The Physical Chemistry working group headed by Prof Dr Gunther Wittstock has received special funding from the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (FCI). The funds totalling 28,000 euros are to be used to improve the equipment for the training of chemists in the field of electrochemistry.
With this special measure, the fund aims to help ensure that the training of chemists at universities keeps pace with modern developments in electrochemistry. This interdisciplinary field has many applications in science, technology and industry.
"The chemical industry is one of the most innovative sectors in Germany. In order to maintain this lead in international competition, we are using the funds to specifically support university education," said Dr Ina Küper from the German Chemical Industry Association North (VCI Nord) at the presentation of the cheque at the university.
"We are seeing an acute shortage of young scientists in the field of electrochemistry," emphasised Wittstock. Demand will also continue to grow as a result of the energy transition and the promotion of electromobility.
The University of Oldenburg has been teaching electrochemistry for years, both in Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral degree programmes. The special funds that have now been approved will be used to improve the experimental equipment in physical chemistry and expand the interdisciplinary character of the Master's degree programme. There are few topics better suited to this than the photoelectrochemistry of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs), explained Wittstock. "These cells are not only extremely relevant for the development of renewable energy sources, they also combine aspects of nanotechnology, semiconductor physics, photophysics and electrochemistry."
About the Chemical Industry Fund:
The Chemical Industry Fund is the funding organisation of the German Chemical Industry Association and supports young scientists, chemistry teaching in schools and basic research with over eleven million euros per year.
Further information: www.fonds.vci.de
"Promotion of Electrochemistry" of the Chemical Industry Fund:
This special programme has funds amounting to 120,000 euros at its disposal. The funding is paid out in the form of an 80% grant and, together with the chemistry departments' own contribution, is used for the financing of equipment for electrochemical experiments.
About the VCI Nord:
VCI Nord is a regional organisation of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI Nord). It represents the economic policy interests of 280 member companies in Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Bremen. Other core tasks of the association are the further training of teachers, the improvement of science teaching, the promotion of contacts between universities and industry and the development of biotechnology.