Physics of Materials

The cluster Fluids, Bio and Soft Matter (FBS) consists of the groups Molecular Biosensing for Medical Diagnostics (MBx), Transport in Permeable Media (TPM), Soft Matter and Biological Physics (SMB), and Fluids and Flows (F&F). MBx focuses on biosensing with single-molecule resolution using nanoparticles, with a view towards developing novel health monitoring technologies. TPM addresses the topics of transport and phase changes in complex permeable media, with the goal of developing novel materials for energy-related applications. SMB advances theoretical and simulation approaches of soft and biological materials in the context of the mechanobiology of cells and tissues, as well as functional soft materials. F&F focuses on complex fluids and flows, and specifically on turbulence and environmental fluid mechanics, multiphase flows and active matter, and micro- and nanohydrodynamics. Shared interests between the individual groups are found in the themes rheology of active biofluids, transport in multicomponent systems, and particle biosensors.

Material research is vital for key societal and technological challenges, such as scarcity of resources, sustainable energy, recyclability, and high-tech materials. We鈥檙e in a unique era where we can create and analyze materials at the atomic level, aided by predictive computations and AI. This precision allows us to understand how atomic structure influences properties, unlocking new applications. Furthermore, we can now design and manufacture materials to meet specific property requirements through reverse engineering. This domain contributes to the Semiconductor Technologies, Quantum Technologies and Energy Materials priorities of the NTS.


Designing the Materials of the Future

Materials are at the heart of nearly every technological breakthrough, from faster electronics and cleaner energy to smarter healthcare and more sustainable manufacturing. At the Department of Applied Physics and Science 在线黑料门, we explore and develop materials with unique and powerful properties to help shape a better future.

Our research spans the full journey from fundamental science to real-world applications. We investigate how materials behave at the smallest scales, down to atoms and molecules, and how we can design and build them to perform in extreme or highly specific conditions.

We work with a wide variety of materials, including:

  • Smart and responsive materials that adapt to their environment
  • Quantum and magnetic materials for next-generation computing and sensing
  • Soft and bio-inspired materials for healthcare and life sciences
  • Porous and active materials for energy storage and conversion

To create these materials, we use advanced fabrication techniques that allow us to build structures layer by layer with atomic precision. We also develop powerful tools to analyze and understand how materials function, often pushing the limits of what can be measured in space, time, and energy.

Our materials research connects closely with other areas in the department, such as quantum technologies, photonics, fluid dynamics, and plasma physics. This interdisciplinary approach helps us design materials for cutting-edge applications like quantum devices, energy-efficient lighting, high-resolution sensors, and next-generation electronics.

By combining deep scientific insight with innovative engineering, we aim to create materials that are not only high-performing, but also sustainable, safe, and scalable. Ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.