Here you will find publications on topics that concern the GDCh. You can find the links to the individual publications by clicking on the arrow to the right of the heading
In 2022, the GDCh Board decided to declare Rethinking Chemistry as the GDCh motto. Rethinking Chemistry is intended to provide space for new thoughts and ideas on all subject areas to which chemistry can and must make valuable contributions. We have set up separate pages on this topic.
Plants bind carbon from the carbon dioxide in the air for a certain period of time. Pyrolysis of plant residues binds it for longer. The product can be used in agriculture to strengthen enzymes and microorganisms for photosynthesis and nutrient uptake. Article by Aaron Ertler in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/kohlenstoff-fixieren-4136588 )
The Swiss company Climeworks builds systems that capture CO2 from the ambient air. In an interview, Carlos Härtel, Senior Technology Advisor to the Managing Directors, explains how the process known as direct air capture works and why he sees the chemical industry as an important partner. Interview by Uta Neubauer in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/es-ist-zu-viel-co2-in-der-luft-und-einer-muss-es-rausholen-4136774 )
Chemistry as an industry and science needs energy and carbon sources, emits greenhouse gases and at the same time offers innovations to reduce emissions. Sectors such as power generation, production, transport and heat must work together in an interdisciplinary manner and prioritize measures to reduce CO2 emissions. Article by Joachim von Heimburg, Emil Roduner, Klaus‐Dieter Franz, Wolfgang Huebinger, Thomas Osterland in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. To the article ( free access) in the GDCh app.
Methane in the atmosphere (February 2023)
In autumn 2022, explosions caused leaks in the two Baltic Sea pipelines Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2. This act of sabotage suddenly brought a gas into the public spotlight that had been somewhat forgotten in the discussion about the anthropogenic greenhouse effect and the role of carbon dioxide: methane as a component of the atmosphere and a climate-effective trace gas. Article by Peter Wiesen and Niklas Illmann in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. To the article ( free access) in the GDCh app.
Hydrogen reacts with hydroxyl radicals and thus influences the lifetime of methane in the atmosphere. This effect is currently negligible due to the small amounts of hydrogen in the atmosphere. However, if hydrogen is used as an energy source in the future, this could change. Article by Reinhard Zellner in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. To the article (free access) in the GDCh app.
On October 19, 2022, the societies that are part of the "Science Connects" alliance (GDCh as well as DPG, DVGeo, DMV and VBIO) invited people to a joint parliamentary evening in Berlin. A total of 33 members of parliament and speakers from members of parliament learned about the expertise available in mathematics and the natural sciences and about current approaches to solving the current challenges. The focus was on individual discussions at themed tables from the areas of "materials and raw materials", "energy storage and distribution", "energy generation", "climate modeling", "greenhouse gas reduction" and "resilience and sustainability".
Article by Henning Hopf, Alain Krief, Stephen A. Matlin and Goverdhan Mehta in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. To the article in the GDCh app
Scientific Societies on Climate Change: “Listen to the Science!” (January 2020)
Four major mathematical and scientific societies in Germany, including the GDCh, are calling on politicians and business to take vigorous action against climate change. They point to the existing scientific findings that require more decisive action. Further information can be found in a press release.
GDCh factsheet: Climate change: Small molecules – big impact: (June 2020)
Since April 2020, the German Chemical Society has been publishing fact sheets with easy-to-understand information on relevant topics at www.gdch.de/factsheet. To the fact sheet Climate Change: Small molecules - big impact!
