Appointment to University of Florida
After two years of postdoctoral research at HZB, Dr. Charles Hages has received an appointment as Assistant Professor at the University of Florida. © Privat
Dr. Charles Hages has received an appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Florida. Hages has been a postdoctoral researcher at HZB in the Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials for two years. At University of Florida, Hages will advance his work in developing energy materials and looks forward to continued collaborations with his HZB colleagues.
Prior to coming to HZB, Charles (Chuck) Hages pursed his doctoral degree at Purdue University in Indiana, USA, working in nanoparticle/solution-based photovoltaics. During this time Hages worked with many HZB researchers as part of an international research effort to develop earth-abundant photovoltaic materials. Following his Ph.D. work, Hages joined HZB as a postdoc to learn and contribute to state-of-the-art semiconductor characterization work being done in the group of Dr. Thomas Unold.
“Thomas has been a valuable mentor for many years – I look forward to many more discussions and collaborations in the future,” says Hages. As a chemical engineering faculty, Hages will specialize in various synthesis processes and characterization techniques for novel semiconductor-based energy materials, from solar cells and light-emitting diodes to supercapacitors, thermoelectric materials, and electrodes for chemical energy storage, for example.
Hages is now looking forward to new challenges, including teaching, where he will initially develop a course on electron transport for chemical engineers. What is he taking with him from his time at the HZB? “I enjoy the honesty and openness of our scientific discussions and debates. Also our group cohesion of meeting regularly, not only for meetings or weekly seminar, but also for coffee, daily lunch, and after work. I'd like to keep it that way in my new group.”
- Green hydrogen: MXenes shows talent as catalyst for oxygen evolutionThe MXene class of materials has many talents. An international team led by HZB chemist Michelle Browne has now demonstrated that MXenes, properly functionalised, are excellent catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in electrolytic water splitting. They are more stable and efficient than the best metal oxide catalysts currently available. The team is now extensively characterising these MXene catalysts for water splitting at the Berlin X-ray source BESSY II and Soleil Synchrotron in France.
- 13 trainees start their careers at HZBA new phase of life began for 13 young people on 2 September: HZB welcomed five new trainees, six students on dual study programmes and two participants in a Voluntary Year of Science. They all are starting their careers with great anticipation.
- Green hydrogen: ‘Artificial leaf’ becomes better under pressureHydrogen can be produced via the electrolytic splitting of water. One option here is the use of photoelectrodes that convert sunlight into voltage for electrolysis in so called photoelectrochemical cells (PEC cells). A research team at HZB has now shown that the efficiency of PEC cells can be significantly increased under pressure.