field of Inorganic Chemistry.

March 4, 2022 | Margarita Shchurkina joins the group as an ERASMUS-guest
We welcome Margarita Shchurkina as an ERASMUS-student from the ITMO University in St. Petersburg!

February 23 to 25, 2022 | Contribution to the "30th ATC 2022: Industrial Inorganic Chemistry - Materials and Processes"
Svenja Pohl and Jan-Falk Kannengießer are presenting their research work on the 30th ATC conference in the DECHEMA-Haus in Frankfurt/Main and on the preceding PhD-workshop.

December 30, 2021 | Patent published on the production of microparticles
A patent based on the melting-gel hybrid systems we developed has been published. This method e.g. allows to embed highly hydrophobic fluorescents into a shielding matrix in a stable way.

December 8-9, 2021 | First PhD-conference of the Transform4Europe Alliance
The Transform4Europe Alliance which the Saarland University is a part of, has its first conference for PhDs. The working group members Angelika Meyer, Anna Michaely, Kristina Brix and Tobias Straub are giving lectures on their research work in the field of environment and sustainability.

November 30, 2021 | Lecture in the seriese #Meerwissen on biomineralisation
Prof. Guido Kickelbick gives a 30-min short lecture in the series #Meerwissen (link: www.uni-saarland.de/page/meerwissen/veranstaltungen.html) on the fascinating process of biomineralisation. The subject is: „Baumeister im Meer - Wie entstehen Mineralien aus Wasser?“.

October 27, 2021 | Lecture series Spaceship Earth
Climate change has an impact on more scientific fields as only on physical climatology in the proper sense. Chemistry, Computer Science, Medicine, Economics and many others have their own individual perspective on climate change and climate protection.  In a series of 13 lectures, specialists in different fields are examining their perspectives on these subjects. The lectures will be streamed live from October 27. The lecture series organised by Dr. Susanne Mantel and Prof. Guido Kickelbick starts today with a lecture of Prof. Kickelbick on „Klimaaktive Gase – Wirkung, Entstehung, Vermeidung“.
Link to the lecture series: www.uni-saarland.de/verwaltung/nachhaltigkeit/veranstaltungen/raumschiff-erde-klimaschutz.html

October 1, 2021 | Welcoming Kimia Moghaddari as a guest scientist
Kimia Moghaddari from Iran will join the working group as a guest scientist on the subject of self-healing nanocomposites.

October 1, 2021 | Anna Michaely starts her doctoral thesis
Anna Michaely starts her doctoral thesis on „Reductive reactive milling of metal oxides".

September 21, 2021 | Stable Organosilanoles – the slightly different homologs of the alcohols
Organosilanoles, the silicium homologs of the alcohols, typically are non-isolable molecules and show a high tendency to condensate to oligomeric or polymeric structures.  Only under very specific steric and electronic conditions in the silicon atom, they are known as stable, isolable molecules. Jan-Falk Kannengießer synthesized a number of acrylic-substituted representatives of this compound class by hydrolysis of the alkoxy or chlorine compounds. In the solid state, the products received show strong hydrogen bonds with different structural motifs. The study was published in Chemistry - A European Journal (https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/chem.202102729)

August 16, 2021 | Research project on water glass
Yannic Curto starts his Master thesis on structure studies of precipitated sodium silicates.

August 14, 2021 | Fluorescent SiO2-Particles – connection makes the difference
Fluorescent nanoparticles are important analysis instruments, especially for biological applications. A mainly used compound class in this field are SiO2-nanoparticles with embedded fluorescent pigments. Such particles are easily accessible and often used. In a recent study, Nadja Klippel showed together with Prof. Gregor Jung, that the connection of the pigments to the particle nucleus is important for their stability. Here, different connection mechanisms of fluorescent xanthene pigments with 30-40nm-sized silica-nanoparticles were examined and compared. Systematic leaching studies over a period of up to 4 days showed, that the covalent connection of the pigments ist essential for the fluorescence stability, as pigments solely connected by physical interaction tend to leach out of porous silica-networks. Coating the silica particles with hydrophobic or hydrophilic protective layers led to a better retention of solely physisorbed pigments and provides the opportunity to adjust the particles to the polarity of the medium. The study was published in the Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10971-021-05578-y).

August 12, 2021 | Polysiloxanes with high refraction index
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbones as substituents in polysiloxanes, known as silicones, can increase the refraction index to values up to 1.63. Conventional commercially available polysiloxanes only have refraction indices under 1.5. Dennis Meier synthesized the polymers from phenanthrenyl-substituted monomers by polycondensation reactions with other dialkoxysilanes.  The resulting polymers were thermally cross-linked and thus, polysiloxane resins with high refraction index, high optical transparence and high thermal stability of up to 420°C could be obtained. Such materials are mainly used for optical applications. In addition to the publication in the Journal of Polymer Science ( onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pol.20210316), the materials were also patented.

August 5, 2021 | Self-healing of nanocomposites by induction heating
Self-healing materials provide an important opportunity to increase the longevity of objects. They are therefore able to contribute to saving resources in the use of raw materials and thus to a more sustainable material development. In a recent study, Bastian Oberhausen showed that embedding superparamagnetic nanoparticles into a polymer matrix allows to induce self-healing by induction heating.  The particle surface was modified with positively charged organic groups and the polymer matrix contained the referring anionic charges. After cutting the sample apart, the parts could be merged again by induction heating and the sample showed its original properties. The study was published in the Journal Nanoscale Advances (https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/na/d1na00417d).

