New professor of theoretical chemistry revolutionizes materials research!

New professor of theoretical chemistry revolutionizes materials research!

Tim Neudecker has significantly expanded his research activities at the University of Bremen and is now on the way to becoming a regular professor in the Department of Biology and Chemistry. After he took on a tenure-track professorship in theoretical chemistry in 2019, this was converted into a full professorship on July 21, 2025. In the meantime, Neudecker has made significant contributions to the development of simulation methods aimed at studying the behavior of materials under mechanical stress.

Neudecker's working group has taken on the exciting challenge of taking all relevant sizes into account - from individual molecules to macroscopic materials. The research aims to promote innovative applications in various industries. Neudecker is developing plastics that change color when exposed to mechanical stress, which could be particularly important for the construction and transport industries. His group is also involved in the production of paper that has high tear resistance even when wet.

Research priorities and innovative approaches

A central area of ​​research is the investigation of fundamental questions about the behavior of molecules and materials under high pressure and tensile experiments. Of particular interest is the stability of biochemical systems that occur on the seafloor. As the University of Bremen reports, the simulation methods developed provide a fundamental understanding of chemical systems under mechanical stress and show new perspectives for novel materials.

Neudecker himself studied chemistry at the University of Frankfurt and received his doctorate in theoretical chemistry at the University of Heidelberg. A two-year postdoctoral stay at the University of California, Berkeley, before taking up his professorship, certainly helped to expand his expertise and his international contacts in the scientific community.

The role of theoretical chemistry

Theoretical chemistry and computer simulation are crucial tools in the research and development of new materials. They make it possible to analyze complex chemical processes at the atomic level and understand structure-property relationships. By applying physical principles and mathematical models, chemical phenomena can be explained and predicted.

The specialized software tools used in theoretical chemistry include Gaussian for calculating chemical structures, VMD for visualizing molecular simulations, and CP2K for the electronic structure of molecules and solids. These programs enable precise predictions of molecular structures and bonding properties as well as the development of tailor-made catalysts for the chemical industry.

The importance of theoretical chemistry is particularly impressive in the field of drug research and materials science. High-performance computers are necessary for simulating complex molecules and their behavior under different conditions. In addition, developments such as machine learning and artificial intelligence will become increasingly important in this discipline in the future, which has the potential to further advance research.

The combination of experimental data and computer simulations in theoretical chemistry is essential to gain deeper insights into chemical processes and gain new knowledge. The growing interdisciplinarity between chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science opens new horizons for the scientific community.

The University of Bremen reports that Tim Neudecker's research is of significant value for developing new materials and answering fundamental chemical questions. It is also expected that his work will continue to provide significant impetus for chemistry and related disciplines in the future.

The knowledge highlights that theoretical chemistry and computer simulations are of central importance for innovative materials and applications such as drug research. A constant further development of the methods is therefore considered necessary.