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Biography

- Technical Assistant in Chemistry, 1977 ( Chemisch-Technischer Assistent (CTA))
- Chemical Engineer, TFH Berlin, 1982 (Chemie-Ingenieur (grad.))
- Dipl. Chem., 1986, FU Berlin
- Dr. rer. nat. 1990, FU Berlin
- Postdoctoral Student 1990/91 Univ. of Washington (Charles T. Campbell)
- Privat Docent, 2007, Univ. of Zurich
- Adjunct Professor, 2010 (Titularprofessor)
- Distinguisher Senior Researcher, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Science and Technology (1992-2024)
- Senior Researcher Czech Academy of Sciences, Institut of Physics (Dr. Pavel Jelinek) (2019-2027)
Empa's Molecular Surface Science Group established 1996
Visiting Scientist at Empa Laboratory for Coating Technologies 2025
Visiting Scientist 1999/2000 Univ. of California, Berkeley (Yuen-Ron Shen)
Visiting Scientist 2003/2004 Univ. of Washington (Viola Vogel/Henry Hess)
Visiting Scientist 2009 Chinese Academy of Sciences, Inst. of Physics Beijing (Hong-Jun Gao)
Visiting Scientist 2012 IBM Almaden Research Laboratory (Andreas Heinrich)
Visiting Scientist 2017 Université Angers, France (Narcis Avarvari)
Visiting Scientist 2023 Center of Quantum Nanoscience, Seoul, Korea
European Union Mobility Professor 2018 Czech Academy of Sciences, Institut of Physics (Dr. Pavel Jelinek)
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Research Affiliate 2018-2020

Prizes
SASP Schrödinger Gold Medal 2024
Microbeam Analysis Award of the Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science (JVSS) 2022
Peiyang Nobel Symposium Lecture 2017
Funtionalized Nano-Materials Award for outstanding achievements in nano materials science 2016
Distinguished Senior Researcher 2014
Großes Naturwissenschaftliches Kolloquium, Universität Duisburg-Essen 2014
Zhongguancun Forum Lecture, Beijing, China 2009
Empa Research Prize 2003
Bürgenstock Stereochemistry Conference Invited Lecture 2009
Habilitation Fellowship of the German National Science Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG 1992
Postdoctoral Fellowship of the German National Science Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) 1990

183 Publication (146 peer reviewed)
H-index 46, ≈ 8000 citations
>300 invited oral presentations

Organizer of 40Nano Conference, 15. – 20. 10. 2023, Ascona, CH
Organizer of Chirality at the Nanoscale Symposium, 13. – 17. 10. 2019, Ascona, CH
Organizer of Symposium of Atomic and Surface Physics (SASP), 2.–7. 02. 2020, St. Moritz, CH
Organizer of the Annual Swiss Working Group for Surface and Interface Science (SAOG) Meeting in Fribourg, CH (President since 2009, member of organizing committee since 1998)
Organizer of the Symposium ‘Chirality at Surfaces’, ECOSS 2014, Antalya, TR
Organizer of two symposia at National Meetings of the American Chemical Society (ACS) 2008
Co-organizer of the 22nd and 30th Symposium of Surface Science 3S in St. Moritz, 2009 & 2017
Co-organizer of the PIREECCI Workshop on heterogeneous catalysis, Dalian, China2009
Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, University Zurich (since 2007)
Lecturer at the Materials Science Department, ETH) Zurich (since 2005)
Lecturer at the Chemistry Department, ETH Zurich (2005–2014)
Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, University of Applied Sciences (TFH) Berlin (1988–1990)
Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of CCS Chemistry (since 2024)
Member of the editorial board of the Wiley journal Chirality (since 2019)
Member of the editorial board of the Swiss Chemical Society Journal CHIMIA (2012 – 2016)
Member of the editorial board of the Elsevier journal Surface Science (2012 – 2014)
Member of the International Editorial Advisory Board of the Wiley journal Helvetica Chimica Acta (since 2016)
Member of the Deutsche Bunsengesellschaft (DBG) for Physical Chemistry (since 1987)
Member of the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG, since 1986)
Member of the Swiss Chemical Society (SCG, since 2010)
Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS, since 2019)
Member oft the Swiss SSSTC Delegation to Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, Sept. 2010
Reviewer for international scientific journals like Angewandte Chemie, Nature, Nature Chemistry, Nature Nanotechnology, etc.
Referee and examiner for diploma and PhD theses at EPF Lausanne and University Zurich
Reviewer of PhD theses and official opponent at PhD defenses at Aarhus and Aalborg University, DK; University Groningen, NL; University Leuven, B
Reviewer of promotions to full and associate professorships at universities world-wide (>10)
Panel Member for the European Research Council (ERC), consolidator grants, 2013 – 2017
Reviewing expert for the European Research Council (ERC), startup, consolidator and advanced grants, for the Swiss-Korean Science & Technology programme, for NWO, the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO), for appointments of professorships at Universities, world wide.
Guest editor for Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter – Karl-Heinz Rieder Festschrift
Guest editor for the Swiss Chemical Society Journal CHIMIA
Guest editor for the Journal of ChemicalPhysics (IOP)

