The goal of the symposium was to bring together scientists and engineers who share the common interest in creating functional materials using particles. The synthesis, processing and materials integration of particles into thin films, bulk matrices, fibers or other geometries are covered by this symposium.
Next year’s 10th PBM conference will take place in September/October at Universität Duisburg-Essen. Stay tuned!
Carlos Bassani has been awarded a prestigious ERC Starting Grant for his project “Kinetic Pathways to Control Nanocrystal Shapes” (kineticSHAPES). With approximately €1.5 million in funding, kineticSHAPES aims to use advanced simulation techniques to uncover how nanocrystals adopt shapes such as cubes, spheres, pyramids, and plates, a phenomenon that plays a critical role in their optical, mechanical, and catalytic properties. Moving beyond classical thermodynamic models, the work seeks to map out the kinetic factors that govern shape formation, paving the way for innovations in green-energy photocatalysis and next-generation cancer therapies.
Congratulations to Carlos on this tremendous achievement — and we look forward to the exciting discoveries ahead!
Following the annual tradition, we made another summer excursion, this year to Brombachsee. There we explored Abenteuerwald Enderndorf (including the zipline) and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at the beach. Thanks all for joining!
How do a small number of larger colloidal particles behave when mixed with many smaller ones inside spherical droplets? We found that entropy alone drives the larger particles to the droplet surface, where they consistently settle at the twelve vertices of an icosahedral structure formed by the smaller particles. Using a combination of experiment and simulation, we showed that this trapping effect is robust and results from the system’s tendency to maximize free volume during self-assembly. These findings offer new insight into how complex structures can form without external guidance and support the design of programmable materials through simple physical principles.
The large colloids (red) get trapped at the icosahedral vertices.
Scientists have long known that the shape of tiny crystals (nanocrystals) can affect their properties, such as how they interact with light or how well they function as catalysts. However, precisely understanding how these shapes form has been challenging, since many factors are involved: temperature, chemicals in the solution, and even the arrangement of atoms at the crystal’s edges. In this study, the researchers introduced a theoretical and computational approach that focuses on the critical spots where atoms attach as the crystal grows. By examining the energy required to add atoms at these sites, they explain why certain shapes, including cubes, octahedra, or other symmetrical forms, often appear.
Beyond explaining why various shapes emerge, this method can guide experimental design. It enables scientists to predict which conditions favor different morphologies and to control crystal growth toward specific outcomes. The study shows that the first atom to grow on the surface, referred to as the adatom, dominates the process by creating temporary pathways that lead to particular shapes. This new understanding not only clarifies how nanocrystals form but also suggests ways to refine their shapes for targeted uses in technology and medicine.
The shape diagram summarizes the change of nanocrystal shape across growth parameters. Here: the growth rates of adatoms on the three major crystallographic facets.
The Engellab continued a scientific exchange with the group or Sudeep Punnathanam at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). As part of this Indo-German exchange, multiple mutual visits were organized in 2023 and 2024.
IISc is a leading research university located in Bengaluru (Karnataka). The research of our Indian partner concerns Enhanced Computational Research in Phase Transitions (EnCRIPT). The exchange was funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD — Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) over two years.
Our visitors on top of Fahnenstein in Tüchersfeld.Michael Engel behind the Chemical Engineering building at IISc.
Michael Engel attends the 2024 AIChE Annual Meeting in San Diego to present present his research and promote our department of Chemical and Biological Engineering of FAU. The department has an evening reception and participates in the recruitment fair.
Surface strain can help increase the performance of nanocatalysts, and we have designed a new strategy to stabilize the surface strain in materials. The groups of Yimo Han and Matthew R. Jones at Rice University synthesized nanoparticles and used four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) to capture an electron diffraction pattern at each scan position, which produces detailed structural information. Molecular dynamics simulations of Alberto Leonardi investigated the inhibition of dislocation nucleation due to reduced shear stress at corners.
Michael Engel visited the Computational Statistical Physics lab of Masaharu Isobe at Nagoya Institute of Technology University from July 4 to July 17. NITech is a partner university of FAU in Japan. Discussions advanced our understanding of the hard disc problems, in particular using event-chain methods and Voronoi decomposition.
Michael Engel presents at NITech on structure formation in particulate matter.Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Tokyo.
This year we went canoeing on the river Pegnitz near Vorra. Great fun, including some excitement, and a relaxing dinner and evening walk afterwards. See you again next year!
Catching some fresh air after a Franconian dinner.
