We are interested in the chemical challenges of modern construction materials. Primarily, we work on the interaction of inorganic materials like cement and conrete with synthetic chemical species like functional polymers and molecules. The amount of globally produced concrete is in the order of 20 gigatons per year making concrete the largest man-made material. We are convinced that we can contribute to the global efforts of engineers and material scientists of making concrete more ressource efficient. Our tool of choice is synthetic chemistry.

• we synthesize functional polymers, molecules and nanophases as additives for construction materials
• we analyze the reactivity and interactions of cement phases during processing and service-life
• we characterize fresh and final material properties
• we work together with engineers and material scientists from industry and academia