Christina Birkel

Easier said than done, right?
I invite you to reflect on your habits and choices. Which ones are good for your health, which ones are bad?
What behaviors do you model for your students.. your kids?
It's time to be honest with ourselves.
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#chemsky #matsky

Do you want to be the driver or the passenger in your life?
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#chemsky #matsky

Are you an US-based undergraduate student interested in materials science?
I am thrilled to announce the 3rd edition of our #MateriAlZ Winter School held at Biosphere 2, Oracle, AZ (Jan 4-8, 2026). Free of charge!
Please apply by October 31st, 2025: bit.ly/materialz2026

Are you frustrated with "little" day-to-day annoyances?
Are you anxious about what is happening in the world?
I am!
So here is your #MondayMotivation

AI and I designed a #birkellab logo uniting chemistry, materials design, and sustainability:
The flask represents synthesis,
the hexagon embodies structure,
the lightning and flame show energy&high temperatures,
the leaf symbolizes sustainability,
and the colored squares reflect elemental diversity.

Happy October!
Who is in??
This can look like watching the sunrise, enjoying an extra cup of coffee, journaling in the morning, going for a walk, getting a pastry treat, calling a friend, reading a book, dancing, ...
#MondayMotivation
#MentalHealth
#chemsky #matsky

🤝Thank you @gdch.de for the kind invitation to speak at the 2025 #ScienceForum at @kit.edu yesterday.
🍃 I gave a tandem talk with Prof. Rentschler, and I shared some of our work on sustainable materials synthesis with a focus on #microwaveheating, #sparkplasmasintering and #solgelchemistry.

I wonder how our world would be if we all worked on self regulating. If we worked on self love. If we worked on healing our wounds.
I am certain we would carry ourselves differently. We would engage in conflicts with an open mind and heart.
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#chemsky #matsky

This hits very close to home.
The last two weeks felt overwhelming - lots of stressful topics and conversations. At some point I had to pause, break it all down into more digestible bits, think, reflect, talk it through, and breathe. In and out.
#MondayMotivation
#MentalHealth
#chemsky #matsky

Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Behavior of Layered Vanadium Nitride MXene MXenes have been extensively studied for over a decade, with numerous compositions successfully synthesized. However, the top-down synthesis of vanadium nitride (V2NTx) has remained elusive despite it...

Interested in nitride MXenes? Together with the Djire group, we synthesized V2NTx and compared it to its carbide sibling. The new 2D nitride exhibits improved performance and greater stability. Available #openaccess at ACS Nano.
Check it out!
#MXenes #chemsky #matsky
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

My #MondayMotivation advice:
Go for walks.
#MentalHealth
#chemsky #matsky

Come for the people, the energy, the love, the connections.
Stay for the views, the ocean, the beach, the food.
One of the best events of the year and I am here for it soaking it all in!
What brings you joy?
#MondayMotivation
#MentalHealth
#chemsky #matsky

Hello September!
Do you want to make changes?
Don't wait til the new year.
No huge changes that we don't follow through with. Little manageable steps.
Pick one day of the week.
Go for the walk. Make the call. Dont scroll before bed. Read.
##MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth #chemsky #matsky

In August and in every month!
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#chemsky #matsky

Giving you food for thought for this #MondayMotivation.
Important words on an important day. But it is crucial to remind ourselves every day how fragile our world can be. Small actions every day can make a difference. Meet others with kindness and compassion.
#MentalHealth

🗣 I am thrilled to give a talk at the #ACSFall2025 this week.

⏰️ Tues, Aug 19th, 11-11.30 am
🏠 Westin Hotel, River Birch A

I will talk about our work on V-#MXenes. Come say hi!!
#chemsky #matsky

"Overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now."
Richard Bach

#MondayMotivation
#MentalHealth
#chemsky #matsky

Grateful for another year older.
Aging is a privilege.
Happy August!
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#happybirthdaytome
#chemsky #matsky

...because only with discomfort comes growth. Because only with failing comes success. Because you have to believe in yourself through every setback.
You got this!
#MondayMotivation
#MentalHealth
#chemsky #matsky

New paper alert! Who knew V incorporates into the A-site of a MAX phase? We were surprised! And then we tried all 3d metals... check out how it influences the magnetism of Nb2SnC.
Great collaboration with @bluebananna.bsky.social and others! #MAXPhases #chemsky #matsky
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Bonding profiling of gapless ceramic V2GaC/N MAX phases: a spectroscopic and dual theoretical approach The family of MAX phases is growing faster than ever, resulting in more than 340 reported members so far. Even though the variety of different M- and A-elements is overwhelming, the X-site of MAX phas...

We are happy to take a supporting role in this #openaccess work. It provides the first detailed comparison of electronic properties between V-based carbide, nitrid3 and carbonitride #MAXPhases, integrating soft X-ray spectroscopy with advanced modeling. pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
#chemsky #matsky

1 month after #NationalSelfieDay let's share some joy&self ❤️. What make you happy? What are the glimmers in your day-to-day?
I truly enjoy walks.
If you feel stuck, go outside, walk around the block, shift your perspective&watch your day change.
#MondayMotivation
#MentalHealth
#chemsky #matsky

Comparison is the thief of joy.
It is a waste of time.
Instead. Follow your values, passion and dreams.
Take care of your body and mind. Nobody is you, let's celebrate that.
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#chemsky #matsky

As we are officially heading into the summer holidays (in Europe) - Enjoy every road coffee, flight view, foreign language, new food, beach sunset, sandy shoes, pretty hike, grounding conversation, different way to look at life and vibe with it.
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth

A bit late.. but I am proud to announce another #BirkelGroup Graduate, Dr. Suneet Kale. Suneet defended his thesis at ASU on new #MAXPhase solid solutions a few weeks ago. He also investigated the influence of the M & A element on their oxidation behavior.
Congratulations, Suneet!
#chemsky #matsky

Know your worth.
Own who you are and never hide your light.
Cultivate an environment of motivation, connection, experiences and joy around you and watch your life transform.
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#chemsky #matsky

Thank you for the kind invitation to speak at the International Conference on Diffusion in Solids and Liquids held this week in Naples, Italy (I spoke in the 2D materials symposium). #BirkelGroup PostDoc Niels also gave an excellent talk (symposium on non-conventional synthesis).
#chemsky #matsky

Sometimes you just enjoy.
No context.
(You are allowed.)
#MondayMotivation
#MentalHealth
#chemsky #matsky

When the news feels heavy, don't forget to honor where you are, who you get to be with, and the amazing experiences you make.
Be thankful for your health and live with purpose, love and joy.
Today is a gift!
#MondayMotivation
#mentalhealth
#chemsky #matsky

Influence of the M- and A-Elements on the Oxidation Stability of Solid Solution MAX Phases V2Ga1–xGexC and Cr2Ga1–xGexC MAX phase carbides have attracted much attention due to their unique combination of metallic and ceramic properties, making them promising materials for high-temperature applications. Understanding ho...

🔥 Hot off the press at @acs.org Chemistry of Materials:
💡 We synthesized new solid solutions to probe the influence of the M- & the A-element on the oxidation behavior of #MAXPhases.
💛Thankful to the NSF for funding!
#chemsky #matsky
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....