August 1, 2021 | Stefan Engel starts doctoral thesis
Today, Stefan Engel starts his doctoral thesis on „Studies on the bonding situation and electron transfer in electron-deficient intermetallic compounds", with support of DFG-funding raised by Dr. Oliver Janka.

Juli 2, 2021 | Christina Odenwald graduated
Christina Odenwald obtained her doctorate today. Congratulations! Theme: „Continuous and Wet-Chemical Synthesis of Micro- and Nanoparticles in a Microreactor“

June 30, 2021 | Nadja Klippel graduated
Today, Nadja Klippel obtained her doctorate. Congratulations! Theme: „Synthesis and Charakterisation of Perylenediimid- and Xanthen-functionalised Silica-nanoparticles and Research on Pigment-Particle interaction“

April 13, 2021 | New hybrid material shows thermoplastic behaviour
Our study on polysilsesquioxane material compounded by using a simple polymerisation method was published today. Under specific conditions, we were able to produce a material showing thermoplastic behaviour. This is known for the usual organic polymers but not for silicone-like structures. While the material can be fused at 110 °C, it is solid at room temperature. There are some other properties of these systems that may be of interest for technological use: they are highly transparent and low-level permeable for gas molecules like oxygen or water vapour. They could be replacing the conventional silicones in optical applications and save resources in the process, as they do not need a platinum catalyst for cross-linking. In a study in the journal Macromolecules we were able to correlate the properties of this material with its structure. (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00310)

April 8, 2021 | Dennis Meier graduated
Today, Dennis Meier obtained his doctorate. Congratulations! Theme: „New polysiloxane based encapsulation materials for high energy LEDs“

February 15, 2021 | Jan-Falk Kannengießer starts his doctoral thesis
Today, Jan-Falk Kannengießer starts his doctoral thesis on „Stable Silanols and their reactivity in polycondensation reactions“. Welcome!

February 16, 2021 | Moulding super-hydrophobic surfaces of the carob tree
For billions of years, flora and fauna were creating surface structures that allow survival under special environmental conditions. Many of these microscopic surface structures are beneficial for technological use, e.g. for adhesion or light reflection. However, moulding these structures is difficult because of their microscopic refinement and their surface chemistry. In an international research project with research groups from Portugal and Sweden, we were able to mould finest structures by special polymer combinations and to transfer them to a new form. The polymer properties like adhesion and mechanical properties had to be balanced accurately. The article has been published in the Langmuir journal. (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02806).

February 09, 2021 | Thomas Klein graduated
Today, Thomas Klein obtained his doctorate. Congratulations! Theme: „Wet Chemical Synthesis of Nano and Submicron Al Particles for the Preparation of Ni and Ru Aluminides“.

February 07, 2021 | Switchable attachment of dyes to iron oxide nanoparticle surfaces
A publication by Siyang He published today shows that fluorescent dyes can be attached to surfaces of iron oxide nanoparticles and that it is possible to release the dyes from the surface by temperature-dependent switching. At temperatures above 130°C, the bond between the dye and the surface is cleaved and the dye can diffuse into the environment. On cooling, the bond to the surface is formed again. This process can be carried out many times. Attaching the dye to magnetic nanoparticles opens up the possibility of magnetically separating the particles after dye separation. This allows the particles to be used as transport vehicles for various substances. The study was published in the open access journal Molecules (https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/4/877/htm).

December 21, 2020 | Guido Kickelbick Editor in Charge for new Paper Solid
Prof. Guido Kickelbick becomes founding editor of the new Golden Open Access journal Solids (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/solids). The focus of the scientific journal is the publication of research results in the field of chemistry and physics of solids.

12.12.2020 | Distribution of nanoparticles in nanocomposites depending on chemical surface functionalisation
In cooperation with two partners from Austria at Vienna University and the TU Wien, we were able to systematically prove a significant influence of the interaction between the surface of nanoparticles and the polymer matrix on the homogeneous distribution of the particles in the matrix. Here, chemical interactions and the morphology of the particles are playing a significant role. The study has been published in the Open Acces Paper Surfaces (https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9637/3/4/44).

October 26, 2020 | Deanship of Prof. Kickelbick regularly ends
After two terms in office, Prof. Kickelbick's deanship ends today. New Dean of the NT Faculty is Prof. Jörn Walter

August 21, 2020 | Dennis Becker received PhD
Dennis Becker received his PhD today. Congratulations! His topic was: „Mechanochemical Synthesis, Phase Transformation and Surface Functionalization of Metal Oxides“

 July 31, 2020 | Dr. Robert Haberkorn retires
Dr. Robert Haberkorn, senior academic advisor, is retiring as of today. For decades, he mainly took care of the X-ray facilities in the working group and of teaching basic solid state knowledge to students.

July 21, 2020 | Influence of synthesis conditions on size, morphology and reactivity of aluminum nanoparticles
In an article published today in Dalton Transactions,  Thomas Klein shows by systematic studies how reaction conditions in a catalytic decomposition reaction are influencing the properties of aluminum-nanoparticles. Title: „Aluminum nanoparticle preparation via catalytic decomposition of alane adducts – Influence of reaction parameters on nanoparticle size, morphology and reactivity“, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0DT01820A

July 14, 2020 | Testimonial lecture of Prof. Guido Kickelbick at TU Kaiserslautern
„Spaceship Earth – Contributions of Chemistry for a better use of resources” was the title of this testimonial lecture on the occasion of the Steinhofer-award ceremony 2019 at TU Kaiserslautern.

