Collaboration between HZB and the University of Freiburg
The theory group with Joe Dzubiella. © HZB
Through a Joint Research Group entitled “Simulation of Energy Materials“ Prof. Joachim Dzubiella of the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg will be able to continue his collaboration with the HZB. The theoretical physicist headed the “Theory and Simulation“ group at the HZB until recently and worked closely together with colleagues conducting experimental research. The new research group will concentrate on electrochemical energy storage and solar fuels.
From 2010 until spring 2018, Joachim Dzubiella was a scientist at HZB carrying on research and building up his theory group. He appreciated the short paths to experimentalists and worked closely with them. In 2015 he received a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council that enabled him to further expand his group.
The physicist accepted a W3 professorship in Applied Theoretical Physics at the University of Freiburg In April 2018. But the collaboration with the HZB will continue. This has been made possible now through a Joint Research Group entitled "Simulation of Energy Materials" funded by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and the University of Freiburg.
“In the field of solar fuels, there is great interest in more clearly understanding the processes taking place at the catalyst layers that facilitate the splitting of water“, explains Dzubiella. There are also numerous aspects of electrochemical energy storage that can be analysed significantly better through modelling. The Joint Research Group currently consists of seven researchers. The focus is on what happens at the interfaces between liquid and solid phases, which are simulated by theorists with computer models in order to track down the driving forces.
The group members from Freiburg and Berlin will exchange ideas with Skype meetings, visits, and retreats in the countryside. Initial funding has been secured for five years.
More Information: http://helmholtz-berlin.de/forschung/oe/ee/simulation/
- Scientists Develop New Technique to Image Fluctuations in MaterialsA team of scientists, led by researchers from the Max Born Institute in Berlin and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin in Germany and from Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States has developed a revolutionary new method for capturing high-resolution images of fluctuations in materials at the nanoscale using powerful X-ray sources. The technique, which they call Coherent Correlation Imaging (CCI), allows for the creation of sharp, detailed movies without damaging the sample by excessive radiation. By using an algorithm to detect patterns in underexposed images, CCI opens paths to previously inaccessible information. The team demonstrated CCI on samples made of thin magnetic layers, and their results have been published in Nature.
- High-energy X-rays leave a trace of destruction in bone collagenA team of medical researchers at Charité has analyzed damage by focused high energetic X-rays in bone samples from fish and mammals at BESSY II. With a combination of microscopy techniques, the scientists could document the destruction of collagen fibres induced by electrons emitted from the mineral crystals. X-ray methods might impact bone samples when measured for a long time they conclude.
- Neutron experiments reveal what maintains bones in good functionWhat keeps bones able to remodel themselves and stay healthy? A team from Charité Berlin has discovered clues to the key function of non-collagen protein compounds and how they help bone cells react to external load. The scientists used fish models to examine bone samples with and without bone cells to elucidate differences in microstructures and the incorporation of water. Using 3D neutron tomography at the Berlin research reactor BER II, they succeeded for the first time in precisely measuring the water diffusion across bone material - with a surprising result.