Dr. Dirk Müller
Wissenschaftler
Stellvertretende Geschäftsstellenleitung
I hold a B.Sc. in Geography (2006; FSU Jena), a B.Sc. in Geology (2010; FU Berlin), and an M.Sc. in Geomaterials & Geochemistry (2012; LMU Munich). In 2017, I earned my doctorate, focusing on anti-corrosion coatings in waste-to-energy plants. From 2017 to 2019, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher, studying the interaction of volcanic ash with jet engines. In October 2019, I became a permanent staff member at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- lab manager for electron microprobe and optical dilatometer
- radiation officer (X-rays)
- deputy office manager
- member of the selection committee for the MSc Geomaterials & Geochemistry
Research
One part of my research focuses on the mineralogy, geochemistry, and geodynamic significance of chromitites and peridotites from ophiolitic complexes in Türkiye. These studies explore the formation, alteration, and metamorphic processes of these rocks in diverse tectonic settings—such as mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones—and their implications for understanding the evolution of the Earth’s mantle and the mobility of critical metals, including chromium and platinum group elements. Additionally, I work in advanced materials science, specifically investigating the behavior and optimization of thermal and environmental barrier coatings (e.g., YSZ) in high-temperature, corrosive environments. My work analyzes factors such as viscosity, chemical reactivity, and durability to enhance coating performance and resistance to degradation.