Research Highlights 2017

Beta-lactone inhibits mycomenbrane biosynthesis and potentiates antibiotics

[27.12.2017] In search of new strategies against life-threatening tuberculosis infections, a team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), as well as Harvard University and Texas A&M University in the USA have found a new ally. They discovered a substance that interferes with the mycomembrane formation of the bacterium. It is effective even in low concentrations and when combined with known antibiotics their effectiveness is improved by up to 100-fold. [more...]

Lipid nanodiscs stabilize misfolding protein intermediates red-handed

[18.12.2017] When proteins misfold, accumulate and clump in insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, they can kill these cells. Now, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the University of Michigan and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Muenchen have obtained a structural snapshot of these proteins when they are most toxic, detailing them down to an atomic level. The researchers hope this kind of detail can help in the search for drugs to target the incorrectly folding proteins. [more...]

Novel process for producing high-voltage cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

[06.12.2017] Power on the go is in demand: The higher the battery capacity, the larger the range of electric cars and the longer the operating time of cell phones and laptops. Dr. Jennifer Ludwig of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed a process that allows a fast, simple, and cost-effective production of the promising cathode material lithium cobalt phosphate in high quality. The chemist was awarded the Evonik Research Prize for her work. [more...]

Clariant und TUM vergeben erstmals Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award

[05.12.2017] Der 2017 erstmals verliehene „Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award“ für Katalyse-Forschung geht an Prof. Matthias Beller, Direktor des Leibniz-Instituts für Katalyse in Rostock. Die Auszeichnung vergeben die Technische Universität München (TUM) und das Chemieunternehmen Clariant in Erinnerung an den 2016 verstorbenen Dr. Karl Wamsler, TUM-Ehrensenator, bedeutender Gestalter der deutschen Nachkriegschemie und großzügiger Förderer von Wissenschaft und Kunst. [mehr...]

Novel process for producing high-voltage cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

[18.10.2017] Power on the go is in demand: The higher the battery capacity, the larger the range of electric cars and the longer the operating time of cell phones and laptops. Dr. Jennifer Ludwig of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed a process that allows a fast, simple, and cost-effective production of the promising cathode material lithium cobalt phosphate in high quality. The chemist was awarded the Evonik Research Prize for her work. [more...]

2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of cryo-electron microscopy

[04.10.2017] Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson today were awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry 2017 for their groundbreaking work on the development of cryo-electron microscopy. Joachim Frank promoted in the group of Prof. Walter Hoppe, a pioneer of electron microscopy, at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Today he is researching at Columbia University in New York. [more...]

Faster, more precise, and more stable: Study optimizes graphene growth

[25.08.2017] Each atomic layer thin, tear-resistant, and stable. Graphene is seen as the material of the future. It is ideal for e.g. producing ultra-light electronics or highly stable mechanical components. But the wafer-thin carbon layers are difficult to produce. At the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Jürgen Kraus has manufactured self-supporting graphene membranes, and at the same time systematically investigated and optimized the growth of the graphene crystals. He was awarded the Evonik Research Prize for his work. [more...]

Self-disposing supramolecular materials with a tunable lifetime

[19.07.2017] Materials that assemble themselves and then simply disappear at the end of their lifetime are quite common in nature. Researchers at the Technical University Munich (TUM) have now successfully developed supramolecular materials that disintegrate at a predetermined time – a feature that could be used in numerous applications. [more...]

TU Munich distinction for pioneering research on synthesis of natural products

[11.07.2017] The Department of Chemistry at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Jürgen Manchot Foundation have granted the chemist Prof. Phil S. Baran the 2017 Wilhelm Manchot Research Professorship. With this distinction, the TUM honors his pioneering work on organic reactions creating new and efficient routes to natural products for the development of new medicaments. [more...]

Zeolite catalysts pave the road to decentral chemical processes

[28.06.2017] Fuel from waste? It is possible. But hitherto, converting organic waste to fuel has not been economically viable. Excessively high temperatures and too much energy are required. Using a novel catalyst concept, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now managed to significantly reduce the temperature and energy requirements of a key step in the chemical process. The trick: The reaction takes place in very confined spaces inside zeolite crystals.[more...]

Strategy& Presidential Award for lithium-ion battery test cell with separate electrodes

[26.05.2017] For a long time it was nearly impossible to examine the reactions at the anode and the cathode of lithium-ion batteries separately. As part of his doctoral thesis, Michael Metzger, scientist at the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), developed an innovative battery test cell, which can do just that. For his innovative work, he was awarded the Strategy & Presidential Award 2017. [more...]

Structural Biology develops active agent that blocks trypanosomes

[31.03.2017] A newly developed small molecule selectively kills the pathogen causing sleeping sickness and Chagas disease. Scientists from the Technical University of Munich, the Helmholtz Zentrum München and from the Ruhr University Bochum first determined the parasite's Achilles heel by using modern structural biology techniques and then developed an inhibitor with a perfect fit. [more...]

Biotechnologically produced building blocks for chemistry and biodegradable synthetics

[23.03.2017] In July 2015, the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection set up the project group “Resource-friendly Biotechnology in Bavaria – BayBiotech.” The aim is to contribute to resource-friendliness through application specific research projects in the field of biotechnology and to support the transition to a sustainable bio-economy. Today scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Bayreuth presented the results of their research in Erlangen. [more...]

TUM and Clariant create the Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award for catalysis research

[10.03.2017] Specialty chemicals company Clariant and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) yesterday signed an agreement covering the joint presentation of a new award: The "Dr. Karl Wamsler Innovation Award" will promote excellent performance in the field of ca-talysis, including bio-catalysis and White Biotechnology. Clariant has agreed to support the award with an annual amount of 100,000 Euros over the next ten years. [more...]

Polymer-coated silicon nanosheets as alternative to graphene

[08.03.2017] Silicon nanosheets are thin, two-dimensional layers with exceptional optoelectronic properties very similar to those of graphene. Albeit, the nanosheets are less stable. Now researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have, for the first time ever, produced a composite material combining silicon nanosheets and a polymer that is both UV-resistant and easy to process. This brings the scientists a significant step closer to industrial applications like flexible displays and photosensors. [more...]

Positrons as a new tool for lithium ion battery research

[22.02.2017] Rechargeable lithium batteries with cathodes comprising nickel, manganese, and cobalt, are viewed as the most potent today. But they, too, have a limited lifespan. Already in the first cycle they lose up to ten percent of their capacity. Why this happens and what can be done to alleviate the ensuing gradual loss of capacity has now been investigated in detail by a team of scientists using positrons at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). [more...]

Nobel laureate and TUM Emeritus of Excellence is celebrating its 80th birthday

[13.01.2017] For the elucidation of the structure of the protein responsible for the photosynthesis of a bacterium, TUM alumnus Rubert Huber, together with Johann Deisenhofer and Hartmut Michel, received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1988. As an Emeritus of Excellence, Huber is still closely linked to the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Today he celebrates his 80th birthday. [more...]

TU Munich distinction for pioneering research on electrocatalytic processes

[13.01.2017] The Department of Chemistry at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Jürgen Manchot Foundation have granted the chemist Dr. Nenad M. Marković the 2016 Wilhelm Manchot Research Professorship. With this distinction, the TUM honors his pioneering work on electrocatalytic surface processes relevant to electrolysis, fuel cells and batteries. [more...]