Too much CO 2 from traffic: Is electromobility the solution? (May 2019)
A discussion contribution by Reinhard Zellner, special print of the article from Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Published in May 2019; Download PDF (1.9 MB)
Air quality and climate – challenges for chemistry (August 2017)
An article in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie on the working committee on chemistry, air quality and climate (CLK) by Peter Wiesen, Wuppertal and Reinhard Zellner, Essen, Chair of the CLK committee. To the article
Statement at the conclusion of the World Climate Summit in Paris (December 2015)
The world community agreed in Paris: Climate protection is a global obligation. There is no longer any doubt about the anthropogenic cause of climate change and the need for action to limit it. This is more than in previous resolutions of the negotiating partners and therefore a success. Politically at least and in people's minds. But what can we really expect? A statement by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Zellner, Chair of the GDCh/Dechema/DBG Joint Committee on Chemistry, Air Quality and Climate. To the press release
You can find further articles on climate change in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Business, politics and science are debating whether it is justified to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as an entire group of substances in the EU. The example of oximes shows the consequences of evaluating individual substances and restricting their use instead of an entire group of substances. Article by Clemens Magerkurth and Reinhold Rühl in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/einzelstoffe-oder-gruppen-regulieren-4145565 )
Per- and polyfluorinated hydrocarbons can hardly withstand temperatures above 1000 °C. Electro-oxidation and plasma processes also partially destroy the substances. Researchers are also trying to eliminate them with boron nitride or supercritical water. Other approaches to this are the non-fluorinated oxygen- or sulfur-containing residues of these substances. Article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Free access in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/die-suche-nach-der-achillesferse-4140286
The proposed EU ban on all per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances also affects the outdoor industry, because these substances are used in breathable membranes and water-repellent textile coatings. Bettina Roth, head of quality management at the outdoor equipment supplier Vaude in Tettnang, Baden-Württemberg, explains how this works without these substances. Interview by Uta Neubauer in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/interview-endverbraucher-haben-kritisch-nachgefragt-4138471 )
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is preparing the regulation of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS for short. The environmental persistence of the substances alone justifies a comprehensive ban, says Juliane Glüge from ETH Zurich. She represents the European Chemical Society in ECHA meetings that deal with the PFAS ban. Interview by Uta Neubauer in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/regulierung-per-und-polyfluorierter-substanzen-4138463 )
The GDCh Think Tank PFAS, which prepared the statement, consists of representatives of GDCh structures from industry and academia: GDCh Working Group Fluorochemistry (AG F), GDCh Divisions macromolecular chemistry (MC), Analytical Chemistry (AC), Young economic chemists (JuWiChem) of the Association for Chemistry and Economics.
This publication was controversially discussed within the GDCh. Among other things, the Board of the GDCh Division of Environmental Chemistry & Ecotoxicology (U&Ö) published an addition to the GDCh statement. For the statement, the addition and further discussions within the GDCh
There is a lot of talk about PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) at the moment. A possible ban on PFAS is being discussed in the European Union. In the September issue of Nachrichten aus der Chemie , two experts discuss a ban on PFAS. Read the article.
Per- and polyfluorinated hydrocarbons are persistent environmental toxins. Routine procedures for chemical analysis and biomonitoring are currently being developed. Article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/wildschweinleber-als-bioindikator-4134838 )
It could be a proposal with far-reaching consequences for the chemical industry and for us as consumers. A possible ban on PFAS - special per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances - is being discussed in the European Union. Generally understandable article by Dr. Jörg Wetterau in Faszination Chemie ( to the article )
Chemical recycling processes such as pyrolysis with subsequent processing of the pyrolysis oils break down plastics into their chemical components. They can be returned to the production cycle. This should now even be possible for composite materials. Article by Tobias Rieger, Thomas Fehn and Alexander Hofmann (free access in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/rotoren-zu-aromaten-4133776 ).
Recycling electric car batteries makes supply chains for materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel ecologically, socially and economically sustainable. Until then, the transition phase in Europe should be optimized in terms of responsible use of resources. Article by Jannis Wesselkämper and Stephan von Delft (free access in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/wie-batterien-im-kreis-laufen-4145115 ).
The biggest problem of the energy transition is the temporal and spatial discrepancy between electricity supply and use. This is why flexible storage capacities and battery types are necessary. Overall, this requires a redesign of the current grid structure. Chemistry is involved through material science, electrochemical and thermodynamic techniques. Article by Emil Roduner, Klaus‐Dieter Franz, Thomas Osterland, Wolfgang Hübinger and Peter Staniek (Thinktank Energiewende) (Free access in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/sonnen-und-windenergie-speichern-4143998 )
Polymerization – depolymerization – polymerization – almost infinitely often: polymers can be chemically recycled. Article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Free access in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/immer-wieder-von-vorn-4140287
Politics and society are demanding transparent supply chains in order to achieve the United Nations' sustainability goals. Companies must therefore implement climate protection with measurable actions. Article by Jörg Schappel in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/unverzichtbares-wissen-4142019 )
Plastic waste is accumulating in the oceans and endangering natural biodiversity worldwide. The search for new methods to break down plastics is now focusing on microorganisms and their enzymes. Article by Michael Groß in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Free access in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/enzyme-gegen-die-plastikflut-4141920
Reusable packaging for food or plastic-free clothing ensure greater sustainability and recycling in everyday life. In laboratories, it is not always possible to avoid single-use plastics. But there are ways to keep their amount to a minimum. Article by Purnesh Chattopadhyay, Stella Bodiguel, Juliane Simmchen in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/wo-sich-einwegplastik-vermeiden-laesst-4137780 )
Some active ingredients in old medicines are too valuable to be disposed of in waste incineration. A working group at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg extracts them and makes them usable as chemicals for research and teaching. Article by Markus R. Heinrich in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/labor-statt-muellcontainer-4138226 )
Article by Joachim von Heimburg, Emil Roduner, Klaus‐Dieter Franz, Wolfgang Huebinger, Thomas Osterland in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie. To the article ( free access in the GDCh app ).
