TY - CHAP A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Hudec, Rene T1 - One decade of joint Bavarian-Czech projects on astronomical X-ray optics N2 - Since ten years, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences and the Czech technical university in Prague are now cooperating. During the recent decade, eleven joint projects have been executed, mainly targeting the development of astronomical X-ray optics. The bilateral cooperation also included the exchange of PhD students and scientists, cost compensation for conference participations, and the sponsoring of scientific conferences (AXRO and IBWS). The scientific output up to date are more than twenty joint publications and many individual conference contributions of the project partners in addition. The Bavarian-Czech Academic Agency (BTHA) has funded all of these projects. It is the goal of the Bavarian-Czech Academic Agency to support the academic collaboration in research and education and to contribute to an increased cooperation of the two neighbored countries Bavaria and Czech Republic in general. We will give a review on one decade of our Bavarian-Czech cooperation and on the scientific results of our joint projects on astronomical X-ray optics. KW - X-ray KW - optics KW - astronomy KW - AXRO KW - IBWS KW - Röntgenoptik KW - Röntgenastronomie KW - Bayern KW - Tschechien Y1 - 2025 VL - 2025 IS - 16 SP - 1 EP - 1 PB - 16th International Conference on Astronomical X-ray Optics CY - Prag ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Khropost, Diana A1 - Riethmüller, Franziska A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Flachs, Dennis A1 - Hülagü, Deniz A1 - Hertwig, Andreas A1 - Cotroneo, Vincenzo A1 - Gibertini, Eugenio ED - Hudec, René ED - Pina, Ladislav T1 - Polydopamine: a bio-inspired polymer for X-ray mirror coatings and other technical applications T2 - EUV and X-ray Optics: Synergy between Laboratory and Space IX N2 - Although the organic molecule dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) is commonly known as one of the “hormones of happiness”, thin polymer films of polydopamine (PDA) also have interesting technical properties. PDA is a very strong glue that sticks on almost everything, even under water. In nature, PDA is found in the byssal thread cuticles of mussels. When produced by dip-coating, the self-organizing PDA layers grow in a reproducible thickness of single or multiple molecule monolayers of a few nanometres thickness only. Here we present an optimized preparation regime as derived from polymerization analysis through absorption spectroscopy. One application is the use of thin PDA overcoatings to increase the soft X-ray reflectivity of astronomical X-ray mirrors. Furthermore, we give an outlook to other technical applications for this interesting material, presenting this bio-inspired organic polymer as an innovative technical solution for the future, with applications such as PDA-based super-capacitors and its promising role in enhancing separator materials for batteries. KW - polydopamin KW - ellipsometry KW - X-ray KW - battery KW - Röntgenspiegel KW - Beschichtung Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3056298 VL - 2025 IS - 13531 SP - 135310H-1 EP - 135310H-11 PB - SPIE ER -