A world-renowned materials scientist has discussed the ‘fundamental questions’ driving his research during a special lecture series at University of Limerick.
Speaking at the JD Bernal lecture series in UL’s Bernal Institute, Professor Roland A Fischer, a leading expert in energy conversion and catalysis from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany, also offered some words of wisdom to young researchers, advising them to “follow your dreams, work hard, never give up, stay enthusiastic and humble”.
Professor Fischer, who has been Chair of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry at TUM since 2016 and serves as Managing Director of the TUM Catalysis Research Centre, delivered two captivating lectures during his visit to UL for the lecture series, highlighting several groundbreaking areas of his research.
He is an internationally renowned expert in materials applications in energy conversion, catalysis, gas storage and separation, chemical sensing, photonics, and microelectronics.
The talk was opened by Acting UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins and was attended by a number of invited guests – including Limerick City East councillor Elena Secas.
Professor Kilcommins said it was a ‘distinct privilege’ to welcome Professor Fischer to UL as the invited JD Bernal Lecturer.
“Professor Fischer’s research aligns closely with many of the activities here at the Bernal Institute, making his insights particularly valuable to us,” said Professor Kilcommins.
“His work exemplifies the kind of interdisciplinary research that is essential for addressing the complex challenges of our time. His contributions to the fields of energy conversion and catalysis have the potential to drive significant advancements in sustainable technologies, which are crucial for our future.”
Edmond Magner, Professor of Chemical Sciences at UL and a Bernal member said: “The chemistry laboratories of TUM are world renowned and considered as one of the birth places of the field of organometallic chemistry. We were thrilled and honoured to have one of the leading organometallic chemists in the world, Professor Fischer, as the JD Bernal Lecturer this year.”
The talks by the influential scientist included a focus on metal-atom-rich molecules, or so-called ‘clusters’, with Professor Fischer and his team developing non-aqueous organometallic chemistry as a toolbox for the synthesis of such materials.
His lecture also focused on a new class of highly porous materials, so-called Metal-Organic Frameworks and Covalent Organic Frameworks. The researchers are aiming for integration of multifunctionality into these materials, for example combining physical properties such as light harvesting with chemical properties such as catalysis.
Among recent breakthroughs shared, Professor Fischer and his team reported the extension of the lifetime of an aqueous zinc battery by deposition of an ultra-thin film of a covalent organic framework to the zinc anode. This coating regulates the chemical transport involved during the battery operation and it reduces undesired side-reactions during charging and discharging. They used a small coin-cell as their test device and even after 100.000 cycles they did not measure a significant decay of performance.
With 90% of all industrial chemicals relying on metal-based catalysts, Fischer emphasised the potential impact of reducing the number of metal atoms required for catalytic processes, which could revolutionize sustainable chemistry and industrial applications.
Professor Fischer has reached significant career milestones, serving as Vice President of the German Research Foundation, holding various academic leadership positions, and being elected Dean for Study Affairs at Ruhr University Bochum in his early 40s.
However, he explained that his most fulfilling achievement has been teaching and mentoring students. Influenced by his father, a gifted high school chemistry teacher, Professor Fischer has devoted many years to guiding young scientists.
Having supervised over 100 PhD students and 30 postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have secured faculty positions worldwide, he considers education one of his greatest accomplishments.
“Imagine spending your entire professional life with young people, always in their twenties - it’s a privilege to guide them as they develop a scientific mindset,” he explained.
Through his research, mentorship, and visionary contributions to materials science, Professor Fischer continues to inspire the next generation of chemists while advancing the frontiers of knowledge.