Today, on November 23, 2021, the Dresdner Promotionspreis Physik (Doctoral Prize in Physics) will be awarded. The prize winner is Dr. Max Gmelch, who wrote his dissertation in the field of organic luminescence. The thesis was awarded the highest grade and makes a significant scientific contribution to the field of research. The Dresdner Promotionspreis Physik is sponsored by the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation and comes with prize money of 4,000 euros. The Physics Faculty has awarded the prize to an outstanding dissertation every year since 2019.

Dr. Max Gmelch completed his doctorate in the research group of Prof. Sebastian Reineke at the Institute of Applied Physics at TU Dresden. In his research work, he developed a new method for storing information in transparent plastic films. All that is needed to write and erase the data is light. This is because organic molecules are embedded in the film, which can be activated by irradiating them with UV light in such a way that they begin to glow - or, to be more precise, phosphoresce. A mask can be used to create a QR code or inscription on the film, for example. These transparent labels are reusable because light can also be used to erase the inscription.

Gmelch's doctoral dissertation, titled "From Quantum Mechanical Restrictions to Everyday Applications: Programmable Tags using Organic Phosphorescence," impressed the prize committee. The chairman, Prof. Dr. Jan Budich, stated in the citation, "Dr. Gmelch has made a remarkable individual discovery of both scientific and technological relevance that can may be called a milestone in organic luminescence labeling." Budich further highlighted that the prestigious journal Science Advances used the innovative idea as its cover.

Dr. Max Gmelch said on the occasion of the award ceremony, "I am very happy about the award. I look back on my time at the Technical University of Dresden with great pleasure. I would especially like to thank my PhD supervisor Sebastian Reineke for the excellent supervision of my work and the entire research group for the great working atmosphere." After completing his doctorate at TU Dresden, Gmelch moved to Erlangen, where he currently lives and works.

The award ceremony will take place at a festive colloquium, which will be held as part of the Physics Colloquium of the Physics Faculty. The event will be opened by the Dean of the Physics Faculty, Prof. Dr. Carsten Timm. Prof. Dr. Jan Budich, chairman of the prize committee, will give the laudation. Afterwards, Dr. Max Gmelch will give a lecture on the topic of his doctoral thesis.

A few months ago, Dr. Gmelch was already awarded the KlarText Prize for Science Communication 2021 by the Klaus Tschira Foundation. He received the prize for a generally understandable article on the content of his doctoral thesis.

Information for journalists:
Prof. Jan Budich
Phone: +49 351 463-34601