Chemnitz (dpa/sn) – The nanoelectronics engineer Oliver G. Schmidt has been appointed the first scientific director of the Chemnitz research center MAIN. With this institution at the interface between natural and engineering sciences, the university has entered new territory in many respects, said Schmidt (51) on Monday. The aim is to develop a new class of extremely thin materials – so-called nanomembranes. They could be used as energy storage devices, solar cells or miniature robots.
Recent examples include the development of artificial skin with 3D microelectronic sensors and batteries smaller than a grain of salt. Researchers at the center have also developed self-cleaning, antibacterial sponges for use in the food industry and medical technology, for example.
A new building costing around 34.3 million euros was erected for the Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN). It offers around 120 scientists state-of-the-art research and working conditions. The Rector of Chemnitz University of Technology, Gerd Strohmeier, said he was firmly convinced that Schmidt would provide important impetus for the center and the materials and intelligent systems area. “This not only applies to the provision of outstanding achievements in cutting-edge research worldwide, but also to the promotion of highly qualified young scientists.”
