Third-party funded projects

DYNAVERSE is a new Cluster of Excellence between the Universities of Cologne and Bonn, the Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, the German Aerospace Center and the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies. It is a world-class hub of expertise in radio astronomy, lab-experiments, simulations, and machine learning / artificial intelligence. Dynaverse brings together researchers from Astrophysics, Computer Science and Mathematics. State-of-the-art research facilities to which our team has priority access combined with the expertise in high-performance computing, and data-analytics will generate new ground-breaking opportunities.

As part of the CRC 1601, researchers are investigating the physical processes that determine the habitats of massive stars in different galactic environments. The new CRC combines four pillars: laboratory astrophysics, instrument development, observations as well as theoretical modelling and simulations. The CRC partners have a strong profile as leading players in large international projects and have extensive experience in the construction and operation of their own telescopes as well as the development of state-of-the-art instruments in the infrared, submillimetre and radio wave range. New developments, in particular the launch of the FYST/CCAT telescope in 2024, in which the Universities of Cologne and Bonn have a 25 per cent share, will be optimally supported by CRC 1601.

The aim of the CRC 1238 is to discover, understand, and control novel physical properties in quantum materials emerging from the interplay between topology, spin-orbit coupling, and correlations. The resulting advances in materials science are a powerful driver of technological innovation, shaping our daily lives. Four focus areas (FAs) define the multi-layered approach to quantum materials research. The interplay of spin-orbit coupling and strong electron-electron interactions, leading to topological phases, emergent gauge fields and fractionalization is emphasized in the FA “Spin-orbit dominated matter”. The FA “Topology and hybrid devices” explores novel effects arising when different quantum and topological materials are combined in a single device. The FA “2D materials and functionalization” takes advantage of the fact that two-dimensional quantum materials can be controlled much more precisely than their 3D counterparts. Finally, the FA “Driven and Active Matter” explores pump-probe and non-linear spectroscopy and presents a new vision of physics far from thermal equilibrium by introducing “active quantum matter”.

Can pathways and outcomes of future evolutionary processes be predicted? At the CRC 1310, researchers work on this question in fast-evolving systems: microbial populations in the laboratory, viruses and immune repertoires, and cancer cell populations. High-throughput experiments and models to predict the evolution of drug resistance and immune escape in pathogens, and of the immune answer in their hosts are being developed. Applications include the design of antibiotics, of vaccines for influenza and coronavirus, and of therapies for HIV and cancer.

QMI seeks to uncover the fundamental properties of quantum matter and harness their deep connections with quantum information. Key research topics include the realization of building blocks for future quantum computers, mathematical structures underlying topological states of matter and quantum technologies, nanostructured materials, materials for photonics, and the development of organic electronics. A central mission of QMI is to foster successful collaborative research, strengthen infrastructure, support early career researchers and promote knowledge transfer.

The KPA Dynamics of the Universe follows a holistic research approach, which combines astronomical observations, instrument development and related theory & simulations with laboratory astrophysics and astroinformatics. This exceptional convergence of expertise, distinctively found in the Cologne-Bonn region, is vital for advancing astronomical research at the forefront of the new era of Big Data Astrophysics. You can find out more here.