The chemist will establish the Department of Electrosynthesis at the Institute from the 1st of December
From the 1st of December, 2023, Prof. Siegfried Waldvogel will establish a new department as Director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion (MPI CEC) in Mülheim an der Ruhr. His department will focus on electrosynthesis, in which mostly waste and residual streams are converted into valuable chemicals that are essential for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries by feeding in electricity. In his previous position as a full professor at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Siegfried Waldvogel already focused his research on the entire spectrum of electrolysis development, from novel screening methods to the upscaling of electrosynthetic conversions. At the MPI CEC, he continues to pursue his passion for research into the sustainable and climate-neutral production of organic and inorganic materials.
"We are delighted to have gained an excellent scientist for our institute in Siegfried Waldvogel," explains Walter Leitner, Managing Director at the MPI CEC. "With his focus on electrosynthesis, he offers our institute great added value for our basic research into the storage and use of renewable energy through chemical reactions." Siegfried Waldvogel heads the third of four planned research departments at the MPI CEC alongside Walter Leitner and Serena de Beer. The chemist is by no means new to Mülheim: he received his doctorate in 1996 at the neighboring Max Planck Institute for Coal Research. After his postdoc at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, he began his habilitation at the University of Münster in 1998. Before moving to Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in 2010, Prof. Waldvogel worked as Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Bonn from 2004.
In conversation with Siegfried Waldvogel
What are you most looking forward to as Director at the MPI CEC?
The motivation and spirit that prevail at the institute to tackle new things. At the MPI CEC, I am very much looking forward to the excellently trained technical staff and the cooperation with my colleagues. The opportunities to realize new ideas quickly in research are unique in Germany.
What will be the research focus of your department at the MPI CEC?
My department will be working on electrosynthesis and trying to break completely new ground. The so-called electrochemical upcycling of waste streams will open up innovative solutions because alternative reaction pathways are available thanks to basic research; for example, the carbon components can be recovered from highly chlorinated waste from the last few decades - without producing carbon dioxide - and form basic chemicals, whereas the chlorine is incorporated into other urgently needed products. In addition to upcycling, the department will be working on new next-generation screening methods, i.e. finding the electrolysis conditions as quickly as possible. Modern algorithms and machine learning will also be used here. I still have lots of ideas that need to be tried out now.
What vision and strategic goals do you have for the MPI CEC in the coming years? How do you plan to achieve these goals?
With the Department of Electrosynthesis, I will try to position the MPI CEC as the most important international scientific address in electrosynthesis over the next few years. Of course, this will only be possible with an outstanding team, excellent scientific work and a proven network. Therefore with a lot of commitment!
How do you see the role of the MPI CEC in the global research community, and what message would you like to send to the scientific community and the public?
After 10 years, the MPI CEC is well established in the global research community. This has been earned by my colleagues, but also by our predecessors. Over the next few years, there will be a stronger focus on the electrification of synthesis. Up to now, I have worked at universities and the vast majority of my time has been spent on teaching and administrative activities. That's why now I can freely dedicate my time to research and I'm going to make the most of this opportunity! Over the next 10 years, the MPI CEC will make significant contributions to the electrification of synthesis. The relocation of the BMBF future cluster ETOS - Electrification of Technical Organic Syntheses from Mainz to Mülheim will also play an important role in this. Unique synergies are being created at the MPI CEC and the research field is well established - so we can expect a lot!
How will you support the promotion of early career researchers during your term of office and retain talent at the institute?
My team and I will try to establish the best and most modern environment in electrosynthesis worldwide. This will bring exceptional talents to Mülheim - the goal will always be to find employees and colleagues who are potentially better than you. Young academics are all different, which is why you have to respond to them individually. It is not only important to support them, but also to challenge them so that they develop well and surpass themselves. It is important to "leave the beaten track and break new ground".
Was it always your plan to become a chemist and why did you end up becoming one? What fascinates you about your profession?
There was always something magical about chemical reactions for me. After experimenting in my own basement laboratory as a schoolboy and successfully taking part in Jugend forscht (placing in the national competition in 1989), the passionate fire was kindled and I had found my destiny. Even if the magic has given way to understanding, this fascination remains - chemistry is the central science to enable a sustainable and future-proof society with a high standard of living. In addition, there are still many blank spots on the scientific map of chemistry.
What milestones have you already achieved in your career? What would you still like to achieve?
We have found some new chemical reactions that can be made possible by electric current. Some of them have now reached technical maturity so that they can be used on a larger scale. I think this is just the beginning. The concepts of solvent control and platform oxidants will be combined with water splitting to provide attractive scientific solutions. I believe that this will lead to a faster and more effective electrification of chemistry.
What do you do when you're not researching electrosynthesis? How do you like to spend your free time?
When I have free time, I particularly like to spend it with my family, who often have to do without me. I also have a small garden where I cultivate old tomato varieties and like to turn them into tasty dishes in the kitchen.
