Claudia Weidenthaler

Claudia Weidenthaler, now an Associate Professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen and group leader at the Max Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung, is renowned for her work in heterogeneous catalysis and materials science. Her research focuses on structure-property relationships of functional materials using in situ diffraction and X-ray spectroscopy.

• Studied geology, mineralogy, and crystallography at the University of Würzburg
• Completed her doctorate under Reinhard X. Fischer at the University of Mainz
• Postdoctoral work at the Universities of Bremen and Frankfurt
• Moved to Max Planck Institute in 1999, establishing solid-state analytics

Her research spans mechanochemical synthesis, energy storage materials (e.g., aluminum hydrides), and solid-state transformations. Recent work includes CO2 hydrogenation, nanoparticle characterization, and metal phosphide synthesis.

In 2023, she was honored with the Agricola Medal for her contributions to applied mineralogy. She actively promotes equal opportunities and science outreach as an Equal Opportunities Officer and coordinator of the institute's "Girls' Day" initiative.

• Advisees include PhD candidates Christos Sidiropoulos and Teja Yanamandram
• Recipient of the Agricola Medal (2023)
• Developed unconventional methods combining mechanosynthesis with synchrotron X-ray diffraction

Her publications highlight in situ/operando methods for studying catalysts under real conditions, with applications in hydrogen storage, electrocatalysis, and nanomaterials.