Research Structure

Based on our research achievements since 2011, the organisation of the research program has shifted from a competence-oriented to a target-oriented structure that allows for elucidating complex catalytic processes in a more efficient and comprehensive manner.

The former Areas A, B, and C were merged into two new areas devoted to Chemical (Area D) and Biological Catalysis (Area E). The projects in both areas are intertwined to form four Research Bands: Activation of Methane D1/E1; Activation of Corbon Oxides D2/E2, Activation of H/O Systems D3/E3, and Biocatalysis in Cellular Systems D4/E4.

These are devoted to the same or similar target processes. Common to all Research Bands is the variation in complexity of the systems and a wide range of tailored experimental and theoretical methods.

Our Vision

We unify concepts in catalysis by bridging the gaps between homogeneous, heterogeneous and biological catalysis, ranging from elementary gas-phase reactions to complex processes in highly organised biological systems, in fundamental as well as in applied catalysis research.

Our research focuses on analysing catalytic mechanisms, designing novel catalytic materials and strategies, and developing new catalytic processes on laboratory and mini-plant scales.