A carbon atom tells of its journeys through plastic applications, inspired by the K 2022 plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf in the fall. There it was in a yellow bag for a while, because circular economy was one of the main themes of the trade fair. To the article by Maren Bulmahn Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/als-ich-mal-in-polyamid-existierte-4133070 )
If the chemical industry increasingly uses renewable rather than fossil raw materials as a basis, other synthesis routes are necessary. So far, plant-based chemicals often only make up a small part of the end product. Not everything is new - but a lot is. Read Christian Ehrensberger's article in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/weniger-ethen-mehr-milchsaeure-4123450 )
In July 2022, UNESCO declared the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. In a position paper, the five major professional societies for life sciences, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics and physics are calling for basic research in Germany and its importance for sustainable development to be valued more highly, communicated better and promoted more effectively. To the press release
The implementation of the chemicals strategy with its more than 50 measures will have far-reaching consequences not only for the chemical industry and the use of chemical products. Researchers in basic research at universities and non-university research institutions will also have to face new challenges if, for example, chemicals or entire classes of substances are banned in the future. This was the topic of the webinar on June 15, 2022.
The articles highlighting sustainability in the September issue of Nachrichten aus der Chemie are published as a virtual issue "Sustainability" in the Wiley Online Library.
Article by Detlef Männig in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204104036
At this joint Online event of the GDCh and the American Chemical Society (ACS) on October 28, 2020, the role of chemical societies in achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals was discussed.
The event is available as a video.
The white paper Science to enable sustainable plastics summarizes the results of the eighth Chemical Sciences and Society Symposium (CS3). Download the full white paper as a pdf in English or the press release in German
Article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204095287
Article by Brigitte Osterath in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204095088
Article by Thomas Kopel Hannes Utikal in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20194084282
Article by Hans‐Jürgen Weyer and Christoph Bott in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20184075056
Article by Goverdhan Mehta, Stephen A. Matlin, Alain Krief and Henning Hopf in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20164048006
Since April 2020, the German Chemical Society has been publishing fact sheets with easy-to-understand information on relevant topics at www.gdch.de/factsheet. To the fact sheet Insect proteins: a sustainable diet
Further articles on the topic of sustainable chemistry can be found in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie and in the GDCh Division of Sustainable Chemistry.
ChemRxiv has grown into the premier preprint server for the chemical sciences, with a global audience and a wide array of scholarly content. On the service's fifth anniversary, we would like to reflect on the past five years and take a look at what is next for ChemRxiv. Contribution from Dr. Benjamin Mudrak, Sara Bosshart, Prof. Dr. Wolfram Koch, Allison Leung, Dr. Donna Minton, Dr. Mitsuo Sawamoto and Sarah Tegen in Applied Chemistry/Int. Edition (Free Access)
All contributions to Highlight Publishing are summarized as a virtual issue.
The American Chemical Society, the German Chemical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry announce their partnership with the Chinese Chemical Society and the Chemical Society of Japan as co-owners. More information. More about ChemRxiv, the open access preprint archive for chemistry
The contract between the DEAL project, which represents almost 700 academic institutions in Germany as a consortium, and the publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. comes into force on July 1, 2019. The agreement was concluded in January 2019. The contract regulates, among other things, that researchers at Project DEAL institutions can publish articles as “open access” in Wiley journals. Further information
In September 2018, eleven research funding organizations from Europe (cOAlition S) published the so-called Plan S, which defines the framework conditions for the transition to open access for the research results financed by these funding organizations by 2020 in ten principles. For the statement in German and English.
