WE ARE RESOLV

Over 200 scientists from about 50 research groups in 6 institutions

RUHR EXPLORES SOLVATION

We shape a new scientific discipline, inspire the scientists of tomorrow, and enable future technologies

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Science Day

Equity and diversity as a source of strength, fundamental to innovative ideas, and a prerequisite for excellence in science

Summer School Solvation Science

We are happy to welcome young Solvation Scientists every year after Whitsun in Bochum

World Science Day

Building strong networks between academia and industry

ZEMOS: Home of Solvation Science

The first research building for Solvation Science in the world @ Ruhr University Bochum

CALEDO: Research Building for Solvation Science

Center for Advanced Liquid-Phase Engineering @TU Dortmund University

WHAT is RESOLV?

The Cluster of Excellence RESOLV is an interdisciplinary research project of Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University, as well as four other institutions in the German Ruhr area. By placing the spotlight on the role of the solvent, RESOLV, including 50 research groups from six institutions, has been able to create the new interdisciplinary field of research ‘Solvation Science’. We will now tackle the following challenges: quantum solvation from ultralow to ambient temperatures, designer solvents for resource-efficient chemical processes, and tailor-made formulations for bioactive ingredients. We will develop sustainable solutions for the future, transform chemistry by integration of AI-assisted methods, and accelerate the transfer of academic innovation into industrial products and processes to address the challenges facing modern society. Over its third funding period (2026 to 2032), RESOLV is supported by the German Federal Government and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia with 43 million euros.

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Video: THIS is RESOLV

RESOLV pioneered Solvation Science as an interdisciplinary research field. It has transformed its host universities into excellent research ecosystems and embedded researchers at all stages of their careers in an international network of scientists.

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Latest News or browse all

Weak bonds, strong impact

28.08.2026

Cross-coupling reactions through room temperature catalytic C-F bond activation

19.08.2026

Breakthrough in understanding molecular adsorption

13.08.2026

VISIT us on Bluesky

@SolvationSci

VISIT us on LiNKEDIn

Cluster of Excellence RESOLV

Our scientific fields

Research Area I

Charge and Electron Transfer

Research Area II

Solvent Design for Chemical Processes

Research Area III

Tuning Stability and Homogeneity

Upcoming Events or browse all

24

Sep 2026

Early Career,
Transfer

PostdocNet Excursion to Evonik

Date: 24.09.2026

More info

03

Oct 2026

Events,
Outreach,
Transfer

Völlig losgelöst

Date: 03.10.2026

More info

15

Oct 2026

Diversity,
Early Career

Onboarding event for international students

Date: 15.10.2026

More info

Summer School Solvation Science

RESOLV hosts an annual summer school at ZEMOS, Ruhr University Bochum. The school always takes place after Whitsun and is an integral part of the integrated Graduate School Solvation Science (iGSS) students' training during their doctoral studies. Scholarships for international students and PhD candidates are also available upon admission.

International speakers, suggested by a committee of iGSS students and RESOLV postdocs, are invited to give keynote talks on their research in Solvation Science. In career-boosting workshops, summer school participants can meet industry professionals and fine-tune their personal skills. The Advanced Laboratory Modules offer the students an excellent opportunity to learn new and interesting experimental and theoretical techniques within a specific research topic of their own choice.

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Publication highlights

G. A. Virgen, S. Skoko, A. M. Stingel, T. Goswami, R. L. Cole, D. C. Crans, P. B. Petersen, A. Vila Verde, N. E. Levinger, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 123, e2518988123 (2026), 10.1073/pnas.2518988123

T. Kistwal, K. Kanhaiya, A. Buchmann, C. Ma, J. Nikolić, J. Ackermann, P. Galonska, S. S. Nalige, V. Sardari, A. Sudarsan, M. Havenith, M. Sulpizi, S. Kruss, Light-induced quantum friction of carbon nanotubes in water, Nature UK (2026), 10.1038/s41586-026-10632-2

W. Chen, M. Gruebele, M. Havenith, K. J. Hebel, C. Scaletti, Water-mediated Hydrogen Bonds and Local Side Chain Interactions in the Cooperative Collapse and Expansion of PNIPAM Oligomers, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 123, e2523755123 (2026), 10.1073/pnas.2523755123

Y. Cao, J. Mieres-Perez, J. F. Rowen, A. H. Raut, P. Schweer, A. Bao, W. Sander, E. Sánchez-García, K. Morgenstern, On-surface synthesis platform for highly branched oligomers based on sequential C–C coupling and C–H activation of carbenes, Nat. Commun. 17, 1145 (2025), 10.1038/s41467-025-67604-9

T. Tabassum, B. Das, C. Park, S. Ghosh, D. Naujoks, S. M. Piontek, A. Ludwig, D. Marx, P. B. Petersen, Hydrophobic versus Hydrophilic Nature of the Gold-Water Interface Determined by Fluctuating Local Water Orientation, Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, (2025), 116201, 10.1103/7ht1-xv82

S. Ghosh, C. K. Das, S. Uddin, S. T. Stripp, V. Engelbrecht, M. Winkler, S. Leimkuhler, C. Brocks, J. Duan, L. V. Schäfer, T. Happe, Protein Dynamics Affect O2-Stability of Group B [FeFe]-Hydrogenase from Thermosediminibacter oceani, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 147, 15170-15180 (2025). 10.1021/jacs.4c18483

D. L. Reinhard, A. Iniutina, S. Reese, T. Shaw, C. Merten, B. List, S. M. Huber, Asymmetric Counteranion-Directed Halogen Bonding Catalysis, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 147, 8107-8112 (2025). 10.1021/jacs.4c18378

K. E. Ebbert, F. Sendzik, L. Neukirch, L. Eberlein, A. Platzek, P. Kibies, S. M. Kast, G. H. Clever, Solvent-Controlled Separation of Integratively Self-Sorted Pd2LA2LB2 Coordination Cages, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 64, e202416076 (2025), 10.1002/anie.202416076

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