networks matter
Our Mission
The major global challenges facing us, e.g. in health, energy supply or climate change, are based on complicated dynamic networks, characterised by feedback loops and complex nonlinear spatial and temporal behaviour. These challenges are met through control, enablement and intervention into the networks using a universal approach. Networked Matter (NM) itself is a novel entity, going beyond the conventional notion of static, structural materials, and even extending the current vision of intelligent matter. Independent of the environment and application, the goal of Networked Matter is that matter directly intervenes in a dynamic system to enhance its performance or resilience, or to achieve a specified purpose or objective. In our vision, Networked Matter represents the ultimate form of materials.
A SCIENTIFIC MATCH
Kiel University and the University of Rostock have thematically similar research foci and are both living interdisciplinary research. The priority research area Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science (KiNSIS) at Kiel University and the Department Life, Light and Matter (LLM) of the Interdisciplinary Faculty at the University of Rostock – the first of its kind in Germany – together are thus predestined for visionary NM research. The merger of KiNSIS and LLM in Networked Matter thus creates a highly experienced interdisciplinary research team of appropriate size to effectively answer the research questions which Networked Matter poses.
Our expertise is build on four on-going interdisciplinary Collaborative Research Centres (CRC) and two (International) Research Training Groups (IRTG/RTG).
CRC 1477 LiMatI
The mission of the CRC 1477 LiMatI (Light-Matter Interactions at Interfaces) is the exploration of light-matter interactions at interfaces employing strong ultrafast fields and dedicated targets. We investigate how the geometrical, electronic and topological structure of light-matter systems with interfaces affect the sub-cycle emission of radiation and particles in strong fields, and how specific excitations and their transport dynamics can be controlled using interfaces with tailored optical and electronic properties. Recent progress in strong-field laser physics, integrated photonics, and condensed matter physics allows pushing light-matter interactions at surfaces and interfaces beyond previous limits, providing the basis for the challanging scientific projects within CRC LiMatI.
CRC 1461 Neurotronics
Bio‑inspired Information Pathways: As a result of Billions of years of evolution, all living animals are extremely well adapted to inhabit their ecological niche. This implies species specific interaction with their immediate environment by assessing sensory cues and performing appropriate behavior. The information pathway in pattern recognition and cognitive tasks are of special interest as platform for reverse engineering. These features represent attractive guidelines for entirely new computing architectures. With a concerted effort of a multidisciplinary team from the fields of neuroscience, biology, psychology, physics, electrical engineering, material science, networks science and nonlinear dynamics, fundamental information pathways in selected nervous systems will be extensively studied with respect to their relevance as building blocks for novel, hardware-oriented computing.
CRC 1270 ELAINE
European populations are ageing rapidly. By the year 2060, every third person living in Germany will be older than 65. For this reason, the social and socio-economic relevance of regenerative therapies is clearly increasing. This holds particularly true for implants: the older the population grows, the more medical implants for various indication areas are required and the more often they have to be replaced during the course of therapy. The research vision pursued by the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) focuses on novel electrically active implants. Specifically, we address implants employed for the regeneration of bone and cartilage, and implants for deep brain stimulation to treat movement disorders.
CRC 1261 Biomagnetic Sensing
The detection of magnetic field distributions in the head or torso makes powerful diagnostics of functions of the brain (magnetoencephalography MEG) or heart (magnetocardiography MCG) possible. Additionally, the detection of artificial weak magnetic fields, e.g., for deep brain stimulation, of magnetically labelled cells in scaffolds or for movement analysis offers attractive new biomagnetic applications. Systems used as routine diagnostic tools need to be easy-to-handle and cost-effective, thus, operation at room temperature is essential. In the first funding period, uncooled magnetoelectric (ME) magnetic field sensors have revealed their potential to detect weak magnetic fields at low frequencies, as required for those applications. These ME sensors are based on ME composites, i.e. composites consisting of at least one magnetostrictive and one piezoelectric constituent, which were fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology.
IRTG 2676 Imaging Quantum Systems
Photonic quantum science is a key future technology that will revolutionize our daily life. Emerging over the past several decades, it addresses the harnessing of quantum mechanical effects for storing, processing and transmitting information encoded in inherently quantum mechanical systems, which eventually leads to new phenomena, functionalities, and devices. Imaging of quantum systems such as photons, molecules, and materials is at the forefront of applied photonic quantum science. It allows to overcome limitations of classical imaging techniques with respect to speed, losses and decoherence.
Three partner institutions from Germany and Canada with complementary leading expertise in quantum science and imaging propose the implementation of a International Research Training Group (IRTG) to synergize their efforts in research and education of next generation scientists. In this IRTG, the fields of quantum optics, ultrafast electronic dynamics and electronic coherence will be combined to realize innovative concepts in telecommunication, data processing, and image reconstruction.
RTG 2154 Materials for Brain
Thin film functional materials for minimally invasive therapy of brain diseases: The treatment of patients with chronic brain diseases is mainly based on systemic drug treatments. Sufficiently large drug concentrations in the brain are often accompanied by side effects affecting other organs in the body. Neural implants, which allow localized and individualized therapy, are an alternative solution if they can satisfy the following requirements: they must be compact, biocompatible, resilient and highly flexible, particularly when used in kids and teens. Defined, nano-scale, therapeutically active coatings as well as suitability of the implants for diagnostics with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can open up new prospects for novel therapies. In order to reach these goals, micro-structured, functional materials based on thin film technology will be investigated for innovative local treatment of epilepsies, brain tumors and vascular diseases. Material-controlled drug release and implant interactions with cells will initially be studied using cell cultures. Subsequently, the effect of the implants on specific structures and functions of the brain will be investigated in disease-related animal models by histological and in vivo approaches by MRI and functional tests (behavioral tests, electroencephalography).
OUR PARTNERS
NETWORKS MATTER
© Kerstin Meurisch, CAU
© Kerstin Meurisch, CAU