The Institute of Chemistry at the University of Oldenburg has received special funding from the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (FCI). The funds totalling 23,500 euros were used to purchase an LED solar simulator.
Nadine Priebe from the Verband der Chemischen Industrie, Landesverband Nord (VCI Nord), presented a symbolic cheque to Prof. Dr Michael Wark, Professor of Technical Chemistry, at the beginning of July. With this special measure, the fund aims to help strengthen the quality of chemistry degree programmes in a targeted manner. "We are very pleased about the funding," says Wark. "The new solar simulator will enable us to train our chemistry students even more effectively and in a more application-oriented way in the field of regenerative energy conversion, making the degree programme at our university even more attractive for prospective academics."
The LED solar simulator is used to investigate the effects of light of different wavelengths on certain chemical reactions under laboratory conditions. In contrast to other lamps, the sun simulator enables the exact imitation of natural sunlight. This makes it possible to investigate photochemical reactions in the laboratory as if they were taking place in field trials. It is also possible to simulate daily, seasonal and regional fluctuations (Europe compared to the equator). This enables students to test and improve solar cells more effectively and to develop optimised photocatalysts.
Photocatalysts use the energy of light to accelerate photoreactions such as the splitting of water into its components hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen can be stored as a chemical energy carrier and is required in fuel cells, for example. Due to the shift towards renewable energies, this is an absolute topic for the future, says Wark. "The acquisition means considerable added value for the students' education."
About the Chemical Industry Fund:
The Chemical Industry Fund is the funding organisation of the German Chemical Industry Association. In 2015, it provided twelve million euros for young scientists, chemistry teaching in schools and basic research. Further information: www.fonds.vci.de
About the VCI Nord:
The VCI Nord is a regional organisation of the German Chemical Industry Association. 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.
