Materials Sciences (Materials and Technology)

 

Catalysts like Nickel oxides accelerate hydrogen-based steel production and make it more energy efficient

Lithium dendrites propagate through a solid electrolyte like water cracks a rock - it could be prevented with a different design

The Max Planck startup epiray vaporizes substances using high-power lasers to create new materials in ultra-thin layers. This innovation forms the basis for further advancements in thin-film technology in fields such as quantum computing and semiconductor manufacturing

Nudibranchs create their colourful patterns using structural colours, which they arrange in microscopic dots similar to Impressionist paintings

In 2025, four new female directors were appointed to Max Planck Institutes

Scientists discover the secret behind the elephant’s sense of touch

If manganese nodules can be mined in an environmentally friendly way, the critical metals needed for the energy transition could be produced with low CO2 emissions

Start-up “Minerva Carbon” receives €1.8 million in funding through EXIST Transfer of Research I programme.

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Catalysts like Nickel oxides accelerate hydrogen-based steel production and make it more energy efficient

Lithium dendrites propagate through a solid electrolyte like water cracks a rock - it could be prevented with a different design

The Max Planck startup epiray vaporizes substances using high-power lasers to create new materials in ultra-thin layers. This innovation forms the basis for further advancements in thin-film technology in fields such as quantum computing and semiconductor manufacturing

Nudibranchs create their colourful patterns using structural colours, which they arrange in microscopic dots similar to Impressionist paintings

Scientists discover the secret behind the elephant’s sense of touch

If manganese nodules can be mined in an environmentally friendly way, the critical metals needed for the energy transition could be produced with low CO2 emissions

Start-up “Minerva Carbon” receives €1.8 million in funding through EXIST Transfer of Research I programme.

International researcher team develops scalable aluminium alloys for the hydrogen economy

A single-step method enables the energy saving extraction of Nickel with reduced CO2 emissions for batteries and stainless steel

Battery electrodes thicken as a result of the accelerated transport of lithium ions via metal fleeces, making them particularly efficient and cost-effective

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In 2025, four new female directors were appointed to Max Planck Institutes

The year 2024 saw Max Planck scientists publishing exceptional research across disciplines. We have selected twelve highlights to share

Research highlights 2023

December 19, 2023

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2023 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year

Scientific highlights 2020

December 21, 2020

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2020 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 13 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year

Dierk Raabe, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research in Düsseldorf, explains the opportunities that industrial companies already have today to achieve the goal of a sustainable metal industry.

When liquids are moved on a surface, similar frictional forces arise as those acting on solid bodies

Under the influence of shear forces, nanoparticles from the secretion of velvet worms form polymer fibres that can be recycled in water

The adhesion of Chlamydomonas, a unicellular alga, to surfaces is light-dependent

Although the dentition of the wedgefish appear designed to crush shellfish, it also eats stingrays

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