TY - CHAP A1 - Ermilova, Elena A1 - Hertwig, Andreas A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Cotroneo, Vincenzo A1 - Gibertini, Eugenio T1 - Ellipsometrical characterization of poly-dopamine layers considered for technical applications T2 - Proceedings of SPIE N2 - Although the organic molecule dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) is commonly known as the “hormone of happiness”, thin films of poly-dopamine also have interesting technical properties. When produced by dip coating, the self-organizing layers grow in a reproducible thickness of single or multiple molecule monolayers of a few nanometer thickness only. In this work, we introduce a method of determining the layer thickness of poly-dopamine on mirrors for astronomical X-ray telescopes. This work is based on spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements and involves the development of an optical model for the poly-dopamine layers including the dielectric function. Thereby the complex refractive index of the produced layers was determined, covering the range from the ultraviolet to the near infrared spectral region. These measurement results and the corresponding technical challenges are presented in this contribution. Furthermore, an outlook to potential technical applications of this interesting material is given and poly-dopamine layers will make scientist and engineers hopefully happy as an innovative and fascinating technical solution for the future. KW - dopamine KW - ellipsometry KW - refractive index KW - thin films KW - X-ray mirror KW - Dünne Schicht KW - Dopamin KW - Ellipsometrie Y1 - 2024 UR - https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3015281 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3015281 VL - 2024 IS - 13013 SP - 1301309-1 EP - 1301309-8 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Zeising, Sebastian A1 - Meißner, Martin T1 - An astronomy event at Aschaffenburg University to attract future engineering students T2 - 18th INTEGRAL/BART Workshop N2 - In 2023 the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German organization for science communication “Wissenschaft im Dialog” (German for: Science in dialogue) jointly proclaimed a "Science Year" with the motto “Our Universe”. One of the numerous events that have been supported thereby has been that of the project "Zirkus UNI-versum" (in English: "Circus UNI-verse"), which took place in summer 2023 at Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences. Two school classes from the local high school “Kronberg-Gymnasium” first experienced an interactive astronomy lecture including a planetarium star show in a tent. Another highlight was the rocket car race in front of the cafeteria and the exclusive launch of a water rocket on the campus green. After the collective countdown, it reached a height of around eighty meters and thus rose higher than all the trees and buildings on the campus site. For their own exploration of the night sky the pupils obtained small cardboard star maps to assemble themselves as a homework. On the summer evenings of the following school holidays, they certainly observed the sky with a different point of view and, above all, with expert knowledge. The event has given them interesting impressions of Aschaffenburg Technical University as an attractive local education facility. The project "Zirkus UNI-versum" – and other activities for schools – intend to stimulate the interest of pupils in STEM subjects and to attract future engineering students. N2 - Poster KW - astronomy event KW - MINT KW - engineering students KW - STEM KW - Astronomie KW - Vorlesung Y1 - 2024 VL - 2024 SP - 1 EP - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Zeising, Sebastian A1 - Meissner, Martin T1 - Astronomy events at Aschaffenburg University to attract future students JF - Acta Polytecnica N2 - In 2023, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German organisation for science communication “Wissenschaft im Dialog” jointly proclaimed a “Science Year 2023” in Germany with the motto “Our Universe”. One of the numerous events that have been supported has been that of the project “Zirkus UNI-versum”, which took place in summer 2023 at Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences. This project, and other activities for schools, intend to stimulate the interest of pupils in STEM subjects and to attract future engineering students. KW - astronomy KW - education KW - STEM KW - planetarium KW - rocket propulsion KW - Astronomie KW - Schüler KW - MINT-Fächer Y1 - 2025 UR - https://dspace.cvut.cz/handle/10467/121689 VL - 2025 IS - 65 (1) SP - 1 EP - 6 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Pregler, Jan A1 - Kätker, Anna A1 - Busch, Uwe A1 - Friedrich, Peter T1 - A visitor experiment on astronomical X-ray optics for the "Deutsches Röntgen-Museum" T2 - AXRO 2024 - 15th International Conference on Astronomical X-Ray Optics N2 - The “Deutsches Röntgenmuseum” in Remscheid is the unique institution worldwide that researches and documents the life and work of the first Nobel Prize winner, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, and the effects of his discovery of X-rays. As an integral part of the museum, the RöLab laboratory offers visitors