University of Bayreuth

The research group of Prof. Brendel focuses on the synthesis and design of functional polymers and block copolymers, as well as their assembly into hierarchical nanostructures. Our main interest lies in understanding the underlying processes and controlling structure formation by tailoring interactions between the polymers. As part of the IRTG, we will investigate structure-property relationships of organic semiconductors and conjugated polyelectrolytes by varying their chemical composition and correlating structure formation with transport properties.

The research group “Ultrafast Dynamics“ investigates light-matter interactions in solids and nanostructures. A key focus lies on applying novel schemes to excite and probe nanosystems combining visible and intense Terahertz radiation.

Research in the Herzig Group focuses on the fundamental science and applications of functional thin films. The examined materials range from organic molecules to nanostructured hybrid systems. We focus on processing-property relationships to investigate how the fundamental structure formation and self-assembly processes influence the final material performance. With our own X-ray system in the laboratory and using X-rays at synchrotrons we can resolve molecular arrangements on the nanoscale.

Research in the Köhler group explores the fundamental science and applications of materials ranging from organic molecules and solids to nanostructured and hybrid systems. Current work of Professor Köhler focuses on common processes such as energy and charge transfer, self-assembly, spin transitions, nanoscale and interfacial electronic phenomena in organic semiconductors, and the application of these processes in devices

The research of the group „Spectroscopy of soft Matter“ deals in general with the electronic structure of molecular systems. The main methods of investigation are optical spectroscopy techniques with a methodological focus on single-molecule spectroscopy. The research involves biological and organic materials that are relevant for material science such as molecular aggregates, macromolecules, proteins, or polymers.

Exploring the electronic structure and dynamics of molecular and nanoscale systems and developing first-principles methods for that purpose is the research focus of the Kümmel group. Density Functional Theory (DFT) and its time-dependent (TD) extension are at the heart of most of our work. We develop exchange-correlation approximations with a special focus on deriving non-empirical, numerically efficient functionals that incorporate physics that has traditionally been qualified as “difficult for DFT”, such as charge-transfer and band-gap problems. We also apply (TD)DFT to understand properties of materials.

The focus of the research group of Markus Lippitz is on ultrafast nanooptics, applying optical techniques of high temporal resolution (up to femtoseconds) to the spectroscopy of single nanoobjects. The group investigates coherent effects in self-assembled quantum dots, incoherent carrier dynamics in colloidal semiconducting nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles and higher-harmonic generation in plasmonic nanostructures.

The Oberhofer group mainly works on the theoretical elucidation of charge transport in various inorganic and organic materials and, based on the knowledge gained, the design of new materials. To this end, we employ first- principles and multi-scale simulation methods and, based on these, appropriately parametrised machine learning models to efficiently sample the respective design spaces.

Prof Retsch is interested in the synthesis and fabrication of nano- and mesostructured materials based on colloidal self-assembly and lithographic techniques. Such tailor-made materials exhibit distinct properties, which are often strongly governed by the interplay of the structure and the material composition. We have a strong interest in unraveling these structure-property relationships with a particular focus on their thermal transport and optical properties. Within the framework of this IRTG we are interested in how such (non)periodic structures can be used across various materials to control the absorption, scattering, and reflection properties.

A key theme running through the research activities of Thelakkat group is the design, synthesis and application of complex, multifunctional organic and hybrid material systems, especially built up of charge transport molecules, and charge generation materials. Thelakkat has been working continuously in the field of organic semiconductors and devices for the last 25 years. During this period, his group has specialized in tailor-made synthesis of functional molecules and polymers for charge transfer and energy transfer processes.