Support for BlueMat initiative
Alexander Schlaich is a new professor at the TU Hamburg
22.10.2024
Water plays a major role in Prof Alexander Schlaich's research: however, the physicist, who works directly at the interface between natural sciences and engineering, is particularly interested in the liquid medium at a molecular level. ‘One focus of my research is water-based materials, which can form the basis for green technologies. This relates to energy generation and storage, for example. However, we are also developing models for materials that can be used in (bio)sensor technology or as movement-generating actuators such as artificial muscles. This is done with the help of external triggers such as electrical energy, changes in ambient humidity, temperature or salt concentration,’ says Prof Schlaich, explaining his work. By understanding the molecular relationships in complex materials, resources can be utilised more efficiently and environmentally friendly concepts can be implemented.
Water in new dimensions
Hamburg University of Technology offers him an excellent scientific environment for his research, in particular through established and planned research alliances. The BlueMat initiative, which aims to develop sustainable and interactive material systems inspired by nature from the special properties of water and aqueous solutions, should be emphasised here. This is the reason for the university's particular interest in working with Alexander Schlaich. This is a direct appointment, as Prof Schlaich is particularly qualified: his specialist knowledge fits in perfectly with the requirements of the BlueMat initiative and will help to drive it forward in terms of quality and profile.
The BlueMat research initiative of the TU Hamburg supports the application for a cluster of excellence, which was recently successful in the first round of the evaluation process of the Exzellenzstrategie des Bundes to strengthen internationally competitive areas.
BlueMat - part of the German government's excellence strategy
Vice President for Research, Prof. Irina Smirnova, is delighted that Prof. Schlaich has accepted the appointment at TU Hamburg and will take up the W3 professorship for ‘Atomistic Modelling of Materials in Aqueous Media’. ‘Alexander Schlaich will take over the management of the newly founded institute of the same name and bring his profound expertise in multiscale material modelling to this new role. He will provide the TU Hamburg with targeted support in the BlueMat initiative, particularly in the fundamentals of modelling aqueous solutions,’ explains the process engineer. ‘Furthermore, his research fits in perfectly with our strategic initiative ‘Engineering to face Climate Change’.
Prof Patrick Huber, spokesperson for the BlueMat initiative, also welcomes the appointment and explains the research approach: ‘With its ubiquity and unique structural dynamics, water plays a central role as a “working fluid” in the properties and functionality of natural materials. Inspired by these wonders of nature, BlueMat will develop a novel class of sustainable, interactive, ‘blue’ materials that derive their functionality from multiscale structures of solid matter interacting with water. Initially, we will mimic effects such as water-based actuation, capillary transport, moisture-dependent colours or photocatalytic water splitting as observed in animals and plants. Based on this, we will surpass the material functionalities of nature, for example by controlling acoustic and electromagnetic waves, controllable heat emission or the generation and storage of electrical energy.
Explaining the world with physics
Alexander Schlaich, who has been working as a junior research group leader at the Centre for Simulation Science (SC SimTech) as part of the Cluster of Excellence ‘Data-Integrated Simulation Science’ at the University of Stuttgart since 2021, has already been involved in researching porous media: ‘We want to use the large surface area of small cavities to remove water contamination, desalinate seawater or store energy, for example.’
Even as a child, the physicist enjoyed finding out how things work and, in particular, thinking about fundamental questions, such as why things fall down while the stars remain in the sky or why the sun shines. ‘In my teenage years, I was particularly inspired by Stephen Hawking's popular science books (‘A Brief History of Time’). The idea of becoming a scientist came to him during his diploma thesis: independently developing new methods and concepts awakened in him the appeal of scientific work. ‘In particular, I have since learnt how important scientific exchange is and enjoy a constant flow of new ideas and approaches, especially in discussions with students.’
After studying physics, Schlaich completed his doctorate at the Free University of Berlin, deepened his research on porous media at the Université Grenoble Alpes, before moving to the University of Stuttgart and now to the TU Hamburg. Given his work, it is not surprising that the father of two sons would like to explore the harbour and, above all, life on the water in Hamburg.
See also: https://www.tuhh.de/bluemat/homepage
TUHH - Public Relations Office
Elke Schulze
E-Mail: elke.schulze@tuhh.de
