Collaborative Research Centre “Nanoscale Metals” raises 11 million euros

Licht wird durch den Nanopartikel fokussiert und die Energie lokal in verschiedene Formen umgewandelt, die dann Chemische Transformation antreiben.

Licht wird durch den Nanopartikel fokussiert und die Energie lokal in verschiedene Formen umgewandelt, die dann Chemische Transformation antreiben. © Felix Stete

Several HZB research teams are participating in the new SFB 1636 "Elementary processes of light-driven reactions on nanoscale metals".

Research on Nansoscale Metals

“We are excited and look forward to the new synergies that can arise from this,” says Prof. Matias Bargheer, who is one of the spokespersons for the new Collaborative Research Centre, led by University of Potsdam. The HZB scientists Renske van der Veen, Yan Lu and Alexander Föhlisch are also involved, in addition to the team of Bargheer, who heads a joint research group at the University of Potsdam and HZB.

The research project aims to help understand the elementary processes that trigger light-controlled chemical reactions on metals at the nanoscale. “There are still many unanswered questions at this fascinating transition between physics and chemistry and we can already apply our concepts to organic coupling reactions and polymerisations, e.g. to functionalise nanoparticles asymmetrically,” says Prof. Dr. Matias Bargheer, talking about the struggles as well as the perspectives of their collaborative research.

Antonia Rötger

  • Copy link

You might also be interested in

  • Surprising insights into the chemistry of hydroxyl radicals at BESSY II
    Science Highlight
    09.04.2026
    Surprising insights into the chemistry of hydroxyl radicals at BESSY II
    How do radicals form in aqueous solutions when exposed to UV light? This question is important for health research and environmental protection, for example with regard to the overfertilisation of water bodies by intensive agriculture. A team at BESSY II has now developed a new method of investigating hydroxyl radicals in solution. By using a clever trick, the scientists gained surprising insights into the reaction pathway.
  • Theory meets practice – We’re heading back to HTW Berlin!
    News
    07.04.2026
    Theory meets practice – We’re heading back to HTW Berlin!
    The HZB’s BIPV consultancy office (BAIP) is once again coordinating and delivering the lecture series “Building-Integrated Photovoltaics”.
  • AI-driven Catalyst Discovery: €30 million funding for German consortium
    News
    30.03.2026
    AI-driven Catalyst Discovery: €30 million funding for German consortium
    Six partners from research and industry, including Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), the Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max Planck Society (FHI), BASF, Dunia Innovations, Siemens Energy, and the Technical University Berlin are launching a joint project to accelerate the catalyst discovery. The German Federal Ministry for Science, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is providing €30 million in funding for ASCEND (Accelerated Solutions for Catalysis using Emerging Nanotechnology and Digital Innovation). The research initiative targets the defossilisation of energy-intensive industries while safeguarding industrial competitiveness, with a focus on the chemical sector. The five-year project will start on 1st April 2026.