Jörg Kärger | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Leipzig University Germany

Prof. Dr. Jörg Kärger, born in 1943 in Erfurt, is a distinguished physicist renowned for his pioneering contributions to diffusion in porous materials. After studying physics at Leipzig University, he earned his Ph.D. in 1970 and later his habilitation in 1978. Over nearly four decades at Leipzig University, he held several academic roles, including full professorship in Interface Physics, and became Professor Emeritus in 2009. He has served as Dean, Ombudsman, and president of the German Zeolite Association. Internationally recognized, Kärger has received prestigious honors such as the Gustav-Hertz Award, Max Planck Research Award, and ENI Award. He is a member of the Saxon Academy of Sciences and chaired the IUPAC task group on diffusion in nanoporous solids. His scholarly impact includes landmark publications like Diffusion in Zeolites and Diffusion in Nanoporous Materials, advancing fundamental understanding in physics, chemistry, and materials science. He continues to inspire through his academic leadership and prolific research output.

Professional Prof

Education🎓

Prof. Dr. Jörg Kärger’s educational background laid a strong foundation for his distinguished scientific career in physics and material science. He began his academic journey studying physics at Leipzig University from 1962 to 1967, where he developed a keen interest in transport phenomena and condensed matter physics. In 1970, he earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the same institution, focusing on molecular diffusion—an area that would define his future research legacy. His academic excellence and commitment to deepening scientific knowledge led him to complete his habilitation (Promotion B) in 1978, a prestigious post-doctoral qualification in the German academic system. This qualification established him as an independent researcher and opened the path to his long-standing teaching and research career at Leipzig University. His educational achievements reflect a rigorous and methodical training in fundamental physics, which he later applied to pioneering research in diffusion within porous and nanoporous materials, contributing extensively to the global scientific community.

Professional Experience📝

Prof. Dr. Jörg Kärger has had a distinguished professional career centered at Leipzig University, where he significantly advanced the field of diffusion in porous and nanoporous materials. Beginning in 1970 as a scientific co-worker, he progressed through academic ranks, becoming a senior co-worker, lecturer, extra-ordinary professor, and ultimately holding a full professorship in Interface Physics from 1994 until his retirement in 2009. His academic leadership included roles as Dean of the Faculty of Physics and Earth Sciences, Ombudsman of the university, and President of the German Zeolite Association. Since 2015, he has contributed to international scientific collaboration as a member—and from 2018, chair—of the IUPAC task group on “Diffusion in Nanoporous Solids.” His professional experience is marked by excellence in teaching, mentorship, and groundbreaking research, with a strong focus on physical chemistry and material science, earning him global recognition and multiple prestigious awards throughout his career.

Research Interest🔎

Prof. Dr. Jörg Kärger’s research interests are centered on diffusion phenomena in porous and nanoporous materials, a field in which he is regarded as a global pioneer. His work has fundamentally advanced the understanding of molecular transport in microporous solids such as zeolites, with implications across catalysis, energy storage, and materials science. He has specialized in developing and applying innovative experimental techniques, including pulsed field gradient NMR and micro-imaging methods, to directly observe and quantify diffusion processes at microscopic levels. Prof. Kärger’s interdisciplinary approach bridges physics, chemistry, and engineering, enabling the practical design of advanced materials for industrial applications. His collaborative research has also explored the role of diffusion in natural systems and societal processes, as reflected in his publications like Diffusive Spreading in Nature, Technology and Society. His work continues to influence both theoretical models and experimental practices in the study of mass transport in confined systems.

Award and Honor🏆

Prof. Dr. Jörg Kärger has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to diffusion science and material research. In 1978, he was awarded the Gustav-Hertz Award by the German Physical Society, followed by the Leibniz Medal from the German Academy of Sciences in 1980. His international acclaim was solidified with the Donald W. Breck Award from the International Zeolite Association in 1986 and the Max Planck Research Award in 1993, jointly granted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Max Planck Society. He was elected a member of the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in 2000 and received the Theodor Litt Award from Leipzig University in 2005. In 2019, he was honored with the Literature Prize of the Fonds of Chemical Industry for co-authoring Diffusive Spreading in Nature, Technology and Society, and in 2020, he received the prestigious ENI Award for “Advanced Experimental Solutions” alongside Jürgen Caro.

Research Skill🔬

Prof. Dr. Jörg Kärger possesses exceptional research skills that have positioned him as a leading expert in the field of diffusion and transport phenomena in porous materials. His expertise lies in both the theoretical modeling and experimental investigation of molecular diffusion, particularly within microporous and nanoporous systems such as zeolites. He is renowned for his development and application of advanced techniques, including pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG NMR) and micro-imaging, which allow for the direct observation of transport processes at the molecular level. Prof. Kärger’s interdisciplinary research approach combines physics, chemistry, and materials science, enabling him to tackle complex scientific questions with high precision and innovation. His skills extend to designing experimental setups, interpreting complex diffusion behavior, and publishing high-impact scientific literature. Through collaborative and independent projects, he has demonstrated strong analytical thinking, methodological rigor, and a deep commitment to advancing fundamental understanding with practical relevance in science and industry.

Conclusion💡

Prof. Dr. Jörg Kärger’s illustrious career reflects a lifelong dedication to scientific excellence, academic leadership, and groundbreaking research in diffusion and porous materials. Through decades of service at Leipzig University and contributions to international scientific communities, he has profoundly influenced the fields of physics, chemistry, and materials science. His innovative research methods, particularly in molecular diffusion studies, have not only deepened fundamental understanding but also inspired practical applications in catalysis, environmental science, and nanotechnology. The numerous honors and awards he has received underscore the global recognition of his work. Beyond his scientific achievements, Prof. Kärger has played key leadership roles in academic governance and professional societies, fostering research collaboration and mentoring the next generation of scientists. His publications, including widely cited books and articles, continue to shape the discourse in his field. As a scientist, educator, and thought leader, Prof. Kärger’s legacy will endure across disciplines and generations.

Publications Top Noted✍️

Title: Diffusion in Zeolites
Authors: J. Kärger, S. Vasenkov, S.M. Auerbach
Year: 2003
Citations: 3,067
Title: Principles and Application of Self-Diffusion Measurements by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Authors: J. Kärger, H. Pfeifer, W. Heink
Year: 1988
Citations: 1,021
Title: Diffusion in Nanoporous Materials
Authors: J. Kärger, D.M. Ruthven, D.N. Theodorou
Year: 2012
Citations: 894
Title: Diffusion in Condensed Matter: Methods, Materials, Models
Authors: P. Heitjans, J. Kärger
Year: 2006
Citations: 577
Title: Single-File Diffusion Observation
Authors: K. Hahn, J. Kärger, V. Kukla
Year: 1996
Citations: 558
Title: The Propagator Representation of Molecular Transport in Microporous Crystallites
Authors: J. Kärger, W. Heink
Year: 1983
Citations: 484
Title: NMR Studies of Single-File Diffusion in Unidimensional Channel Zeolites
Authors: V. Kukla, J. Kornatowski, D. Demuth, I. Girnus, H. Pfeifer, L.V.C. Rees, J. Kärger
Year: 1996
Citations: 416
Title: NMR Self-Diffusion Studies in Zeolite Science and Technology
Authors: J. Kärger, H. Pfeifer
Year: 1987
Citations: 393
Title: NMR Self-Diffusion Studies in Heterogeneous Systems
Authors: J. Kärger
Year: 1985
Citations: 330
Title: Mass Transfer in Mesoporous Materials: The Benefit of Microscopic Diffusion Measurement
Authors: J. Kärger, R. Valiullin
Year: 2013
Citations: 288