The American Chemical Society (ACS), the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the German Chemical Society (GDCh) are entering into a collaboration to advance the financial and strategic development of ChemRxiv, the preprint server for the global chemistry community.
At its meeting in December 2013, the GDCh Board approved the position paper “On the future of academic publishing”. The paper was drawn up by a 13-member commission Chair by the GDCh President, Professor Barbara Albert, on the basis of a GDCh discussion paper “On open access to scientific knowledge (Open Access)” prepared in 2004. Download the position paper ( PDF )
NFDI4Chem is the chemistry consortium, NFDI4Cat is the catalysis consortium in the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) initiative. The goals of NFDI4Chem and NFDI4Cat are to digitize all important steps in chemical research to support scientists in collecting, storing, processing, analyzing, publishing and reusing research data. The GDCh is involved in both consortia. Further information about NFDI4Chem and NFDI4Cat
You can find further articles on the topic of open access in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
The GDCh is temporarily or permanently active in various committees that are directed against chemical weapons. For example, it is a member of the German working group "Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Biological and Chemical Weapons". The working group was founded in 1997 and is supported by various organizations. One of its goals is to deepen knowledge about biological and chemical arms control through exchange between science and practice.
The GDCh is also represented on the Advisory Board of the BMBF-funded “Competence Network on Chemical and Biological Weapons ( CBW Competence Network )”, which began its project work in April 2022. Among other things, the network is working to strengthen norms against chemical and biological weapons (CBW).
From 2016 to 2021, the GDCh was represented on the Advisory Board on Education and Outreach of the OPCW. The OPCW is an independent international organization that monitors compliance with and implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and sets the framework for the destruction of chemical weapons.
New results from biographical research provide figures on persecuted chemists, laboratory technicians and students and reveal their fates. These people were missing as a corrective when the GDCh was founded. Read Helmut Maier's article in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie or in the GDCh app (access for members at https://gdch.app/article/verfolgung-emigration-widerstand-4143366 )
Joint press release of the German Geosciences Association (DVGeo), the German Mathematical Society (DMV), the German Physical Society (DPG), the German Chemical Society (GDCh) and the Association of Biology, Biosciences and Biomedicine in Germany (VBIO).
Researchers in the natural sciences should know the criteria for the motives of their research and the consequences. Ethical aspects can be seen in examples such as atomic bombs, genetic engineering and rare earths. Read Klaus Merz's article in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie or in the GDCh app (access for members at https://gdch.app/article/wissen-wie-zu-handeln-ist-4138912 )
Since Russia's attack on Ukraine, there have been fears that the warring parties could use chemical weapons. As chemists, we have a special responsibility to prevent the production and use of chemical weapons. The GDCh is active in various places to raise awareness of this. Read Karin J. Schmitz's article in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie or in the GDCh app (free access): https://gdch.app/article/gegen-chemische-kampfstoffe-4133151
In a joint event with the Leopoldina and the German Research Foundation in 2021, the issue of dual use, i.e. the use of research results both for desired applications and for misuse, was discussed. Another event with representatives of the GDCh followed in 2022.
After the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed the repeated use of poison gas in Syria, including in February 2018, the German Chemical Society (GDCh) strongly condemned the use. "We are appalled that people are being murdered or injured again and again with chemical warfare agents," stressed Dr. Matthias Urmann, then President of the GDCh, in a press release entitled Chemists condemn the use of poison gas in Syria.
The chemical societies of Europe, including the GDCh, reaffirmed their commitment to the Seville Declaration, which was issued in 2016. The declaration, signed by 36 chemical societies in Europe, states: "We, the member societies of the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (now the European Chemical Society, EuChemS), condemn the use of chlorine in Syria and other parts of the world and call on the international community to bring those responsible for the misuse of chlorine to justice."
Under the leadership of the OPCW, more than 30 scientists and representatives of chemical societies developed the “Hague Ethics Guidelines”, which were adopted in September 2015. Three representatives of the GDCh were also involved in the development. The GDCh Board expressly supported the Hague Ethics Guidelines.
