I am a professor at the University of Strasbourg, working in the field of solid state chemistry, crystallography, molecular magnetism and photochemistry. This page gives a condensed overview of my activities.
Teaching
I teach general chemistry, states of matter, Pourbaix diagrams, and — at the Master level — a full course on radiocrystallography, covering:
- Crystal lattices, Miller indices, metric tensor
- The reciprocal lattice and its construction
- Symmetry: 32 point groups, 230 space groups
- Bragg's law and the Ewald construction
- Physics of diffraction: atomic scattering factor, structure factor, systematic absences
- Powder diffraction and neutron diffraction
- X-ray fluorescence and radiation-matter interaction
Research
I created and led the DECOMET team (Densité Électronique et COordination METalliques) from 2002 to 2014. My work has led to more than 246 publications in international journals and one patent.
Main research areas
- Molecular magnetic materials — synthesis and characterization of polymetallic complexes. A record intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling (J ≈ +20 cm⁻¹) in a Mn(III) dimer.
- ThermoMagnet — the magnetic properties of magnetite as a thermometer for serpentinization processes.
- Photoreduction and solar energy storage — ferric complexes for rechargeable solar cells. Patent WO 2009/130562 A1.
- Photo-geomimetism of serpentinization — abiotic generation of hydrogen catalyzed by pyroxenes.
YouTube
My YouTube channel @welter-teaching gathers filmed extracts of my courses and public lectures. Nearly 47,000 subscribers, over 170 videos.
"To know one's ignorance is the best part of knowledge." Zen proverb
Philosophy & Painting
I founded the ATA association (Action Transdisciplinaire Alsace) which proposes weekly activities in Holtzheim: Zen meditation, Samara Yoga, and courses in Essential Philosophy. I am also a painter — abstract painting is another way of exploring the world through color, matter and gesture.