Former Prof. Dr. Andreas Lüttge

We study mineral-fluid interaction with a focus on growth, dissolution, and alteration kinetics. This research relates to diverse fields in earth and material sciences, from basin evolution to biogeochemical cycling. Broader applications include cement hydration, steel corrosion, carbon sequestra-tion, engineered bio- and nano-materials, and storage of nuclear waste.

Studied Materials
We are interested in all materials that interact in surface environments, including primary minerals, dissolved and colloidal species, organic matter, and microorganisms.

Methods

We combine surface topography data from RAMAN-VSI and AFM with spatially-resolved chemical data to yield a detailed picture of surface reactions. These results are then tied to molecular scale simulations (i.e., DFT parameterized Kinetic Monte Carlo models) in an integrated, cooperative approach to understand the fundamental surface dynamics of minerals and other materials.