Arik Malte Beck

Arik Malte Beck serves as a Helmholtz Investigator Group Leader at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), leading the Catalytic Surfaces and Photocatalysis research group at the Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry (ITCP) and Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT). His work focuses on developing catalysts for renewable energy systems and sustainable chemical industrial processes through advanced surface characterization techniques.

His academic background includes:

• Doctorate (Dr. sc. ETH Zurich) from ETH Zürich (2018-2022) under Prof. Jeroen A. van Bokhoven, awarded ETH Medal and EFCATS best PhD Thesis Award
• Bachelor and Master of Chemical and Process Engineering (M.Sc.) from KIT (2011-2018)
• Visiting Student Researcher at Stanford University (2017) in Prof. Matteo Cargnello's group

Beck's research centers on catalysis and surface science with emphasis on energy transition technologies. His group develops automated operando characterization platforms for heterogeneous catalysts, investigates surface structure-reactivity relationships, and pioneers unconventional photocatalytic processes using sunlight or renewable electricity-powered LEDs. Key focus areas include catalyst stability under extreme conditions and bridging fundamental surface science with industrial applications.

His publication portfolio reveals strong trends in catalyst design for methane oxidation, ammonia decomposition, and methanol synthesis, with recurring themes of pressure gap studies, metal-support interactions, and redox dynamics. Recent work emphasizes sustainable pathways for chemical manufacturing through advanced characterization of catalyst behavior under operational conditions.

Notable scientific recognition includes:

• ETH Medal for doctoral research
• European Federation of Catalysis Societies (EFCATS) best PhD Thesis Award

Beck actively mentors PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and Master's/Bachelor's students through thesis projects and Hiwi positions. His research program integrates fundamental catalyst characterization with practical applications for zero-emission chemical processes, supported by collaborative frameworks across academic and industrial partners. The group maintains strong ties with facilities like Paul Scherrer Institute and Johnson Matthey.

The Catalytic Surfaces and Photocatalysis group operates within KIT's ITCP and IKFT institutes, utilizing advanced characterization infrastructure for in situ/operando studies of catalysts under realistic reaction conditions, with particular expertise in synchrotron-based techniques and automated experimentation platforms.