Brandenburg researcher wins DGKK prize for groundbreaking crystal research

Brandenburg researcher wins DGKK prize for groundbreaking crystal research

This year, the German Society for Crystal Growth and Crystal Breeding (DGKK) is honoring exceptional scientific achievements by awarding the DGKK Prize for young scientists. The 2025 award winner is Dr. Owen Ernst, a researcher in the field of physical chemistry at the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU). The prize, worth 2,500 euros, honors his significant contributions to crystal research.

Dr. Ernst highlights the essential role of crystals in modern technologies. Especially in electronics, lasers and solar cells, crystals such as silicon, gallium nitride and silicon carbide are of central importance for the performance of devices such as cell phones and laptops. The way in which crystals are produced has a decisive influence on the later material structure and application.

Research and innovations

A notable aspect of Dr. His focus on “bottom-up” approaches to crystal extraction is serious. These methods aim to minimize material losses while maximizing the quality of the crystals. In his doctoral thesis on Leibniz Institute for Crystal Growing in Berlin, Dr. Ernst studied the formation of fine structures both theoretically and practically. He was awarded the DGKK Prize for his work on local growth and structure formation on crystalline substrates.

His ambitions continue: Dr. Ernst plans to continue conducting research at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and advance the value creation of crystals for future technologies. In particular, his team will focus on the production of isotopically pure semiconductors for semiconductor-based quantum technology.

Competence center for crystal growth

The Leibniz Institute for Crystal Growing in Berlin/Adlershof is an international competence center in this field. It offers expertise in both fundamental and applied and pre-industrial research activities grouped around crystalline materials. Crystalline materials are essential for electrical and photonic solutions and find applications in areas such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy and medical diagnostics.

The IKZ strives to produce high-quality crystalline materials with tailored properties and is known for its research on nanostructures, thin films and bulk crystals. The combination of theoretical and experimental materials science significantly supports the institute's research and development activities. In the future, the IKZ will advance innovations in crystalline materials to overcome modern technological challenges.