Prof. Dr. Hilbert von Löhneysen
The Hector Fellow Academy mourns the passing of Hilbert von Löhneysen, who died on April 28, 2026, at the age of 79.
He was a valued member of our Academy as a Hector Fellow and recipient of the Hector Science Award in 2011 for his outstanding scientific achievements and exceptional commitment. We have lost an exceptional physicist, an influential academic teacher, and a person of great integrity and scientific vision. For decades, he significantly shaped experimental solid state physics and inspired generations of scientists.
From 1986 until his retirement in 2016, he served as a full professor at the Institute of Physics at the University of Karlsruhe (TH), now part of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. From 2000 onward, he also served as director of the Institute for Solid State Physics at the Research Center Karlsruhe, playing a decisive role in its development.
From 1992 to 1994, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Physics at the University of Karlsruhe (TH). In recognition of his scientific expertise and personal integrity, he was appointed to the Wissenschaftsrat, where he served for several years and was Chairman of the Scientific Commission. He was also a member of the Senate and the Joint Committee of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).
His research focused on experimental solid state physics, on the one hand in the field of strongly correlated electron systems, in particular the exploration of magnetic quantum phase transitions, and on the other hand on the exploration of metallic nanostructures, for example nanocontacts between superconductors and ferromagnets. His work received worldwide recognition and set standards in the field.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.