New door opened to understanding the catalysis of ammonia production

Research team investigates the reaction mechanism for catalytic ammonia production at PETRA III

26-Jan-2024 - A research team from Stockholm University, in collaboration with DESY and the Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria, has succeeded for the first time in investigating the surface of iron and ruthenium catalysts in the formation of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen; the results have been published ...

Making the invisible visible

New method for studying atomic structures in material surfaces

21-May-2021 - Researchers from Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the University of California Berkeley and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris use intense laser light in the extreme ultraviolet spectrum to generate a non-linear optical process on a laboratory scale – a process which until now has only been ...

The origins of roughness

Origins of surface texture investigated

19-Feb-2020 - Most natural and artificial surfaces are rough: metals and even glasses that appear smooth to the naked eye can look like jagged mountain ranges under the microscope. There is currently no uniform theory about the origin of this roughness despite it being observed on all scales, from the atomic ...

The limits of friction

03-Apr-2018 - Friction is created when two surfaces slide one on top of the other. Since this consumes additional energy, this so-called sliding friction is considered an irksome yet inevitable aspect of dynamic processes. However, to set a stationary object in motion, its static friction must be overcome ...

Chemical hotspots

Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements identify active sites on catalysts

11-Sep-2017 - Chemistry live: Using a scanning tunneling microscope, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) were able for the very first time to witness in detail the activity of catalysts during an electro-chemical reaction. The measurements show how the surface structure of the catalysts ...

Gold: Rewriting text book knowledge

14-Jan-2016 - Gold as an element is known and highly valued for more than 2500 years, and its popularity is based on its beautiful color and chemical inertness. It is well established that the golden color is, physically spoken, of relativistic origin. The surface of gold is unique, as it hosts states that ...

WITec takes over majority of optical measurement solutions provider omt gmbh

Industrial applications and inline process control in focus

30-Jul-2010 - WITec GmbH announces the acquisition of the majority of the optical measurement solution provider omt optische messtechnik gmbh. With the addition of omt, WITec has taken an important step to further enhance its market position in the field of measurement technology for industrial applications. ...

New WITec Headquarters Building

25-Jun-2009 - After a construction period of 13 months WITec GmbH has moved to its new headquarters building in Ulm. To meet the increasing demand for high resolution microscopy solutions, the new building was a necessity in order to secure future growth potential, according to the company. The driving force ...