Activities

Employment (1)

Empa: Dubendorf, ZH, CH

1992-12-01 to 2024-12-31 | Distinguished Senior Researcher (Surface Science and Coating Technology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst

Education and qualifications (5)

Freie Universität Berlin : Berlin, Berlin, DE

1986 to 1990 | Dr. rer. nat. (Fachbereich Chemie)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst

Freie Universität Berlin: Berlin, Berlin, DE

1982-10-01 to 1986-07-07 | Diplom Chemiker (Chemie)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst

Beuth Hochschule für Technik Berlin: Berlin, Berlin, DE

1979-09-09 to 1982-06-15 | Ing. (grad) (Chemie)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst

Fachoberschule: Braunschweig, Niedersachsen, DE

1977 to 1978 | Fachhochschulreife
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst

Chemieschule Dr. Heinemann: Braunschweig, Niedersachsen, DE

1975 to 1977 | Chemisch-Technischer Assistent
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst

Works (50 of 97)

Items per page:
Page 1 of 2

From Homochiral Clusters to Racemate Crystals: Viable Nuclei in 2D Chiral Crystallization

Journal of the American Chemical Society
2015 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84934774861

Contributors: Seibel, J.; Parschau, M.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Pasteurs Experiment Performed at the Nanoscale: Manual Separation of Chiral Molecules, One by One

Nano Letters
2015 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84939188498

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.; Baumann, S.; Lutz, C.P.; Seibel, J.; Zoppi, L.; Heinrich, A.J.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Preface: Special topic on supramolecular self-assembly at surfaces

Journal of Chemical Physics
2015 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84924405894

Contributors: Bartels, L.; Ernst, K.-H.; Gao, H.-J.; Thiel, P.A.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

2D conglomerate crystallization of heptahelicene

Chemical Communications
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84904188778

Contributors: Seibel, J.; Zoppi, L.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

A metal surface with chiral memory

Chemical Communications
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84893070996

Contributors: Karageorgaki, C.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Charged-molecule physics

ACS Nano
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84903476131

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Chiral reconstruction of Cu(110) after adsorption of fumaric acid

Surface Science
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84907895934

Contributors: Karageorgaki, C.; Passerone, D.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Gear-meshed tiling of surfaces with molecular pentagonal stars

Journal of the American Chemical Society
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84892725692

Contributors: Stöckl, Q.; Bandera, D.; Kaplan, C.S.; Ernst, K.-H.; Siegel, J.S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Reversible achiral-to-chiral switching of single Mn-phthalocyanine molecules by thermal hydrogenation and inelastic electron tunneling dehydrogenation

ACS Nano
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84896989558

Contributors: Yang, K.; Liu, L.; Zhang, L.; Xiao, W.; Fei, X.; Chen, H.; Du, S.; Ernst, K.-H.; Gao, H.-J.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Stereochemistry of 2d molecular crystallization

Chimia
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84896755255

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Two-dimensional crystallization of enantiopure and racemic heptahelicene on Ag(111) and Au(111)

Journal of Physical Chemistry C
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84918829140

Contributors: Seibel, J.; Parschau, M.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Chiral conflict among different helicenes suppresses formation of one enantiomorph in 2D crystallization

