Fundamental research into energy efficiency: Henkel confers award in recognition of outstanding PhD thesis

10-07-2012: Henkel has conferred its “Laundry & Home Care Research Award,” which comes with a check for 3,000 euros, on scientist Dr. Peggy Heunemann in recognition of her exceptional PhD thesis relating to the occurrence and the structures of nano-emulsions. The researcher did her PhD at Berlin University of Science and Technology and the Laue-Langevin Institute in Grenoble, France.

Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Michael Gradzielski, Dr. Peggy Heunemann investigated the possibilities for better combining fat and water molecules. Her thesis reveals how it is possible to produce an emulsion – i.e. a combination of fat and water molecules – at low temperatures and with minimal mechanical effort. The knowledge gained provides an important basis for the development of sustainable laundry and home care detergents. With easier emulsification, fat-containing dirt can be removed from textiles and surfaces with a lower level of energy input.

This is the third time that the Laundry & Home Care business sector at Henkel has conferred the “Laundry & Home Care Research Award.” “As a research-based company, Henkel has huge interest in encouraging up-and-coming scientists. With this award, we hope to provide an incentive to researchers to conduct scientific investigations into the world of washing and cleaning,” explains Prof. Dr. Thomas Müller-Kirschbaum, Head of Global R&D and Supply Chain at Henkel’s Laundry & Home Care business sector. “Dr. Peggy Heunemann has taken research in this field a major step forward. The results will help us in the implementation of Henkel’s sustainability strategy to achieve more with less and thus save on resources.”