Publications

91. Ida Bochert, Jan-Philipp Günther, Peer Fischer and Günter Majer, "Diffusion Mechanisms of DNA in Agarose Gels: NMR Studies and Monte Carlo Simulations" J. Chem. Phys. 156 (2022) 245103, DOI: 10.1063/5.0092568
90. Jan-Philipp Günther, Lucy L. Fillbrook, Günter Majer, Daniel J. O’Leary, William S. Price, Hal Van Ryswyk, Peer Fischer and Jonathon E. Beves. Comment on "Molecules, the Ultimate Nanomotor: Linking Chemical Reaction Intermediates to their Molecular Diffusivity" ACS Nano 16 (2022) 9973-9976, DOI: 10.1021/ascnano.2c01607
89. Lucy L. Fillbrook, Jan-Philipp Günther, Günter Majer, Daniel J. O’Leary, William S. Price, Hal Van Ryswyk, Peer Fischer, and Jonathon E. Beves. Response to Comment on "Following Molecular Mobility during Chemical Reactions: No Evidence for Active Propulsion" and "Molecular Diffusivity of Click Reactions: The Diffusion Enhancement Question" J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144 (2022) 13436-13440, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c02830
88. Lucy L. Fillbrook, Jan-Philipp Günther, Günter Majer, Daniel J. O’Leary, William S. Price, Hal Van Ryswyk, Peer Fischer, and Jonathon E. Beves. Following Molecular Mobility during Chemical Reactions: No evidence for Active Propulsion. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 143, 20884-20890 (2021)
87. Comment on "Using NMR to Test Molecular Mobility during a Chemical Reaction"
    Lucy L. Fillbrook, Jan-Philipp Günther, Günter Majer, William S. Price, Peer Fischer, and Jonathon E. Beves
    The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2021 12 (25), 5932-5937
    DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c00995
86. A. V. Skripov, G. Majer, O.A. Babanova, R.V. Skoryunov, A.V. Soloninin, M.B. Ley, T. R. Jensen, S. Orimo, T.J. Udovic. Lithium-ion diffusivity in complex hydrides: Pulsed-field-gradient NMR studies of LiLa(BH₄)₃Cl, Li₃(NH₂)₂I and Li-1-CB₉H₁₀. Solid State Ionics 362 (2021) 115585.
85. Jan-Philipp Günther, Lucy L. Fillbrook, Thomas S. C. MacDonald, Günter Majer , William S. Price, Peer Fischer, Jonathon E. Beves. Comment on "Boosted molecular mobility during common chemical reactions". Science 10.1126/sience.abe8322 (2021)
84. A.V. Skripov, G. Majer, O.A. Babanova, R.V. Skoryunov, A.V. Soloninin, M. Dimitrievska, T.J. Udovic. Na⁺ diffusivity in carbon-substituted nido- and closo-hydroborate salts: Pulsed-field-gradient NMR studies of Na-7-CB₁₀H₁₃ and Na₂(CB₉H₁₀)(CB₁₁H₁₂). J. Alloys Compd. 850, 156781 (2021)
83. Leila Raafat, Bernd Wicklein, Günter Majer, Timotheus Jahnke, Achim M. Diem, Joachim Bill, and Zaklina Burghard.
    Shape-Conformable, Eco-Friendly Cellulose Aerogels as HighPerformance Battery Separators. ACS Appl. Energy Mater.4, 763−774 (2021)
82. J.-P. Günther, G. Majer, P. Fischer. Absolute diffusion measurements of active enzyme solutions by NMR.
    J. Chem. Phys. 150, 124201 (2019).
81. G. Majer and A. Southan. PFG-NMR studies of ATP diffusion in PEG-DA hydrogels and aqueous solutions of PEG-DA polymers. diffusion-fundamentals.org 30 (2017) 4, pp 1-8.
80. G. Majer, A. Southan. Adenosine triphosphate diffusion through poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogels can be tuned by cross-linking density as measured by PFG-NMR. J. Chem. Phys. 146, 225101 (2017).
79. J. P. Melchior, G. Majer, K.D. Kreuer. Why do proton conducting polybenzimidazole phosphoric acid membranes perform well in high-temperature PEM fuel cells? Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.19 (2017) 601.
78. G. Majer, K. Zick. Accurate and absolute diffusion measurements of Rhodamine 6G in low-concentration aqueous solutions by the PGSE-WATERGATE sequence. J. Chem. Phys. 142 (2015) 164202.
