Dr. Markus Valtiner

 

Dr. Valtiner's research interest are in the general area of materials and interface science, particularly in the area of adhesion and friction at electrified interfaces as well as development of novel materials systems with stimuli-responsive properties. Materials of interest range from structural and composite materials for automotive and aerospace applications, functional materials for coatings, sensing and energy-storage applications to biomaterials (biomimetic, biocompatible, biodegradable).

The research aims to identify fundamental physical and chemical mechanisms at the molecular, nano- and microscales to provide equations and scaling relations in terms of characteristic lengths, relaxation times and other properties (chemical etc.) of functional materials in complex (dynamically changing) environments. The aim is to measure – understand – control/predict properties of materials, interfaces and thin films over large length and time scales (from single atoms/molecules to large ensembles and genuine materials), in order to provide the means for a rational design of structure-property relationships for structural and functional materials.

His experimental expertise focuses around surface and interface phenomena at the molecular scale as well as surface and interface forces and their direct measurements using techniques such as atomic force microscopy and the surface forces apparatus. He also has experience with theoretical methods (ab initio thermodynamics, DFT simulations using primarily VASP). 

Some of his publications are:

 Education and previous experience (short version):

• Undergraduate studies of Technical Chemistry @ Vienna University of Technology, Austria (1999-2005)
  • Summer internship @ BrüggemannChemical L. Brüggemann KG, Heilbronn, Germany (2001)
  • Summer internship @ BaxterImmuno, Vienna, Austria (2002)
  • Master thesis in collaboration with Dept. of Physics @ University of Lübeck, Germany, Title: "Theoretical Investigations of Iron(II)-Tetrazole Spin-Crossover compounds" (2005)
• Graduate student in the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Polymer/Metal Interfaces @ MPI für Eisenforschung, GmbH, Germany (2006-2008)
  • Defense and graduation with highest distinctions @ Vienna University of Technology, Austria, Thesis: "Atomistic understanding of structure, stability and adhesion at ZnO/electrolyte interfaces" (2008)
• Post-Doc with Prof. Martin Stratmann @ MPI für Eisenforschung GmbH (Germany) (2/2009-3/2010)
  • Short-term research visit @ Material Research Laboratory (MRL), University of California, Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. (3/2009-6/2009)
• Post-Doc with Prof. Jacob N. Israelachvili @ University of California, Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. (Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Interface Science Lab), (4/2010-5/2012)
  • Funded by the European Commission within the 7th framework program - PEOPLE - Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship, Project No. 253079: "Novel concepts for molecular interface engineering and unravelling of structure/property relationships at electrified interfaces"
• Awards and Miscellaneous Career Highlights
  • Otto-Hahn-Medal of the Max-Planck-Society, 2010