July 12, 2020 | Preparation of aluminides from nanoparticles
Can ruthenium and nickel aluminides be prepared from nanoparticles and what is the advantage compared to other synthesis methods? Thomas Klein shows in two articles published in co-operation with the Mücklich working group how intelligent chemical synthesis allows the preparation of the desired aluminides by so-called self-sustaining reactions. Aluminides are intermetallic compounds with special mechanical and thermal properties. The materials were produced by using a new synthesis concept. A notable aspect is the considerable reduction of the ignition temperature for the self-sustaining reactions by a maximum use of the nanometer scale.  The studies have been published in two articles in Intermetallics. Titles: „Al and Ru nanoparticles as precursors for Ru–Al intermetallics“ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intermet.2020.106851and „Al and Ni nanoparticles as precursors for Ni aluminides“ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intermet.2020.106839

July 1, 2020 | Jan-Falk Kannengießer starts his master thesis on Organosilanolates with high refractive index

February 26, 2020 | Two new substances patented by the working group
We are proud of two patents for polysiloxane-polysilsesquioxane-materials usable for optoelectronic application published today. These two patented substances have the following advantages compared to conventional materials: (i) they are one-component materials with high transmission in the optical field, ii) they are of high thermal stability, iii) their viscosities and their refraction index is almost infinitely variable and (iv) they do not need a catalyst for curing. For the patents, please see the following patent numbers: EP3613793A1;WO2020038935A1 and EP3613809A1;WO2020038940A1.

February 17, 2020 | Dr. Oliver Janka strengthens our team in the field of X-Ray diffraction
We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Oliver Janka in our team. His tasks will involve the supervision of our large-scale equipment and the support of teaching. His research focuses on intermetallic phases.

February 2020 | 
Lucas Niedner starts his doctoral thesis in our working group on inorganic-organic Janus-nanoparticles with stable ionic groups on the surface.

February 10, 2020 | New article published in cooperation with Saeed Ahmad Khan and Prof. Marc Schneider's working group
The paper is titled „Ketoconazole-loaded PLGA nanoparticles and their synergism against Candida albicans when combined with silver nanoparticles“. For further information, see here.

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November 7, 2019
New article on reaction-milling published
In his scientific article, Dennis Becker showed the effect of high-energy ball-milling parameters on the structural properties of Li₂Mn₂O₄, a potential material for battery storages. The paper was published in the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, title: "Reactive Milling Induced Structure Changes in Phenylphosphonic Acid Functionalized LiMn₂O₄ Nanocrystals – Synthesis, Rietveld Refinement, and Thermal Stability". For further information, see here.

July 18, 2019
New patent in cooperation with BASF
In cooperation with BASF, we were able to patent a new material which enables the stable embedding of organic fluorescent pigments -used as e.g. conversion pigments in LEDs- into a polysiloxane matrix. This allows the production of rare earth-reduced or - free LEDs. For the patents, please see the following patent numbers: WO2019137975A2;WO2019137975A3;TW201938695A

January 18, 2019: New material for the encapsulation of LEDs
Together with industrial partners (Osram, BASF), our working group developed a new encapsulation material allowing to produce less expensive long-life LEDs without rare earths. Two patents have been filed on this subject. 
The new material is based on a special, freely configurable silicone for different requirements. The most important parameters are fulfilled: the material is thermally resistant, highly transparent and easy to process. Besides, the material is saving resources: in conventional material, platinum is used as a catalyst for the interlacing of liquid precursors, whereas the new material can completely do without. 
press release: https://www.uni-saarland.de/universitaet/aktuell/artikel/nr/20433.htm
tv report in „aktueller Bericht“ Feb 8, 2019:https://www.sr-mediathek.de/index.php?seite=7&id=70374

November 1, 2018: Mana Mohamed starts her doctoral thesis in the field of manufacturing of particles with a small solubility product and metal carbide precursors in the MicroJet reactor.  

September 27, 2018: Nils Steinbrück is presenting the results of the project „ORCA“ (Organic and Rare-Eatrh-reduced conversion material für LED-based lighting) on the BMBF-MatRessource-FORUM „Material for a ressource-efficient industry and society“ during the MSE 2018

September 2018: Gabriela Moreira Lana starts her Master thesis in cooperation with the Leibniz institute for new material (INM) in the field of silica-based protective films

September 9-12, 2018: The European Silicon Days are organised by the Scheschkewitz and Kickelbick working groups in Saarbrücken
Silicium is highly important in our everyday life. The element can be found in computer chips, solar collectors, construction material and many other objects. Research on this one of the most common elements is of high interest for science and industry. The „European Silicon Days“ therefore provide an exchange forum for science and industry. This congress takes place every two to three years in different European countries, in 2018, representatives of science an industry met at the Saarland University from September 9-12. 

September 1, 2018: Max Briesenick starts his doctoral thesis in the field of the synthesis of LED encapsulation material with a high refraction index.
 
August 2018: Jan-Falk Kannengießer starts his bachelor thesis on high refractive LED encapsulation material

Juli 2018: Anahita Emminghaus starts her bachelor thesis in the field of combining fluorescent nanoparticles for white-light emission.

Mai 2018: Mike Nadig starts his master thesis in cooperation with the Leibniz-Institute for New Material in the field of polymer composites with enhanced barrier properties.

April 12, 2018: Guido Kickelbick joins the „Arbeitskreis Hybride der Forschungsgesellschaft Kunststoffe e.V. (FGK)“

April 1, 2018: Bastian Oberhausen starts his doctoral thesis in the field of self-healing nanocomposites on the basis of ionic surface-functionalised particles.
 

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December 21, 2017: Prof. Kickelbick gives Christmas lecture on: „Advent, Advent es knallt und brennt“
Prof. Guido Kickelbick and Andreas Adolf once more show a variety of spectacular experiments turning chemical energy into fire and noise.
 
