Program Organization

This research topic focuses on functional materials, their molecular design and understanding, to be translated into specifically designed functions on device level for electronic, sensory and medical applications. Hereby data- and information-driven design of materials, machine learning and high-throughput experimental methods are employed.

Among the latter automated wet-chemistry synthesis, materials characterization techniques as well as electrical and optical properties are studied to screen for novel material properties and combinations in complex multilayer structures on device level. A direct translation to printed devices and systems as well as healthcare applications is targeted. The devices and materials will be studied in their relevant system environment, in particular as interactive sensing and electronic security systems, as well as 3D printed medical devices for clinical applications.

Speaker of the Topic:  Jasmin Aghassi-Hagmann (KIT) / Manfred Gossen (Hereon)

The connection between information and optical materials, devices, and systems is bidirectional. Topic 2 addresses both directions, namely materials for information and information for materials. Concerning optical materials for information, communication networks form the backbone of today’s digital information society. They are prerequisites for megatrends such as ubiquitous connectivity, the internet of things, and the digitalization of industrial production processes (Industry 4.0).

To cope with these exponentially increasing information streams, optical communication networks require substantial progress in designing and manufacturing high-performance optical sender/receiver systems. In turn, design in Topic 2 leverages on information technology: It is a long-standing dream of science and technology to design materials, devices, and entire systems digitally on the computer. This dream could be realized for only a few exceptions to date. Rationally designed artificial materials, such as optical metamaterials and photonic crystals, are among these few exceptions.

Speaker of the Topic: Martin Wegener (KIT)

Rationally designed small molecule, polymer and particle-based systems with associated chemistries for effective syntheses, surface functionalization and bioconjugation are developed. This enables the fabrication of novel adaptive and bioinstructive surfaces and compartments with scale bridging interfaces for the study of interactions between biological and artificial matter.

An emphasis is placed on using the fundamental biological principles of self-assembly, compartmentalization, and self-organization and combining chemical, biological, and engineering methods to connect biomolecules and living cells to materials so that integrated devices can be constructed for red and white biotechnology applications. Thus, basic biological research and creative engineering are combined to realize applications such as devices for the cultivation and characterization of mammalian cells, organ-on-a-chip systems, bioreactors for the exploitation of microbial communities, or flow-through biocatalysis.

Speaker of the Topic: Christof Wöll (KIT)

Our research focuses on the improvement of fundamental properties of selected advanced and smart materials with a potential to achieve breakthroughs in a wide array of applications as sustainable, environmentally friendly processing, climate and energy, health and mobility. To implement these new materials in technical systems and to reliably supply sufficient amounts of novel materials for components or devices with tailored property profiles, we develop technologies for up-scaling and processing.

Due to the high complexity, that is spanning several length and time scales, for future advances in materials and process development we are developing advanced characterization and simulation techniques that combine a large range of scales and use sophisticated methods of information processing, which will lead us to the above-mentioned digital twins.

Speaker of the Topic: Regine Willumeit-Römer (Hereon)

Topic 5 pursues the further development and optimization of unique characterization methods such as high-resolution TEM, spectroscopy, NMR, X-rays and light optics with respect to spatial and temporal resolution, sensitivity, automation and in situ and operando characterization. The methods are available in the research infrastructures of the participating centres (KNMFi, ER-C), and will be validated in applications. Data science will be applied to improve the data-to-knowledge flow in materials characterization.

A correlative approach spanning multiple (macro, micro, nano) scales will be developed for combinations of methods to provide a holistic characterization methodology, and computational approaches that are applicable to large datasets, and to derive material models from the experimental data. The goal is to create an extensive database for materials, which will be the foundation for the prediction of materials properties and the digital discovery of synthesis pathways. The aim is to generate knowledge to both understand and improve the functionalities of materials in fields such as IT, quantum computing, energy storage and conversion and catalysis.

Speaker of the Topic: Jan Gerrit Korvink (KIT) / Joachim Mayer (FZJ)