Prof. Dr. Bernd Abel: Chemistry and Technologies in the Exploration of Water and Ice Worlds in Space: Enceladus and Europa

Saturn’s moon Enceladus and Jupiter’s moon Europa are prime targets in the search for life beyond Earth due to their subsurface oceans. Recent discoveries indicate that Enceladus ejects ice grains and vapor containing organic macromolecules from its ocean through cryovolcanic plumes, while Europa shows similar potential. Key to exploring these moons is the characterization of geochemical processes, including the oxidation states of transition metals like iron, which may reveal information about hydrothermal activity and potential life-supporting environments. Advanced impact ionization mass spectrometers, such as those on the upcoming Europa Clipper mission, will analyze ice grains to detect ocean-derived salts and trace organic compounds. These instruments can identify organic materials, including bacteria, at flyby speeds. Laboratory simulations and technologies for generating charged ice particles play a crucial role in preparing for these missions, enhancing our ability to probe these distant worlds and assess their habitability. 

Prof. Dr. Bernd Abel is a Full Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Leipzig, specializing in the physical chemistry of complex systems. He earned his doctorate (1990) and habilitation (1999) from the University of Göttingen. Prof. Abel has held key roles at the Leibniz-Institute of Surface Engineering and visiting positions at institutions like UC Berkeley and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. An award-winning scientist, he co-founded multiple companies and received prestigious honors, including the Nernst-Haber-Bodenstein Prize and the Somorjai Visiting Miller Professorship. 

The Heyrovský Institute succeeded in the ERA Chairs program, securing support for the ambitious project "Space Chemistry and Technology at the J. Heyrovský Institute". As part of the project, our institute will welcome Professor Bernd Abel from Leipzig University, who will collaborate with Dr. Ján 
Žabka and Dr. Martin Ferus, creating a new dynamic research team focused on space chemistry and space technologies.