Working Group Rathgeber - Material Physics

The Materials Physics Group is involved with developing and researching functional polymer materials. We attempt to answer questions about basic research as well as applied research and development, with a focus on functional, thermoplastic materials and the conventional process methods extrusion, injection molding and additive manufacturing. Our infrastructure allows for an integrative approach which encompasses polymer modification, compound design and material processing to the components as well as the physical characterization of the original material and the components.

Functional materials, in contrast to structural materials, do not have load-bearing properties, but can be used for other functions. Some examples are electrical conductivity in protection against explosions, thermal conductivity of electronic casings, insulation properties of packaging and antimicrobial effects for medical applications. Current approaches to finding appropriate materials are mainly based on conventional polymers that are functionalized to meet specific needs or have additives.

Most of the production processes are extremely rapid, meaning that non-equilibrium properties are usually frozen in, possibly leading to material fatigue, or to an undesirable change in properties over time.

Our research is geared to create new materials with defined functions and find a predictable correlation between their properties, their processing and long-term behavior of finished components.

Running projects:

Strömungsverhalten komplexer Flüssigkeiten

• Prof. Dr. Silke Rathgeber

Projekt B3: Von der makroskopischen bis zur molekularen Ebene: Innovative in-situ Methoden zur Untersuchung indirekter anthropogener Effekte in aquatischen Biofilmen

Der Einfluss indirekter anthropogener Effekte, insbesondere des Klimawandels sowie xenobiotischer Effekte durch Einbringung von Mikroplastik, auf Filmbildungsprozesse, Morphologie und Stabilität von aquatischen Biofilmen soll mittels innovativer in-situ Methoden untersucht werden. Beispielsweise führt Temperaturerhöhung zur Änderung der Biodiversität und Mikroplastik wirkt als Vektor für Schadstoffe und (ökosystemfremde) Mikroorganismen. Ziel der Untersuchungen ist die Unterscheidung von primären und sekundären Effekten sowie die Identifikation von Ursachen. Hierzu sollen dynamisch-mechanische Methoden, die integrale Informationen über die Stabilität und Haftung von Biofilmen liefern und Rasterkraftmikroskopie, welche Einblicke in die Haftung und Morphologie mit einer Ortsauflösung im sub-Mikrometer Bereich ermöglicht, durchgeführt werden. Mittels eines Fluoreszenzkorrelationsspektroskopie-Eigenbaus können durch selektive Markierung der Biofilmbestandteile Veränderungen der Wechselwirkungen der einzelnen Biosystemkomponenten mit Oberflächen und untereinander auf molekularer Ebene identifiziert werden.

• Prof. Dr. Silke Rathgeber
• Prof. (UM6P) Dr. Christian Fischer

We are permanently looking for motivated students with background in polymer science and/or experience in relevant experimental methods. Applications should be sent to Prof. Dr. Silke Rathgeber.

Open positions

Currently, we have two openings for PhD positions:

1. Experimental investigations of flow instabilities in complex fluids (particle imaging velocimetry and video particle tracking). The position is funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG). The project is collaboration with the Technical University of Munich. (job advertisement)

2. Development of new materials for thermoplast tape laying. The position is funded be the European Union and the State Rhineland Palatinate. The project is collaboration with A+Composites GmbH and Capricorn Composites GmbH. (job advertisement)

Thesis projects

We usually have several thesis projects available:

Potential topics include biofilm formation on polymer surfaces, polymer materials for medical applications, flow behavior of complex fluids, structure-property-relation of impact modified polymer materials and instrumental developments in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, particle imaging velocimetry and video particle tracking. 

Through a good network with local companies there is also an option for cooperative thesis projects with industry. If you wish to start a thesis project in the Material Physics Group, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Lectures:

• Experimentalphysik 1: Mechanik, Thermodynamik (Vorlesung 3511013)
• Charakterisierung von Materialstruktur und -eigenschaften / Characterization of material structures and properties (Vorlesung 3524016)

Exercises:

• Experimentalphysik 1: Mechanik, Thermodynamik (Übung 3511014)

F-Praktikum

Seminars:

• Applications of Functional Materials (Seminar 3524017)

For more information on the courses, please refer to KLIPS.