Mandel group

Research Area

We assemble complex particles, so-called supraparticles, from nano building blocks, typically by means of ­spray‑drying; other methods are employed as well. The (mostly inorganic) nanoparticle building blocks are either tailored by means of wet chemical syntheses approaches by ourselves or are obtained from collaboration partners.

We are interested in novel, functional properties of such supraparticles to emerge from the cooperative interplay of the combined nano building blocks. We study how the supraparticle`s structure and complex composition determines the unique functionalities. With these supraparticles, we aim at creating smart materials in the field of sustainability; examples of applications include water purification, communicating materials and interactive surfaces.

Transfer to application is achieved together with the Fraunhofer part of our group at Fraunhofer ISC in Würzburg.