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More Information-
Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert
Founding Director
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948201
ulrich.schubert@helmholtz-berlin.de
Prof. Dr Ulrich S. Schubert from Friedrich Schiller University Jena is the founding director and the scientific spokesperson of HIPOLE Jena. Please contact regarding scientific transfer/collaborations and research issues.
Prof. Dr. Schubert is involved in three research areas: polymer-based solutions for energy storage and conversion, sustainable polymers, and polymers for medical applications. He uses high-throughput processes modern characterization techniques, as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence methods.
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Prof. Dr. Yan Lu
Deputy Director
Tel.: +49 (0) 30806 243191
The main objective of my research is to design and create functional hybrid materials based on polymeric colloidal particles with versatile applications, such as energy storage materials, catalysts, and optical devices.
Specifically, I focus on the well-defined colloidal particles with tailored mesoscopic structures, covering not only their preparation and application, but also the understanding of fundamental phenomena governing the functionality using advanced operando methods.
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Prof. Dr. Ivo Nischang
Professor, Co-Spokesperson: Polymer Redox Flow Batteries
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948983 / +49 152 283 25552
ivo.nischang@helmholtz-berlin.de
We aim to understand the physicochemical structure of polymers and colloids utilized for the creation of energy storage device elements.
Particular focus lies on a combination of molecular hydrodynamic and light scattering techniques together with an assessment of the resultant global solution characteristics in polymer redox flow batteries. A key technique is analytical ultracentrifugation and its methods.
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Prof. Dr. Doreen Mollenhauer
Professor
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948986
doreen.mollenhauer@helmholtz-berlin.de
doreen.mollenhauer@uni-jena.de
The focus of Prof. Dr. Mollenhauer ‘s research is the modelling and simulation of polymers in the context of energy storage and conversion. She employs theoretical chemistry and chemical material modelling methods.
Administration
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Maria Haupt
Administrative Coordinator (Human Resources & Finance)
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948 980 / +49 172 1859443
maria.haupt@helmholtz-berlin.de
I am your right contact person for all administrative issues. As an HR representative, I manage the recruitment processes and therefore I am available to answer any questions. Additionally, I am responsible for finance/purchasing, creating cost center evaluations, budget planning, and supporting investments. Feel free to contact me.
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Dr. Julia Rautschek
Scientific officer
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948982
julia.rautschek@helmholtz-berlin.de
I support the Board of Directors and scientists in various strategic and scientific processes. These range from investments in equipment and publications over building up the scientific team to defining and implementing the strategic orientation of HIPOLE Jena.
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Marina Romanova
Communications and PR
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948982
marina.romanova@helmholtz-berlin.de
I focus on increasing HIPOLE Jena’s online visibility. I run marketing campaigns, manage content on our website, LinkedIn and YouTube, create designs, edit videos, and oversee print production for our team.
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Renzo M. Paulus
IT Services
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948568
renzo.paulus@helmholtz-berlin.de
I set up computers, printers, and other office equipment for employees and assist them with troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues. I’m also responsible for data backups and system recovery.
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Sandy Clark
Team assistant / Office manager / Secretary
Tel.: +49 (0) 1747240676
sandy.clark@helmholtz-berlin.de
I assist employees with all administrative matters. I also assist with event planning and execution and guest support.
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Franziska Hein
Team assistant with a focus on HR
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948981
franziska.hein@helmholtz-berlin.de
I am the contact person for employees regarding all personnel matters, I support them at events and I look after guests.
Scientists
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Dr. Christian Friebe
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948984
christian.friebe@helmholtz-berlin.de
Dr. Christian Friebe is currently working on the development of active materials for organic thin-film batteries. The investigated materials are based on a combination of electropolymerized conjugated polymers and stable organic radicals. The project is part of the DFG priority program “Polymer-based Batteries” (SPP 2248).
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Dr. Purushottam Poudel
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948180
purushottam.poudel@helmholtz-berlin.de
purushottam.poudel@uni-jena.de
My research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of polyelectrolytes using controlled/living polymerization methods. I utilize polymer-analogous reactions and graft copolymer syntheses, as well as the characterization of nanostructured materials, hybrid materials, gels, and thin films at multiple length scales using SAXS, WAXS, GISAXS, and GIWAXS.
