Materials research for excellence

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has been successful in the final of the "Clusters of Excellence" funding line in the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments with a total of two applications. Following evaluation by international commissions, the panel of experts appointed by the Joint Science Conference and political representatives selected the POLiS and 3DMM2O clusters for funding for seven years. KIT also has a good chance of retaining the title of University of Excellence.

"We are more than happy that the research clusters we submitted convinced the jury," says Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, President of KIT. "This is an honor for the excellent work of our researchers and our partners. It also shows the trust that is placed in our research internationally. The award is both a mandate and an obligation for us to continue to live up to this trust in the future."

In addition to the POLiS cluster for battery research, the joint Cluster of Excellence "3D Matter Made to Order" (3DMM2O) of Heidelberg University and KIT also impressed the commission. 3D printing technologies make it possible to translate digitally formulated ideas into reality. With this type of shaping, material is added locally instead of being removed. Scalable 3D printing uses a variety of inorganic, organic, bio-based and hybrid materials and has become an important tool for life sciences and engineering.

Part of the cluster is T.-T-Prof. Pascal Friederich from the Institute of Theoretical Computer Science. In close collaboration with experimental research groups, he develops data-driven models for the simulation and optimization of chemical synthesis and printing processes at the atomic and molecular level. Machine learning methods, in particular deep learning and graph neural networks, are used to predict complex relationships between material properties, process parameters and printing results. The aim is to use structured data sets and simulation data efficiently in order to design new inks and materials in a targeted manner and to test their properties virtually. This enables the accelerated development of functional materials and thus complex, printable devices.

Professor Oliver Kraft, Vice President Research at KIT, draws attention to the opportunities for research arising from the Commission's decision. "I would like to congratulate all the scientists involved in the two clusters. The funding will make it possible to pursue innovative research approaches in these important fields and to search for answers to the pressing questions of our time. This opens up huge opportunities. [...] Convinced that we are in a competitive position internationally, KIT will undergo the evaluation organized by the German Council of Science and Humanities this year with the aim of remaining a University of Excellence."