Department of Chemistry

18.12.2025 | Chemistry Christmas Lecture: A Journey Back in Time to the Age of Alchemy

The large chemistry lecture hall was filled to capacity when this year's Christmas lecture took guests on a fascinating journey into the world of alchemy. Led by Prof. David Scheschkewitz, the team presented spectacular experiments that were once intended to fulfill alchemists' dreams of gold – including the transformation of base metals into “silver” and “gold.” Of course, the traditional explosions were also part of the show, leaving the audience amazed. A special moment was the farewell to Andreas Adolf, the long-time laboratory assistant for experimental chemistry and creative mind behind the Christmas lectures of recent years, as he entered his well-deserved retirement. The new team that will organize the Christmas lecture in the future consists of laboratory assistants Dana Barghoud, Ajda Plohl, Vanessa Grabowski, Henrike Waller, and Leonie Wirtz.

17.12.2025 | Joining forces for clean water: Pioneering project strengthens water protection in Saarland

The Department of Inorganic Chemistry at Saarland University and the Ministry for the Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection (MUKMAV) are continuing their long-standing successful collaboration. With the completion of the previous project and the start of a new five-year joint project in mid-2026, research into assessing the condition of Saarland's waters will be intensified. One focus is on the effects of new requirements under the EU Municipal Waste Water Directive and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Saarland. In addition to established real-time measurements using mobile measuring stations, automatic samplers will also be used to detect organic and inorganic micropollutants (“emerging pollutants”) from diffuse and point sources. In addition, the project is dedicated to the analysis of small catchment areas in order to answer specific environmentally relevant questions. With this project, the partners are making a decisive contribution to the sustainable development and protection of Saarland's waters.

17.12.2025 | Defibrillators can save lives: Installation in the Chemistry Lecture Hall Building C4.3

Defibrillators are true lifesavers in an emergency. In the event of sudden cardiac arrest, every minute counts, and the rapid availability of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be crucial. Thanks to the commitment of Prof. Guido Kickelbick and Dr. Oliver Janka, who initiated the installation, and the support of company doctor Prof. Elke Ochsmann, such an automated defibrillator has now been installed in the chemistry lecture hall building C4.3. With this measure, Saarland University is responding to a general call to provide AEDs in public places in order to bridge the gap until the emergency services arrive. Operating an AED is simple and designed with laypeople in mind: in an emergency, immediately dial 911, begin chest compressions, fetch the defibrillator, and follow the device's voice instructions. The installation of the device is an important step toward increasing safety on campus and saving lives in an emergency.

24.05.2025 | Experience the fascination of chemistry: The Department of Chemistry at Open Campus 2025

At Open Campus 2025, the Department of Chemistry presented a diverse program that delighted visitors of all ages. Under the motto “Experience the Fascination of Chemistry,” exciting lectures, hands-on activities, and interactive exhibitions were offered. Lectures such as “Plastics – a curse or a blessing?”, “Hydrogen and hydrogen technology,” “Incense – far too valuable to just be burned!” and “The universe at a glance: the periodic table of elements” demonstrated how topical and relevant chemical research is for our society. The hands-on activities in the laboratories and glassblowing workshop, which provided insights into the practical work of chemists, were particularly popular. The chemistry student council provided refreshments in the form of creative nitrogen frozen yogurt, while the Young Chemistry Forum surprised visitors with refreshing cucumber lemonade. The NanoBioLab student laboratory thrilled visitors with an impressive nitrogen show. The program was complemented by intensive study counseling, where prospective students could obtain comprehensive information about study opportunities in chemistry. The chemistry department impressively demonstrated how exciting, versatile, and relevant to the future the subject is—and how much fun science can be!

15.04.2025 | Advertising job openings Ec=m2

Join the team! The DFG-funded Research Training Group Ec=m² has launched its recruitment campaign today. Starting from 1^st October 2025, we seek to fill 10 PhD Scholar positions in different participating groups across chemistry, material sciences and physics as well as the position of a Scientific Coordinator and a Postdoc in Surface Characterization.

We can’t wait to get started! 

For details, please visit https://www.uni-saarland.de/forschen/ecm2.html!

03.02.2025 | Farewell lecture by Prof. Hempelmann

Prof. Rolf Hempelmann, who held the Chair of Physical Chemistry at Saarland University for many years, said goodbye with an entertaining farewell lecture on the topic of “Green Steel”. In his lecture, he not only looked back on his scientific work, but also on the developments in physical chemistry at the UdS. His commitment to the NanoBioLab, which he founded and which has already inspired thousands of pupils to take an interest in the natural sciences, deserves special mention. The Department of Chemistry would like to thank Prof. Hempelmann for his many years of work in research and teaching and for his tireless efforts in promoting young talent. We wish him all the best for the next stage of his life