Christian Appel

Christian Appel is a Research Fellow at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) within the Coherent X-ray Scattering Group, leading projects and providing operational support at the cSAXS beamline of the Swiss Light Source (SLS). He holds a prestigious Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research Fellowship under the 3i scheme and collaborates internationally with institutions including Chalmers University of Technology and MAX IV Laboratory.

His educational background includes:

• B.Sc. in Physics, Technical University Darmstadt (2012)
• M.Sc. in Physics, Technical University Darmstadt (2014), focusing on structural/rheological properties of amphiphilic macromolecules using Langmuir and X-ray surface scattering
• Ph.D. in Soft Matter Physics at TU Darmstadt under Prof. Bernd Stühn, utilizing scattering and imaging techniques for nanomaterial characterization

Appel's research centers on multi-scale structural analysis using advanced X-ray techniques including SAXS imaging (2D/3D), ptychographic nanotomography, and X-ray fluorescence. His work investigates hierarchical structures in energy conversion systems, biomedical applications, and functional materials, with current emphasis on polymer electrolyte fuel cell catalysts spanning nano-to-millimeter scales. He pioneers correlative multi-modal imaging to map chemical and structural properties across length scales.

His scientific recognition includes the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research Fellowship (3i scheme).

Appel leads independent projects within the CXS group, develops novel coherent X-ray imaging techniques, and facilitates knowledge transfer through international collaborations. His team-based work at the cSAXS beamline integrates computational and experimental approaches to solve interdisciplinary challenges in materials science.