Home

The Institute of Separation Science & Technology performs cutting-edge research in the various areas of separation science.
Key research fields are adsorption and the rigorous textural characterization of nanoporous adsorbent materials. Within this framework we investigate the phase and wetting behavior of fluids in pores/adsorbent interfaces, and focus on the surface and pore structural characterization of nanoporous materials. A main goal is to build a link between adsorption properties and characteristics of adsorbents, with processes and applications in important areas, such as gas- and energy storage, separations, and heterogeneous catalysis. Another major research area is systematic process design. Here, sound experimental characterization is combined with state-of-the-art theoretical and computer-based methods to develop advanced processes and materials for challenging separations by, e.g., preparative chromatography, gas adsorption, and membrane technologies. Applications range from fine chemicals, over (bio)pharmaceuticals, to bulk products.
These fields of work are complemented by research activities in the areas of Energy Thermodynamics, and High Pressure Processes.
Prof. Matthias Thommes and Dr. Carlos Cuadrado Collados were involved in a scientific collaboration with the groups of Prof. Karl Mandel and Prof. Julien Bachmann from the Department of Chemistry. The results of this collaboration were recently published in the high impact journal Small Methods.
Prof. Thommes delivered an invited Keynote Lecture entitled “Recent advanced in the textural characterization of nanorporous materials” at the French Adsorption conference (Journées Scientifiques de l’Association Française de l'Adsorption), which was held as a virtual event on 27/28 January 2022.
Prof. Matthias Thommes and Carola Schlumberger just published a review article on the Characterization of Nanoporous Materials.
Prof. Thommes is among the top 2 percent of the most cited researchers according to the “Stanford list” based on the Scopus data base. Within this group he is one of only 8 scientists of the FAU who are listed among the worldwide top 50 scientists in their research area. More information can be fo...
Prof. Thommes delivered (via Zoom) on Dec. 1 an invited lecture within the Seminar Series American Chemical Society Catalysis (ACS CATL) Division Educational Seminar Series, USA, (via ZOOM), December 1, 2021
Prof. Thommes delivered (in-person) on Dec. 7 a seminar invited by the GDCh (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker) Kolloqium at the Technical University Darmstadt with the title “Insights into the Adsorption and Phase Behaviour of Fluids in Nanoporous Materials“.
Prof. Matthias Thommes delivered (via ZOOM) an invited lecture in the plenary session of the area “Adsorption and Ion Exchange, Separation Division" entitled: "Adsorption and phase behaviour of CO2 and CH4 in hierarchically organized nanoporous materials over a wide range of temperatures and press...