Journal of the American Chemical Society
2013 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84878250375

Contributors: Seibel, J.; Allemann, O.; Siegel, J.S.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Molecular chirality in surface science

Surface Science
2013 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84876773361

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Molecular motors: A turn in the right direction

Nature Nanotechnology
2013 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84871780301

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Quadruple anionic buckybowls by solid-state chemistry of corannulene and cesium

Journal of the American Chemical Society
2013 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84883291172

Contributors: Bauert, T.; Zoppi, L.; Koller, G.; Siegel, J.S.; Baldridge, K.K.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Editorial

Chimia
2012 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84858804548

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

From reciprocal space to real space in surface science

Journal of Physics Condensed Matter
2012 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84865168953

Contributors: Bartels, L.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Molecular chirality at surfaces

Physica Status Solidi (B) Basic Research
2012 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84869065870

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Pentagonal tiling with buckybowls: Pentamethylcorannulene on Cu(111)

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2012 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84866361058

Contributors: Zoppi, L.; Bauert, T.; Siegel, J.S.; Baldridge, K.K.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Alfred Werner's coordination chemistry: New insights from old samples

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
2011 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-80855156734

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.; Wild, F.R.W.P.; Blacque, O.; Berke, H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Chiral reconstruction of a metal surface by adsorption of racemic malic acid

ChemPhysChem
2011 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-79957550957

Contributors: Roth, C.; Parschau, M.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Electrically driven directional motion of a four-wheeled molecule on a metal surface

Nature
2011 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-80855128826

Contributors: Kudernac, T.; Ruangsupapichat, N.; Parschau, M.; MacIá, B.; Katsonis, N.; Harutyunyan, S.R.; Ernst, K.-H.; Feringa, B.L.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Large induced interface dipole moments without charge transfer: Buckybowls on metal surfaces

Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
2011 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-80455174355

Contributors: Bauert, T.; Zoppi, L.; Koller, G.; Garcia, A.; Baldridge, K.K.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Optical activity and Alfred Werner's coordination chemistry

Chirality
2011 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-79951472316

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.; Berke, H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Single-molecule chemistry and analysis: Mode-specific dehydrogenation of adsorbed propene by inelastic electron tunneling

Journal of the American Chemical Society
2011 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-79954463078

Contributors: Parschau, M.; Rieder, K.-H.; Hug, H.J.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Surface explosion chemistry of malic acid on Cu(110)

Topics in Catalysis
2011 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-81955164217

Contributors: Roth, C.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Surface-assisted bowl-in-bowl stacking of nonplanar aromatic hydrocarbons

Chemical Communications
2011 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-79959864331

Contributors: Bauert, T.; Baldridge, K.K.; Siegel, J.S.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Two-dimensional self-assembly of chiral malic acid on Cu(110)

Journal of Physical Chemistry C
2011 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-79952730284

Contributors: Roth, C.; Passerone, D.; Merz, L.; Parschau, M.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Amplification of chirality at solid surfaces

Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-77949410483

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Chirality transfer by epitaxial mismatch in multi-layered homochiral molecular films

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-73049107917

Contributors: Parschau, M.; Ellerbeck, U.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Direct observation of enantiospecific substitution in a two-dimensional chiral phase transition

Journal of the American Chemical Society
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-77955033240

Contributors: Yang, B.; Wang, Y.; Cun, H.; Du, S.; Xu, M.; Wang, Y.; Ernst, K.-H.; Gao, H.-J.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Homochiral recognition among organic molecules on copper (110)

Langmuir
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-77749286720

Contributors: Cun, H.; Wang, Y.; Yang, B.; Zhang, L.; Du, S.; Wang, Y.; Ernst, K.-H.; Gao, H.-J.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Hopping, turning and flipping of single molecules during lateral manipulation with a scanning tunneling microscope

Surface and Interface Analysis
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-78449281969

Contributors: Parschau, M.; Hug, H.J.; Rieder, K.-H.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Intermediate structures in two-dimensional molecular self-assembly

Frontiers of Physics in China
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-77957018407

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Pasteur's quasiracemates in 2D: Chiral conflict between structurally different enantiomers induces single-handed enantiomorphism