the opportunity to gain practical experience in X-rays, optics and technology through own experiments. As part of a joint development project, students from Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences are currently designing a visitor experiment on astronomical X-ray optics for the museum laboratory. An optical set-up with visible light illustrate the focusing principle of X-ray telescopes, e.g. for wide-angle optics based on the lobster-eye principle. Display boards explain the optics of various types of telescopes with accompanying text and corresponding illustrations. Modern X-ray observatories such as CHANDRA, XMM-Newton and eROSITA are presented clearly. Once implemented, the new visitor experiment inside the “Deutsches Röntgenmuseum” intend to inspire young researchers for the fascinating world of X-ray optics and X-ray astronomy. KW - X-ray astronomy KW - X-ray optics KW - X-ray telescope KW - Deutsches Röntgen-Museum KW - Deutsches Röntgen-Museum KW - Röntgen, Wilhelm Conrad, 1845-1923 KW - Röntgenstrahlung Y1 - 2024 VL - 2024 SP - 1 EP - 1 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Khropost, Diana A1 - Riethmüller, Franziska A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Hertwig, Andreas A1 - Huelague, Deniz T1 - Polydopamine – a bionic material and its potential applications for batteries T2 - MaterialsWeek 2025 – Book of Abstracts N2 - Polydopamine (PDA) recently came into focus as an innovative material for applications in various technical fields, especially in the energy field it is considered for batteries as well as for supercapacitors. It 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. The wet-resistant adhesion ability of PDA can be used in the treatment of separator membranes in batteries, but furthermore PDA is also considered as an electrode material for batteries. We have investigated thin layers of poly-dopamine with different methods including ellipsometry, tactile measurements of the layer thickness and in situ absorption measurements during the polymerization process. KW - polydopamine KW - PDA KW - bionic material KW - adhesion KW - absorption KW - Iridium KW - Katalysator KW - Wasserstoffenergietechnik Y1 - 2025 SN - 978-3-88355-446-4 SP - 67 EP - 67 PB - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Materialkunde e.V. (DGM) CY - Sankt Augustin ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Rivolta, Giacomo A1 - Basso, Stefano A1 - Civitani, Marta Maria A1 - Cotroneo, Vincenzo A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Michler, Willy-Leopold A1 - Pareschi, Giovanni A1 - Spiga, Daniele A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred T1 - Upgrade of a laboratory X-ray diffractometer to extend its operating range towards soft energies T2 - Proceedings of SPIE N2 - The optical properties of X-ray mirror samples are commonly measured using diffractometers based on laboratory sources; like the Bede D1 diffractometer operating at INAF-OAB. This instrument can generate a collimated X-ray beam up to 60 keV, even though the most interesting energy region for x-ray astronomy applications is usually below 10 keV. In the softest part of this range (below 6 keV), high X-ray absorption in air hinders a full and precise characterization of optical components. In this work, we present an upgrade of the Bede D1 diffractometer that extends the operative range of the instrument below 6 keV; this is done by maximizing the flux at lowest energies and by reducing absorption by means of a helium-rich atmosphere. The upgraded instrument will be used for the tests of X-ray mirrors with innovative soft X-ray coatings, with potential application to the next generation X-ray telescopes (such as ATHENA and eXTP). KW - X-ray KW - mirror KW - reflectivity KW - refractometer KW - ATHENA KW - Röntgenspiegel KW - Diffraktometer Y1 - 2022 UR - https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/12181/121814S/Upgrade-of-a-laboratory-x-ray-diffractometer-to-extend-its/10.1117/12.2629940.short U6 - https://doi.org/doi: 10.1117/12.2629940 SN - 0277-786X VL - 2022 IS - 12181 SP - 121814S-1 EP - 121814s-7 PB - SPIE ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Pregler, Jan A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Kätker, Anna A1 - Busch, Uwe A1 - Friedrich, Peter ED - Hudec, René ED - Pina, Ladislav T1 - A visitor experiment on astronomical x-ray optics for the “Deutsches Röntgenmuseum” T2 - EUV and X-ray Optics: Synergy between Laboratory and Space IX N2 - The “Deutsches Röntgen-Museum” in Remscheid (Germany) is the unique institution worldwide that researches and documents the life and work of the first Nobel Prize winner in physics, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, and the effects of his discovery of X-rays. As an integral part of the museum, the RöLab laboratory offers visitors the opportunity to gain practical experience in X-rays, optics and technology through own experiments. As part of a joint development project, students from Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences are currently designing a visitor experiment on astronomical X-ray optics for the museum´s Röntgen laboratory. An optical set-up with visible light illustrates the focusing principle of X-ray