FTIR spectrometer (renewal)

• Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 584902877

The aim of the proposed project is the targeted upgrading of an existing infrared spectroscopy infrastructure through the integration of a modern microscopic analysis unit. This will establish a powerful and long-term available research platform for spatially resolved chemical analysis of a wide variety of samples. The measure enables reliable acquisition of chemical information not only from bulk samples but also from the smallest structures at the microscale. Microscopic infrared spectroscopy allows contact-free and label-free investigation of biological, polymeric, and sustainable materials. It provides detailed information on chemical composition, molecular bonding, and structural changes within complex samples. This is of particular importance for the life sciences, as tissue samples and cellular assemblies can be analyzed without additional staining or labeling steps. As a result, disease-related changes can be investigated objectively and reproducibly, supporting the development of novel diagnostic approaches. Another major focus of the planned application lies in materials science. The method enables spatially resolved analysis of polymers, composite materials, and bio-based materials. Chemical inhomogeneities, aging processes, additives, and local structural changes can be specifically identified. This is especially relevant for the development of sustainable materials, as molecular interactions and bonding mechanisms are critical determinants of the functionality and stability of such materials. Furthermore, microscopic infrared spectroscopy plays an important role in environmental and sustainability research. It allows the identification and characterization of minute particles in water, soil, or biological samples, thereby contributing to a better understanding of material cycles and local environmental contamination. Overall, the project represents a strategic step toward establishing a long-term, innovation-driven research infrastructure. The measure strengthens the competitiveness of the participating research units, enables the investigation of future scientific questions, and provides the methodological foundation for new interdisciplinary research approaches with high societal relevance.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: FTIR-Spektrometer (Erneuerung)
• Instrumentation Group: 1830 Fourier-Transform-IR-Spektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Hochschule Reutlingen
• Leader: Professor Dr. Marc Brecht