Chemical Communications
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-78149440155

Contributors: Roth, C.; Passerone, D.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Polymorphism and chiral expression in two-dimensional subphthalocyanine crystals on Au(111)

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-77955928409

Contributors: Jiang, N.; Wang, Y.; Liu, Q.; Zhang, Y.; Deng, Z.; Ernst, K.-H.; Gao, H.-J.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Unification of the matrix notation in molecular surface science

Surface Science
2010 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-77951252114

Contributors: Merz, L.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Aspects of molecular chirality at metal surfaces

Zeitschrift fur Physikalische Chemie
2009 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-65949109911

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Buckybowls at surfaces: Polymorphism, phase transitions and symmetry mismatch in 2D crystals

EMPA Activities
2009 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-79953722850

Contributors: Merz, L.; Bauert, T.; Parschau, M.; Siegel, J.S.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Building 2D crystals from 5-Fold-Symmetric molecules

Journal of the American Chemical Society
2009 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-67749129326

Contributors: Bauert, T.; Merz, L.; Bandera, D.; Parschau, M.; Siegel, J.S.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Condensation of fivefold-symmetric molecules in two dimensions

Chimia
2009 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-66749091493

Contributors: Merz, L.; Parschaua, M.; Siegel, J.S.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Polymorph selection in 2D crystals by phase transition blocking

Chemical Communications
2009 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-70349682636

Contributors: Merz, L.; Bauert, T.; Parschau, M.; Koller, G.; Siegel, J.S.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Reversible phase transitions in a buckybowl monolayer

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
2009 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-61849099303

Contributors: Merz, L.; Parschau, M.; Zoppi, L.; Baldridge, K.K.; Siegel, J.S.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Switching the chirality of single adsorbate complexes

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
2009 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-70349939661

Contributors: Parschau, M.; Passerone, D.; Rieder, K.-H.; Hug, H.J.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Amplification of chirality in two-dimensional molecular lattices

Current Opinion in Colloid and Interface Science
2008 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-37249070304

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Coverage and enantiomeric excess dependent enantiomorphism in two-dimensional molecular crystal

Crystal Growth and Design
2008 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-61549115339

Contributors: Parschau, M.; Fasel, R.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Expression and amplification of chirality in two-dimensional molecular crystals

Chimia
2008 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-48249142403

Contributors: Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Adsorption mode of the chiral modifier cinchonidine on Au(1 1 1)

Applied Surface Science
2007 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-33846268784

Contributors: Behzadi, B.; Ferri, D.; Baiker, A.; Ernst, K.-H.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Buckybowls on metal surfaces: Symmetry mismatch and enantiomorphism of corannulene on Cu(110)

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
2007 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-36048941358

Contributors: Parschau, M.; Fasel, R.; Ernst, K.-H.; Gröning, O.; Brandenberger, L.; Schillinger, R.; Greber, T.; Seitsonen, A.P.; Wu, Y.-T.; Siegel, J.S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier

Probing the interface in vapor-deposited bimetallic Pd - Au and Pt - Au films by CO adsorption from the liquid phase

Langmuir
2007 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-33847239857

Contributors: Ferri, D.; Behzadi, B.; Kappenberger, P.; Hauert, R.; Ernst, K.-H.; Baiker, A.
Source: Self-asserted source
Karl-Heinz Ernst via Scopus - Elsevier
Items per page:
Page 1 of 2

Peer review (58 reviews for 15 publications/grants)

Review activity for ACS applied materials & interfaces. (1)
Review activity for ACS catalysis. (1)
Review activity for ACS nano. (5)
Review activity for ACS omega. (1)
Review activity for Angewandte Chemie. (4)
Review activity for Helvetica chimica acta. (1)
Review activity for Israel journal of chemistry. (2)
Review activity for Journal of physical chemistry. (20)
Review activity for Journal of the American Chemical Society. (13)
Review activity for Langmuir : (1)
Review activity for Nano letters. (1)
Review activity for Nature chemistry. (1)
Review activity for Small methods (1)
Review activity for Surface science. (1)
Review activity for The journal of physical chemistry letters. (5)