October 27, 2017: Chemistry Day 2017
The two highlights of this year’s Chemistry Day are the formal opening of building C4 1 after refurbishment and the festive symposium for the Horst-Dietrich Hardt-award going to Prof. Lutz Gade (University of Heidelberg).
press release: www.uni-saarland.de/aktuelles/artikel/nr/18154.html

September 4-8, 2017: Participation in the 19th International Sol-Gel Conference in Liege, Belgium

September 2017: Michael Alexander Klos starts his bachelor thesis in the field of mechanochemical synthesis and surface functionalisation of mangane oxides. 

August 2017: Svenja Pohl starts her bachelor thesis in the field of LED encapsulation material

July 20, 2017: The Kickelbick working group takes a boat-trip on the river Saar

July 2017: Michelle Arweiler starts her master thesis based on a cooperation with the Dillinger Hütte in the field of the analysis of steel samples by optical emission spectroscopy.

Juni 13, 2017: Prof. Kickelbick takes part in a panel discussion on „Humboldt Reloaded“
Humboldt defined a university not as a place of hierarchy but a place of joint teaching and learning. Many study courses focus on lectures with little relation to research. The Humboldt education ideal would nowadays recommend open access to research for students as early as possible. This event explores the realisation of this ideal.
 
April 5-7, 2017:Working group takes part in organisation of the 13th Zsigmondy Kolloquium oft he „Deutsche Kolloidgesellschaft“
This conference enables young scientists from colloid-, surface- and interface-research to present their research results to an international audience by lectures or poster sessions. The colloquium aims at the building of an exchange platform for researchers of different fields and industry.
 
March 2017: Lucas Niedner and Lucas Huppert start their bachelor theses in our working group in the field of manufacturing nanoparticles with the Microjekt-technology and self-healing material

December 15, 2016: Prof. Guido Kickelbick presents "Angel in a gold rush", this year's Christmas lecture in the fully occupied Chemistry auditorium

December 1, 2016: Charlotte Heinrich successfully defends her doctoral thesis on "Isotropic and anisotropic surface modifications of oxidic nanoparticles with ionic functionalities“

November 6-11, 2016: Prof. Guido Kickelbick is invited speaker at the Sino-German Symposium “Precursor derived ceramics and advanced hybrid materials” in Freiberg, Sachsen

October 26, 2016: Prof. Guido Kickelbick is elected first Dean of the newly founded Faculty of Science and Technology

October 4, 2016: Thomas Klein starts his doctoral thesis in the field of „wet-chemical production of  highly-reactive metallic nanoparticles“

October 2016: Our working group moves into the newly renovated laboratories in building C4 1 on the campus

July 9, 2016: experimental lecture by Prof. Guido Kickelbick and Andreas Adolf at this year's Open Day on "Chemistry of the Light"

June 2, 2016: lecture of Prof. Guido Kickelbick at the MINT-Days for schools on the campus on „From Fire to OLED – Chemistry and Physics of Light Generation“

May 1, 2016: Nils Steinbrück starts his doctoral thesis on "New hybrid materials for rare-earth-reduced LEDs“

May 1, 2016: New hybrid materials for rare-earth-reduced LEDs
In a new project financed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) our working group is looking for ways to reduce rare earths in LEDs in cooperation with industrial partners (OSRAM GmbH, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH and BASF  SE). The University's part is to develop new inorganic-organic hybrid materials to stabilize the rare-earth-reduced LEDs. Information on the so-called "ORCA"-project can be found on the project homepage (http://www.matressource.de/projekte/orca/).

March 1, 2016: Dennis Becker starts his doctoral thesis on „Generation of solid state ionic conductors by reactive milling"
 

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[Translate to englisch:]

2015

10.-15. November 2015: Sino-German Symposium on Design, Processing and Application of Advanced Ceramic Materials
Prof. Kickelbick ist eingeladener Vortragender des ersten chinesisch-deutschen Symposiums zum Thema Neuartige Keramische Materialien an der Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics.

3. November 2015: Kristina Brix startet ihre Doktorarbeit mit dem Thema "Charakterisierung von Ca-Bentonit als geotechnische Barriere einer Lagerstätte für hochradioaktive Abfälle"

2. November 2015: Sascha Verwaayen beginnt Masterarbeit mit dem Thema "Kondensationsreaktionen von Phosphonaten"

30. Oktober 2015: Promotionskolloquium von Tom Engel

20. Oktober 2015: Eröffnungsfeier des neuen Studiengangs BachelorPlus MINT
Der neue Studiengang BachelorPlus MINT wird feierlich im Graduate Center der UdS eröffnet. Dieser neue Studiengang bietet eine zweisemestrige Orientierungsphase, in der die Studierenden Einblick in alle MINT-Fächer bekommen und sich anschließend für einen Bachelorstudiengang aus dem MINT-Bereich entscheiden müssen. Das Konzept des durch die Studienstiftung ausgezeichneten Studiengangs wurde am Lehrstuhl mit entworfen.

22. Oktober 2015: Verleihung des Eduard Martin Preises der Universität des Saarlandes an Nathalie Kunkel

20. Oktober 2015: Begrüßungsveranstaltung der neuen Studierenden des Masterstudiengangs Materialchemie

15. Oktober 2015: Prof. Kickelbick ist Gastredner beim Herbstkolloquium des Center for Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology an der Universität Kassel

6. - 15. Oktober 2015: Summer School Materialwissenschaften und Chemie zusammen mit der East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) im Graduate Center der UdS
In Zusammenarbeit mit der Arbeitsgruppe von Prof. Springborg (Physikalische Chemie) wurde als Auftaktveranstaltung einer Kooperation mit der ECUST eine Summer School zu Themen der Chemie und Materialwissenschaften ausgetragen. Insgesamt nahmen an dieser Veranstaltung 16 Dozenten und Studierende der ECUST und 20 Professoren und Doktoranden der UdS teil.

