Description:

Stefan Kaskel Seminar

Join the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and  Energy for a seminar conducted by Professor Stefan Kaskel from the Technical University Dresden. 

What: "Responsive Porous Frameworks: Serendipity or Rational Design? 
Who: Professor Stefan Kaskel, Technical University Dresden
When: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:00 OM - 1:00 PM CT
Where: Ryan Hall, 4003, 2190 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208

Abstract:

Porous materials play a key role for the capture of gases such as CO2, air filtration for clean air, isotope separation and the development of novel catalysts. Responsivity of MOFs towards gas and liquid phase stimuli presents tremendous chances for applications in gas storage, separation, sensing and actuation. Despite emerging applications, the rationalization of flexibility phenomena is still at an early stage. In recent years in silico methodologies have made great progress to model the entire energetic landscape of complex host guest interactions and framework dynamics. However, experimental observations such as finite size effects, activation barriers and sample history require an interplay of experimental and analytical techniques combined with simulation. We emphasize the importance of MOF model materials to shine light on the complex interplay of materials descriptors (structure, disorder, finite size, morphology, history etc.) and their analyses using dedicated in situ characterization tools (XRD, NMR, EPR, XAS etc.) for advancing the understanding of stimuli responsive porous framework materials in future. A historical perspective will be provided for specific examples (DUT-8, DUT-49) to highlight the role of the curious and critical observer as an essential prerequisite to discover new phenomena. In summary, the presentation provides insights into tailor made porous materials and highlight their functionality with respect to gas storage, separation, ion storage and applications in batteries. 

Speaker Biography: 

Stefan Kaskel studied chemistry at Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen (Germany), and received his Ph.D. degree in 1997 from the same University in solid state chemistry, under the guidance of Prof. J. Strähle. As a Feodor-Lynen Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt foundation he worked with J. Corbett at Ames Laboratory, USA (1998-2000) on intermetallic compounds. He was a group leader at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim a.d. Ruhr (2000-2004) in the group of F. Schüth and after his habilitation at Ruhr University (Bochum) in 2004 in the area of heterogeneous catalysis, he became full professor for Inorganic Chemistry at Technical University Dresden. Since 2008 he is also business field leader at Fraunhofer IWS, Dresden (part time). His research interests are focused on porous and nanostructured materials (synthesis, structure, function) for applications in energy storage, catalysis, batteries and separation technologies. He has been working on MOFs and porous carbon materials, CVD, CNTs, adsorption, and printing. His major activity at Fraunhofer IWS is the development of lithium sulfur batteries. He received the nanotechnology award of the German Ministry of Science and Education in 2002, the JSPS award from Japan in 2016 and the Joseph von Fraunhofer Award in 2025. Stefan Kaskel has authored more than 700 publications (h-index 135) and has contributed as inventor to more than 60 patent applications. He was 
recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher of world’s most influential scientific minds by Clarivate Analytics.