Robert Graf

Dr. Robert Graf serves as Group Leader of the solid-state NMR group at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, where he directs research on molecular organization in advanced materials using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

His academic foundation includes:

• Physics studies at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, completing a diploma thesis on strongly correlated electron systems
• Doctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (1998) under Prof. Hans Wolfgang Spiess, focusing on double-quantum NMR studies of amorphous polymers

Graf's research centers on exploiting solid-state NMR techniques to investigate local molecular packing in partially disordered systems including semicrystalline polymers, nanocrystalline materials, and supramolecular assemblies. His work specifically targets molecular motions on millisecond timescales to elucidate self-organization mechanisms in complex architectures, addressing critical gaps where conventional diffraction methods fail. This approach provides essential insights into structure-property relationships for functional materials development.

Analysis of his 2016-2019 publications reveals consistent emphasis on supramolecular chemistry and materials characterization, with recurring themes of molecular self-assembly pathways, polymorphism control, and structure-dynamics interplay. His collaborative work appears in premier journals including Nature Chemistry and Journal of the American Chemical Society, demonstrating methodological innovation in NMR applications for macromolecular systems.

As head of the solid-state NMR group, Graf maintains an active research laboratory focused on advancing high-resolution NMR methodologies. The group's work bridges physics, chemistry, and materials engineering to characterize complex molecular organizations that govern functional properties in next-generation materials.