Novel synthesis of fluorinated molecules with potential in drug research developed

The new synthetic method relies on two fundamentally challenging chemical processes

25-Jun-2024 - A research team from Kiel has described a method for directly converting carbon-hydrogen bonds in carboxylic acids into carbon-fluorine bonds. Carboxylic acids are one of the most important substance classes in chemistry and are a component of many drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. To tailor ...

New catalyst accelerates release of hydrogen from ammonia

Cooperation project aims at facilitating import of sustainably produced energy

18-Mar-2024 - Germany can probably only meet its demand for climate-friendly hydrogen by imports, for example from South America or Australia. For such long-distance transport, hydrogen can be converted into ammonia, for example. To facilitate the release of the hydrogen afterwards, researchers from the ...

Process for the optical analysis of trace gases optimised

Prof. Gernot Friedrichs from Kiel University has developed a new approach for making interfering signals in laser absorption spectroscopy invisible

11-Jan-2024 - Laser-based absorption spectroscopy is an important method for determining the concentration of gas components in a sample. Modern devices are highly specialised for detecting very specific gases, such as trace gases in the atmosphere, in combustion exhaust fumes and in technical applications of ...

Towards energy-efficient brain-like computers

Researchers identify key mechanisms and novel materials for biologically inspired information processing

04-Jan-2024 - Every search engine query, every AI-generated text and developments such as autonomous driving: In the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, computers and data centres consume a lot of energy. By contrast, the human brain is far more energy-efficient. In order to develop more powerful ...

Battery researcher Valeria Nicolosi receives the Diels-Planck Medal

13-Oct-2023 - Valeria Nicolosi, Professor of Nanomaterials at Trinity College Dublin, is awarded the Diels Planck Medal of KiNSIS for her pioneering work in energy storage. This is the tenth time that the interdisciplinary network "Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science" at Kiel University has honoured ...

A taste for plastic

Discovered for the first time: New deep-sea enzyme breaks down PET plastic

27-Sep-2023 - Plastic pollution is increasingly affecting the health of coasts and oceans. One well-known problem is plastic bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. A new study involving scientists from Professor Ruth Schmitz-Streit's research group at Kiel University has shown for the first ...

Muscles for soft robots inspired by nature

Materials researchers significantly improve the performance of hydrogel actuators

08-Sep-2023 - Robots made of metal and other solid materials are already widely used in industry. But they are too rigid and cumbersome for fine-motor activities and interaction with people, such as in nursing or medicine. Intensive research is therefore already being carried out into robots made of soft ...

Microscopic Transformations of Electrocatalyst Surfaces

Researchers reveal the disordering of copper surfaces during catalysis

24-Aug-2023 - Developing technologies that can convert CO2 into synthetic fuels and base chemicals is of key importance for reaching the climate goals. The electrochemical reduction of CO2 at copper electrodes allows to do this directly with electric power from renewable sources which could be used for the ...

Artificial rocks from macroplastics threaten ocean health

German-Indonesian research team identifies new rock-like compounds from plastic waste and coral rubble for the first time

26-Jul-2023 - Plastic waste is a problem on our beaches. Hence, it is largely removed in a coordinated manner within a few weeks. However, it can litter other coasts of the world for many months to years due to unregulated waste disposal. Often the garbage on the beach is simply burned and a special form of ...

Detecting pollutants at ultra-trace levels

Material scientists develop nano-structured and reusable substrate for ultra-sensitive detection of low-concentration analytes - Spin-off planned

29-Mar-2023 - Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (or Spectroscopy), known as SERS, is an advanced analysis method that extends the range of Raman applications to trace analysis such as part per million level detection of a pollutant in water or different liquids. SERS has a high potential to be used in the ...