9. Oktober 2015: Lise Boulard verteidigt erfolgreich ihre Masterarbeit "Characterization of the leaching behavior of portland cement concrete" an der École européenne de chimie, polymères et matériaux (ECPM) in Strasbourg

1. Oktober 2015: Achim Koch startet seine Doktorarbeit mit dem Thema „Ionische Grafting-From Polymerisationen von Nanopartikeln der Metalloxide“

24./25. September 2015: New Energies. The Future of Energy at the Interface of Technology, Culture, and Society.Interdisciplinary Workshop for PhD Students of the Greater Region
Einige Arbeitsgruppenmitglieder und Prof. Kickelbick beteiligen sich aktiv an dem Workshop, der sich unter anderem auch mit der Ressourceneffizienz der Synthese und der Langlebigkeit von Materialien beschäftigt.

21. September 2015: In der Vortragsreihe Rent-a-Prof hält Prof. Kickelbick einen Vortrag zum Thema "Es werde Licht" am Marie-Luise-Kaschnitz-Gymnasium Völklingen

1. September 2015:Start des Verbundprojektes GRaZ (Geochemische Radionuklidrückhaltung an Zementalterationsphasen)
mit Beteiligung der Universität des Saarlandes als Teilprojekt D: „Untersuchung von Zement- und Ton- Korrosionsprodukten und deren Einfluss auf die Rückhaltung von endlagerrelevanten Elementen“ (BMWi-Projekt 02E11415D, Laufzeit bis zum 31.08.2018)

17. August 2015: Nadja Klippel startet ihre Doktorarbeit mit dem Thema: „Fluoreszierende Silica Nanopartikel als Sonden in Nanokompositen“

3. August 2015: Christina Odenwald startet ihre Doktorarbeit mit dem Thema „Das Microjet-Verfahren als Tool zur Herstellung nanopartikulärer Materialien“

Juli 2015: Nicole Bauer, Laura Jochum und Michelle Arweiler beginnen Bachelorarbeiten in der Arbeitsgruppe

10. Juli 2015: Promotionskolloquium von Nina Zahn

4. Juli 2015: Tag der offenen Tür der UdS
Prof. Kickelbick hält zusammen mit Andrease Adolf Experimentalchemievortrag zum Thema "Independence Day: bekannte Produkte und Entdeckungen, unbekannte Forscher und Erfinder aus den USA"

16. Juni 2015: Lise Boulard beginnt ihre Masterarbeit im Projekt zur Endlagerforschung im Rahmen des Deutsch-Französischen Studiengangs Chemie

10. Juni 2015: Dennis Becker startet seine Masterarbeit über Batteriewerkstoffe

23./24. April 2015: Workshop: Festkörper-NMR Spektroskopie als Werkzeug in der Charakterisierung von Materialien
Der Lehrstuhl richtet zusammen mit dem SYCMA-Doktorandenprogramm einen Workshop zum Thema Festkörper-NMR-Spektroskopie zur Charakterisierung von Materialien aus. Der Dozent ist Dr. Thierry Azais vom Laboratoire Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris, Collège de France.

31. März 2015: Prof. Kickelbick hält Vortrag auf der Bundestagung Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht in Saarbrücken zum Thema „Selbstheilende Materialien“

30. März -3. April 2015: Prof. Devon Shipp, Clarkson University (Potsdam, USA) Gastprofessor am Lehrstuhl

1. März 2015: Dr. André Schäfer beginnt als Nachwuchswissenschaftler und Akademischer Rat auf Zeit seine Habilitation in der Arbeitsgruppe

28. Februar 2015: Verleihung der Wilhelm-Klemm-Promotionspreises der Universität Münster an Nathalie Kunkel

22.-26. Februar 2015: Poster-Präsentationen von Dr. Christina Hein und MSc Ramona Hahn sowie Vortrag von Dr. Kautenburger bei der EWCPS 2015 (European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry mit über 700 Teilnehmern aus 45 Ländern) an der Universität Münster

4. Februar 2015: Prof. Kickelbick hält Vortrag bei der Kinderuni der UdS zum Thema „Kratzer auf dem Handy: Wie kann ich die vermeiden?“

22. Januar 2015: GDCh-Vortrag von Prof. Kickelbick an der Universität Chemnitz zum Thema „Chemisches Design von Anorganischen-Organischen Grenzflächen“

15. Januar 2015: Night of the Profs
Bei der gemeinsamen Party des AStA, der UdS und des Radiosenders 103.7 UnserDing betätigt sich Prof. Kickelbick als DJ und legt Platten auf.

