Congratulations Leon!

Dr. Leon Schumacher awarded with Kurt Ruths Prize on June 13, 2025

Propylene is a key raw material for the chemical industry, essential for products such as plastics. However, its production is energy-intensive and requires the use of catalysts. The search for suitable catalysts is particularly worthwhile, as the efficiency of propylene production significantly depends on selecting precisely tailored catalytic materials.

Dr. Leon Schumacher, recipient of the Kurt Ruths Prize, succeeded in generating groundbreaking scientific insights into the catalytic mechanisms involved in propylene production as part of his doctoral research, combining both experimental and theoretical approaches. His work introduced new concepts that have the potential to replace current, energy-intensive industrial processes. Furthermore, he developed innovative methods for analyzing the reaction mechanisms behind propylene formation and used this knowledge to design improved catalysts for more efficient production.

“Dr. Schumacher's research is of outstanding importance, both for the targeted development of catalysts for technically relevant selective oxidation processes and for advancing new spectroscopic methods,” says Professor Christian Hess from the Department of Chemistry, who supervised the dissertation. His work is already attracting significant attention within the scientific community, demonstrated by numerous publications in leading international journals and invited talks at international conferences.

Professor Hess adds: “It is also remarkable that Leon Schumacher completed an additional degree in economics alongside his Master's in Chemistry and PhD studies.”

Dr. Leon Schumacher

Dr. Leon Schumacher studied chemistry at TU Darmstadt. After completing his master’s degree, he worked as a research associate at the Eduard-Zintl Institute for Inorganic and Physical Chemistry in the research group of Professor Christian Hess. He completed his PhD thesis entitled “Mechanistic Insight into Heterogeneous Oxidation Catalysts using Combined Operando and Transient Spectroscopies Supported by DFT” in the field of heterogeneous catalysis with the distinction “summa cum laude”. His research attracted considerable attention within the scientific community and was published in several renowned international journals. In recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements, Schumacher has as well been awarded the TU Darmstadt Dissertation Prize by the Friends of TU Darmstadt in 2024.

Award ceremony "Freunde der TU" 2024

Picture: TU Darmstadt/Klaus Mai

Kurt Ruths Prize @ TU Darmstadt

The Kurt Ruths Prize, awarded annually since 1989, is endowed with €12,000. It recognizes outstanding scientific achievements in the fields of architecture, civil and environmental engineering, and chemistry. The prize is awarded to early-career researchers at TU Darmstadt who have distinguished themselves through exceptional doctoral theses. The award was established in honor of Kurt Ruths, the long-standing CEO of the Braas Group.

Kurt Ruths Prize