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The Institute of Separation Science & Technology performs cutting-edge research in the various areas of separation science.
Key research fields are adsorption and the advanced surface and textural characterisation 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 characterisation of nanoporous materials. Another focus is fundamental research in the area of gas storage (e.g., hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane). 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. Thommes gave an invited lecture on recent advances in the physical adsorption characterization of nanoporous materials with a focus on assessing their hydrophilicty/hydrophobicity at the 1st International Symposium on Smart Materials for Energy effiecient Built Environmental Control.
Prof. Matthias Thommes was awarded an honorary professorship at the University of Edinburgh (until end of 2028). This will further strengthen the ongoing collaboration of Prof. Thommes' group and the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. This is also reflected in the joint organisati...
The Institute of Separation Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Wacker Chemie AG, organized an educational excursion to the chemical site in Burghausen on April 25, 2025.
From May 18-23, 2025 the 15th Fundamentals of Adsorption (FOA 15) conference took place in Porto, Portugal. The Adsorption and Nanoporous Materials Characterization group had a major presence and significant contributions at this meeting.
From February 26th through 28th, 2025, the 36th German Zeolite Conference (DZT) and the Annual Meeting of the DECHEMA group Adsorption took place at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Organized by DECHEMA e.V., the conference was hosted by the Institute of Separation Science and ...
Prof. Matthias Thommes (Institute of Separation Science and Technology (TVT), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg) and Prof. Stefano Brandani (University of Edinburgh) are pleased to invite you to the Erlangen-Edinburgh School of Adsorption 2025, which will take place from September 2 – 5, 2025 in Erlangen (Germany) - Registration is now open!
The 36th German Zeolite Conference (DZT) and the Annual Meeting of the DECHEMA group Adsorption will take place February 26th through 28th, 2025 at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Organized by DECHEMA e.V., the conference is hosted by the Institute of Separation Science and Te...
