The mission of the Surface Science Laboratory is to advance the fundamental understanding of surfaces and interfaces in functional materials and devices for renewable energy conversion and storage. We study the chemical and physical processes, energetics and dynamics of processes at surfaces and interfaces of materials used in electrolysers, solar cells, and batteries. For this, we use integrated ultrahigh vacuum systems which combine different thin film preparation techniques and surface analysis tools. Next to vacuum experiments, we aim at understanding materials and devices during operation under realistic conditions using advanced spectroscopic and structural methods. Moreover, we develop novel spectroscopic approaches to unravel complex structure-property-function relationships.
The Unite! Award goes to …
October 29, 2025
Jan Philipp Hofmann, Bettina Wagner and Corinna Caspar-Terizakis
An alliance like Unite! requires a great deal of commitment and dedication. This year's winners of the Unite! Awards have done so in a particularly remarkable way. Jan Philipp Hofmann, Bettina Wagner and Corinna Caspar-Terizakis from TU Darmstadt received the Unite! Award for their contribution to promoting young scientists.
Dr. Chris Gort Successfully Defended His Doctoral Thesis
October 21, 2025
We congratulate Chris for successfully passing his doctoral examination!
On August 26, 2025, Chris confidently defended his doctoral project titled 'Electronic Structure Studies of Nickel iron Based Anodes for Alkaline Water Electrolysis' in front of the examination committee. For his future endeavors we wish him all the best.
Congratulations to Dr. Julia Gallenberger
August 26, 2025
We congratulate Julia for successfully passing her doctoral defense
In her successful examination on 26.08.2025, Julia defended her doctoral work on the 'Spectroscopic Analysis of the Formation, Stability, and Transformations of Nickel-based Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction'. We wish her only the best for the future career.