Materials for Tomorrow’s Industry

Environmentally friendly white foil modeled on beetle scales or precise rapid printing processes to produce microscopically small structures. KIT scientists develop nanostructured materials and environmentally compatible technologies from fundamental research to product commercialization, among others. Research teams of natural sciences, engineering, and life sciences cooperate. Digitalized industry needs new materials and methods for increasingly complex applications. Users from research and industry meet on the MaterialDigital platform that supports researchers in digitalizing materials science.

Research Focus

Nanomaterials

Leveraging our strong expertise in materials sciences, we explore and develop innovative materials and novel synthesis pathways using data-driven and autonomous approaches. These are further enhanced through the use of Materials Acceleration Platforms, which combine data science, automation, and artificial intelligence to significantly increase the speed and efficiency of discovering and optimizing advanced materials.

Our goal is to create selective or multifunctional nanomaterials with tailored properties – including electronic, optical, adhesive, catalytic, and extraordinary mechanical characteristics. These materials open up new possibilities for versatile applications across electronics, chemical engineering, and health technologies.

A particular focus of our research is on 3D additive manufacturing at the molecular scale. This work is at the heart of our Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order (with Heidelberg University), where we have achieved world-record print rates of 108 voxels per second at deep sub-μm voxel sizes. Moreover, the materials developed are compatible with other advanced technologies such thin-film printing technology and cell-free biocatalysis.

Research Focus

Quantum Technologies

Our quantum technology research covers a broad spectrum – from fundamental research into quantum materials to the design and realization of application-oriented devices for future technologies. Key areas include quantum spintronics, quantum communication and networking, quantum sensing, and quantum computing. KIT stands out internationally for its pioneering work on superconducting materials and qubits, molecular spin qubits, and hybrid spin systems.

One of the most significant breakthroughs in recent years is the discovery of a novel class of optically addressable molecular spins with exceptional optical coherence. To showcase the potential of these molecular systems in quantum communication, we have established a fiber link between KIT’s Campus North and Campus South.

These efforts are further complemented by cutting-edge work on optical read-out techniques for quantum systems and the coupling of molecular nanostructures with photons – essential steps toward scalable quantum architectures.

3D Matter Made to Order

The “3D Matter Made to Order” initiative of KIT and the University of Heidelberg is one of the clusters funded under the current excellence strategy. It pursues a highly interdisciplinary approach combining natural and engineering sciences. The research cluster concentrates on three-dimensional additive manufacturing techniques, from the molecular level to macroscopic dimensions. These methods are to be used to produce components and systems by nano printing at maximum process speed and resolution for novel applications in materials and life sciences.

Further Research Highlights

For the development of a white polymer foil, researchers used the white scales of a beetle as a model and made it appear white without using titanium dioxide that damages the environment. New materials are not yet calculated on the computer, but have to be synthesized and their properties have to be confirmed experimentally. Within the framework of the Virtual Materials Design (VirtMat) initiative, researchers work on simulating new materials for the microscopic world instead of measuring them. Research covers twelve selected topics ranging from fundamental problems of quantum physics to applied studies, such as production of more efficient materials for displays of mobile phones.

Printing technologies are increasingly used in materials science. In case of 3D printing, for instance, highest precision and printing speed are of crucial importance. Scientists have developed a system to print highly precise, centimeter-sized objects with sub-micrometer details at so far unmatched speed. Printable electronics also plays an important role in times of digitalization and may replace silicon technology. Instead of rigid silicon wafers, carrier materials applied layer by layer may have various functions and forms. Numerous carrier materials are available for selection and may be flexible in contrast to the rigid wafers.