77. J. G. Sun, S. V. Gräter, J. Tang, J. H. Huang, P. Liu, Y. X. Lai, G. Majer, J. P. Spatz, J. D. Ding. Preparation of stable micropatterns of gold on cell-adhesion-resistant hydrogels assisted by a hetero-bifunctional macromonomer linker. Sci. China Chem. 57 (2014) 645.
76. G. Majer, J. P. Melchior. Characterization on the fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) standard Rhodamine 6G and calibration of its diffusion coefficient in aqueous solutions. J. Chem. Phys. 140 (2014) 094201.
75. A. G. F. de Beer, G. Majer, S. Roke, J. P. Spatz. Continuous photobleaching on focal adhesion associated membrane proteins. J. Adh. Sci. Tech. 24 (2010) 2323.
74. A. G. F. de Beer, E. A. Cavalcanti-Adam, G. Majer, M. Lopez-Garcia, H. Kessler, J. P. Spatz. Force-induced destabilization of focal adhesion at defined integrin spacings on nanostructured surfaces, Phys. Rev. E 81 (2010) 051914.
73. B. N. Mbenkum, A. S. Schneider, G. Schütz, C. Xu, G. Richter, P. A. van Aken, G. Majer, J. S. Spatz. Low-temperature growth of silicon nanotubes and nanowires on amorphous substrates. ACS Nano 4 (2010) 1805.
72. A. Telfah, G. Majer, K.-D. Kreuer, M. Schuster, J. Maier. Formation and mobility of protonic charge carriers in methyl sulfonic acid – water mixtures: A model for sulfonic acid based ionomers at low degree of hydrogen. Solid State Ionics 181 (2010) 461.
71. L.E. Valiente-Banuet, G. Majer, K. Müller. Corrigendum to “Proton NMR studies of the NaAlH₄ structure” [J. Magn. Reson. 200 (2009) 280]. J. Magn. Reson. 205 (2010) 180.
70. L.E. Valiente-Banuet, G. Majer, K. Müller. Proton NMR studies of the NaAlH₄ structure. J. Magn. Reson. 200 (2009) 280.
69. F. Grinberg, G. Majer, A.V. Skripov. Pulsed-Field-Gradient NMR study of hydrogen diffusion in random b.b.c. alloys V_yTa_1-y. J. Alloys & Compd. 425 (2006) 24.
68. A. Telfah, G. Majer, M. Schuster, K.-D. Kreuer and J. Maier. PFG-NMR studies of diffusion in sulfonic acid based systems. Diffusion Fundamentals, Leipzig (2005) 594.
67. S. K. Brady, M. S. Conradi, G. Majer and R.G. Barnes. Proton magnetic resonance spectra of YH₃ and LuH₃. Phys. Rev. B 72 (2005) 214111.
66. G. Majer, E. Stanik, L. E. Valiente-Banuet, F. Grinberg, O. Kircher and M. Fichtner.  Effects of catalysts on the dehydriding of alanates monitored by proton NMR. J. Alloys & Compd. 404-406 (2005) 738.
65. E. Stanik, G. Majer, S. Orimo, T. Ichikawa and H. Fujii. Nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of the hydrogen dynamics in nanocrystalline graphite. J. Appl. Physics 98 (2005) 044302.
64. G. Majer, A. Telfah, F. Grinberg and R.G. Barnes. Unusual doublet structure in proton magnetic-resonance spectra of yttrium and lutetium trihydrides. Phys. Rev. B 70 (2004) 134111.
63. G. Majer, J. Gottwald, U. Kaess, D.T. Peterson and R.G. Barnes. Nuclear relaxation in the dideuterides of hafnium and titanium. Phys. Rev. B 68 (2003) 134304-6.
62. S. Orimo, Y. Nakamori, T. Matsushima, T. Ichikawa, D. Chen, J. Gottwald, H. Fujii, K. Fukunaga, E. Stanuk, G. Majer, A. Züttel, L. Schlapbach. Nanostructured carbon-related materials for Hydrogen Storage. Proceedings from Processing and Fabrication of Advanced Materials XI, Columbus, Ohio, pp 123 (2003)
61. S. Orimo, A. Züttel, L. Schlapbach, G. Majer, T. Fukunaga and H. Fujii. Hydrogen in carbon nanostructures – current situation and further prospects. J. Alloys & Compd. 356-357 (2003) 716-719.
