The Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion (MPI CEC) is a research institute of the Max Planck Society. It is located in the German town of Mülheim.

Research

The MPI CEC investigates fundamental chemical processes in energy transformation and contributes to the development of new and efficient catalysts. Its approach to this problem is based on a profound understanding of the underlying chemical reactions and multidisciplinary.

Departments

Inorganic Spectroscopy

Director: Serena DeBeer The department of Inorganic Spectroscopy focuses on the development and application of advanced X-ray spectroscopic tools for understanding processes in biological and chemical catalysis.

Research groups

Molecular Catalysis

Director: Walter Leitner The research of the Molecular Catalysis department focuses on the development of technologies for the conversion of renewable energy and feedstocks to sustainable fuels and chemical products.

Research groups

Heterogeneous Reactions

Director: Robert Schlögl The department Heterogeneous Reactions is researching, among other things, on a better understanding of the processes of electrocatalytic water splitting. The aim is to generate generic insight and solutions for synthesis and analysis of chemical energy conversion systems.

Research groups

Independent Research Groups

Wolfgang Lubitz from the Department of Biophysical Chemistry is an Emeritus Director at the Institute.

History

As one of 84 institutes in the Max Planck Society, it was first part of the neighboring Max Planck Institute for Coal Research and became independent in 1981 under the name of Max Planck Institute for Radiation Chemistry. It was renamed to Max Planck Institute for Bioinorganic Chemistry in 2003, to reflect its changing research focus. Following a significant restructuring and expansion of its departments in 2011, it was re-established in 2012 as the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion.