Which research topics are you focused on in your working group?

Our main research areas are energy storage materials, battery materials, especially lithium-ion conductors, main group and transition metal atom clusters, and low-valent silicon chemistry.

How is the schedule and content of a research internship designed at your working group?

The research internship is completed either in 4 weeks full-time, during the semester break or throughout the semester, depending on the timetable, whereby the former is preferred. After deregistering of the research internship, the student has 6 weeks to write and submit his report. The research internship proceeds as follows: First of all, there is a topic agreement with the supervisor, an initial interview with the chair holder and a safety briefing. Then there is an introduction to the working techniques and the analysis methods used (depending on the topic). During the research internship, the student should attend the group seminar regularly. In the end, there is another conversation with the chair holder.

Which methods are used for the respective topics?

There are two possibilities: Synthesis of energy materials is mainly carried out by ball mills, high temperature and solid syntheses, such as arc furnace, induction furnace and ampoule welding. For solvent chemistry, we use techniques such as Schlenk technique and work in glove boxes, synthesis of organometallic educt compounds and other classic methods of solvent chemistry under protective gas. Syntheses in liquid ammonia as a solvent are also conceivable.

Is a progress/final talk about the research internship planned?

No, we do not intend that.

With which working groups are overlapping topics possible?

Possible collaborations would be conceivable with Prof. Gasteiger (electrochemistry), Prof. Rieger (macromolecular chemistry) and Prof. Inoue (low-valent silicon chemistry).

How and in what way can one apply for a research internship at your working group?

You can either ask the supervisor directly or email me. Then you make an appointment with the supervisor for a preliminary discussion.

What kind of previous knowledge is required for a research internship at your working group?

None in itself except for a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. For solvent chemistry, you should also enjoy synthetic work.

Can a research intership be expanded to a master’s thesis?

Yes, that’s even desirable.

How much cake does your chair expect?

Either a cake at the beginning or end of the research internship, but preferably one at the beginning and one at the end.