60. J. Gottwald, G. Majer, D.T. Peterson and R.G. Barnes. NMR studies of hydrogen diffusion in the dihydrides of hafnium. J. Alloys & Compd. 356-357 (2003) 274-278.
59. R.G. Barnes, C.T. Chang, G. Majer and U. Kaess. Electron density-of-states and the metal-insulator transition in LaH_x. J. Alloys & Compd. 356-357 (2003) 137-141.
58. G. Majer, E. Stanik and S. Orimo. NMR studies of hydrogen motion in nano­structured hydrogen-graphite systems. J. Alloys & Compd. 356-357 (2003) 617-621.
57. S. Orimo, Y. Nakamori, T. Matsushima, T. Ichikawa, D. Chen, J. Gottwald, H. Fujii, K. Itho, T. Fu-kunaga, E. Stanik, G. Majer, A. Züttel, L. Schlapbach. Nanostructured Carbon-Related Materials for Hydrogen Storage, invited contribution, Proceedings from Processing and Fabrication of Advanced Materials XI, ASM International (2003), pp. 123-131.
56. G. Majer, U. Eberle, F. Kimmerle, E. Stanik and S. Orimo. Hydrogen diffusion in metallic and nanostructured materials. Physica B 328 (2003) 81-89.
55. S. Orimo, T. Matsushima, H. Fujii, T. Fukunaga, G. Majer, A. Züttel and L. Schlapbach. Nanostructured graphite-hydrogen systems prepared by mechanical milling method. Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. 386 (2002) 173-178.
54. P. Wang, S. Orimo, T. Matsushima, H. Fujii and G. Majer. Hydrogen in mechanically prepared nanostructured h-BN; a critical comparison with that in nanostructured graphite. Appl. Phys. Letters 80 (2002) 318.
53. H. Züchner, H. Barlag and G. Majer. The existence of more than one jump process of hydrogen in palladium-silver alloys - A NMR study. J. Alloys & Compd. 330-332 (2002) 448.
52. G. Majer, J. Gottwald, D.T. Peterson and R.G. Barnes. Model-independent Measurements of Hydrogen Diffusivity in the Yttrium Dihydrides. J. Alloys & Compd. 330-332 (2002) 438.
51. U. Eberle, G. Majer, A.V. Skripov and V.N. Kozhanov. NMR Studies of Hydrogen Diffusion in the Hydrogen-Stabilized Laves Phase Compound C15-HfTi₂H_x. J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 14 (2002) 153.
50. A. Feinauer and G. Majer. Diffusion of ²³Na and ³⁵K in the Eutectic Melt Na_0.32K_0.68. Phys. Rev. B 64 (2001) 134302.
49. S. Orimo, T. Matsushima, H. Fujii, T. Fukunaga and G. Majer. Hydrogen Desorption Property of Mechanically Prepared Nanostructured Graphite. J. Appl. Phys. 90 (2001) 1545.
48. P. Galvosas, F. Stellmach, G. Seiffert, J. Kärger, U. Kaess and G. Majer. Generation and Application of Ultra-High-Intensity Magnetic Field Gradient Pulses for NMR Spectroscopy. J. Magn. Reson. 151 (2001) 260.
47. Hironobu Fujii, Shinichi Orimo, Toshiharu Fukunaga, Günter Majer, Andreas Züttel, Louis Schlapbach, “Hydrogen Storage Material and Method for Producing the Same”, Japanese Patent (2001), Patent No. JP2001302224.
46. S. Orimo, F. Kimmerle and G. Majer. Hydrogen in Nanostructured Vanadium-Hydrogen Systems. Phys. Rev. B. 63 (2001) 94307-10.
45. J. Schüth, P.-D. Eversheim, P. Herzog, K. Maier, G. Majer, P. Meyer and E. Roduner. Replacing Muons by Protons: Polarized Beam NMR. Physica B 289-290 (2000) 672.
44. S. Orimo, G. Majer, T. Fukunaga, A. Züttel, L. Schlapbach, H. Fujii. Hydrogen in the mechanically prepared nanostructured graphite. Proceedings of the EuroCarbon, 9-13 July 2000 Berlin, p. 85 (2000).
43. G. Majer. Die Methoden der Kernspinresonanz zum Studium der Diffusion von Wasserstoff in Metallen und intermetallischen Verbindungen. Habilitationsschrift, Universität Stuttgart, Cuvillier Verlag Göttingen (2000)  
42. S. Orimo, G. Majer, T. Fukunaga, A. Züttel, L. Schlapbach and H. Fujii. Hydrogen in the Mechanically Prepared Nanostructured Graphite. Appl. Phys. Lett., 75 (1999) 3093.
