Peter Fratzl

Peter Fratzl is the Director of the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces (MPIKG). In addition, he is an Honorary Professor of Physics at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin as well as at the University of Potsdam. At the MPIKG’s department of Biomaterials, he investigates the configuration of organic material. His research focuses partly on mineralized tissue (such as bones, teeth or seashell) and partly on plants and their cell walls. As a physicist, he is particularly interested in the extraordinary mechanical properties of these organic materials, which constantly adapt to changing external conditions. The findings on the connections between material properties and structure are utilized in biomimetic design and the development of new materials.

Research fields

Biological and biomimetic materials science, hierarchical materials, bone diseases and regeneration.