Peter Fratzl

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Peter Fratzl is Director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam, Germany, heading the Department of Biomaterials. He received an engineering degree from École Polytechnique in Paris, France, and a doctorate in Physics from the University of Vienna, Austria. He is honorary professor at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and at the University of Potsdam.

Peter Fratzl’s lab studies the relation between (hierarchical) structure and mechanical behaviour of biological and bio-inspired composite materials, and conducts research on osteoporosis and bone regeneration. His research interests include biomaterials systems for mechanosensing and actuation, as well as interdisciplinary research together with Cultural Sciences and Design.

Peter Fratzl is recipient of the Leibniz Research Award (2010) and holds a honorary doctorate of the University of Montpellier, France. He has published more than 600 papers in journals and books and is member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE), Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Science and Humanities, the Academy of Science and Literature Mainz, as well as the German National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech).

As Co-Director Peter Fratzl leads the Cluster »Matters of Activity« which aims to create a basis for a new culture of materials.