Miriam Fehrenbach
“The research on materials for photoelectrochemical energy conversion fascinates me because it requires a deep understanding of fundamental physical and chemical processes while also contributing to sustainable energy solutions. I am particularly excited by the opportunity to use modern spectroscopic methods to reveal hidden mechanisms and investigate their impact on the performance of photoelectrochemical systems. Understanding these processes is crucial for the development of more efficient and stable materials. The combination of scientific curiosity and the goal of contributing to a sustainable energy supply is what motivates me most.”
“The research on materials for photoelectrochemical energy conversion fascinates me because it requires a deep understanding of fundamental physical and chemical processes while also contributing to sustainable energy solutions. I am particularly excited by the opportunity to use modern spectroscopic methods to reveal hidden mechanisms and investigate their impact on the performance of photoelectrochemical systems. Understanding these processes is crucial for the development of more efficient and stable materials. The combination of scientific curiosity and the goal of contributing to a sustainable energy supply is what motivates me most.”
Doctoral Researcher
Technical University of Munich
Scientific career and research areas
Miriam Fehrenbach obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Freiburg. She then moved to the Technical University of Munich, where she completed her Master’s degree in Applied and Engineering Physics. Her academic training was further enriched by a research stay at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Since September 2026, she has been a PhD candidate in Verena Streibel’s Junior Research Group at the Walter Schottky Institute. Her research focuses on the advancement of photocathode materials through suitable protective layers and catalysts, as well as the development of X-ray spectroscopic methods under operating conditions.
Within the CO2UPLED project, she works on the advancement of photocathode materials for photoelectrochemical energy conversion. Her research focuses on identifying and implementing suitable protective layers and catalysts to improve the stability and performance of photocathodes. In addition, she contributes to the development and application of measurement protocols for X-ray spectroscopy under operating conditions, enabling the operando analysis of structural, interfacial, and reaction processes. With this work she aims at gaining a deeper understanding of material and interface properties and thereby support the development of more efficient photoelectrochemical systems.
The working group headed by Verena Streibel
