Competence Center Nanochemistry

Competence Center Nanochemistry

Research into nanostructured materials for nanoelectronics, sensor technology and catalysts for the energy transition.
Imparting knowledge in the field of nanostructured materials
Service and knowledge transfer for industry

Head: Prof. Dr. Corinna Kaulen

Research

Current research projects

Magnetic nanoparticles in water

FEMIC

(Dual-modality field-effect/magnetic immunosensor chipfor label-free biomarker detection)

FEMIC is developing a reusable immunosensor chip that combines two measurement methods for the detection of different biomarkers.

Magnetic nanoparticles coated with antibodies are used to detect the binding of the antigen by electrochemical measurement using a field-effect transistor and by frequency-modulated magnetic measurement.

Our contribution to this project is the synthesis of monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles, coating them with a biocompatible ligand and binding specific antibodies to the surface. Various wet-chemical synthesis methods and a variety of characterization methods are used.

Funding: DFG

Cooperation partners: Research Center Jülich; Aachen University of Applied Sciences;

Project management OTH: Prof. Dr. Kaulen

ReduCO2

(Returning the greenhouse gas CO2 to the energy cycle by reducing itinto liquid ethanol)

ReduCO2 aims to convert the greenhouse gas CO2 into higher-value hydrocarbon compounds such as ethanol through electrocatalysis. In this context, suitable catalysts are being developed, which will then be tested for efficiency, product selectivity and long-term stability. In addition, new microfluidic approaches are being investigated to improve the mass transport of CO2 in the electrolyte.

Funding: BMBF (FH-Kooperativ)

Cooperation partners: TH Deggendorf, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel; centrotherm International AG, Esy-Labs GmbH, Infineon Technologies.

Project management OTH: Prof. Dr. Kaulen, Prof. Dr. Kammler. Other participants: Prof. em. Dr. Lechner, Prof. Dr. Sterner

Service and knowledge transfer for the industry

contrAA 600 atomic absorption spectrometer with high-resolution continuum source technology (HR-CS-AAS) from Analytik Jena. (Photo: Florian Hammerich / OTH Regensburg)

Our chemical laboratories and clean room are equipped with a wide range of analytical instruments. We offer regional companies customized service measurements that are not covered by commercial analysis laboratories. It is possible to produce prototypes of microchips and other components in small quantities in the clean room.

Imparting knowledge

Nanomaterials have unique size-specific properties that offer advantages for many applications. In sensor technology, nanomaterials are used as sensor material to generate a suitable output signal, in nanoelectronics as building blocks for the bottom-up construction of nanostructures and in the field of CO2 upcycling as catalyst material. The Competence Center Nanochemistry conducts summer schools giving students in technical science subjects the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the production and application of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials can also be made practically understandable using school materials. We transport this knowledge to schools via teacher training courses.