News

Prof. Vargas-Barbosa introduces the students to the fundamentals of battery chemistry.

During the fall school holidays, high school students in grades 10 through 13 had the opportunity to get a taste of studying chemistry at the University of Bayreuth. As part of the three-day program, they were able to conduct experiments in the lab, attend lectures, learn about the diverse fields of study, and try out a chemistry program for themselves.

The introductory program was organized by Prof. Dr. Johannes Brendel (Macromolecular Chemistry I) and Prof. Dr. Anna Schenk (Physical Chemistry IV) and was offered this year during both the Pentecost and fall school holidays. Various chemistry chairs were involved, including the BayBatt chair of Electrochemistry.

A student performs the electroplating experiment.

Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Nella Vargas-Barbosa, 11 high school students from all over Upper Franconia received an introduction to the chemical fundamentals of batteries and were able to test their newly acquired knowledge in a quiz. Afterward, they conducted experiments at three stations in the lab: They examined the structure of a lithium-ion button cell, produced brass by electroplating zinc onto copper coins and subjecting them to heat treatment, and performed impedance measurements.

We hope this gave the students an exciting first glimpse into research at BayBatt and further sparked their enthusiasm for the field of chemistry. Our special thanks go to the organizers of the introductory program!