About EAM

Former Cluster of Excellence – Engineering of Advanced Materials

Advanced materials with properties tailored on the molecular and meso scale are expected to stimulate evolutionary advances and revolutionary breakthroughs in emerging key technologies such as information and communications technology, catalysis, energy and transportation. The vision of EAM is to link fundamental science and real-world application in the field of high-performance materials and devices in the context of a world-class research and training program.

 

Two researchers (male and female) working at set-up of the LOHC-dehydrogenation unit (Image: EAM/Minx)
Set-up and operation of the LOHC-dehydrogenation unit (Image: EAM/Minx)

Research

At EAM researchers from 9 disciplines (Applied Mathematics, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics and Medicine) collaborate in basic research as well as in many areas of application.

 

Two female researchers working at laboratory with rotary evaporator at new EAM chemistry building (Image: EAM/Minx)
Laboratory with rotary evaporator at new EAM chemistry building (Image: EAM/Minx)

Interdisciplinary network of partners

EAM was established at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in November 2007 within the framework of the Excellence Initiative to promote internationally recognized cutting edge science and research. It is based on existing and visible excellences within the FAU as well as on the expertise of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) and Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology (IISB), the New Materials Fürth GmbH, the Bavarian Laser Center, the Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research (ZAE) and other notable academic and industrial research partners.
One example of the long term impact of EAM on the uni­versity structure is the official establishment of the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen ­ Nürnberg for Renewable Energy in August 2013. The opening of the EAM inspired Application Center »VerTec« in May 2013 indicates the firm link between fundamental research, materials and process engineering and real world applications which the Cluster has helped to forge.

Sample positioning within the XPS system DASSA - Dual Analyser System for Surface Analysis (Image: EAM/Minx)
Sample positioning within the XPS system DASSA – Dual Analyser System for Surface Analysis (Image: EAM/Minx)

Achievements

In its first funding period from November 2007 – October 2012, EAM has improved the research infrastructure for materials and processes in Erlangen, boosting interdisciplinary collaboration to an exemplary level, attracting the best young researchers and providing new impetus for innovative teaching. Furthermore, EAM has already built up a remarkable track record.
Publications

In the second funding period from November 2012 – October 2019, EAM continued to perfect its structures and exploit its potential fully to ensure a successful and sustained continuation. The structure of the Research Areas has proven to be very successful and was retained. Two new structural elements, Focal Topics and Joint Demonstrators complemented this existing structure. These two additions to EAM’s structure of the first funding period aimed to unify and tackle fundamental scientific challenges from different perspectives. Six construction projects launched by EAM since 2009 have been completed, with a total volume of more than €100m and more than 11,000 square meters of new floor space (office and laboratory space) for research.

Since November 2019, EAM is supported by the State Government of Bavaria, to continue to act as nucleus for new research initiatives and as hub for worldwide visible excellence in materials and process research.

Main Achievements
New EAM Buildings