5. Januar 2015: Dennis Meier startet seine Doktorarbeit mit dem Thema „Neue Polysiloxan-basierte Materialien für das LED-Packaging“

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2014

12. November 2014: Verleihung des Elisabeth und Dr. Horst-Dietrich Hardt-Promotionspreises  der Universität des Saarlandes an Nathalie Kunkel

29. Oktober 2014: Prof. Kickelbick wird zum Prodekan der naturwissenschaftlich-Technischen Fakultät III der UdS gewählt

28./29. Oktober 2014: Organisation und Ausrichtung des 7. Workshops des BMWi-Verbundprojekts „Rückhaltung endlagerrelevanter Radionuklide im natürlichen Tongestein und in salinaren Systemen“ an der Universität des Saarlandes

21.-23. Oktober 2014: Prof. Kickelbick Referent bei der 5. Sol-Gel Fachtagung der Technischen Akademie Wuppertal

24.-26. September 2014: 17. Vortragstagung der Wöhler-Vereinigung für Anorganische Chemie in Saarbrücken
Die Wöhler-Tagung mit den bisher meisten Teilnehmern in der Geschichte dieser Veranstaltungsreihe findet unter Leitung der Anorganischen Chemie an der UdS statt. Neueste Trends aus der Hauptgruppen- und Komplexchemie sowie der Chemie von Festkörper und Materialien in Bezug auf Grundlagenforschung und industrielle Anwendung werden in Vorträgen und Postern von Wissenschaftlern aus Deutschland und dem benachbarten Ausland vorgestellt.

16.-19. September 2014: Jubiläumstagung zum 40-jährigen Bestehen der Gesellschaft für Thermische Analyse
Prof. Kickelbick ist einer der Dozenten bei einem Workshop zum Thema Anwendung von Verfahren der thermischen Analyse bei Hybridmaterialien.

8. September 2014: Promotionskolloquium von Annika Betke

17. August 2014: Martin Geiger startet seine Masterarbeit zur ICP-MS Analyse von Dialyselösungen in Kooperation mit Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH

28. Juli -01. August 2014: Prof. Michel Wong Chi Man Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM), Equipe Architectures Moléculaires et Matériaux Nanostructurés, Gastprofessor am Institut

23. Juli 2014: Vortragstagung der Doktorandenschule Doktorandenschule SYCMA „Synthese und Charakterisierung von Materialien und Werkstoffen“ zum Thema Moderne Materialien

5. Juli 2014: Tag der offenen Tür der UdS
Prof. Kickelbick hält Vortrag zum Thema „Das Universum auf DIN A4 - Ein experimenteller Streifzug durch das Periodensystem“

4. Juli 2014: Promotionskolloquium von Patrick Wenderoth

1. Juli 2014: Erfolgreiche 15-monatige Verlängerung und Aufstockung für das Saarbrücker BMWi-Projekt zur Endlagerforschung bis zum 30.09.2015

23. Juni 2014: Kerstin Keßler-Neufang startet ihre Bachelorarbeit zu Apatit-Verbindungen

11. Juni 2014: Ramona Hahn startet ihre Masterarbeit zum Thema: "Untersuchungen zur Metallkomplexierung von Europium und Uran mit organischen Komplexliganden mittels Dialyse und Ultrafiltration" im BMWi-Projekt zur Endlagerforschung

26.-30. Mai 2014: Prof. Kickelbick eingeladener Vortragender auf dem E-MRS Spring Meeting in Lille in der Sektion „Hybrid materials engineering in biology, chemistry and physics“

25. Mai 2014: Promotionskolloquium von Nathalie Kunkel

30. April -04. Mai 2014: Prof. Kickelbick eingeladener Vortragender auf dem 3rd International Symposium on Controlled/Living Polymerization: From Synthesis to Applications, CLP’14 in Belek, Türkei

1. April 2014: Sandra Schäfer startet ihre Doktorarbeit zum Thema „Selbstheilende Nanokomposite“

14. Februar 2014: Promotionskolloquium von Christian Reichert

28. Januar2014: Dennis Becker startet seine Bachelor-Arbeit zu Apatit-Verbindungen

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November 1, 2013: New project on the exploitation of fly-ash
A new industry-oriented project on the exploitation of fly-ash from incineration plants has been started

October 28, 2013: Eduard Martin - Prize 2011/2012 awarded to Dr. Oliver Clemens
The Eduard Martin - Prize 2011/2012 is awarded to staff member Oliver Clemens for his dissertation on "Synthesis and Characterization of Lithium-containing transition metal phosphates and vanadates and their series of mixed crystals". This prize is awarded every year to the best PhD students of the different faculties of Saarland University.

July 9, 2013: Better Materials for LED Packaging
LEDs are embedded into transparent polymer materials. A new industry-oriented research programme deals with the improvement of these materials regarding adhesion and transparency.

May 30, 2013: Guido Kickelbick joins editorial board of Inorganics
Inorganics is an open access journal publishing articles from all fields of inorganic chemistry and imposing a strict peer-review code (http://www.mdpi.com/journal/inorganics).

March 1, 2013: Dr. Kai Abersfelder new staff member at INM
In the framework of Prof. Guido Kickelbicks INM fellowship, Dr. Kai Abersfelder starts a project on "Production and self-assembly of Janus-nanoparticles" at the INM. 
 

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December 20, 2012: Christmas Lecture - Reloaded
„Let there be light – Christmas lecture reloaded“ is the motto of this year’s Christmas lecture of the inorganic chemistry department. In demonstrative and partially spectacular experiments the team of Prof. Kickelbick and his assistent Andreas Adolf present not always serious suggestions how chemical reactions can contribute to the so called energy change in Germany.

October 10-12,2012: Annual conference of the german and swiss societies for thermal analysis and calorimetry in Saarbrücken
The National Societies for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry of Germany and Switzerland are organizing a bilateral conference under the supervision of Prof. Kickelbick in Saarbrücken. The meeting will focus on the areas hybrid-, nano- and biomaterials. Besides fundamental talks from scientific experts, suppliers of scientific instruments will present their newest developments in thermal analysis at this meeting. This will offer a basic insight into this technology to newcomers, too.

