GRK 3014:  PhInt - Photo-Polarizable Interfaces and Membranes

• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry ; Chemical Solid State and Surface Research ; Theoretical Chemistry
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 521747072

Life as we know it is - to a large extent - based on photosynthesis, i.e., a light-driven process, in which the absorbed light is used to separate charges across a membrane. The resulting spatially separated redox-equivalents are used to drive the synthesis of high-energy molecules. In modern technology, light-based processes are key to modulate the function of cells, for advanced material fabrication, e.g., lithography, or data handling by fast switching of states of matter or utilizing light itself as the carrier of information. Finally, light is an indispensable tool for observation, e.g., in super-resolution microscopy for characterizing living species as well as matter. This illustrates that light drives and probes fundamental processes underlying macroscopic biological but also chemical or physical properties and functions. Moreover, light can be used to precisely control systems and processes spatially and temporally. The RTG Photo-Polarizable Interfaces and Membranes (PHINT) investigates and implements concepts to use light to drive (transient) structural changes at interfaces and membranes. In doing so, PHINT researches the relationship between the structure of membranes and interfaces, their light-driven reactivity and how local molecular light-driven chemical events are translated into macroscopic property changes. Research and training within PHINT will start from the notion that the interaction of light with membranes and interfaces is ubiquitous, not limited to individual systems and material classes and, thus, truly interdisciplinary. Each community dealing with light-responsive molecules and materials, e.g., photobiology and biophysics, light-driven homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, non-linear optics, uses different language and concepts to discuss experimental observables and targeted applications. This interdisciplinarity as well as the range of potential applications constitutes the demand to develop a research-oriented training program in the field. Thus, PHINT educates the doctoral researchers in material concepts for light-controlled interfaces, potential applications of such materials, characterization and simulation methods to understand the molecular mechanisms of the underlying switching processes. A central goal of the training program is to take down boundaries between the realms of specific sub-disciplines, develop a mutual scientific language and enable the doctoral researchers to draw scientific inspiration from neighboring disciplines.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Participating Institution: Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Optik und Feinmechanik (IOF); Leibniz-Institut für Photonische Technologien e.V. (IPHT); Stiftung Deutsches Optisches Museum; Universitätsklinikum Jena
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Benjamin Dietzek-Ivansic
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Holger Cartarius; Dr. Eva von Domaros; Professor Dr. Christian Eggeling; Professorin Dr. Stefanie Gräfe; Dr. Alexander Knebel; Privatdozent Dr. Martin Presselt; Professorin Dr. Indra Schröder; Professor Dr. Marek Sierka; Professorin Dr. Isabelle Staude; Professor Dr. Andrey Turchanin; Professor Dr.-Ing. Lothar Wondraczek