Michael Vollmer

Professor Michael Vollmer is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg, specializing in experimental physics with particular expertise in infrared thermal imaging, atmospheric optics, and physics education research. His academic career spans over three decades with continuous contributions to both theoretical and applied physics.

His research focuses on three primary areas: Infrared Thermal Imaging (including applications in environmental monitoring, building diagnostics, and educational contexts), Atmospheric Optics (studying optical phenomena in nature, solar and lunar eclipses, and atmospheric light scattering), and Physics Education Research (developing innovative teaching methods, hands-on experiments, and educational resources). Professor Vollmer has pioneered the use of infrared technology in physics education and has extensively documented optical phenomena in natural settings, particularly in Yellowstone National Park.

His scholarly output reveals consistent contributions across multiple domains, with recent publications demonstrating increasing integration of infrared imaging technology with environmental science and educational applications. The trend shows expanding applications of thermal imaging in everyday contexts, from smartphone accessories to environmental monitoring systems, while maintaining strong foundations in fundamental optical physics.

• Robert Wichard Pohl Award 2013 of the German Physical Society

Professor Vollmer has been instrumental in physics teacher training both nationally and internationally, organizing numerous workshops and courses focused on hands-on experiments and innovative teaching methods. His educational leadership extends to editorial roles with major physics education journals including Physics Education and European Journal of Physics. He has developed extensive resources for making complex physics concepts accessible through practical demonstrations and modern imaging technologies.

His work spans multiple collaborative projects with international colleagues, particularly in documenting and analyzing optical phenomena in natural environments. The Yellowstone National Park studies represent a significant body of work connecting infrared imaging with geothermal phenomena, demonstrating practical applications of physics principles in real-world settings.