„It‘s all about defects“ - Scientific Symposium Celebrates Joachim Maier’s 70th Birthday

International guests honor a pioneer of defect chemistry

On March 6–7, 2026, the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research hosted a very special scientific symposium: researchers from around the world gathered to celebrate the 70th birthday of our former director Joachim Maier.

The colloquium revolved around a topic that has shaped Joachim Maier’s scientific work for decades: defects in materials. While the term may sound subtle, defects play a fundamental role in materials science. They determine, for example, how ions move through solids – a key factor for technologies such as batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells.

The scientific program reflected this breadth. Leading researchers from Europe, Asia, and the United States presented current advances in solid-state ionics, defect chemistry, energy materials, perovskite solar cells, and electrochemical energy storage. Speakers included Herbert Tuller (MIT), Tor Norby (University of Oslo), Peter Bruce (University of Oxford), Michael Grätzel (EPFL), and Bilge Yildiz (MIT), among many others.

The talks were of outstanding quality and sparked lively discussions throughout the symposium — very much in the spirit of the honoree. Many speakers shared not only scientific insights but also personal memories of their collaboration with Joachim Maier. Over the years, he has worked closely with many of the participants and mentored a large number of scientists in the field.

Joachim Maier served as director at MPI-FKF for 32 years and made lasting contributions to the physical chemistry of ion transport. His research combines fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic concepts with experimental work and practical applications in electrochemical materials.

Beyond the scientific program, the symposium also provided a welcome opportunity for personal exchange. During the reception and evening dinner, long-time colleagues, collaborators, and former group members gathered to reconnect and celebrate.

In his dinner speech, Joachim Maier reflected on his journey in science and expressed his gratitude for the many collaborations and friendships that have accompanied his career.

The event brought together a remarkable scientific community shaped by his work. Or, as one of the speakers aptly put it:

“It’s not all about defects, it is about Joachim.”