Lars Heinke studied physics in Greifswald and Leipzig and obtained his PhD in 2009. After postdoctoral stays at the Fritz Haber Institute, Berlin, and at the Lawrence–Berkeley National Laboratory, California, he joined the Institute of Functional Interfaces at the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) as a group leader. Lars Heinke is now a Professor of Physical Chemistry at the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin. His group focuses on the design and characterization of novel functional materials, particularly thin films of nanoporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). His research combines state‑of‑the‑art spectroscopy with materials science to explore diffusion and adsorption of guest molecules in MOF pores, ionic conductivity, and optoelectronic properties. A central theme of his work is the development of “smart” materials whose properties can be remotely controlled, for example by light, enabling applications in molecular separation and sensing. Heinke’s group contributes to advancing fundamental understanding of molecular interactions at the nanoscale while also targeting practical applications in energy, environment, and nanotechnology.