New Paper published

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The usage of renewable aerogels, which are generated based on the tree extract tannin and a sustainable crosslinker, for wastewater treatment is investigated. Tannin aerogels have a high affinity to efficiently remove toxic heavy metal ions as well as organic dyes. Further details about the study can be found in the online version of this paper: https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9100822
ISGS PhD Thesis Award (Third place)

ISGS PhD Thesis Award (Third place)
For her PhD thesis and hence her scientific contribution in the field of sol-gel chemistry, Ann-Kathrin Koopmann was awarded with the 3rd place of the ISGS PhD thesis award. https://www.isgs.org/community/the-isgs-phd-thesis-award-prize-for-2022-goes-to/
GÖCH Habilitation Award 2023

GÖCH Habilitation Award 2023
Michael S. Elsaesser was awarded for his work in carbon spherogels at the GÖCH (Die Österreichische Chemische Gesellschaft) general meeting in Vienna with the Habilitation Prize 2023. (link GÖCH:https://www.goech.at/)
University for children 2023 – open afternoon on Wednesday, July 19, at the Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences

University for children 2023
At our interactive materials chemistry station children, aged between 8 and 12 years, gained an insight with hands-on experiments why some plants, animals or everyday objects glow in the dark. Furthermore they investigated which fruits and vegetables are suitable for generating electricity.
Group activities and dissemination efforts

Recent events
The working group is regularly undertaking team-building activities such as hiking days, cooking & baking and sports. Frequently attending scientific gatherings such as conferences and seminars is paramount to establishing and maintaining our scientific partnerships and collaborations.
PhD Defense: Miralem

Miralem Salihović
mastered his thesis defense and finished his PhD after some quite productive years! We tip our not so flashy hats to you, Miralem!
New Paper published

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We developed a powerful, fluorine free surface modification method to hydrophobize biogenic tannin foams. By increasing the contact angle to water from 70° to 145°, sustainable tannin-foams could be applied in high humidity areas, used for water-oil separation or column chromatography. Further infos can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2023.111936
New Paper published

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Here we show organic and related carbon aerogel monoliths based entirely on sustainable precursors, namely tannin and 5-HMF. More details can be found in the online version : https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-06015-4
PhD Defense: Ann-Kathrin

Ann-Kathrin Koopmann
successfully defended her Dissertation, finished her PhD and, as is tradition, had herself a fancy hat tailored. Congrats to you by the whole group Ann!
International Seminar on Aerogels

Ann-Kathrin, Florian, Michael and Richard
visited the International Seminar on Aerogels in Hamburg end of September 2022 anb presented their work in oral presentations and posters.