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Dr. Konstantin Schutjajew
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948438
konstantin.schutjajew@helmholtz-berlin.de
konstantin.schutjajew@uni-jena.de
The research interest of Dr. Konstantin Schutjajew is directed towards applications in the field of energy storage and conversion, with a special focus on the profound electrochemical investigation of the system’s underlying phenomena and mechanisms. His particular field of expertise is the investigation of the fundamental operating processes of carbon materials, which find applications in sodium and lithium-ion batteries.
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Dr. Andrea Cabrera-Espinoza
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948976
andrea.cabrera_espinoza@helmholtz-berlin.de
andrea.cabrera.espinoza@uni-jena.de
Dr. Andrea Cabrera-Espinoza is working as a postdoctoral researcher at HIPOLE Jena on the development of functional polymers for photovoltaic and battery applications.
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Dr. Leisan Gilmanova
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948985
leisan.gilmanova@helmholtz-berlin.de
Leisan Gilmanova works on the development of redox-active molecules and polymers as active materials for redox flow batteries (RFB) and thin-film batteries as well as redox targeting. A particular focus of research is the development of chemical energy storage, energy conversion and CO2 adsorption based on organic and organometallic active materials
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Dr. Rodrigo Herran
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948978
Rodrigo.herran@helmholtz-berlin.de
Dr. Rodrigo Herran is working on novel chemical energy storage systems based on organic active materials. In particular, he aims to develop redox-active and conducting polymers to be employed as electrode materials and solid-state electrolytes in thin-film lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. Feel free to get in contact to work together.
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Dr. Valentina Pirela Wilhelm
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948976
valentina.pirela_wilhelm@helmholtz-berlin.de
valentina.pirela.wilhelm@uni-jena.de
I will focus on understanding and enhancing the stability and performance of encapsulation materials for solar cells. I plan to use advanced techniques such as TEM and SEM to study how these materials behave under different conditions.
The research will explore various commercial materials, examining their thermal and mechanical properties to ensure they support solar cell durability without harming sensitive components like perovskites as well as characterizing new materials and understanding their properties to optimize their use in both solar cell and battery applications, to contribute valuable insights to these fields
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Dr. Sergey Nechausov
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948978
sergey.nechausov@helmholtz-berlin.de
Dr. Sergei Nechausov’s research is currently focused on developing sustainable polyelectrolytes for use as separators in organic thin-film batteries, with a particular emphasis on exploring innovative manufacturing approaches. Additionally, he is working to enhance the performance of polymer-based organic batteries by introducing various types of carbon materials into the electrodes. His research interests also extend to the development of compositions suitable for the additive manufacturing of electrodes used in redox-flow batteries.
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Dr. Ilya Anufriev
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948978
ilya.anufriev@helmholtz-berlin.de
Ilya Anufriev works in solution characterization of energy materials for novel polymer redox-flow batteries and photovoltaic systems using molecular hydrodynamics and light scattering. His work mainly focuses on analyzing macromolecules and colloids by Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC) and Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4).
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Dr. He Jia
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948998
My research will focus on polymer-based solid/semi-solid energy storage systems, mainly on the development of related high-performance polymer electrolytes. I will also work on understanding of the ion transference mechanisms in the relevant electrolyte by combining various characterization techniques with the design of the polymer structures.
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Dr. Jin Yang
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3080 6243069
My research focuses on the design and synthesis of covalent organic frameworks (COFs), with applications aimed at advancing lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery technology. Specifically, these porous, tunable COFs are engineered to serve multifunctional roles, such as sulfur hosts in cathodes to mitigate polysulfide shuttling, electrolyte additives to enhance ionic conductivity and stability, or solid-state electrolytes to improve safety and energy density.
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Dr. Daria Stepaniuk
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948940
daria.stepaniuk@helmholtz-berlin.de
I conduct theoretical investigations of polymers for battery applications, employing computational chemistry and molecular modeling techniques. My research focuses on understanding and predicting the behavior of polymer materials in energy storage systems, with the aim of optimizing their performance and stability.