In April 2015, a memorial event was held in Ypres, Belgium, to commemorate the people who died there 100 years earlier in the first major use of poison gas in World War I and in subsequent operations. The chemical community was represented by the then-acting presidents of GDCh and EuChemS, Thomas Geelhaar and David Cole-Hamilton, and the then past president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, David Phillips.
In 2015, the study Chemists in the Third Reich was published, written by the science historian Helmut Maier on behalf of the GDCh. With this, the German Chemical Society is committing itself to examining the history of its predecessor societies. The book, which is over 700 pages long, offers a detailed and independent study of the functions and structures of the DChG and the VDCh from 1933 to 1945. In addition to describing the structures created at that time, individual fates are also tracked down and examined as a warning reminder for subsequent generations.
Anyone who wants to become a member of the GDCh must sign the GDCh code of conduct. It states, among other things: "All GDCh members are aware that, as scientists, they are particularly responsible for the effects of their professional activities on people and nature. (...) They observe the laws and international conventions that apply to their work and its results and effects and oppose the misuse of chemistry, e.g. for the production of chemical weapons and narcotics. When developing, applying and disseminating chemical knowledge, they are committed to the truth and do not use any unfair methods."
New approaches against Sars-CoV-2 take future virus variants and special patient groups, such as immunocompromised people, into account. Development strategies include computer simulations and observation of real viruses and their evolution in high-security laboratories. Article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: https://gdch.app/article/tot-oder-lebendig-4140285 )
The experience gained in developing several Covid vaccines could soon be useful in fighting malaria. To Michael Groß's article in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/malaria-und-coviderwissen-4133612
An oral vaccination against Covid-19 would be an alternative to the injection. It could increase willingness to vaccinate in industrialized countries and make vaccination coverage possible in developing countries. To Christian Ehrensberger's article in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/oral-gegen-corona-4123451 )
Covid-19 leads to temporary or even long-lasting loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) for many sufferers. The pandemic is shining a spotlight on a long-neglected health problem - and raising hope for progress in treatment. For Michael Groß's article in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie or in the GDCh app (Free Access): https://gdch.app/article/ist-geruchsloss-heilbar-4131292
New test procedures are intended to make Sars-CoV-2 PCR tests faster or tell patients whether they are protected against the virus.
To Christian Ehrensberger's article in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members in the GDCh app: at https://gdch.app/article/virenrna-oder-antikoerper-4125613 )
To the article by Andreas Marx, Karin Betz and Moritz Welter in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20214114742
Producing an mRNA vaccine against the Sars-CoV-2 virus in large quantities is not a problem. The bottleneck, on the other hand, is the packaging, including the lipids that protect it.
Article by Christian Ehrensberger in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members at MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20214106741
The escalating Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in multiple vaccines against the disease being developed and approved at record speed. Researchers used both established and new strategies.
Article by Michael Groß in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20214106859
A peculiarity of the currently rampant Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus is that infected people can no longer perceive some smells. This can be used to detect an infection at an early stage.
Article by Christoph Kleber, Achim Walter Hassel and Heike Rebholz in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204104312
The genome of the Covid-19 pathogen Sars-Coronavirus-2 (Sars-Cov-2) consists of 30,000 letters. Viral genomes of tens of thousands of infected people have already been sequenced and examined. This will reveal details of the global spread and perhaps also provide insights into how the pandemic will develop.
Article by Michael Groß in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204101708
In a current statement, the joint fine dust working committee (AAF) of DECHEMA/ProcessNet, GDCh and KRdL analyzes the aerosol transmission path of the corona viruses in more detail. The experts discuss countermeasures and explain how masks, proper ventilation, suitable air purification and overhead extraction can reduce the aerosol load and thus transmission. To comment
Contribution by Harald Schwalbe in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204099573
Testing as many people as possible for Sars-Cov-2 infection has advantages. Not only does this reveal the true level of infection in the population, but also: those who know that they are carrying the virus are also more willing to stay at home. But the test reagents are not that easy to obtain in the quantities required.
Article by Brigitte Osterath in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (access for members at MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204099677
The virus that causes the Covid-19 pandemic, like the pathogens that cause Sars, Mers and various versions of the flu, spread from animals to humans. To avoid future pandemics, we must identify and block the routes by which they reach us.