telescopes, e. g. for wide-angle optics based on the lobster-eye principle. Display boards explain the optics of various types of telescopes with accompanying text and corresponding illustrations. Modern X-ray observatories such as CHANDRA, XMM-Newton and eROSITA are presented clearly. Once implemented, the new visitor experiment inside the “Deutsches Röntgen-Museum” aims to inspire young researchers with enthusiasm for the fascinating world of X-ray optics and X-ray astronomy. KW - X-ray KW - astronomy KW - STEM KW - museum KW - Röntgen KW - Deutsches Röntgen-Museum KW - Röntgenoptik Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3056291 VL - 2025 IS - 13531 SP - 135310M-1 EP - 135310M-7 PB - SPIE ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hudec, Rene A1 - Stieglitz, Veronika A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Friedrich, Peter A1 - Burwitz, Vadim T1 - Novel X-ray optics developed within the AHEAD2020 project N2 - We present a summary of our contribution to the EU Horizon 2020 project AHEAD2020, with emphasis on the X-ray optics work package. The Czech Technical University – together with other collaborating institutes - studied innovative Lobster Eye (LE) and Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) X-ray modules, based on the Multi Foil Optics technology (MFO). In addition, two major events were organized, namely a students workshop in December 2023 and a summer school in May 2024. The KB optics represents a promising and cost effective alternative to the currently used Wolter I telescopes. The LE X-ray optics, based on the Schmidt design, has a wide field of view (FOV) with a short focal length, making it suitable for CubeSat application. Thereby the 2D LE optics consist of two orthogonal sub-modules of flat smooth reflecting foils, each sub-modules focuses in one direction. The advantage of such optics is that it preserves the angular resolution throughout the FOV even for off-axis points, as demonstrated by simulations and measurements. There was a collaboration with Aschaffenburg University in design, development, and testing of the double LE module HORUS, comparing different reflecting coatings. KW - Horizon2020 KW - astronomy KW - telescope KW - X-ray KW - Röntgenoptik KW - Beschichtung Y1 - 2025 UR - https://www.dgao-proceedings.de/abstract/abstract_only.php?id=3236 SP - 1 EP - 1 PB - DGaO ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kroneberger, Monika A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Döhring, Thorsten ED - El Gawhary, O. ED - Witte, S. ED - Moreno, I. T1 - Parameter optimization for the infrared curing process of powder coatings using the NAPUBEST prototype and optical simulations JF - EPJ Web of Conferences N2 - In line with the energy transition, it is desirable to replace fossil fuels in the curing process of industrial powder coatings. Infrared heating is the considered method here. IR-emitter arrangement in the reflective heating chamber, their geometry and the dwell time of the components are crucial for a successful and efficient process. Process optimization has to consider the optical parameter variation of the powder coating during the procedure. Measurements in the NAPUBEST prototype are compared with optical simulations of the setup to get the simulation parameters in agreement with reality and to provide a foundation for the layout of industrial processes. KW - infrared KW - powder coating KW - sustainability KW - optic design KW - curing KW - Pulverlack KW - Aushärtung KW - Infrarot Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202533503035 SN - 2100-014X VL - 335 SP - 1 EP - 2 PB - EDP Sciences ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hudec, Rene A1 - Stieglitz, Veronika A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Friedrich, Peter A1 - Burwitz, Vadim T1 - Novel X-ray optics developed within the AHEAD2020 project T2 - DGaO-Proceedings N2 - We present a summary of our contribution to the EU Horizon 2020 project AHEAD2020, with emphasis on the X-ray optics work package. The Czech Technical University – together with other collaborating institutes – studied innovative Lobster Eye and Kirkpatrick-Baez X-ray modules, based on the Multi Foil Optics technology. In addition, a student’s workshop in December 2023 and a summer school in May 2024 were organized within the project. KW - X-ray KW - optics KW - telescope KW - Lobster Eye KW - mirror KW - Röntgenoptik Y1 - 2025 UR - https://www.dgao-proceedings.de/download/126/126_p5.pdf SN - 1614-8436 VL - 2025 IS - 126 SP - 1 EP - 2 PB - DGaO ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Pregler, Jan A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Kätker, Anna A1 - Busch, Uwe A1 - Friedrich, Peter T1 - A visitor experiment on astronomical X-ray optics for the “Deutsches Röntgen Museum” T2 - Proceedings of SPIE N2 - The "Deutsches Röntgen Museum” in Remscheid is the unique institution worldwide that researches and documents the life and work of the first Nobel Prize winner in physics, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen and the effects of his discovery of X rays. As an integral part of the museum, the RöLab laboratory offers visitors the opportunity to gain practical experience in X rays, optics and technology