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Dr. Anton Nizovtsev
Scientist
anton.nizovtsev@helmholtz-berlin.de
Dr. Anton Nizovtsev’s research is focused on the computational modelling of chemical systems for energy storage and cluster-based materials exhibiting nonlinear optical response.
His work is aimed at predicting the structure and optical properties of complex materials using various tools of theoretical chemistry.
Technical Staff Members
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René Burges
Technical Staff Member
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948575
rene.burges@helmholtz-berlin.de
Mr. René Burges maintains the SEC and LC systems. He is responsible for maintaining the devices, training new employees in self-measurement operation and developing new separation methods and perform service measurements.
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Leon Lange
Technical Staff Member
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948258
leon.lange@helmholtz-berlin.de
Mr. Lange is working in conjunction with the NMR-Platform on taking care of the NMR spectrometers of the FSU Jena. He is responsible for the maintenance of the instruments, instructing new coworkers in the use of the open-access spectrometers, and performing service measurements.
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Andreas Mantey
Technical Staff Member
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948984
andreas.mantey@helmholtz-berlin.de
As a safety officer, Mr. Mantey is responsible for the proper operation of the laboratory. In collaboration with Mr. Burges, he looks after the HIPOLE measuring instruments (SEC/LC/Rheometer) concerning their operational readiness and the instruction of employees for self-measurement operations. He also supports the scientists with chemical syntheses.
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Christin Weilandt
Technical Staff Member
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Pascal Stein
Technical Staff Member
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948984
pascal.stein@helmholtz-berlin.de
I support scientists by synthesizing various chemical compounds. I also help with the organisation of various things.
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Philip Zimmer
PhD student
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948976
philip.zimmer@helmholtz-berlin.de
Materialscreening for polymer thin-film batteries
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Öykü Simsek
PhD student
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948480
oyku.simsek@helmholtz-berlin.de
As part of my doctorate, I synthesize and characterize gel polymer electrolytes for organic hybrid batteries.
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Kai Hetze
PhD student
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948438
As part of my PhD, I am currently working on the selective separation and electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide. My research focuses on the development of novel metal-free catalyst systems based on polymer-carbon composites.
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Thomas Halmanseder
PhD student
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948976
thomas.halmanseder@helmholtz-berlin.de
thomas.halmanseder@uni-jena.de
The main goal of this work is to design multifunctional polymers as encapsulation materials for perovskite solar cells. These polymers should be able to capture leaking lead-ions and/or should show the ability for self-healing.
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Andrian Mirza
PhD student
andrian.mirza@helmholtz-berlin.de
I am working at the intersection of chemistry and machine learning. Building a foundation model for chemistry is essential for the development of more efficient and safe drugs and materials.
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Ngoc Anh Ta
PhD student
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948996
I am a PhD student researching the design, mechanisms, and applications of high-performance polymer-based ionogel electrolytes for quasi-solid-state batteries. My work focuses on developing innovative ionogel materials that enhance the performance and stability of energy storage devices. I aim to contribute to the advancement of next-generation battery technologies.
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Dzenna Zukova
PhD student
Tel.: +49 (030) 8062 42323
dzenna.zukova@helmholtz-berlin.de
I focus on the physical and chemical characterization of novel fluorine-free membranes for (photo)electrochemical applications. This research contributes to the development of cleaner, more sustainable technologies for green hydrogen production and energy storage.
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Abdelrahman Ibrahim
PhD student
Tel.: +49 (0) 3641 948918
abdelrahim.ibrahim@helmholtz-berlin.de
abdelrahim.ibrahim@uni-jena.de
My research focuses on the development of photoactive polymer-based redox flow batteries. I am particularly interested in designing membranes capable of simultaneous light absorption and directional electron/ion transport. Inspired by natural photosynthetic systems, this work aims to establish integrated solar-charging concepts using molecular wires and redox-matched electrolytes for efficient and sustainable energy storage.