Article by Michael Groß in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie (Free Access): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20204099025
The COVID-19 pandemic cannot be overcome without mathematical and scientific expertise. Five large mathematical and scientific societies in Germany emphasize this in a position paper. The specialist societies DVGeo, DMV, DPG, GDCh and VBIO represent the subjects of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and geosciences. To the position paper
Since April 2020, the German Chemical Society has been publishing fact sheets with generally understandable information on relevant topics at www.gdch.de/factsheet. The first two fact sheets deal with combating viruses using antiviral agents or soap and disinfectants.
The position paper, published jointly by DECHEMA, GDCh, GBM, VAA and VDI, calls on business, science and politics to act together to combat the shortage of skilled workers in the STEM sector. It was presented on June 12, 2024 during the ACHEMA in Frankfurt.
In a joint white paper, the German Chemical Society (GDCh) and the Conference of Chemistry Departments (KFC) express concern that the importance of experimental teaching in schools is declining. The white paper analyses the shortcomings in schools in Germany and proposes solutions for better support of experimental chemistry teaching in schools.
The position paper of the mathematical and scientific professional societies united in Wissenschaft-verbindet calls on politicians and school authorities to create qualified training opportunities for teachers of mathematical and scientific school subjects and to make it easier for them to take part in these during regular working hours.
With this catalogue of topics, the Chemistry Study Commission of the German Chemical Society (GDCh) takes stock of the six-semester Bachelor's degree university courses in Chemistry at universities and shows future prospects. To the recommendations
Publisher: Federal Chemical Employers' Association (BAVC), German Bunsen Society for Physical Chemistry (DBG), Society for Chemical Engineering and biotechnology (DECHEMA), Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBM), German Chemical Society (GDCh), Industrial Union of Mining, Chemical and Energy (IG BCE), Association of Employed Academics and Executives in the Chemical Industry (VAA), and Association of the Chemical Industry (VCI) To the position paper
The GDCh and six other associations present their demands for teaching in secondary schools. To the position paper
The results of the retreat at the Evangelical Academy Tutzing in September 2016 are summarized in a brochure.
The catalogue of topics for the six-semester Bachelor of Chemistry university courses at universities contains an inventory of the core content of the modern Bachelor of Chemistry degree program, covering about four semesters, as well as optional curriculum components. To the recommendations
Every year, the GDCh collects extensive data on the number of chemistry students in the various study phases, the number of exams taken, their assessments and the duration of the studies. In addition, data on postdoctoral qualifications, postdoctoral candidates and junior professorships at German universities, as well as the proportion of female C3 and C4 professors, are regularly collected. More information
Editorial by Dr. Lisa Pecher in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article (access for members under MyGDCh): https://doi.org/10.1002/nadc.20214108514
Equal opportunities is an important issue for the GDCh. Regardless of our (historically derived) name , the German Chemical Society, chemists of all nationalities are of course welcome here. We also appeal to all genders. One of our mission statements states, among other things: “We live diversity and equal opportunities”.
Our equal opportunities activities are summarized on our own website. In addition, the GDCh Board has set up a Commission for Equal Opportunities in Chemistry.
In December 2021, the GDCh Board adopted the guidelines for gender-sensitive language in the GDCh
The four major scientific societies are deeply dismayed by the military violence in Ukraine. Our concern and solidarity are with the Ukrainian people and all other victims of this war, which we demand an immediate end to. To the statement
A year ago in the spring, chemistry students from Kyiv were among the refugees from Ukraine. The University of Gießen accepted around 20. Since then, you have started research projects, completed your studies, started a doctoral thesis, learned German or left Germany.
Contribution by Frauke Zbikowski in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie or for members in the GDCh app
In the course of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of using or planning to use chemical weapons under a false flag. There is currently no evidence for the respective allegations. International mechanisms exist to have the allegations independently investigated. For the article by Anna Krin and Kristoffer Burck in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie or in the GDCh app (Free Access): https://gdch.app/article/giftstoffe-und-chemieanlagen-im-krieg-4132604
Contribution by Frauke Zbikowski in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie
To the article in the GDCh app (Free Access)
A regularly updated compilation of statements, offers of help for Ukrainian scientists and aid organizations is published on these pages (shortlink www.gdch.de/ukraine ).
You can also find articles on all relevant chemistry topics in the journals of the GDCh
This page has been machine translated. If you have any feedback or comments please feel free to contact us. 
last modified: 19.12.2024 12:59 H from Translator
