PhD thesis
The doctorate is the conclusion of a long scientific journey and represents the highest academic degree attainable in Germany. The Institute of Mineral Engineering is one of the best places within the field of glass technology and research on ceramics and refractory materials for interested and enthusiastic students to successfully complete a PhD in a friendly and well-equipped environment. In addition to the possibility to apply for a PhD position, we would like to present current research projects for which we are currently looking for PhD students.
Characterization of glass-metal interactions at high temperatures
At sufficiently high temperatures and correspondingly low viscosities, glass melts enter into complex interactions with the respective contact material. Among other things, bonding and diffusion can occur. Our own in-house investigations have shown that the previous empirical laws do not apply universally and should be revised.
Building on a dissertation already carried out and several other papers, the fundamental dependencies of these interactions are to be investigated in an industry-funded project using analytical and thermo-optical methods, among other things.
In the next step, concrete derivations for the optimization of the interactions are to be made. These optimizations are to be tested for their practical applicability in a concrete, industrial environment.
Investigation of the interactions between a pharmaceutical glass and albumin (endogenous protein).
During the manufacturing process of pharmaceutical vials (so-called Type II vials), various surface changes occur in the glass that can interact negatively with the subsequent filling material (in this case albumin, a protein produced by the body).
Within the framework of a large-scale study, the production-related causes of these negative interactions will be identified. Different production parameters will be systematically evaluated and their effects on the above mentioned glass properties and albumin interactions will be investigated. The results will be tested in a concrete industrial environment.
The project is industrially financed by a well-known pharmaceutical glass manufacturer and a well-known pharmaceutical company.