through own experiments. As part of a joint development project, students from Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences are currently designing a visitor experiment on astronomical X ray optics for the museum laboratory. N2 - Poster KW - X-ray KW - astronomy KW - STEM KW - education KW - museum KW - Deutsches Röntgen-Museum KW - Röntgenoptik KW - Experiment Y1 - 2025 UR - https://spie.org/optics-optoelectronics/presentation/A-visitor-experiment-on-astronomical-x-ray-optics-for-the/13531-20 VL - 2025 IS - 13531 SP - 1 EP - 1 PB - SPIE ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Rees, Paul A1 - Kroneberger, Monika A1 - Stanik, Martin T1 - Infrared heating for a sustainable powder coating technology T2 - DGaO-Proceedings N2 - Industrial processes need to be transformed into sustainable alternatives. For powder coatings, which traditionally rely on gas or oil heating systems, infrared radiation can deliver the required process heat. The aim of the NAPUBEST project is to evaluate the possibilities of infrared radiation in the powder coating process. In our laboratory, we realized a prototype of an IR oven for test measurements. KW - infrared KW - powder coating KW - sustainability KW - curing Y1 - 2025 UR - https://www.dgao-proceedings.de/download/126/126_p24.pdf SN - 1614-8436 VL - 2025 IS - 126 SP - 1 EP - 2 PB - DGaO ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Cotroneo, Vicenzo A1 - Basso, Stefano A1 - Civitani, Marta A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Gibertini, Eugenio A1 - Iovenitti, Simone A1 - Magagnin, Luca A1 - Pareschi, Giovanni A1 - Sironi, Giorgia A1 - Spiga, Daniele A1 - Tagliaferri, Gianpiero A1 - Valsecchi, Giuseppe T1 - Polydopamine Coatings for Enhanced Soft X-Ray Reflectivity in Space Telescope Mirrors JF - ECS Meeting Abstracts N2 - It has been known for years that sputtered low-density coatings deposited under vacuum (e.g. carbon or B4C), applied on top of high-density metallic coatings, can enhance their reflectivity in the soft X-ray band (below ~5 keV). However, the physical deposition techniques, as vacuum-based sputtering, to produce B4C or amorphous coatings are usually difficult and highly costing. Polydopamine (PDA), a bio-polymer inspired by mussels, exhibits exceptional surface binding and it’s nowadays a popular material used in surface engineering for multipurpose applications (Ryu, 2018). PDA thin film are typically produced in aqueous solution by the oxidative polymerization of dopamine, commonly known as one of the “hormones of happiness”, resulting in nanometric PDA coating with tunable thickness and morphology. In recent years, we have introduced and investigated a novel and scalable strategy for enhancing the soft X-ray reflectivity of telescope mirrors used in space missions based on dip-liquid deposition of PDA thin films as carbon-rich coating (carbon 62.7 %wt. in DA monomer) (Cotroneo, 2022). This method is very versatile and quick and offers a low-cost alternative to conventional carbon-like coating, while maintaining or even exceeding performance in the energy range below ~5 keV. Experimental tests across three X-ray beamlines—including two synchrotron facilities—demonstrated consistent reflectivity enhancement, especially in the 1–4 keV energy range and with a good match between theoretical predictions and experimental reflectivity profiles. When applied over traditional coatings (e.g Au, Ir), the dip-liquid overcoats produced improvements of up to 100% in effective area for some specific X-ray bands compared to conventional single-metal films. These results are particularly compelling for nickel-replicated mirrors with gold coatings, a common architecture in cost-sensitive space missions. Bibliography Cotroneo, V., 2022. Dopamine dip-liquid overcoatings for soft x-ray reflectivity enhancement. SPIE Proceedings. Ryu, J. H., 2018. Polydopamine Surface Chemistry: A Decade of Discovery. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. KW - Röntgenteleskop KW - Röntgenspiegel Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1149/MA2025-02673247mtgabs SN - 2151-2043 VL - MA2025-02 IS - 67 SP - 3247 EP - 3247 PB - The Electrochemical Society ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Busch, Uwe A1 - Michels, Marcel A1 - Kätker, Anna A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stanik, Eva T1 - Historical X ray images selected for UNESCO's Memory of the World Register N2 - The Deutsches Röntgen Museum” in Remscheid (Germany) is the institution that uniquely and comprehensively explores and documents the life and work of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen and the impact of his discovery. It preserves a collection of X- ray images taken by W. C. Röntgen during his research. Among them are three images of Röntgen's own hands and those of his wife, Anna Bertha. Three more images show Röntgen's hunting rifle, which he was able to analyze internally by using the new X ray technology. These two series of historical pictures from the years 1895 and 1896 provide an outstanding illustration of the scientific revolution that Röntgen's discovery triggered especially in medicine and in materials science. Therefore, his discovery of X-rays ranks among the most groundbreaking