Chair “Chemistry of Thin Film Materials”
Members of the chair ‘Chemistry of Thin Film Materials’ develop preparative methods towards nanostructured inorganic materials and interfaces at which various types of energy conversion phenomena can be studied. We create inorganic nanoparticles and nanostructures with accurately tunable geometry, and we study their physical and chemical properties systematically as they vary with the geometric parameters. We are particularly interested in the transport and exchange of electrons and ions at interfaces in solar cells, batteries, and other electrodes. We are part of FAU’s ‘Interdisciplinary Center for Nanostructured Films’ (IZNF).
Research activities are carried out in two groups led by Prof. Julien Bachmann and Dr. Ryan Crisp.
Prof. Julien Bachmann (Ph. D.)
Chair of Chemistry of Thin Film Materials
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Section
Materials Chemistry
Research areas
Molecular materials: Energy
Nanostructured interfaces for charge transfer
Extremely thin absorber solar cells
Electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis
Solar batteries
Thin functional coatings: semiconductors, catalysts
Molecular materials: Information
Atomic layer processing: designer reagents for precision solid deposition
Molecular materials: Sustainability
Atomic layer processing: precision solid deposition in mild conditions
Atomic-layer additive manufacturing
Member of:
Dr. Ryan Crisp
Chair of Chemistry of Thin Film Materials
Address
Contact
Section
Materials Chemistry
Research areas
Molecular materials: Energy
Nanomaterials for solar-to-X
Molecular materials: Sustainability
New optoelectronics development with non-critical materials
Photochemical degradation mechanisms of PFAS
Our commitment
Members of the CTFM chair are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment in our laboratory, where all have the opportunity to reach their highest potential as scientists and people. We believe that a diversity of skills, perspectives, and experiences is critical to the success of our research and constitutes our greatest strength as a group. We welcome and value researchers of any ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, socioeconomic status, age and more. Our goal is to create and maintain a culture such that each member of the group feels they belong and each can flourish. This culture is achieved through tailored mentorship, interdisciplinary learning, and a collaborative atmosphere. We are committed to promoting these values of inclusivity and equity within the scientific community and beyond.
Selected sources of funding and collaborative projects
Coordinated Research Center CRC 1719
‘Next-generation printed semiconductors: Atomic-level engineering via molecular surface chemistry’ (ChemPrint) – Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2025-2029)
EU Horizon 2020 projects
‘Fast Track to Innovation’ consortium ‘Atoplot — the atomic layer 3D plotter‘
(coordinated by FAU CTFM, 2020-2022: with Atlant, SAS IEE, Femtika, Sempa)
‘Factories of the Future’ consortium ‘MESOMORPH – All-in-one machine for hybrid technologies enabling high value added multi-scale integrated micro-optoelectronics’ (coordinated by Prima Industrie, 2020-2023)
ERC Proof of Concept Grant
‘ALAMS— Atomic-layer additive manufacturing for solar cells’ (2022-2023)
ERC Consolidator Grant
‘Solacylin — A preparative approach to geometric effects in innovative solar
cell types based on a nanocylindrical structure’ (2015-2021)
DFG projects
- ‘Solar Reduction of CO2 at Nano-Architectured Photoelectrodes Featuring Advanced Photon Management’ (Ryan Crisp with Katarzyna Siuzdak at IMP PAN)
- Coordinated Research Center ‘CLINT’ — ‘Catalysis at liquid interfaces’
- ‘Catalytic and electrochemical release of solar energy stored in strained organic compounds’ (2018-2022)
- ‘Chemistry for 3D spintronics’ (DFG-ANR, 2018-2022: with Spintec and TU Darmstadt)
- ‘Investigation of factors that affect the stability of composite electrode
materials’ (DFG-RFBR, 2020-2023: with Saint Petersburg State University until 2/2022)
EAM Starting Grant (2013-2014)
BMBF/BMWi projects
- ‘KernKat‘
(coordinated by HI-ERN, 2025-2027) - ‘Tubulyze‘
(coordinated by FAU CTFM, 2019-2022:
with FAU WTM, DFI, HAW Hamburg, Uniwell, HI-ERN)
- ‘ECO2nvert — Electroenzymatic CO2 reduction using recombinant CODHs from
seafloor habitats recovered via an activity-based screen’
(coordinated by Geomar, 2020-2023)
- ‘TubulAir’
(coordinated by HAW Hamburg, 2012-2017)