Materials Information Discovery

At a glance | Challenges | Solutions | Contact | Research Groups

At a glance

In the “Materials Information Discovery” topic, Jülich researchers use the often unique instruments at the Ernst Ruska-Centre to analyse materials right down to the atomic level in terms of their structure, defects, and internal interfaces – and the influence of these on electronic structure – as well as other properties. They then use these findings to develop new materials or material combinations. To do so, they use correlative approaches to combine different techniques and develop methods to observe how materials function in situ and in operando under natural operating conditions. They then use their findings to create a comprehensive database and digital twins for materials. This provides the basis for predicting and enhancing material properties and combinations as well as for discovering new synthesis pathways.

The topic also encompasses a number of new activities in the life sciences, where researchers focus on the properties of important cellular structures – from functional membranes to the structure of individual proteins and their significance for both cell function and the treatment of specific diseases.

Challenges

The increasing complexity of materials and material concepts means that characterization methods must be developed further and that new concepts for enhancing spatial, temporal, and spectroscopic resolution are required. The growing demands also stem from the fact that the combination of biological and artificial materials leads to new functionalities and new process designs, which must meet ever-increasing requirements in terms of sustainability.

This requires completely new approaches in materials research, with further immense challenges resulting from the management and evaluation of the enormous volumes of data. Artificial intelligence methods and international data exchange are also becoming increasingly necessary in this regard.

Solutions

The Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons (ER-C), which is based at Forschungszentrum Jülich, is tasked with mapping and analysing materials right down to the level of atoms and molecules as well as with revealing functional relations in modern materials, including living materials. As a national research infrastructure, the ER-C is equipped with globally unique electron microscopes that are further developed by Jülich experts in collaboration with companies and academic partners. For example, as part of a project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), they are designing new instruments that will enable more in-depth insights into the structure, dynamic processes, and function of materials in real-world applications.

Jülich scientists utilize highly sensitive devices and their exceptional knowledge to extract more detailed information from materials and biological samples than has previously been available – for example, about the position and chemical state of individual atoms, or about changes in material structure that take place within a matter of femtoseconds (quadrillionths of a second). Such detailed insights enable researchers, in cooperation with their colleagues at other participating Helmholtz centres, to develop innovative materials at a faster pace – whether for the energy transition, future information technologies, or new drugs.

Examples include components for future neuromorphic and quantum computers, materials for hydrogen technologies, and innovative, high-strength, lightweight materials for transport and mobility. The researchers also focus on biological molecules, their three-dimensional architecture, and their interaction with artificial surfaces and natural structures.

The Jülich researchers also aim to use the results of the detailed material investigations to create a comprehensive materials database. This will form the basis for the creation of digital twins, which will help to predict and enhance material properties. This will provide participating scientists from the collaborating Helmholtz centres with an opportunity to discover new material combinations and synthesis pathways via digital means and thus to accelerate technological developments that will help us to master the great challenges of our time.