scientific achievements of modern times. In April 2025 those very first recorded X ray photographs were added on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The corresponding public ceremony took place on September 10 2025 in Röntgen ´ s birth town Remscheid. Representatives of the German UNESCO Commission, of politics, and of the German Röntgen Society were present UNESCO is thus honoring not only Röntgen's groundbreaking discovery of X rays, but also the cultural, scientific, and technological implications of his early radiographs. The "Deutsches Röntgen Museum" presents six famous historical X-ray documents to the public, which are now part of UNESCO ´ s Memory of the World Register. KW - Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen KW - UNESCO KW - X-rays KW - Nobel Prize KW - museum KW - Deutsches Röntgen-Museum KW - Röntgenbild Y1 - 2025 VL - 16 SP - 1 EP - 1 PB - 16th International Conference on Astronomical X-ray Optics CY - Prag ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Krivanekova, Lucia A1 - Hildenbrand, Georg T1 - ASTRABAX – Scientific results of two stratospheric balloon flights T2 - 18th Pico- and Nanosatellite Workshop 2025, Abstracts Book N2 - The ASTRABAX experiment ("Aschaffenburg Stratospheric Balloon Experiment") uses a multimodal platform to study radiation exposures in the upper atmosphere. We present a modular approach to accommodate the numerous setups under the weight restriction of light unmanned free stratospheric balloon. The compartmental setup allows flexibility to address current research questions with low expenditure in costs, manpower and technology expertise. Its easy implementation is suitable for educational purposes of students in the fields of astronomy, astrobiology, and material research. Recently, two stratospheric balloons were flown to test the feasibility and connectivity of different building blocks in a temperature-controlled gondola, and to characterize the stratospheric radiation environment.The focus of the physical experiments is the observation of the UV-C spectral region using miniature UV-VIS spectrometers, and cosmic ray dosimetry with a Geiger counter. A second set of experiments assesses the effects of irradiation on polydopamine coatings intended for the application in space-born X-ray telescopes. The platform also contains samples of biological cells that are simultaneously exposed to low-dose radiation of different compositions of particle, X-ray and UV radiation. Post-flight nanoscopic measurements aim to examine changes in the spatial chromatin organization playing a crucial role in DNA-repair mechanisms. Investigations in such natural environment are of importance for high altitude atmospheric as well as space flights, for comparable exposures on other objects of the solar system and for astrobiology. KW - cosmic ray KW - radiation KW - stratospheric balloon KW - atmosphere KW - UVC KW - Stratosphären-Ballon KW - Kosmische Strahlung KW - Röntgenspiegel Y1 - 2025 VL - 2025 SP - 17 EP - 17 PB - Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg CY - Würzburg ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hudec, Rene A1 - Döhring, Thorsten T1 - Astrophysical and scientific payloads for CubeSats T2 - 18th Pico- and Nanosatellite Workshop 2025, Abstracts Book N2 - For scientific and commercial applications, CubeSats enable cost-effective missions and significantly reduce the time between mission concept and launch compared to classical large satellites. Since 2000, there has been an accelerating increase in CubeSat launches, which in turn is expected to drive up the demand for dedicated optical instruments, especially in commercially relevant areas like high-resolution optics for earth observation. We present some studies and ideas of application of CubeSats mainly in the field of astronomy and astrophysics elaborated and studied at the Czech Technical University in Prague in collaboration with Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences. These includes single CubeSats as well as tandem CubeSat constellations. These miniature satellites can carry miniature scientific payloads for high-energy observations of both astrophysical objects as well as targets in high earth atmosphere. The examples include miniature X-ray and UV telescopes monitors and cameras, but also optical and NIR payloads. Due to the recent progress in satellite control engineering, tandem flight arrangements of mini-satellites are currently in discussion and under consideration for future space missions. CubeSat technologies offer an interesting possibility for space-born telescope payloads based on this approach. In such scenario, two small satellites will fly at a constant distance of a few meters up to 100 meters. Thereby, the front satellite will carry the telescope optics and the second satellite the detector system. The tandem flight arrangements are crucial for design of space telescopes with larger focal distances exceeding the typical sizes of small satellites. KW - satellite KW - CubeSat KW - payload KW - tandem flight KW - Kleinsatellit Y1 - 2025 VL - 2025 SP - 12 EP - 12 PB - Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg CY - Würzburg ER - 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 -