Erling Thyrhaug

Erling Thyrhaug is an affiliated researcher at the Catalysis Research Center (CRC) of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). His work focuses on photo-induced chemistry, molecular photocatalysis, and the dynamics of energy/charge transfer processes using ultrafast optical spectroscopy techniques. He explores early-time dynamics in photochemical systems, including charge separation, energy transport, and bond-breaking mechanisms. Key research tools include polarization-controlled transient absorption spectroscopy, two-dimensional fluorescence excitation spectroscopy, and single-molecule techniques.

His research spans applications in bio-nanohybrid materials, light-harvesting systems (e.g., chlorophyll a and purple bacteria), and photocatalytic systems involving redox cofactors like PQQ. Thyrhaug collaborates with CRC facilities to advance spectroscopic methodologies and investigate molecular interactions in nanoreactors and cluster systems.

Recent studies highlight advancements in understanding Q_x dynamics in photosynthetic complexes, the role of CuFe-Mabiq in photoredox systems, and the design of ZIF-8-based biohybrids for CO₂ reduction. His work bridges fundamental photophysics with practical applications in renewable energy and catalysis.