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The Institute of Separation Science & Technology performs cutting-edge research in the various areas of separation science.
Key research fields are adsorption and the advanced surface and textural characterisation of nanoporous adsorbent materials. Within this framework we investigate the phase and wetting behavior of fluids in pores/adsorbent interfaces, and focus on the surface and pore structural characterisation of nanoporous materials. Another focus is fundamental research in the area of gas storage (e.g., hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane). A main goal is to build a link between adsorption properties and characteristics of adsorbents with processes and applications in important areas, such as gas- and energy storage, separations, and heterogeneous catalysis.
Another major research area is systematic process design. Here, sound experimental characterization is combined with state-of-the-art theoretical and computer-based methods to develop advanced processes and materials for challenging separations by, e.g., preparative chromatography, gas adsorption, and membrane technologies. Applications range from fine chemicals, over (bio)pharmaceuticals, to bulk products.
These fields of work are complemented by research activities in the areas of Energy Thermodynamics, and High Pressure Processes.
Honored for groundbreaking contributions to adsorption, porous materials characterization, and international standardization in chemical separations technology.
We are delighted to announce that Prof. Dr. Matthias Thommes, Full Professor and Head of the Institute for Separation Science and Techno...
The Institute of Separation Science and Technology, in collaboration with CarboTech, organized an educational excursion on November 13 and 14, 2025. Students of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering had the opportunity to visit CarboTech in Essen and Chemiepark Lülsdorf in Niederkass...
From September 2 to September 5 the Erlangen-Edinburgh School of Adsorption 2025 (EESA 2025) took place in Erlangen organized by the Institute of Separation Science and Technology (TVT, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)). This event is organized on an annual basis alternating a...
We are delighted to announce that Prof. Matthias Thommes has been awarded the prestigious Clarence (Larry) G. Gerhold Award by the Separation Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) at the 2025 AIChE Annual Meeting! This highly esteemed award recognizes outstanding progress ...
The Institute of Separation Science and Technology presented its research at the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften, which took place on October 25, 2025 in Erlangen. Dr. Detlef Freitag, Marzieh Khoobyari, Dr. Nicole Kragt, Lukas Sandner, Dr. Carola Vorndran and Pia Weiner explained to the public how ad...
Prof. Thommes gave an invited lecture at the University of Miami, Department of Chemical, Environmental and Material Chemical Engineering on 24. October 2025.
Prof. Dr. Thommes is listed once again among the TOP 50 of the worldwide most cited researchers in his research area. This is a result of the new Stanford List, which is based on the evaluation of Scopus by researchers of the Stanford University. 236,313 researchers are among the most cited 2% accor...