41. G. Majer, U. Kaess and R.G. Barnes. Model-Independent Measurements of Hydrogen Diffusivity in the Lanthanum Dihydride-Trihydride System. Phys. Rev. Lett., 83 (1999) 340.
40. J. Schüth, P.-D. Eversheim, P. Herzog, K. Maier, G. Majer, P. Meyer and E. Roduner. NMR on Protons from a Polarized Cyclotron Beam. Chem. Phys. Lett., 303 (1999) 453.
39. G. Majer. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Hydrogen Diffusion in Laves-Phase Hydrides. Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 513 (1998) 109.
38. G. Majer, U. Kaess and R.C. Bowman, Jr. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Hydrogen Diffusion in LaNi_5.0H_6.0 and LaNi_4.8Sn_0.2H_5.8. Phys. Rev. B, 57 (1998) 13599.
37. F. Kimmerle, G. Majer, U. Kaess, A. Maeland, M.S. Conradi and A.F. McDowell. Mechanisms of Hydrogen Diffusion in ZrBe₂H_1.4. J. Alloys & Compd., 264 (1998) 63.
36. U. Kaess, G. Majer, M. Stoll, D.T. Peterson and R.G. Barnes. Hydrogen and Deuterium Diffusion in Titanium Dihydrides/Dideuterides. J. Alloys & Compd., 259 (1997) 74.
35. K.H. Kim, D.R. Torgeson, F. Borsa, J.P. Cho, S.W. Martin, I. Svare and G. Majer. Evidence of Complex Ionic Motion in xLi₂S + (1-x)B₂S₃ Glassy Fast Ionic Conductors from ⁷Li and ¹¹B NMR and Ionic Conductivity Measurements. J. Non-Crystalline Solids, 211 (1997) 112.
34. A. Schirmer, P. Heitjans, G. Majer and A. Seeger. Diffusion-Induced ß-NMR Relaxation in Single-Crystal Lithium. Defect and Diffusion Forum, 143-147 (1997) 1317.
33. A. Feinauer, G. Majer and A. Seeger. Self-Diffusion in Liquid Lithium and Sodium. Defect and Diffusion Forum, 143-147 (1997) 881.
32. M. Neumann, P. Scharwächter, A. Seeger, W. Frank, K. Freitag, M. Konuma and G. Majer. Radiotracer Studies of Self-Diffusion in Sodium at Low Temperatures. Defect and Diffusion Forum, 143-147 (1997) 85.
31. A. Herrmann, L. Schimmele, G. Majer and A. Seeger. Monte Carlo Simulation of Hydrogen Diffusion in Cubic Laves-Phases: Correlation Effects and Nuclear Spin-Lattice Relaxation Rate of Proton Spins. Defect and Diffusion Forum, 143-147 (1997) 963.
30. G. Majer, U. Kaess, M. Stoll, R.G. Barnes and J. Shinar. Hydrogen Diffusion in Laves-Phase Compounds ZrV₂H_x. Defect and Diffusion Forum, 143-147 (1997) 957.
29. M. Stoll, U. Kaess, G. Majer and R.G. Barnes. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Hydrogen Diffusion in the Layer-Structured System ZrClH_x. J. Alloys & Compd. 253-254 (1997) 435.
28. K. Konzelmann, G. Majer and A. Seeger. Solid Effect between Quadrupolar Transitions in Dilute Cu-Pd Alloys. Z. Naturforsch. 51a (1996) 506.
27. G. Majer, W. Renz, A. Seeger, R.G. Barnes, J. Shinar and A.V. Skripov. Pulsed-Field-Gradient NMR Studies of Hydrogen Diffusion in the Laves Phase Hydrides. J. Alloys & Compd. 231 (1995) 220.
26. W. Renz, G. Majer and A.V. Skripov. Pulsed-Field-Gradient NMR Study of Hydrogen Diffusion in the Hydrogen-Stabilized Laves Phase C15-ZrTi₂H_3.7. J. Alloys & Compd. 224 (1995) 127.
25. A. Feinauer, G. Majer and A. Seeger. Diffusion of ⁶Li and ⁷Li and Isotope Effect in Liquid Lithium. J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 6 (1994) L355.
24. W. Renz, G. Majer, A.V. Skripov and A. Seeger. Pulsed-Field-Gradient NMR Study of Hydrogen Diffusion in the Laves-Phase Compounds ZrCr₂H_x. J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 6 (1994) 6367.