October 1, 2012: Lab talks "Material optimization by nano technology"
In cooperation with the "Kontaktstelle für Wissens- und Technologietransfer (KWT)" of the Saarland University and the "Zentrale für Produktivität und Technologie Saar e. V. (ZPT)", a lecture in the series "LabTalks"  with local companies is given at our institute. Our staff will present the application- oriented research work in short lectures followed by a laboratory inspection.

October 1, 2012: Prof. Holger Kohlmann accepts position at the University of Leipzig
Dr. Holger Kohlmann – so far assistant professor at our institute – relocates to a professorship for functional materials at the University of Leipzig. The institute loses a supporting pillar in science and teaching. We wish Prof. Kohlmann all the best for his new position in Leipzig

September 26/27, 2012: Sol-Gel conference in Saarbrücken
In cooperation with the Technical Academy Wuppertal (TAW) and supervised by Prof. Kickelbick, our institute is organizing the 4. Sol-Gel expert conference with the thematic spectrum: fundamentals, technologies, applications. Besides fundamental studies, the conference will mainly focus on the potential of the sol-gel process in industrial applications. Topics are:
- functional coatings
- particles and capsules
- hybrid materials and nanocomposites
- surface determined materials
The application range of the sol-gel process comprises mechanical improvements of surfaces, optical and electronic applications as well as formulations in the self-care and medical-pharmaceutical area

September 3, 2012: Cooperation agreement with Dillinger Hütte
A new cooperation contract between the Inorganic Solid State Chemistry and the long-established Saarland company Dillinger Hütte is the framework for a closer future joint collaboration. The focus of this teamwork is on elemental and structural analytics.

July 10, 2012: Guido Kickelbick becomes INM fellow
Applying a new contract model the INM (Leibniz-Institute for New Materials) intensified its cooperation with the Saarland University. Guido Kickelbick is the first „INM Fellow“ the INM will cooperate with in a strategic partnership. This cooperation is expected to give new mutual scientific impulses as well as larger chances for the promotion of common projects.

July 6, 2012: Inaugural lecture of PD Ralf Kautenburger
Dr. Ralf Kautenburger is new Assistant Professor for Analytical Chemistry at our institute. He will support our team in this field in the future. Mr. Kautenburger’s scientific topics are in the areas elemental, bio- and environmental analytical chemistry, and especially in the field of speciation analysis.

June 2012: New X-ray powder diffractometer goes into operation
A successful proposal in the major research instrumentation program of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) enabled the purchase and commissioning of a new Bruker D8-type X-ray powder diffractometer. With this instrument the institute owns a powerful state-of-the-art diffractometer for the characterization of crystalline powders under ambient and high temperature conditions.

May 23, 2012: New masters programme "Materials chemistry"
The new master programme "materials chemistry" starting with the winter term 2012/2013 at the Saarland University offers a versatile, research-weighted education in the interdisciplinary field between chemistry and the materials sciences. Based upon the knowledge from a preceding bachelor programme (chemistry or materials sciences), students experience the description and understanding of materials and their properties from the perspective of chemistry as well as engineering. For further information please visit "www.uni-saarland.de/materialchemie" (german)

December 2, 2011: New building for inorganic chemistry lab courses
Chemistry bachelor students and students of other disciplines who have to study chemistry in a laboratory course have now the chance to work in a modern building with highly functional laboratories. The federal as well as the government of Saarland have invested 6.6 Million Euro in the new building. The funds of the federal government are part of the business activity support program II. Further 143000 Euro were invested in the basic equipment of the 855 square meter 6 floor building. The building includes laboratories for chemical education for bachelor students in chemistry, teacher students, and other science and engineering students. Construction of the building started in June 2010. Distinct features of the laboratories are their suitability for disabled persons. Lowerable benches in the laboratories, a technology which is quite seldom at German universities, allow the adjustment of the working environment in the laboratory on special requirements.

December 2, 2011: Jonas Sander receives GDCh prize
Jonas Sander, undergraduate of Ass. Prof. Kohlmann's working group, is awardee of one of the GDCh-Prizes for the best course achievement, which was handed over during the graduation ceremony.

November 25, 2011: Christmas lecture 2011 cancelled
The Christmas lecture was cancelled due to delays in construction works in the laboratory for the experimental chemistry lectures.

October 19, 2011: Lecture series "Chemie - nichts geht ohne sie!" starts
This lecture series within the framework of the International Year of Chemistry is to raise the public's awareness of chemistry's variety. The chemistry and pharmacy professors of the Saarland University are presenting the fascination of their field in 15 generally understandable lectures, starting on 19th October. For further information see www.uni-saarland.de/alles-chemie. The lecture series is coordinated by Prof. Kickelbick.

July 1, 2011: Saarland University participates in a BMWi project about nuclear waste disposal research
The search for a repository to store high-level radioactive waste for a very long time of over 100,000 years is one of the most urgent tasks facing scientists and politicians today. In the framework of joint projects analytical methods like sorption/desorption or migration experiments for radionuclides and other toxic metals as well as specially developed analytical tools as for example 2D-NMR or CE-ICP-MS hyphenation are utilised to study the mobility of radioactive heavy metals in a potential host rock material (e.g. clay or salt). The findings of this research are very important in the context of a long time risk assessment of a future disposal site for high level radioactive waste. The Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) financially supports the research project at Saarland University for three more years with 583,000 euro. Since August 2006, over 1.27 million euros of third-party funds could be acquired by PD Dr. Ralf Kautenburger, Prof. Dr. H.P. Beck und Prof. Dr. G. Kickelbick, scientists belonging to the Chemistry Department.

