Ruth Hinrichs

Full Professor of Materials Science & Geosciences | Lead Researcher in Advanced Microanalysis

Porto Alegre, BR.

About

Highly accomplished Full Professor with over 25 years of experience in Materials Science and Geosciences, specializing in advanced multi-technique microanalysis. Expert in integrating SEM (EDX), TEM, XRD, GIXRD, and micro-Raman spectroscopy to resolve complex analytical challenges across technical, geological, and forensic materials. Proven leader in research, academic instruction, and laboratory management, with a robust publication record of 45+ articles and 600+ citations, dedicated to scientific advancement and student mentorship.

Work

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)

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Full Professor (Titular Professor, previously Associate and Adjunct Professor)

Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

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Summary

Led extensive research, academic instruction, and laboratory management within Materials Science and Geosciences, pioneering multi-technique analytical approaches for diverse applications.

Highlights

Coordinated the Microanalysis Laboratory since 2005, overseeing advanced analytical equipment and spearheading numerous research projects.

Directed the Electron Microscopy Center from 2000-2004, having previously served as Vice-Director (1999), significantly enhancing research capabilities and operational efficiency.

Headed the Rock Analysis Laboratory from 1997-2004, managing instrumental analysis and driving research development in Geosciences.

Developed and operationalized advanced analytical methodologies, including X-ray Fluorescence (Rigaku RIX2000), Atomic Absorption, SEM, TEM, XRD, GIXRD, and micro-Raman spectroscopy.

Mentored and advised over 20 graduate students (Master's and PhD) and numerous undergraduate students across a wide range of scientific projects.

Authored and co-authored over 45 peer-reviewed articles and multiple book chapters, accumulating 600+ citations and an H-factor of 14 (as of 2020), recognized with the 'Best Paper Award' at SAE Brasil in 2009.

Taught a comprehensive curriculum of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Analytical Techniques, and Materials Analysis.

University of Münster, WWU MÜNSTER

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Postdoctoral Researcher (Visiting Researcher)

Münster, Alemanha, Germany

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Summary

Conducted advanced postdoctoral research in Materials Science and Engineering, focusing on mineralogical applications of EF-TEM and other analytical techniques.

Highlights

Performed specialized research in EF-TEM (Energy-Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy) applied to minerals at the Institut Für Mineralogie.

Undertook research at Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) in Engineering, contributing to national material science initiatives.

Awarded and held multiple Alexander Von Humboldt Stiftung (AVH) scholarships, demonstrating exceptional research potential and international collaboration.

Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg (Friedrich-Alexander)

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Researcher (Collaborator)

Erlangen-Nürnberg, Alemanha, Germany

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Summary

Executed advanced research in Materials Science within the Glas Und Keramik W W III institute, contributing to a Ph.D. project.

Highlights

Conducted in-depth investigations into ionic conductors and high-pressure phenomena using impedance spectroscopy.

Contributed to research on defect pyrochlores and advanced analytical methods as part of doctoral studies.

Collaborated on projects within the Institut Fuer Werkstoffwissenschaf, focusing on glass and ceramics.

Associação de Apoio à Criança e ao Adolescente (AMENCAR)

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Bilingual Secretary

Brasil, N/A, Brazil

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Summary

Provided essential administrative support as a bilingual secretary.

Highlights

Managed secretarial duties, leveraging bilingual proficiency to support organizational operations.

Instituto Cultural Brasil Alemanha Joinville (ICBA)

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Professor

Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil

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Summary

Provided educational instruction as a professor.

Highlights

Delivered academic instruction in a professorial capacity for a period of two years.

Education

Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg (Friedrich-Alexander)

Erlangen-Nürnberg, Alemanha, Germany
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Ph.D. Materials Science (Werkstoffwissenschaften, glass and ceramics)

Courses

Impedance Spectroscopy

Ionic Conduction

High Pressure Materials

Ceramics

Analytical Methods

Defect Pyrochlores

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)

Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Master Physics (Condensed Matter Physics, Dielectric Materials and Properties, Fluid Physics, Plasma Physics and Electrical Discharges)

Courses

CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)

Ultra-Hard Materials

Instrumentation

Structure of Liquids and Solids

Crystallography

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)

Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Bachelor Physics

Awards

Best Paper Presented

SAE Brasil

Recognized for an outstanding research presentation at the SAE Brasil conference.

Publications

Simple procedure to establish thickness and phase composition of plasma nitrided and post-oxidized steel surfaces using multiple angle GIXRD and RIR quantification.

APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE JCR

Co-authored a publication detailing a simple procedure for analyzing plasma-nitrided and post-oxidized steel surfaces, cited 2 times.

Vacuum Pyrolysis of Brazilian coal, peat and biomass Results on characterization of feedstock, solid residues, pyrolysis liquids and conversion rates.

ENERGY EXPLORATION & EXPLOITATION JCR

Co-authored a study on the vacuum pyrolysis of Brazilian coal, peat, and biomass, analyzing feedstock, solid residues, pyrolysis liquids, and conversion rates, cited 6 times.

Sol-gel immobilization of lipase enzyme on FTO modified with silica-zirconia and gold nanoparticles films for design of triglyceride impedimetric biosensor.

ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA JCR

Contributed to research on sol-gel immobilization for biosensor design, cited 7 times.

Ivermectin-Loaded Mesoporous Silica and Polymeric Nanocapsules: Impact on Drug Loading, In Vitro Solubility Enhancement, and Release Performance.

PHARMACEUTICS JCR

Co-authored a publication on ivermectin-loaded mesoporous silica and polymeric nanocapsules, focusing on drug loading and release performance, cited 22 times.

Magnetic Mesoporous Silica for Targeted Drug Delivery of Chloroquine: Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation.

PHARMACEUTICS JCR

Contributed to a study on magnetic mesoporous silica for targeted drug delivery of chloroquine, including synthesis, characterization, and in vitro evaluation, cited 11 times.

Contamination and dissolution-crystallisation textures of granite relics in xenolith-rich composite Coral Island dike of the Paraná-Etendeka magmatic province.

JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES JCR

Co-authored a publication investigating contamination and dissolution-crystallization textures in granite relics within a magmatic province.

Languages

Portuguese

German

English

Spanish

Skills

Analytical Techniques

SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), EDX (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), AEM (Analytical Electron Microscopy), EFTEM (Energy-Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy), XRD (X-ray Diffraction), GIXRD (Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction), Micro-Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (FRX), Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Impedance Spectroscopy, PIXE (Particle-Induced X-ray Emission), Mössbauer Spectroscopy, EBSD (Electron Backscatter Diffraction), Instrumental Analysis, Microanalysis.

Materials Science

Ceramics, Thin Films, Friction Films, Glass, Ionic Conductors, High Pressure Materials, Diamond CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), Metal/Insulator Granular Thin Films, Plasma Nitriding, Condensed Matter Physics, Surfaces and Interfaces, Films and Filaments.

Geosciences

Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Meteorites, Opal Characterization, Rock Analysis, Forensic Geology, Crystallography, Structure of Liquids and Solids.

Forensic Science

Micro-trace Analysis, Gunshot Residue Analysis, Fiber Analysis, Forensic Sample Analysis, Shooting Distance Estimation.

Research & Development

Experimental Design, Multi-technique Approaches, Data Analysis, Scientific Writing, Project Coordination, Grant Writing, Research Management, Problem Solving.

Academic Leadership

University Teaching (Undergraduate & Postgraduate), Curriculum Development, Student Supervision (Graduation, Master's, PhD), Journal Review, Funding Review.

Laboratory Management

Laboratory Coordination, Electron Microscopy Center Directorship, Rock Analysis Laboratory Management, Equipment Operation & Maintenance.

Projects

Análise multitécnicas de vestígios forenses (Multi-technique Analysis of Forensic Traces)

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Summary

Developing multi-technique analytical methodologies to identify micro-traces in forensic investigations, providing scientific support for expert reports in Rio Grande do Sul.

Análises de amostras forenses utilizando espectroscopia micro-Raman (Analysis of Forensic Samples using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy)

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Summary

Applied micro-Raman spectroscopy for the detailed analysis of various forensic samples.

Efeito das Intrusões Ígneas na Maturação de Rochas Ricas em Matéria Orgânica e Carbonatos na Bacia do Paraná, Brasil (Effect of Igneous Intrusions on Maturation of Organic-Rich Rocks and Carbonates in the Paraná Basin, Brazil)

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Summary

Investigated the impact of igneous intrusions on the maturation of organic-rich rocks and carbonates within the Paraná Basin.

Tribologia de sistemas de frenagem automotivos (Tribology of Automotive Braking Systems)

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Summary

Participated in a collaborative project focused on the tribology of automotive braking systems.

Estudo microanalítico de um fragmento do meteorito Vaca Muerta (Microanalytical Study of a Fragment of the Vaca Muerta Meteorite)

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Summary

Conducted a detailed microanalytical study on a fragment of the Vaca Muerta meteorite.