HZB and ANSTO signed MoU
ANSTO is delivering scientific services and products to government, industry, academia and other research organisations.
In May HZB and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) have signed a high-level scientific cooperation agreement. The objective is to establish a framework and terms of cooperation in the field of neutron scattering science, and define the mechanisms for collaboration on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity.
Both institutions would like to establish a collaborative research program to take full advantage of the instruments available at HZB and ANSTO and train the staff of each institute.
More information about ANSTO: http://www.ansto.gov.au/
- Metallic nanocatalysts: what really happens during catalysisUsing a combination of spectromicroscopy at BESSY II and microscopic analyses at DESY's NanoLab, a team has gained new insights into the chemical behaviour of nanocatalysts during catalysis. The nanoparticles consisted of a platinum core with a rhodium shell. This configuration allows a better understanding of structural changes in, for example, rhodium-platinum catalysts for emission control. The results show that under typical catalytic conditions, some of the rhodium in the shell can diffuse into the interior of the nanoparticles. However, most of it remains on the surface and oxidises. This process is strongly dependent on the surface orientation of the nanoparticle facets.
- KlarText Prize for Hanna TrzesniowskiThe chemist has been awarded the prestigious KlarText Prize for Science Communication by the Klaus Tschira Foundation.
- Shedding light on insulators: how light pulses unfreeze electronsMetal oxides are abundant in nature and central to technologies such as photocatalysis and photovoltaics. Yet, many suffer from poor electrical conduction, caused by strong repulsion between electrons in neighboring metal atoms. Researchers at HZB and partner institutions have shown that light pulses can temporarily weaken these repulsive forces, lowering the energy required for electrons mobility, inducing a metal-like behavior. This discovery offers a new way to manipulate material properties with light, with high potential to more efficient light-based devices.