NanoMECHs project at HU Berlin receives 1.5 million euros in funding
Research group at the Department of Chemistry wants to develop molecular machines that produce new materials
Three young researchers at Humboldt-Universität (HU) have been accepted for Emmy Noether funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). Dr Michael Kathan, who conducts research in the field of synthetic chemistry at Adlershof, is one of them.
The NanoMECHs project aims to develop molecular machines as tools that can be used to realize completely new synthesis processes and materials. To achieve this goal, the research group led by Dr Michael Kathan is working on targeted mechanically manipulation of large molecules – so-called polymers – to shape them efficiently. In modern synthetic chemistry, methods for the targeted modeling of the three-dimensional shape of molecules have received limited research attention thus far and are only feasible in exceptional cases. The main challenge lies in realizing even simple mechanical motion sequences at the molecular level. This problem is now set to be overcome with specially engineered molecular machines driven by light energy.
Michael Kathan: “Our machines open up completely new ways for scientists to interact with matter in the molecular world. We are currently able to break, stretch or wind polymers using simple mechanical movements. Based on this, much more complex processes, such as braiding or weaving, are conceivable in the future. In this way, new materials with special properties, such as high flexibility and high resistance, could be produced. Similarly, it would then be possible to break down polymers into their individual components at a molecular level and thus develop an alternative to conventional recycling processes. There are almost no limits to the number of new possible applications.”
The NanoMECHs project is being funded with approximately 1.5 million euros. In addition to Michael Kathan, the research group currently consists of four more members: Robert Kluifhooft, Mira Müller, Ann-Kathrin Rückert and Tommy Wachsmuth.
Emmy Noether Programme
The Emmy Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation DFG serves to promote outstanding young researchers and gives them the opportunity to become university professors over a period of six years.
Emmy Noether Programme
Contact
Dr. Michael Kathan
Junior Group Leader
Institut für Chemie der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
+49 30 2093 82660
michael.peter.kathan(at)chemie.hu-berlin.de
kathanlab.de
Excerpt from the press release of HU Berlin from 28.02.2024