Matthias Arenz

Managing Director @ DCBP - Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Bern)

About

I am an experienced researcher specializing in the development of catalysts for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and water electrolyzers. In my laboratory, we adopt a versatile "toolbox" approach to catalyst synthesis, utilizing a broad range of methods—from colloidal strategies that enable precise and independent control over individual catalyst parameters, to electrodeposition, autoclave synthesis, and incipient wetness impregnation, which is amenable to industrial-scale production. Both synthesized and commercial catalysts are rigorously evaluated and benchmarked for activity and stability. This is achieved through accelerated stress testing in combination with identical-location transmission electron microscopy—a technique pioneered in my lab. We also employ gas diffusion electrode (GDE) measurements and a suite of in situ and operando techniques to gain deeper insights into catalyst behavior under realistic conditions. Recently, we have integrated machine learning tools into our workflow, enabling us to connect experimental data with theoretical calculations from our collaborators. Beyond catalyst development, a significant focus of my work lies in the design of advanced electrochemical setups and the automation of experimental processes. These efforts have led to the founding of our spin-out company, NordicElectrochemistry ApS, which develops and markets high-performance potentiostats. In addition, we provide customizable software solutions built on our proprietary EC4U™ platform. Group Website: https://arenz.dcb.unibe.ch/arenz.shtml ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9765-4315 http://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=rP5LTLEAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao Company Website: www.nordicec.com

Country

Switzerland

City

Bern

Industry

Research

Skill

Electrochemistry, Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Characterization, Chemistry, Spectroscopy

Experience

Managing Director

DCBP - Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Bern)

2024-1 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

Bern, Berne, Switzerland

Deputy Director

DCBP - Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Bern)

2021-1 - 2023-12 · 3 yrs

Professor

University of Bern

2016-2 - Present · 10 yrs 8 mos

Leader of the Electrocatalysis group at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Berne, Switzerland.

President Bernese Chemical Society

University of Bern

2017-1 - 2020-12 · 4 yrs

CEO

Nordic Electrochemistry Aps

2014-9 - Present · 12 yrs 1 mo

Nordic Electrochemistry develops electrochemical hard- and software solutions. Currently our standard product range consists of the Potentiostat ECi-200 and the Software package EC4U™. For further information, please contact us info [at] nordicec.com and visit our website www.nordicec.com.

Associate Professor

Københavns Universitet - University of Copenhagen

2010-2 - 2016-1 · 6 yrs

Leader of Nanocatalysis Group at the Nanoscience Center The recent focus of my work is on the degradation mechanisms of low temperature fuel cell catalysts as well as colloid based synthesis of high surface area catalysts. Within this work we also try to establish alternative support materials, which exhibit improved stability. Current Projects: • Work package leader in “4M” project, Mechanisms, Materials, Manufacturing and Management – Interdisciplinary Fundamental Research to Promote commercialization of HT-PEMFC • Work package leader of FP7 collaborative research project “DECORE”, Direct ElectroChemical Oxidation Reaction of Ethanol: optimization of the catalyst/support assembly for high temperature operation • Leading Gap-funding project of Copenhagen Clean Tech Cluster: “Closing the Gap: industrial scale proof of concept for fuel catalyst with full Pt utilization” • Sapere Aude Research Leader of project "The fundamentals of fuel cell catalysts degradation”

Emmy Noether Group Leader

Technical University of Munich

2006 - 2010 · 4 yrs

Complete setup of electrochemicallaboratory with RDE, homebuild potentiostats, DEMS, in-situ FTIR; Study of electrocatalysts for low temperature fuel cells: Determination of benchmark activities, IL-TEM studies of catalyst degradation, structure-activity relationships, particle size effects, preparation of core-shell nanoparticles with enhanced activity. Investigation of size selected cluster as model catalysts.

Research Scientist

Technical University of Munich

2005 - 2006 · 1 yr

Project team leader size selected Clusters

Postdoctoral Researcher

Berkeley Lab

2002-9 - 2004-8 · 2 yrs

Research on low temperature fuel cell catalysts: In-situ FTIRS on high surface area catalysts, particle size effects, catalytic properties of thin Pd films.