Materials Chain
Materials Chain is the first and largest flagship program of the University Alliance Ruhr. It offers a platform for interdisciplinary networking that brings together researchers from fundamental natural sciences to applied materials science and production technology. More than 200 scientists from more than 150 chairs and research groups from Ruhr-Universität Bochum, TU Dortmund University, and the University of Duisburg-Essen research and teach under the umbrella of the flagship program. The profile is complemented by cooperations with 11 regional partner institutions.
Building on the proven strengths at the respective university locations, Materials Chain initiates new research projects and associations to strengthen the role of the Ruhr Area as an internationally leading research region for modern materials and their production. The most prominent example that emerged from the program is the UA Ruhr Research Center Future Energy Materials and Systems (FEMS).
Latest News
Maximizing Hydrogen Peroxide Yield from Water Electrolysis
Electrochemistry
Hydrogen peroxide is essential for many industries, including disinfectant production. The presence of carbonate aids in producing of hydrogen peroxide from the splitting of water, but the mechanism was unclear until now. The team of Dr. Lejing Li, Dr. Carla Santana Santos and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schuhmann clarified this mechanism. Their results are published in the Journal of "Angewandte Chemie... read more
Producing Hydrogen and Fertilizer Simultaneously
Electrochemistry
A research team from the University Alliance Ruhr has developed a catalyst that converts ammonia into hydrogen and nitrite, which can be processed into fertilizer. This innovative approach combines two traditionally separate chemical processes. The Bochum group (Ieva Cechanaviciute and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schuhmann), along with Prof. Dr. Corina Andronescu from the University of Duisburg-Essen, published... read more
International Standard Lays the Foundation for AI Training in Materials Research
Materials Research
Researchers globally are seeking new materials for the energy transition. The international standard OPTIMADE facilitates data exchange and AI training, accelerating development in this crucial field. An extended version of OPTIMADE, detailed in the journal Digital Discovery, was developed with contributions from Prof. Dr. Miguel Marques and Prof. Dr. Silvana Botti of Ruhr University Bochum, members... read more
Who are we? Why is collaboration important in modern materials science? And what are we working on?
Upcoming Events
6th Materials Chain International Conference, MCIC 2024: Inorganic Functional Materials, September 12th 2024 at Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Seminar Series “Materials and Energy: Challenges and Opportunities”
The Materials Chain Seminar Series “Materials and Energy: Challenges and Opportunities” brings together highly visible researchers across the various fields of materials science who investigate the intricate relationship between energy and materials. “Energy” and “Materials” have an overarching importance for the future development of our society. They are coupled in multiple ways ranging from fundamental science to real-world applications. Analyzing their intricate relationship as energy-materials nexus, however, is a new approach. Because solutions are urgently needed, this field requires intense interaction and collaboration across scientific disciplines and along the entire chain from fundamental science to industrial application.
The seminar series takes place during winter term on Thursdays and/or Fridays, typically from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The lectures are held in different ZOOM rooms, which will be proclaimed here as well as in the invitations sent to all members of the Materials Chain, who have been signed up for the Newsletter.
Everybody is welcome. Registration is not required. If you receive an invitation as Materials Chain member, please feel free to forward it to other interested researchers at your institution and beyond. Early career researchers, like PhD students, are welcome as well!
Lectures for the upcoming winter term will be annouced in due time.
Video
Take a look behind the laboratory doors of some of the natural scientists and engineers working within the Materials Chain network: