Research collaborations
Crossing the borders of their fields of study, institutes, departments and faculties, scientists of Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science pursue their research goals together in excellent research programmes.
In this manner and by concentrating and coordinating present forces at Kiel University the members of the research focus tackle innovative, demanding and elaborate projects.
Programmes like the Collaborative Research Centres are among the flagship projects within KiNSIS. They are essential when it comes to refining Kiel University's profile and promoting young scientists. Moreover, these huge ventures involving many working groups strengthen the bonds to other universities, non-university institutions and to the industry.
CRC 677 "Function by Switching"
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Virtually all technical engineering functions that are realized in our macroscopic world have been implemented on a molecular scale by nature. Molecuar pumps transport substances through cell membranes, motors fueled by ATP drive molecular vehicles along polymer tracks. Repair enzymes constantly control our genetic information, automatically uncovering and mending defects.
A switching process triggered by external signals is the common basis for all aforementioned molecular or macroscopic functions and applications. Switching is not only the basic principle of digital data processing, it also serves as a fundamental step in the operation of motors, actuators, sensors and machinery of any kind.
The Collaborative Research Center (SFB) "Function by Switching" aims at the implementation of essential and elementary functions using artificial (abiotic) systems on a molecular basis. In the same way as in information processing, the inherent miniaturization of technical processes to a molecular scale will result in a considerable increase in efficiency and performance as well as the development of new applications.
Further information on the website of CRC 677
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CRC 1261 "Magnetoelectric Sensors: From Composite Materials to Biomagnetic Diagnostics"
Research into highly sensitive magnetic field sensors has been the focus of nano research at Kiel University for a number of years. On Wednesday, 25 May, the German Research Foundation (DFG) approved the following collaborative research centre (CRC) 1261 "Magnetoelectric Sensors: From Composite Materials to Biomagnetic Diagnostics" representing another milestone in this development. The researchers will receive around 11 million Euros during the first funding period for an initial four years to research magnetic field sensors for use in biomagnetic diagnostics.
Press release May 27, 2016
Website CRC 1261 - Magnetoelectric Sensors: From Composite Materials to Biomagnetic Diagnostics
TRR24 "Fundamentals of Complex Plasmas"
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Complex plasmas are ionized gases that contain particles of nanometer to micrometer size or negative ions and chemically reactive molecules. Such plasmas are of high relevance for a variety of systems ranging from plasmas in space to applications in nanotechnology. Correspondingly, the research programme Transregio 24, which is a cooperative project of the University of greifswald, Kiel University and the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology
Greifswald, is highly interdisciplinary. Participating scientists include not only plasma physicists but also astrophysicists and material scientists. The questions of interest cover fundamental issues such as the emergence of plasma crystals, phase transitions and the influence of strong magnetic fields, as well as technologically relevant questions such as the growth of nanoparticles and the growth of nano-composite structures in a complex plasma environment.
More information on the website of TRR24
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Research Unit FOR 2093 "Memristive devices for neural systems"
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To reproduce learning and memory processes of the human brain technically is the goal of researchers from Bochum University, Hamburg University of Technology, Helmholtz Institute Ulm and Kiel University. To achieve this, they particularly focus on the design of the hippocampus. This part of the brain is extremely important for memory formation. Expertise on how the hippocampus works comes from the Clinic of Neurology at the University Medical Center in Kiel. However, even simpler neural circuits can’t be just recreated. The key to reproduce especially the trisynaptic circuit in this research group could be novel electronic components. These memristive devices offer an interesting approach to building electronic circuits, which come closer to their biological equivalent than anything else before. So called memristors are passive electric devices, whose ohmic resistance is not constant, but depends on their electric “history”. The device memorizes how many charges have flown in which direction and adjusts its resistance accordingly.
More information can be retrieved at FOR 2093’s website. |
RTG 2154 "Materials for Brain"
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Thin film functional materials for minimally invasive therapy of brain diseases.
The treatment of patients with chronic brain diseases is mainly based on systemic drug treatments. Sufficiently large drug concentrations in the brain are often accompanied by side effects affecting other organs in the body. Neural implants, which allow localized and individualized therapy, are an alternative solution if they can satisfy the following requirements: they must be compact, biocompatible, resilient and highly flexible, particularly when used in kids and teens. Defined, nano-scale, therapeutically active coatings as well as suitability of the implants for diagnostics with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can open up new prospects for novel therapies. In order to reach these goals, micro-structured, functional materials based on thin film technology will be investigated for innovative local treatment of epilepsies, brain tumors and vascular diseases. Material-controlled drug release and implant interactions with cells will initially be studied using cell cultures. Subsequently, the effect of the implants on specific structures and functions of the brain will be investigated in disease-related animal models by histological and in vivo approaches by MRI and functional tests (behavioral tests, electroencephalography).
Website of the Research Training Group 2154
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