In the current funding round, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) has approved the applications of two Collaborative Research Centres (CRC) involving researchers from the Institute of Materials Science at TU Darmstadt. The project “Paper – Tailored Properties for New Applications” will commence on 1 October 2026. SFB 1487 Iron, upgraded! will enter its second funding period on 1 July 2026.

Paper – Tailored Properties for New Applications

The new CRC on functional paper is led by Prof. Markus Biesalski, head of the research group Macromolecular and Paper Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at TU Darmstadt. Two sub-projects are led by researchers of the Institute of Materials Science:

Prof. Robert Stark’s research group Physics of Surfaces investigates the micro- and nanomechanics of functionalised fibres and small fibre networks using atomic force microscopy as well as confocal Raman microscopy. The findings are intended to enable novel processes for the functionalisation of paper. Furthermore, they are being incorporated into the development of new numerical models for predicting the mechanical behaviour of fibres and paper.

This is precisely the focus of the sub-project led by Prof. Bai-Xiang Xu (head of the Functional Materials Mechanics group). Here, micromechanical simulations will be used to investigate the non-linear and elastic behaviour of fibre networks in functionalised papers. Particular attention is being paid to the influences of multi-physical environments and functionalisations such as moisture, polymer additives and microorganisms.

Iron, upgraded!

The recently extended CRC “Iron, upgraded!” is led by Prof. Ulrike Kramm, head of the research group Catalysts and Electrocatalysts in the Department of Chemistry at TU Darmstadt. This project investigates the use of iron as a reusable energy carrier. In this, the Institute of Materials Science is represented by Professors Lambert Alff (research group Advanced Thin Film Technologies), Oliver Gutfleisch (Functional Materials), Jan Philipp Hofmann (Surface Science) and Hongbin Zhang (Theory of Magnetic Materials).

TU Darmstadt Materials Scientists now in four Collaborative Research Centres

In addition to its involvement in the major projects mentioned above, the Institute of Materials Science is responsible for leading two further DFG Collaborative Research Centres:

The spokesperson for SFB 1548 FLAIR is Prof. Andreas Klein, Head of the research group Electronic Structure of Materials. The aim of this project is to develop novel electroceramics through Fermi-level engineering.

Professor Oliver Gutfleisch, Head of the research group Functional Materials, is the spokesperson for the CRC/TRR 270 HoMMage. This TransRegio CRC focuses on the hysteresis design of magnets for efficient energy conversion.