People & Visions
Behind every innovation is an individual with a vision. Here we talk about the innovative thinkers behind scientific solutions and show how they are using their research to shape the future.
Foresight
A material that promotes recycling
From sustainable sports shoes to the circular economy of toothbrushes: Björn Theis talks about the potential of monomaterials.
Microplastics
Raiders of the lost plastic
Patrick Stenner works on processes that fish microplastics out of waste water. Electrochemistry is the key.
In my element
The challenge of blue
Hideki Kubota loves his job as a pyrotechnician. In this article he explains why the color blue is a challenge and how the element copper plays a role in his work.
Foresight
The Development of Hygiene
From bacterial infections to COVID-19, advances in hygiene have always played a key role in the fight against disease.
Nobel Prize 2019
The invention of the lithium-ion battery
How the recipients of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry advanced the development of the lithium-ion battery.
Dishwashing detergents
The potential of biosurfactants
The Unilever expert Bert Nijhuis about rhamnolipids and environmentally friendly products.
In my Element
"Iron forms the basis of my collection"
Hermann Sicius collects chemical elements. What fascinates him about them, and which element is the most valuable one?
Foresight
Cadmium and Nickel fresh from the field
A visionary approach: Can plants absorb harmful substances and thus detoxify soil?
Polyamide 12
People and visions: 3D Printing
In focus: Innovations in additive manufacturing – and the people who are driving this mega trend.
Innovation culture
People and visions: Innovations for daily life
In focus: Inspiring people whose innovative ideas have enriched our daily lives.
In my element
“I love and hate chlorine”
The diver Tina Punzel plunges every day into a chlorinated pool. What does she associate with the element chlorine?
In my element
“I’m a 14-year-old chemistry student”
Alexander Mottl is studying chemistry at the University of Bochum—at the age of 14. His special focus is on rare metals such as gallium.
In my element
“How we discovered Darmstadtium”
The nuclear physicist Prof. Sigurd Hofmann on a new element that he was allowed to name after his home town.
In my Element
“Gold was created in outer space”
This precious metal lies deep underground, but it originated in the depths of space. How? Professor Stephan Rosswog explains.
In my element
"Arsenic solves the riddle of hidden gold"
Dr. Christof Kusebauch has discovered the role played by arsenic in the accumulation of large gold deposits.
In my element
“I would like to get people hooked on physics”
Nitrogen ist very important for Matthias Salewski – not only as a researcher, but also an entertainer on stage.
In my element
“My fate depends on hydrogen”
Kurt Frieden likes to get carried away through the air by hydrogen – the lightest element on earth.
In my element
"Our molecule will make it in the textbooks"
How chemist Moritz Malischewski discovered a whole new side to carbon.
