Dr. Juliane Simmchen, junior research group leader at the Chair of Physical Chemistry at Technische Universität Dresden, is awarded the Fulbright-Cottrel Award for her project "Unraveling the influence of activity in the formation of matter", which combines innovative research with excellent teaching approaches.

In recent years, active matter has become a topical and exciting field of research, which poses numerous challenges to the interdisciplinary scientific community. At the interface between physics and life sciences, scientists are investigating such systems that are driven by energy conversion. Examples of active materials include biological systems ranging from single molecular motors to bacteria and cells to entire organisms, and swarms of animals. In addition, active matter can also include artificial systems made of nano- and micro particles that mimic the function of biological systems.

Dr. Juliane Simmchen is a chemist. She, too, works with her junior research group on active matter, so-called microswimmers. She is concerned with both the fundamental mechanisms that drive micromotion and with material design for future applications of microswimmers. For her project "Photocatalytic processes for micromotion and analytic purposes (Photolytics)", in which she is developing a drive mechanism for photocatalytic micromotors, she has already received one of the prestigious Freigeist Fellowships of the Volkswagen Foundation.

With her new project, "Unraveling the influence of activity in the formation of matter," Dr. Simmchen now aims to combine her cutting-edge research in the field of active matter with innovative teaching approaches. Image analysis and data processing in the highly interdisciplinary research field of active matter is often taught in detail in physics, but somewhat neglected in chemistry. Dr. Simmchen now wants to remedy this and create opportunities for chemistry students to improve their skills.

In recognition of this unique link between cutting-edge research and innovative teaching, Dr. Juliane Simmchen is one of two recipients of this year's Fulbright-Cottrell Award.

"The Cottrell Scholars form a community of international scholars who are passionate about, organize and mentor new teaching methods and exciting student projects. Already the first conference was incredibly inspiring and I am looking forward to implementing the new ideas," enthuses Juliane Simmchen shortly after the first Cottrell Scholar conference in early July 2021.

About the Fulbright-Cottrell Award

In the USA, the prize named "Cottrell Scholar Award" was introduced as early as 1994 to promote the combination of innovative research and teaching in chemistry, physics and astronomy. For about ten years, this idea has also been implemented in Germany - awarded by the German-American Fulbright Commission.

The prize of 63,000 euros also includes admission to the Fulbright-Cottrell Scholar network and participation in the annual Cottrell Scholar conference and numerous workshops.

More information on the Fulbright-Cottrell Award

Media inquiries:
Dr. Juliane Simmchen
Physical Chemistry