What tasks are involved in (aerogel) research, and what degree programs are relevant for this?
Chemistry:
As you may have noticed, the production of an aerogel requires knowledge from various fields. In addition to chemistry, this includes not only mathematics but also physics and biology. For example, the production of hydrogels in the first step is determined by the interactions between the polymers themselves and with the gelling agent. By varying these two components and their properties, the viscosity of the gel and thus the structure of the aerogel after drying are influenced. If you are particularly interested in this step, a degree in Chemistry might be for you.
Chemical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering:
If you are more interested in the interplay of technology with chemical and physical processes, a degree in chemical engineering could be the right choice for you. This field of study deals, for example, with the influences of the autoclave on the finished aerogel (e.g., through pressure or temperature) or how production can be carried out as optimally as possible (low energy and material consumption). The development and construction of suitable equipment (e.g., the autoclave) as well as their functionality are part of a degree in Chemical Engineering or also Mechanical Engineering.
Modeling:
A topic that is becoming increasingly interesting in today’s world is virtual modeling. With the help of such a model, it is ideally possible to predict the required process conditions (e.g., pressure and temperature) and properties of the finished aerogels without having to conduct experiments in the laboratory. This saves researchers a lot of work, cost, and time. Modeling is also a field of study that can be pursued in the area of Chemical Engineering. This usually involves working on the computer and using modeling programs or even writing models in different programming languages yourself. Programming skills are therefore an advantage here. As a student, you can already work in research as a student assistant, e.g., by conducting and evaluating experiments. A Master’s degree can follow a Bachelor’s degree, and then a doctorate. During this time, you are employed as a research assistant and work on research projects or parts thereof largely independently. At the same time, you often also participate in teaching. Another step on the career ladder at a university is habilitation, which is a prerequisite for a professorship. In the excursus: “Interviews with Aerogel Researchers,” you will get to know researchers at different levels.
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