Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Wessling
The aim of Matthias Wessling’s research is to integrate selective mass transfer and conversion into micro-, meso- and macroscopic systems. In particular, he focusses on systems with functionalities controlled by tailored interfaces. Macroscopic systems are being analyzed, modeled and developed at his chair for Chemical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University (Aachener Verfahrenstechnik). At DWI, Matthias Wessling focuses on micro- and mesoscopic systems which integrate basic principles of boundary layers: (a) selective mass transport, (b) molecular-specific conversion and (c) charge transfer. The overall aim is to synthesize interactive materials systems inspired by nature. Using existing and novel materials, complex interactive structures are engineered and their structure-function relationship is analyzed in stable or transient pressure, concentration and electrical charge gradients. Applications are energy storage, water treatment and medical engineering.
Curriculum Vitae
Matthias Wessling heads the Chair of Chemical Process Engineering at RWTH Aachen University. He is Vice-Rector for Research and Structure at the RWTH Aachen University and a member of the DWI Scientific Board. He was Vice Scientific Director of the DWI from 2015 to 2018. He is Editor of the Journal of Membrane Science. After studying chemical engineering in Dortmund and Cincinatti, he did his PhD in Twente/NL. He was Senior Research Scientist at Membrane Technology and Research Inc., Menlo Park, CA and head of the Department of Separation Processes at Akzo Nobel. From 2000 to 2010, he was Chair of Membrane Science and Technology at the University of Twente.
Selected professional functions, honors and awards
- 2022 Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
- 2019 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize
- 2016 ERC Advanced Grant ConFluReM (Controlling Fluid Resistance at Membranes)
- 2010 Alexander von Humboldt Professorship
- Since 2003 Honorary Scientific Member, Russian Academy of Science Institute TIPS (Topchiev Institute of Petrolchemical Sciences), Moscow
- 1994 Best Ph.D. Thesis Award, European Membrane Society
Publications
| Titel/Autoren | DOI-LINK | Magazine | Jahre | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Additive Manufacturing of Electrochemical Reactors for Diluted and Disperse Reactants
A. Brodersen; T. Harhues; W. Plischka; A. Limper; J. Linkhorst; M. Wessling; R. Keller
|
https://ssrn.com/abstract=7299349 | SSRN | 2026 | |
|
Beyond dehydration: Local coordination shapes ion-transport barriers in polyelectrolyte membranes
J. Mehlis; M. Wessling
|
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2026.125770 | Journal of Membrane Science | 2026 | |
|
Beyond Stack Metrics: Process-Economic Design of Sodium Sulfate Electro–Electrodialysis
M. Wehner; D. Skarplik; G. Gert; M. Wessling; R. Keller
|
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.6c01825 | Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research | 2026 | |
|
Dissipatively Fueled Unidirectionally Communicating DNA Circuits That Control Biocatalysis
Philippe Jung, Daniel Felder, Gurudas Chakraborty, Tim Seifert, Matthias Wessling, Lifei Zheng, Andreas Herrmann
|
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202523416 | Angewandte Chemie Internationale Edition | 2026 | |
|
Environmental Potential Of Co-Transporting Hydrogen In Natural Gas Pipelines Followed By Electrochemical Hydrogen Compression
Karan Anand; Georgia Ioanna Prokopou; Wibke Zängler; Vu Phong Nguyen; Hendrik Pötting; Robert Keller; Alexander Mitsos; Matthias Wessling; Niklas von der Assen
|
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.154957 | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy | 2026 | |
|
Flow distribution in single-use intravenous in-line membrane filters
Simon Wennemaring; Franziska Hagemann; Erik Ortmann; Torsten Rose; John Linkhorst; Matthias Wessling
|
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2026.125587 | Journal of Membrane Science | 2026 | |
|
Hydraulic coupling and flow redistribution in hollow fiber membrane modules with blocked fibers
S. Wennemaring; J. T. Menschik; M. Meerfeld; T. Rose; D. Wypysek; J. Linkhorst; M. Wessling
|
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2026.126106 | Journal of Membrane Science | 2026 | |
|
Trade-offs between spacer-induced mixing and electric-field shadowing govern overlimiting electrodialysis performance: Insights from coupled CFD and experiments
Richard Dunkel; Michael Garthe; Elizaveta Evdochenko; Niklas Köller; Wenzel Plischka; Paul Bacmeister; Matthias Wessling
|
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6339728 | SSRN | 2026 | |
|
Transport-kinetic trade-offs in pulsed CO2 electrolysis with gas diffusion electrodes: A microkinetic-continuum modeling study
W. Plischka; M. Heßelmann; M. Wessling; R. Keller
|
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2026.103508 | Journal of CO2 Utilization | 2026 | |
|
Comparative Review of High- and Low-Temperature Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis
Y. Kohlhaas, L. Nohl, R. Keller, L. G. J. de Haart, R.-A. Eichel and M. Wessling
|
https://doi.org/10.1002/elsa.70001 | Electrochemical Science Advances | 2025 | |
|
Continuous Flow Synthesis of Polyvinylidene Fluoride
Stefan Herrmann; Nick Semrau; Matthias Wessling
|
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.5c00608 | ACS Macro Letters | 2025 | |
|
Effect of Natural Gas Impurities on Electrochemical Hydrogen Compression and Strategies for Mitigation
W. Zängler, N. Semrau, M. Wessling and R. Keller
|
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.150980 | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy | 2025 |