We were saddened to learn about the passing of Professor Norbert Klein over the summer.

Professor Norbert Klein joined the Department of Materials in 2009 as a Professor and Chair in Electromagnetic Materials. Prior to this he was based at the Forschungszentrum Jülich, following a PhD and first academic position at the University of Wuppertal in Germany. During his time at Imperial and wider career, Norbert made a profound mark through his research creativity, energy in developing his work through collaborations and translation, kindness, and all-round enthusiasm.  

Norbert’s research was centred on the manipulation of waves through and with materials. His interests were multifaceted and spanned early work in superconductivity, via microwave resonators and more recently important contributions to biosensing. Through his unique talent for spotting opportunities to develop his discoveries, he applied the shift of microwave frequencies for chemical sensing and in 2007 he founded a company to successfully deploy devices for the detection of harmful substances in airports, Emisens. 

Overall, Norbert authored over 15 patents in addition to his many scientific publications. Norbert was passionate about sharing his knowledge and was an inspirational teacher and mentor. He built a vibrant and multidisciplinary group, with alumni taking on successful careers, in many cases spinning out their own companies. He was generous with his time and always found a space to chat, being intensely committed to fostering collegiality in the Department, and across the scientific community.  He launched the Centre of Terahertz Science and Engineering at Imperial, and built connections across and beyond College, holding for example a distinguished research fellow position at the National Physical Laboratory. 

Norbert’s energy, positivity and generosity permeated through all aspects of his life. He owned several guitars and was a talented musician, playing for his family and friends, and could often be found riding one of his motorbikes. He left too soon and will be painfully missed, but we will cherish his legacy.   

Written by Professor Sandrine Heutz, Head of Department in the Department of Materials.

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The absence of Professor Klein will be deeply felt by many of us.

If you would like to leave a message in his memory, please visit this condolence webpage.