Just how “casual” is the dress code at Häko?
Robert Glaum: The days of suits, ties, and heroically enduring heat waves in the lecture hall have been a thing of the past since at least the tropical summer of 2006. Today, jeans and polo shirts dominate the scene, in the spirit of thermal common sense. “Casual” refers less to bare forearms and more to the relaxed, collegial atmosphere. Here, a good idea counts for more than a perfectly knot in a tie.
What are the rules?
Surprisingly simple: For three days, we gather together in the main lecture hall on the Poppelsdorf campus—no side events, no sneaking off. About 60 participants each give a presentation lasting no more than 15 minutes. Often, we only know a few cryptic keywords in advance. We don’t find out exactly what’s behind them until the live presentation—scientific surprise included.
How much time is there for discussion?
A generous five to ten minutes—and they pack a punch. Here, you can ask blunt questions, probe critically, and offer pointed objections—all in strict confidence, of course. At times, the battle for truth and scientific accuracy takes on the character of a duel: the opponents defend and attack, sometimes with finesse, sometimes bluntly and directly, but always in the interest of scientific knowledge. The audience follows the verbal duels with bated breath—occasionally accompanied by incredulous murmurs, pained groans, or amused jeers. In the end, everyone gains new insights.
Is the classic scientific debate at the heart of it all?
Of course it is—after all, we passionately strive to find the best explanation for the enigmatic phenomena of solid-state chemistry and materials research. Sometimes, someone spends half their research career searching for a synthesis route for a “non-existent” chemical compound or for the answer to why a solid with a specific crystal structure behaves physically in exactly this way and not another—atoms, as we know, are stubborn. Since very different research groups are represented at Häko, we can draw on a wealth of expertise. Very often, the lively discussions and conversations over coffee give rise to interdisciplinary collaborations; this is how many a chemical puzzle has been solved, with the answer then presented together at the next Häko.
How reserved are the young people—that is, students and doctoral candidates?
Surprisingly little—at least after a few moments. At first, they usually watch quietly, exchange ideas in their own forums, and gather impressions. Later, they take the podium themselves. Informal collaborations then emerge between labs: “Send me your sample, let’s check it out!”—this is how teams with very different methods form spontaneous research alliances.
What was your experience at Häko as a young person?
To be honest: impressive! You rarely see such open discussion elsewhere. I was familiar with the chemical fundamentals from my studies—but after three days at Häko, I suddenly saw crystal clear which topics are currently hot and how cleverly people are searching for solutions. Better than any textbook—and much more lively!
Which topic was discussed in greater detail this time?
I think the research areas of the two award winners show that this question isn’t so easy to answer. The range of presentation topics spans from the most fundamental basic research to the development of innovative measurement methods and diverse applications, such as in medicine, catalysis, or renewable energy. That is why this conference deliberately never has a central theme, but instead creates space for an open, unrestricted scientific exchange.
You don’t charge conference fees—how do you finance the colloquium?
Participants only pay for their travel and accommodation; the rest is covered by the hosts together with sponsors. Manufacturers of measuring instruments and laboratory equipment are present on-site—often with familiar faces from the alumni community. After all, many graduates find jobs at these companies because they worked with this equipment during their doctoral studies. For many, it feels like a big family reunion.
Now we come to the scientific core of the colloquium: What is being researched in solid-state chemistry?
Solid-state chemistry deals with solid materials such as metals, ceramics, or semiconductors—in other words, with everything that doesn’t simply flow away. It investigates how atoms are arranged in a material—neatly (or sometimes less neatly)—and why exactly this determines whether something is hard like a diamond, electrically semiconductive like silicon in a computer chip, or even suitable as a catalyst. A particularly important tool is X-ray diffraction. In this process, X-rays are directed at a crystal, producing a characteristic diffraction pattern. From this pattern, it is possible to calculate how the atoms are arranged inside—a bit like detective work on the nanoscale. In this way, solid-state chemistry helps develop new materials for batteries, solar cells, and many everyday devices.
