Solid State Chemistry and Material Research

This division has been founded in 1963 as one of the now 24 divisions of the German Chemical Society (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker, GDCh). Approximately seven hundred chemists from academic institutions, industry, and civil service have joined in order to constitute a competent forum for issues concerning Inorganic Materials in research, application and teaching. About 63 % of the members are employed at universities or public research organizations, the others work in industry or as freelancers. 

Development of the division

The domain of Solid State Chemistry has substantially expanded during the past decades. In the beginning, solid state synthesis, structure determination, and thermodynamics were dominating subjects. Later, interests included intrinsic solid state properties, surface phenomena, solid state kinetics, and modeling of solids. Today, even complex systems can be analyzed and investigated in a targeted way by employing modern physical investigation techniques.

In the mean time, Materials Research has developed into a discipline where chemists, physicists, and engineers cooperate closely. The field holds a key position in technology and is essential for the development of new materials. Solid State Chemistry creates fundamentals for Materials Research by developing a chemical understanding of new materials. Discovering new compounds and investigating crystal structures as well as properties supports vitally the progress in Materials Research.
 
Activities and Positions

The members of the division engage in the development of new insights with respect to questions in the field of condensed matter and the creation of basic knowledge for the corresponding technical areas.
The division aims to advance and further Solid State Chemistry by both scientific and political comments and statements. These activities are governed by the objective to create adequate conditions for basic research and to sustain its position within the field.

Initiatives and Demands

The rapidly progressing interdisciplinary scientific and technological development in Materials Research requires a systematic integration of Solid State Chemistry in technology agendas promoting materials development. In order to realize this aim, the division cooperates with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) and related scientific societies, committees, and institutes both nationally and internationally.

Factually substantiated information of the public is considered essential for the procurement of an adequate understanding of scientific and technologic progress. Consequently, the division supports initiatives and projects which are suitable to contribute sound information on up-to-date topics.

The division gives impulses for supporting programs of the German Federal Republic and the European Union in the field of technologies for the 21st century (e.g. new materials and nanotechnology) and aims for an active participation with regard to the development of organization structures and recommendation of managing personnel.
 
Steering committee

Chairperson

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bensch
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Institut für Anorganische Chemie
E-Mail: wbensch@ac.uni-kiel.de

Deputy Chairperson

Dr. Frank Rosowski
BASF SE, Ludwigshafen
E-Mail: frank.rosowski@basf.com

Members

Prof. Dr. Barbara Albert
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Eduard-Zintl-Institut für Anorganische
E-Mail: albert@ac.chemie.tu-darmstadt.de