German Research Foundation establishes new research units on nanocomposites and nanodiamonds

(Nanowerk News) The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) establishes new Research Units. This decision has just been made by the Senate of the DFG at its meeting in Bonn in April. In Research Units, outstanding researchers work together on a current research topic, often at different locations and across disciplines. The DFG funding thereby secures the necessary staff and material equipment for the medium term. In addition, Research Units also pursue the goal of establishing new directions in research.
One of the approved Research Units deals with novel synthesis methods in chemistry, another works on "quantum diamonds".
The goal of Research Unit "Twin Polymerisation of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Monomers into Nanocomposites" is to produce new functional hybrid materials for modern technologies and future applications in catalysis or for storing gases. In concrete terms, this involves a new synthesis concept intended to make available such materials in large quantities and with precisely defined molecular, structural and morphologic properties. For this purpose, the Research Unit builds on the "twin polymerisation" of complex hybrid monomers developed in Chemnitz. It is hoped that the findings will lead both to the improvement of established processes as well as make possible entirely new syntheses. The Research Unit thereby combines synthesis, analysis and theory.
(Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Stefan Spange, Chemnitz University of Technology)
Thanks to an ever-deeper understanding and well-established experiments, quantum physics is increasingly being transformed into the research field of quantum technology. Physicists are now able to customise material and influence quantum dynamics, thereby opening a range of possible applications, such as in information processing and sensor technology. Research Unit "Diamond Materials and Quantum Application" is devoted to diamonds, a very promising quantum material, and is using technological fundamentals to produce more controlled and increasingly complex diamond structures. To accomplish this, the Research Unit is bringing together experts on material growth, structure and defect creation as well as quantum optics and spintronics. Focus is primarily on the use of "quantum diamonds" in the areas of quantum photonics and spintronics. The results produced by the Research Unit could lead to applications in, among other areas, medicine.
(Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Jörg Wachtrup, University of Stuttgart)
Source: DFG