Th 2025 Nobel Prize for chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi for the development of a new type of molecular architecture. The constructions they created – metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) – contain large cavities in which molecules can flow in and out. MOFs can be used for gas separation and hydrogen storage – only two applications among many for which the Hartmann Research Group at our Department has been preparing and characterizing these frameworks for the past 20 years.
In future, it could become easier to manufacture methanol from biomass decentrally on site. At Institute of Chemical Reaction Engineering, researchers are proposing a method with which raw and waste materials from plants can be processed in a self-contained procedure under mild reaction conditions. This method means that the complex drying and transportation of biomass to large biomass gasification plants becomes superfluous. The results were published in the journal “Green Chemistry”.
According to the Stanford List 2025, 236 scientists at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) are among the top two percent of the most cited researchers worldwide. Eight FAU researchers are ranked among the top 50 in their field. Professor Thommes, Chair of Separation Science & Technology, is once more in the prestigious list.
Decentralized power generation is accelerating our journey into the energy transition - but our power grids are reaching their limits: Overloads and threshold violations are increasing. In this context, Erlangen Siemens engineer Eva Buchta invented an early warning system for power grid load monitoring. Siemens honored the young scientist as "Inventor of the year 2024".
The German Society for Acoustics (DEGA) elected Prof. Dr. Stefan Becker as President in April 2025. His three-year term began on July 1, 2025. Prof. Dr. Stefan Becker was also elected as a board member of the International Commission for Acoustics (ICA). Congratulations!
Dr. habil. Sudeshna Roy has successfully completed her habilitation in the field of Granular Materials. The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Kai Willner, congratulated on receiving the teaching qualification when he handed over the habilitation certificate.
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) has retained its position as one of the most innovative universities not only in Germany, but worldwide. Furthermore, FAU has also been ranked as one of the world leaders in the area of affordable and clean energy.
Prof. Matthias Thommes was awarded an honorary professorship at the University of Edinburgh (until end of 2028). This will further strengthen the ongoing collaboration of Prof. Thommes' group and the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh
“For outstanding contributions to the development of laser-based measurement techniques for combustion science, particularly regarding soot formation and nanoparticle synthesis” Stefan Will was named a Fellow of the Combustion Institute in April 2025.
The new building for Technical Chemistry offers pioneering infrastructure for the Institute of Chemical Reaction Engineering (CRT), the Institute of Separation Science and Technology (TVT) and the Erlangen Catalysis Resource Center (ECRC). The new building covering approximately 5,500 square meters is to become home to new research and teaching areas meeting the specific requirements of the three institutes.
