HZB Researcher on the Board of Directors of the Materials Research Society
Catherine Dubourdieu is head of the IFOX Institute at HZB and was elected now into the board of directors of the MRS.
In September 2019, Prof. Dr. Catherine Dubourdieu was elected into the Board of Directors of the Materials Research Society (MRS). The MRS is one of the largest scientific associations and has almost 14000 members from various areas of the natural sciences and engineering.
Catherine Dubourdieu heads the HZB-Institute IFOX (Functional Oxides for Energy Efficient Information Technology) and holds a professorship at the Freie Universität Berlin. She investigates the growth and properties of functional oxides and semiconductor materials with the aim of developing energy-efficient devices for information technology, that can be integrated on silicon chips. Over the past 15 years, the physicist has also established numerous collaborations with industry and holds 10 patents. She has already published over 140 articles in peer-review journals and has an excellent international network.
In the Materials Research Society Catherine Dubourdieu has been active for over 20 years, also in responsible functions. As of 2020, Catherine Dubourdieu will be a member of the MRS Board of Directors to support the global materials research community and provide a framework for the various disciplines to collaborate.
The MRS's mission is to advance international interdisciplinary materials research and technology for the benefit of the human society. It was founded in 1973 and today has around 14000 members from various areas of the natural sciences and engineering. The governance of the Society is the responsibility of the Board of Directors, composed of 6 officers and 18 directors, 15 of whom are elected by the membership. One third of the Board is renewed each year. Catherine Dubourdieu will serve in this position over the next three years.
- 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.
- SpinMagIC: 'EPR on a chip' ensures quality of olive oil and beerThe first sign of spoilage in many food products is the formation of free radicals, which reduces the shelf-life and the overall quality of the food. Until now, the detection of these molecules has been very costly for the food companies. Researchers at HZB and the University of Stuttgart have developed a portable, small and inexpensive 'EPR on a chip' sensor that can detect free radicals even at very low concentrations. They are now working to set up a spin-off company, supported by the EXIST research transfer programme of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. The EPRoC sensor will initially be used in the production of olive oil and beer to ensure the quality of these products.