23. K. Konzelmann, G. Majer, M. Notter and A. Seeger. Investigation of Intrinsic Point Defects in Rapidly Quenched Copper by Nuclear Quadrupolar Double Resonance. Phil. Mag. Lett. 70 (1994) 23.
22. M. Kieninger, G. Majer, A. Seeger and F. Dworschak. Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Study of Copper in Electron-Irradiated YBa₂Cu₃O_6.95. Z. Natur­forschung 49a (1994) 391.
21. M. Notter, K. Konzelmann, G. Majer and A. Seeger. Investigation of Intrinsic Point Defects in Metals by Nuclear Quadrupolar Double Resonance. Z. Natur­forschung 49a (1994) 47.
20. G. Majer, W. Renz and R.G. Barnes. Mechanism of Hydrogen Diffusion in Zirconium Dihydrides. J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 6 (1994) 2935.
19. G. Majer, W. Renz, A. Seeger and R.G. Barnes. Pulsed-Field-Gradient NMR Investigations of Hydrogen Diffusion in ZrH_x. Z. Phys. Chem. 181 (1993) 187.
18. B. Black, G. Majer and A. Pines. SQUID-NMR Study of Methyl Quantum Tunnelling in a Series of Carboxylic Acids. Chem. Phys. Lett. 201 (1993) 550.
17. M. Kieninger, G. Majer, A. Seeger and F. Dworschak. NMR Study of Cu in Electron-Irradiated YBa₂Cu₃O_6.95. Proc. of the 10th Specialized Congress Ampere, Eds.: D. Brinkmann, M. Mali, J. Roos. Zürich, pp 100 (1991)
16. M. Hampele, G. Majer, R. Messer and A. Seeger. NMR Studies of Diffusion and Spin-Lattice Relaxation of Protons and Deuterons in Tantalum. J. Less-Common Metals 172 (1991) 631.
15. M. Hampele, D. Herlach, A. Kratzer, G. Majer, J. Major, H.-P. Raich, R. Roth, C.A. Scott, A. Seeger, W. Templ, M. Blanz, S.F.J. Cox and K. Fürderer. Radio-Frequency Spin Resonance of Positive Muons in a-Iron at High Temperatures Hyperfine Interactions 65 (1990) 1081.
14. D. Herlach, G. Majer, J. Major, J. Rosenkranz, M. Schmolz, W. Schwarz, A. Seeger, W. Templ, E.H. Brandt, U. Essmann, K. Fürderer and M. Gladisch. Magnetic Flux Distribution in the Bulk of the Pure Type-II Suberconductor Niobium measured with Positive Muons. Hyperfine Interactions 63 (1990) 41.
13. M. Hampele, G. Majer, J. Major H.-P. Raich, R. Roth, A. Seeger, W. Templ, M. Blanz, K. Fürderer, D. Herlach, A. Kratzer, S.F.J. Cox and C.A. Scott. Spin Resonance of Positive Muons in α-Iron at High Temperatures. Proc. of the 25th Congress Ampere on Magnetic Resonance, Stuttgart, Germany, pp 490 (1990)
12. M. Hampele, G. Majer, R. Messer and A. Seeger. NMR Studies of Diffusion and Spin-Lattice Relaxation of Proton and Deuterons in Tantalum. Proc. of the 25th Congress Ampere on Magnetic Resonance, Stuttgart, Germany, pp 471 (1990)
11. M. Kieninger, G. Majer and A. Seeger. NQR Studies of Cu in YBa₂Cu₃O_6.95. Proc. of the 25th Congress Ampere on Magnetic Resonance, Stuttgart, Germany, pp 25 (1990)
10. M. Blanz, M. Hampele, G. Majer, R. Messer, M. Notter and A. Seeger. Point Defects in Copper studied by Nuclear Quadrupole Douple Resonance using the Field-Cycling Technique. Proc. of the 25th Congress Ampere on Magnetic Resonance, Stuttgart, Germany, pp 38 (1990)
9. G. Majer, R. Messer and A. Seeger. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Studies of Diffusivity and Diffusion Mechanisms of Hydrogen in Tantalum. Z. Phys. Chem. NF 164 (1989) 873.
8. G. Majer, R. Messer, A. Seeger, W. Templ, K. Fürderer, M. Gladisch, D. Herlach, Radio-Frequency Spin Resonance of Positive Muons in Iron. Phil. Mag. Lett. 57 (1988) 57.
