معرفی
Prof. Tom Nilges is a Professor of Synthesis and Characterization of Innovative Materials at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), within the Department of Chemistry at the TUM School of Natural Sciences. His research group focuses on developing sustainable materials for energy conversion, storage, and efficiency applications. He teaches multiple courses including General and Inorganic Chemistry for Chemical and Industrial Engineering students.
Prof. Nilges studied chemistry at the Universities of Siegen and Aberdeen, Scotland, and received his doctorate from the University of Siegen in 2001. He worked as a research associate at the Universities of Regensburg and Münster, including as subproject leader of the Collaborative Research Center 458. He completed his habilitation at the University of Münster in 2007 and has been a professor at TUM since July 2010.
Prof. Nilges' research focuses on solid-state chemistry and materials science, with particular expertise in solid ion conductors, thermoelectric materials, and hybrid materials that combine high charge carrier dynamics with stability. His group works extensively on group 15 and late transition metal ion containing chalcogenides and halides, exploring one and two-dimensional semiconductors for applications in batteries, sensors, and electronic devices. His work leverages techniques including X-ray diffraction, conductivity determination, and phase transition studies.
His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on energy materials, particularly for battery applications, with significant work on solid-state electrolytes, ion conductors, and semiconductor materials. His group has made notable contributions to the study of SnIP (tin iodide phosphide) materials, phosphorene-based systems, and novel approaches to rare earth element extraction. The research shows increasing interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, materials science, and engineering disciplines.
Prof. Nilges has received several prestigious awards for his work:
- Rudolf Hoppe Lecture of the GdCH Division of Solid State Chemistry and Materials Research (2016)
- International Thermoelectric Society (ITS) Scientific and Applied Award for an outstanding scientific paper (2009)
- Research funding from the Dr. Otto Röhm Memorial Foundation (2008)
Prof. Nilges leads an active research group with significant grant funding, including the recently completed "LernChem" project (2022-2023) which developed individualized, feedback-supported learning programs for chemistry students. His research group has produced over 70 publications with a strong emphasis on practical applications of novel materials. He serves as a co-principal investigator on multiple research projects focused on materials development and educational innovation in chemistry.
His laboratory focuses on the synthesis and characterization of innovative materials, particularly utilizing advanced techniques for crystal growth, structural analysis, and property measurement. The research group maintains strong collaborations with other institutions and industry partners to translate fundamental discoveries into practical applications for energy storage and conversion technologies.
