Soft Matter and Functional Materials - Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin

Research on Soft Matter ________________________________________________________
Special emphasis is focused on a close collaboration with university groups, particularly from
the Berlin area. This collaboration has led to the inauguration of the Joint Berlin MX
Laboratory where research institutions from Berlin (HZB, Freie Universität Berlin (FU),
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), Max-Delbrück-Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin, Leibniz-
Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie) work together in the field of macromolecular
crystallography. Three MX-beamlines located at the HZB are managed by this group. In
many respects this joint lab has become the model for successful collaboration of a
Helmholtz Zentrum with universities.
At present, the Joint Laboratory for Structural Research (JLSR) is set up in which the
HZB, the HU, and the Institut für Kristallzüchtung closely collaborate in the field of structural
analysis of soft and hard matter, in particular using microscopic methods. In this lab the HZB
and the Institute of Physics of the HU run a high-resolution electron microscope and a
cryogenic transmission electron microscope starting in April 2011.
Moreover, F-I2 has participated in the preparation of four applications of Berlin universities in
the excellence program of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). We take part
in the application of the proposal for the new Sonderforschungsbereich HIOS led by the
Institute of Physics of the HU. For the time being, we are working in two
Schwerpunktprogramme of the DFG (Intelligente Hydrogele, Kolloidverfahrenstechnik).
Moreover, the group of Matthias Ballauff has transferred three research grants in the DFG
Normalverfahren from the University of Bayreuth to the HZB. Together with international
partners we acquired two research grants in the FP7 of the EU, one on microfluidics and
catalysis and another one on the development of the in situ diffraction system in the
Macromolecular Crystallography Group. We are also partners in a grant for the development
of nanofocusing optics for x-rays with the X-ray Microscopy Group. Furthermore, there are
several cooperations with international laboratories and industrial partners.
An important point in the research strategy of F-I2 is the close collaboration with other
Helmholtz partners and a close linkage to the Helmholtz Portfolio. Here we applied for a
Helmholtz Virtual Institute devoted to Multifunctional Materials for Biomedicine (leading
Helmholtz-center: Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung
(HZG). Moreover, we take part in the proposal for the Helmholtz Portfolio subject
“Technology and Medicine”.
This report gives an overview of the facilities provided with according statistical information
and the inhouse research of the Institute F-I2 at the HZB. It covers the time span from July
2009 up to March 2011. The main lines of research at F-I2 will be presented together with
recent scientific results. Moreover, the CVs of the leading scientists of the institute will be
given.
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