Institute for Materials Science

Materials science is a discipline that studies materials from a natural science perspective, with a primary focus on understanding the processes within them.

At the Institute of Materials Science, this approach is pursued across a broad spectrum. Our work generally follows the classical methodology: synthesis, basic characterization, functionality, and materials mechanics. Over time, the portfolio of materials we study has expanded significantly.

Our core expertise lies in ferroelectric materials, which have gained technological importance in ultrasound applications, high-precision actuators, computer memory, and more recently in photonic processes as solar absorbers and photocatalytic materials.

In recent years, the development of solar cell materials based on halide perovskites has become a major secondary focus of our research. The goal here is to qualify new materials as solar cell absorbers.

Concrete is the most widely used construction material worldwide. However, with approximately 7% of global CO2 emissions resulting from its production, it is also a central issue in the climate crisis. At the institute, we are investigating the recycling of old concrete. The aim is to separate the binding agent, cement, from the old concrete and reactivate it thermally through an energy-saving process. The ultimate goal is to produce low-CO2 recycled cement.

Mechanical testing methods of brittle materials are a specialty of the institute. We complement classical construction material testing with advanced fracture mechanics analytics that go far beyond traditional strength tests in civil engineering. One of the most fascinating applications of these techniques to date has been the strength testing of Antarctic sea ice.