Regine von Klitzing

Prof. Dr. Regine von Klitzing is Professor of Physics at the Technical University of Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt) and serves as Vice Dean of the university. She heads the Soft Matter at Interfaces research group within the Institute for Condensed Matter Physics. In addition, she is a Visiting Professor at the Kurihara Laboratory, New Industry Creation Hatchery Center (NICHe), Tohoku University, Japan, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Education & Career

• Full professorship and leadership of the Soft Matter at Interfaces group at TU Darmstadt.
• Vice Dean responsibilities at TU Darmstadt.
• Visiting Professor appointment at Tohoku University, Japan (2025–2026).

Research Interests

Prof. von Klitzing’s research lies at the intersection of soft-matter physics, polymer science and colloid & interface science. Her group investigates:

• Stimuli-responsive polymer coatings (polyelectrolyte multilayers, polymer brushes, microgel layers)
• Thin liquid films, foams and emulsions
• Wetting phenomena and surface forces at the nanoscale
• Active colloidal systems and microswimmers
• Hybrid microgels containing magnetic or plasmonic nanoparticles
• Cellulose–polymer interactions for sustainable materials

The group is noted for bridging synthesis, advanced characterisation (AFM, neutron & X-ray scattering, ellipsometry, QCM-D) and theoretical modelling to deliver fundamental insight and practical applications.

Scientific Awards & Recognition

• ECIS Solvay Award 2023 – European Colloid & Interface Society, for pioneering studies on foams stabilised by soft polymer particles.
• Gentner-Kastler-Prize 2025 – Awarded by the German and French Physical Societies; ceremony held in Troyes, France.
• LEAF Bronze Certificate 2025 – Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework certification for sustainable laboratory practices.

Teaching & Supervision

Prof. von Klitzing teaches core and advanced physics courses such as Physics of Soft Matter I & II, Experimental Physics of Condensed Matter, and Advanced Physics Laboratory. She offers numerous Bachelor and Master thesis topics and welcomes unsolicited applications for student assistantships, PhD and post-doctoral positions.

Labs & Facilities

The von Klitzing group operates state-of-the-art laboratories in building S2|04 on the TU Darmstadt city-centre campus. Equipment includes atomic force microscopes, thin-film pressure balances, neutron & X-ray scattering sample environments, ellipsometers, QCM-D, and custom-built microfluidics setups for soft-matter research.