Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles or superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are being investigated for a wide range of biomedical and environmental applications. For example, SPIONs can be used as MRI contrast agents in diagnostics, as hyperthermia agents in cancer therapy or for the purification of biological samples or drinking water.

Philipp is working on the synthesis, characterization and functionalization of so-called multicore SPIONs. These particles are aggregates of many small, individual iron oxide crystallites. Philipp's main focus is on optimizing the biodistribution of the nanoparticles produced and investigating how they interact with biomolecules.