Claus Daniel

Why did you study at Saarland University?

I was born and raised in Quierschied in Saarland. As my family ran a skilled trade business in Saarland, just going to university was a big step for me. Saarland University was naturally the only university that came into question for me.

I was also particularly drawn to the combination of a strong grounding in the natural sciences and engineering and the comparatively personal research environment. The Materials Science programme at Saarland University offered me the opportunity to combine basic research with tackling very specific technological challenges. This combination of scientific understanding and practical application fascinated me – something that has stayed with me throughout my professional career. I first became interested in materials science when I attended a lecture by Prof. Mücklich in Stuttgart during Materials Week. Prof. Mücklich went on to become my professor, mentor and guide all through my career.

Do you have any tips for current students?

Be curious and make the most of your time at university to try things out, even outside your immediate study plan. Establish contact with the research community, industry and international partners early on.

Even more importantly, don't plan your career in too much detail. Some of my most interesting professional opportunities were completely unforeseeable at the start of my career. What was more important was being prepared to take on new topics, countries and tasks.

And never underestimate the importance of the people you study and work with. Expertise opens doors, but in the long term, it is often curiosity, reliability, teamwork skills and a willingness to take on responsibility that make the difference.

Do you have a special anecdote or story from your time at Saarland University?

What I particularly recall is the sense of optimism that prevailed in the Department of Materials Science during my degree and doctorate. We were a comparatively young community of undergraduates, doctoral research students and researchers, and much of what we achieved was built and developed together.

That was an important experience for me: Science is not just about learning existing knowledge, but also about creating something new. That sense of building up research together and trying out new ideas is something that I experience time and again, both at the US National Laboratories and in industry.

What was your favourite place on campus?

I spent most of my time at Saarland University in the basement of the Physics building and on the famous seventh floor in the Functional Materials Department. My favourite place was not so much a single spot as the immediate surroundings of the Department of Materials Science – the labs, offices and places where new ideas emerged from spontaneous discussions. It is this special combination of research, personal interaction and student life that I still associate with my time in Saarbrücken.

Why did you study this subject specifically?

I find materials science fascinating because materials ultimately form the basis for almost all technologies. If you understand why a material behaves in a particular way at the atomic and microscopic level, you can use that knowledge to develop completely new products and technologies.

This combination of physics, chemistry, engineering and practical application was particularly appealing to me. Looking back, this decision had a profound impact on my career – from my early work on materials through to batteries and manufacturing technologies, right through to my current work on energy and mobility systems.

How did you make the transition to working life?

My transition into working life was a big step both geographically and personally. After finishing my doctorate in Saarbrücken, I moved to the USA and worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

Originally, this was first and foremost an academic opportunity, but it ultimately led to a career spanning more than two decades in the USA. Over time, my focus increasingly shifted from my own research to setting up large-scale research programmes, collaborating with industry and government, and most recently to leading major research organizations.

I therefore think that the transition from university to working life should not be seen as a single step. You are continuously developing and should be prepared to redefine your role multiple times.