Ursula Groden-Kranich visits the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research

Mainz member of German Parliament interested in research of the MPI

Ursula Groden-Kranich, a Mainz member of the German Parliament, visited the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P). She informed herself about current research topics, but also topics such as gender equality and research funding were on the agenda.

After an introductory lecture by the managing director of the institute, Prof. Kurt Kremer, she could gain some insights into research topics at the MPI-P in a tour through various laboratories. Prof. Tanja Weil presented the production of nanometer-sized diamonds. These can be used in medical diagnosis to investigate the distribution of drugs in the body using e. g. magnetic resonance imaging or optical methods. The nano-diamond attached to the agent is additionally used as a carrier for the drugs.

In another laboratory, Prof. Doris Vollmer presented the functionality and production of water and dirt repellent layers. This effect, which is usually known from the lotus plant, can be artificially produced in the laboratory. Scientific questions here include the mechanical strength of such layers in order to use them later in technological and medical applications.