Michael Vogel

Prof. Michael Vogel is a Professor at the Institute for Condensed Matter Physics at Darmstadt University of Technology (Technische Universität Darmstadt), where he leads the Molecular Dynamics in Condensed Matter research group. His work focuses on understanding the microscopic structure and dynamics of condensed matter systems and relating these to macroscopic properties.

Research Interests

Prof. Vogel's research spans several key areas in condensed matter physics and physical chemistry. His group investigates the structure and dynamics of condensed matter—from simple liquids and soft matter to crystalline and amorphous solids. Specific research focuses include:

• Water Anomalies: Exploring the fundamental understanding of water's anomalies, particularly testing the hypothesis of a transition between two liquid phases in supercooled water.
• Ion Transport: Studying microscopic mechanisms of ion movement in energy materials, with applications to lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells.
• Glass Transition: Investigating cooperative and heterogeneous motion processes during the glass transition to contribute to fundamental understanding.
• Protein Dynamics: Examining the interplay between protein and solvent dynamics, particularly in biological function.
• Ionic Liquids: Analyzing structural and dynamic heterogeneities in ionic liquids and their relationship to macroscopic properties.
• Liquids at Interfaces: Understanding how interfaces alter the properties of liquids, especially water, when confined in nanoscopic geometries.

Research Methodology

Prof. Vogel's group combines modern experimental techniques, particularly nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, with computational approaches like molecular dynamics simulations. This dual approach allows for comprehensive characterization of both local molecular motions and long-range transport properties. Their work often involves analyzing systems under confinement, at interfaces, or in supercooled states to reveal fundamental mechanisms that govern material behavior.

Scientific Contributions

Prof. Vogel has made significant contributions to understanding:

• The role of dynamic heterogeneities in glass-forming systems
• Mechanisms of ion transport in solid-state electrolytes
• The behavior of water in confined geometries and at interfaces
• The coupling between protein and solvent dynamics
• Structural and dynamic properties of ionic liquids

Research Team and Facilities

Prof. Vogel leads an active research group at TU Darmstadt with access to advanced NMR facilities and computational resources. His team regularly publishes in high-impact journals across physics, chemistry, and materials science. The group collaborates with other research institutions and participates in interdisciplinary projects such as the DFG Research Group 1583 on "Hydrogen-bonding liquids in the presence of internal interfaces of different hydroaffinity."