Barak Ratzker

Dr. Barak Ratzker is a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials, affiliated with the Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design department. His work focuses on the sustainable synthesis of materials, particularly through hydrogen-based reduction pathways and advanced sintering techniques like spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). His research spans transparent ceramics, MAX/MXene phases, and alloy design.

Key research areas include:

• Hydrogen reduction of oxides for sustainable metallurgy
• Pressure-assisted sintering (SPS/HIP) of transparent ceramics
• Microstructure engineering in refractory materials
• Development of MXene-based composites for electronics
• Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of solid-state reactions

His recent publications highlight trends in:

• Environmentally conscious processing of ferromanganese oxides
• High-pressure synthesis of MAX phases and MXenes
• Optimization of optical and mechanical properties in ceramics
• Dynamic deformation behavior under extreme conditions
• Biological material interactions (e.g., crusticul-chitin systems)