Christina Scheu

Prof. Christina Scheu holds a dual appointment as a Full Professor at the RWTH Aachen University (Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering, Division of Materials Science and Engineering) and as an Independent Research Group Leader at the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH in Düsseldorf. Her research focuses on nanoanalytics and interfaces, leveraging advanced electron microscopy techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), and 3D atom probe tomography. Key research interests include defects in materials (e.g., grain boundaries, surfaces), materials for renewable energy applications, and durability under extreme conditions.

Her academic journey includes a Dipl.-Physikerin from Technische Hochschule Darmstadt (1993), a PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research (1996), and postdoctoral fellowships at the Technion (Israel) and University of Stuttgart. She has held leadership roles at multiple institutions, including RWTH Aachen since 2014. Her work bridges fundamental materials science with applied challenges in energy systems, corrosion, and nanotechnology.

Research highlights include grain boundary engineering for thermoelectric materials, electrocatalyst stability under fuel cell conditions, and atomic-scale analysis of defect-driven phenomena. Her group employs interdisciplinary methods, combining in-situ TEM observations with operando electrochemical measurements to unravel material behavior in real-world conditions.

Key collaborations span institutions such as the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU Munich) and the Max Planck Society. Her lab at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials focuses on translating atomic-scale insights into functional materials for sustainable energy technologies.