7. K. Fürderer, M. Gladisch, D. Herlach, M. Krenke, G. Majer, R. Messer, H.-P. Raich, A. Seeger and W. Templ. Radio-Frequency Spin Resonance of Positive Muons in Iron. SIN Newslett. 20 (1988) NL69.
6. K.-P. Arnold, C. Baines, K.-P. Döring, K. Fürderer, M. Gladisch, D. Herlach, M. Krenke, G. Majer, J. Major, H.-J. Mundinger, H.-J. Rosenkranz, W. Schäfer, L. Schimmele, M. Schmolz, W. Schwarz and A. Seeger. 4T-Tunnelling State and Coherent Hopping of Positive Muons in Iron at very Low Temperatures. SIN Newslett. 19 (1987) NL91.
5. J. Major, J. Mundy, M. Schmolz, A. Seeger, K.-P. Döring, K. Fürderer, M. Gladisch, D. Herlach and G. Majer. Zero-Field Muon Spin Rotation in Monocrystalline Chromium. Hyperfine Interact. 31 (1986) 259.
4. W. Schwarz, E.H. Brandt K.-P. Döring, U. Essmann, K. Fürderer, M. Gladisch, D. Herlach, G. Majer, H.-J. Mundinger, H. Orth, A. Seeger and M. Schmolz. Muons in Type-II Superconductors: Muon Diffusion in Ultra-Pure Niobium. Hyperfine Interact. 31 (1986) 247.
3. M. Schmolz, K.-P. Döring, K.Fürderer, M.Gladisch, N.Haas, D. Herlach, G. Majer, J. Rosenkranz, W. Schäfer, L. Schimmele, W. Schwarz, A. Seeger and E. Yagi. Positive Muons in Iron: Dipolar Fields at Tetrahedral Sites and Jump Frequencies at Low Temperatures. Hyperfine Interact. 31 (1986) 199.
2. R. Messer, A. Blessing, S. Dais, D. Höpfel, G. Majer, C. Schmidt, A. Seeger, W. Zag and R. Lässer. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Hydrogen Diffusion, Trapping, and Site Occupation in Metals. Z. Phys. Chem. NF Suppl. 2 (1986) 61.
1. G. Majer, R. Messer and A. Seeger. NMR Studies of Diffusivity and Diffusion Mechanisms of Hydrogen in Tantalum. Proc. of the 23rd Congress Ampere on Magnetic Resonance, Rome, Italy, pp 316 (1986)

Current Research Interests

• Diffusive processes studied by pulsed field gradient NMR (PFG-NMR) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS)
• Diffusion of small biomolecules through the extracellular matrix
• Protein dynamics in hydrogels
• Catalytic enhancement of enzyme diffusion

The principle of FCS is to measure fluorescence intensity fluctuations caused by molecules diffusing in and out of the confocal volume of a fluorescence microscope. It is a sensitive technique, commonly applied for studying the dynamics of nanoscale labeled objects in solution, which allows diffusion measurements at dye concentrations close to the infinite dilution limit. The autocorrelation function of the fluorescence intensity fluctuations decays with a characteristic correlation time, which is closely related to the diffusion coefficient. In order to determine a diffusion coefficient from the correlation time, the size and the shape of the confocal volume have to be known. Since these quantities are difficult to determine independently, the diffusion coefficient of the compound under investigation is usually calculated from that of a known standard by a comparison of the correlation times measured by FCS.

At higher molecule concentrations, PFG-NMR is a powerful tool for determining the diffusion coefficients directly, i.e., independent of any model assumptions. In a PFG-NMR experiment, the molecules are labelled by their NMR resonance frequency, and there is no need for a fluorescent label. Furthermore, the system is always in thermal equilibrium, as no concentration gradient of the solute molecules is required. Finally, there is no physical release of the solute molecules, which means the results are not affected by surface properties of the sample, as may be the case in permeation studies.

PFG-NMR diffusion measurement of ATP in a PEG-DA hydrogel

Former Research Interests

• Hydrogen in Metals
• Tunneling and quantum diffusion of light particles (protons, positive muons, etc.) in metals, intermetallic compounds and alloys
• (High-Tc) Superconductivity
• Self-Diffusion in liquid and solid metals as well as in intermetallic compounds
• Development of nuclear magnetic resonance techniques
• Nuclear techniques in solid-state physics
• Muon spin resonance

Teaching

Curriculum Vitae of Priv.-Doz. Dr. Günter Majer