Department of Theoretical Chemistry

The emphasis of research in the group of Professor Schoen is on soft condensed matter. Using modern techniques of Statistical Physics (such as computer simulations of classical many-particle systems, finite-size scaling approaches, or classical density functional theory) static and dynamic properties of thermal many-particle systems are investigated. The focus is on a wide spectrum of physical problems ranging from wetting phenomena, nanoporous materials and nanosensors all the way to self-assembly and colloidal systems. These areas of research involve processes characterized by very different length and time scales. To investigate scientific questions pertaining to the above mentioned areas of research we employ model systems in which we prescind from details of the chemical structure of individual molecules to the maximum extent possible.