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Prof. Lunkenbein receives his appointment certificate from University President Prof. Leible

Since 1 June, Prof. Dr Thomas Lunkenbein has held the new professorship for Operando Analysis of Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems at the Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology (BayBatt) at the University of Bayreuth. He studied, completed his doctorate and habilitation at the University of Bayreuth.

With Prof. Dr. Thomas Lunkenbein, a familiar face has returned to the University of Bayreuth. The new professor for Operando Analysis of Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems studied and earned his doctorate at the Chair of Inorganic Chemistry I under Prof. Dr. Josef Breu. During his doctoral studies, he first became involved with electron microscopy. “I was so fascinated by the method that I knew I wanted to continue working in this field during my postdoc,” says Lunkenbein.

After completing his PhD, he joined the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Berlin, where he devoted his research to electron microscopy and later to Operando analysis: using an electron microscope, he examined how structures change during catalysis – the acceleration or enabling of a chemical reaction – and what effects these processes have on the structure of inorganic solids. These findings are important for the targeted development of suitable materials for catalysis in the chemical industry, for example for absorbent materials in nappies, pharmaceuticals, or energy storage systems.

“What’s so fascinating about Operando electron microscopy is that it allows you to observe local structures and how they change under real reaction conditions. Conventional electron microscopy usually takes place under idealised high vacuum conditions – far removed from realistic pressures,” explains Lunkenbein.

At BayBatt, his research focus is now shifting from catalysis to active materials in batteries. “I believe that electron microscopy can add a missing piece to the puzzle of material characterisation at the University of Bayreuth, allowing for deeper interpretation of materials science questions,” Lunkenbein predicts. His goal is to gain new insights into the relationship between structure and function in active materials, in order to develop new, safe and long-lasting battery materials with a “Bayreuth signature”. In doing so, he also aims to boost the visibility of BayBatt and the University of Bayreuth, including on an international level. “In short, I want to help establish the University of Bayreuth as a flagship institution for Operando analysis.”

Bayreuth offers ideal conditions for achieving this goal: the university’s focus on materials science fits perfectly with his research profile, providing numerous points of connection. He is also drawn to the young team at BayBatt and the strong sense of collaboration across campus. “It feels like something big could emerge here in the coming years,” says Lunkenbein, a native of Upper Franconia, who has “always wanted to teach and conduct research at Germany’s most beautiful campus university.”

The professorship for Operando Analysis of Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems is part of Bavaria’s Hightech Agenda.

The introduction video of Prof. Dr. Thomas Lunkenbein can be viewed here (in German).