GRK 2721:  Hydrogen Isotopes 1,2,3H

• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry
• Term: since 2021
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 443871192

Imagine, we could rely solely on renewable and sustainable energy sources, we could revolutionise drug design strategies and we could transform radioactive waste into valuable materials. Achieving these milestones is within reach if we harness the unique properties of hydrogen in its various forms and exploit them in ways that are yet largely unexplored. To address these challenges, we propose training the next generation of leading scientists through the Research Training Group Hydrogen Isotopes 1,2,3H in order to meet the demand for isotopically labelled pharmaceuticals, develop automated monitoring of tritiated compounds, and potentially even overcome the fuel challenge of nuclear fusion reactors. 1,2,3H combines expertise on gas-phase clusters, soft-landed molecular ions, electro- and photochemically functionalised molecules and inorganic framework materials with theory-based methods to computationally predict and analyse their properties. These approaches are complemented by advanced knowledge in lab-on-a-chip technology, reactive transport in porous materials and tritium handling. 1,2,3H is integrated into the Graduate Academy Leipzig, the central institution for the promotion of young scientists at Leipzig University. The qualification programme consists of study courses, fora and activities. We offer focussed lectures on the multi-faceted properties of hydrogen isotopes, specialised training in radiochemistry, radioanalytical methods and radiation protection, as well as key skill courses in Good Research Practice and Research Data Management. We actively invite international role models from our community for long-term visits and provide start-up funding for promising early-stage postdoctoral researchers.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Universität Leipzig
• Participating Institution: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR); Technische Universität Dresden; Universität des Saarlandes
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Knut R. Asmis
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Bernd Abel; Professor Dr. Detlev Belder; Professor Dr. Cornelius Fischer; Professorin Dr. Tanja Gulder; Professor Dr. Thomas Heine; Professor Dr. Harald Krautscheid; Privatdozentin Dr. Agnieszka Kuc; Professor Dr. Andreas Pöppl; Professor Dr. Ralf Tonner-Zech; Professor Dr. Jonas Warneke; Professorin Dr. Julia Westermayr; Professorin Dr. Kirsten Zeitler