July 1, 2011: DFG grants project of chemists and engineers about self healing nanocomposites
The research groups of Prof. Wenz, Prof. Stommel and Prof Kickelbick investigate in a joint project within the framework of the DFG priority program "Design and Generic Principles of Self-healing Materials" (DFG SPP 1568) the possibilities to use nanocomposites on the basis of cellulose and inorganic nanoparticles as self-healing materials. This means that, e.g. scratches in the polymeric material can be stopped and healed by thermoreversible crosslinking.

July 1, 2011: New X-ray powder diffractometer granted
A new high-capacity powder diffractometer was granted. The device is sponsored by federal funds and the university's research equipment program (Art. 91b GG).The theta-theta-diffractometer is equipped with a fast 1D-detector. Routine scans may be taken on series of polycrystalline samples, supported by an automatic sample changer. Even samples sensitive to air may be measured, using a special sample holder with a protective dom. Flat samples as well as capillary samples may be heated up to 1000°C or above during a measurement.

June 18, 2011: Chemistry Show at Open Day 2011
Prof. Guido Kickelbick and Andreas Adolf presented a chemistry show at this year's university open house. Topic: "Magic of Chemistry - magical experiments in Chemistry".

May 25, 2011: First meeting of PhD student from the interdisciplinary graduation programme "SYCMA"
The structured PhD program provides an interdisciplinary insight into different ways of thinking of the single research fields for Chemistry and Materials Science PhD students by joint events and research projects. The participants of the graduate school are to broaden their horizon and to develop new interdisciplinary project proposals by communicating with other PhD students in an academic debate culture. The program is coordinated by Prof. Kickelbick. For further information see SYCMA-homepage : www.uni-saarland.de/campus/forschung/forschungsaktivitaeten/uds-promotionsfoerderung/doktorandenschule-sycma.html

May 10, 2011: Florian Wisser receives GDCh prize
Florian Wisser, undergraduate of Prof. Kickelbick's  working group, is awardee of one of the GDCh-Prizes for the best course achievement, which was handed over during the graduation ceremony.

April 26, 2011: Prof. Guido Kickelbick and PD Holger Kohlmann participate in the "Rent a Prof" programme
The program "Rent a Prof" of the University's Chemistry Department offers school visits and lectures on different Chemistry topics in order to illustrate the significance of Chemistry in everyday life. Some examples of our participation are topics like "Chemists as Architects for New High-Tech Materials" and "Symmetry of Chemistry - from Structures to Properties".
 

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December 16, 2010: Christmas Lecture "Feuer und Eis" 
Everybody interested in chemistry was invited for this year's Christmas lecture. In a fully occupied auditorium, spectacular experiments on the subject of fire and ice were shown.

November 1, 2010: Patrick Wenderoth receives PhD student stipendium
Patrick Wenderoth, undergraduate of PD Kohlmann’s working group, is holding a 2-year-graduation-scholarship in line with the ‘Landesgraduiertenförderungsgesetz’.

October 22, 2010: Group organises PhD student day 2010
This years's "Doktorandentag" of the Chemistry department was organised by the institute of Inorganic Solid State Chemistry. Professors, students, industrial cooperation partners and everybody else interested was invited.This event is organised by Ph.D. students on their own authority. In the course of the day, lectures and posters on different research topics of the Ph.D. students in Chemistry were presented providing an overview of the different chemical research facilities. In particular bachelor students had the possibility to gain information on possible topics for their bachelor thesis. In guest lectures, Dr. Theo Jäger presented the University GradUs-programme and Prof. Dr. Guido Kickelbick reported on alternatives to an industrial career in his lecture: "Mad Scientists - Attractiveness of an academic career in science".

October 21, 2010: New thermo analytical device installed
Our institute has gained a valuable asset for the coupling of thermal gravimetry and infrared spectroscopy: The new device allows to define the mass lost of a sample during the heating process and to analyse the evaporating gases by infrared spectroscopy. This facilitates the verification of chemical processes occuring with the heat ageing of samples. The equipment is to be used mainly in the field of nano particle surface functionalisation and nano composite construction.

June 26, 2010: Group participates in Open Day 2010
"Behind the scenes of a experimental show" was the topic of the division's participation at the Saarland University open house. The attendees were able to prepare under supervision chemical experiments in small working groups and to present these experiments in a small show to the audience.

May 28, 2010: New thermal analytic device granted
A new thermal gravimetry equipment coupled to a FT-IR spectrometer was approved in the funding scheme "State Major Instrumentation". With this
equipment it will be possible to chemical analyze evolving gases during a thermal decomposition of a material.

November 23, 2009: Inaugural lecture of Prof. Kickelbick 
Mr. Kickelbick gave an insight in his research areas during his inaugural lecture. The title of the lecture was “Complex Materials from simple Building Blocks: Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials and Nanocomposites”. During a small receipt after the lecture there was the possibilty to get in contact with Mr. Kickelbick.

November 15, 2009: New scientific equipment

November 1, 2009: New DFG project
New DFG research project “Mechanismen der Bildung metastabiler Hydride und Nitridemittels in situ-Neutronenbeugung von Fest-Gas-Reaktionen” (Kohlmann, Saarbrücken; Niewa, Stuttgart; Rosner, Dresden) within the scope of the programm “Kristalline Nichtgleichgewichtsphasen” under the direction of PD Dr. Holger Kohlmann

July 20, 2009: Prof. Kickelbick new GDCh-Saar chairman
Prof. Kickelbick was elected as the new chairman of the local unit of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) during a general meeting of the members. He is successor of Prof. Hempelmann.

June 2, 2009: Commencement of duties for Professor Kickelbick
The new holder of the professorship for Inorganic Solid State Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Gudio Kickelbick, takes office in Saarbrücken.