The Department of Materials and Earth Sciences at Darmstadt Technical University mourns the loss of

Professor Dr. Heinz von Seggern

Retired professor at Darmstadt Technical University

07.10.1948 – 07.01.2026

It is with deep sadness that we bid farewell to our esteemed colleague and friend Professor Dr. Heinz von Seggern.

We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Professor Heinz von Seggern. He was a full professor at Darmstadt Technical University from 1997 to 2014 and left a lasting mark through his outstanding scientific work and his commitment to the academic community and young scientists.

After studying physics at the University of Göttingen and the Technical University of Hanover, he received his doctorate from the Technical University of Darmstadt in 1979. His scientific career took him to Bell Laboratories in the USA and the Siemens Research Center in Erlangen, among other places, before he returned to our university. His scientific work on organic electronics, polymer dielectrics, and X-ray storage phosphors for medical diagnostics has set international standards. A characteristic feature of his research was the close connection between experiment, theory, and modeling. With his numerous publications, he has decisively advanced the development of these research areas.

With Heinz von Seggern, we have lost not only an outstanding scientist, but also a person who shaped our department for decades—through his expertise and his passion for research and teaching. Many young scientists owe him not only professional inspiration, but also personal support and encouragement.

Heinz von Seggern was a person with infectious curiosity who sought dialogue, shared ideas, and inspired others. His humor, openness, and willingness to take responsibility enriched our department. We will remember him fondly as a scholar, teacher, and human being. His work lives on – in the projects he initiated, in the minds of the students he influenced, and in the hearts of the colleagues who appreciated him.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and all those who were close to him.

On behalf of Darmstadt Technical University and the members of the Department of Materials and Earth Sciences

Prof. Dr. Tanja Brühl, President of the TU Darmstadt

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karsten Durst, Dean of the Department Materials and Earth Sciences