Collaborative research centers (CRC)
Collaborative research centers are long-term research institutions at universities where scientists work together on interdisciplinary research programs. These centers are funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
MIN Faculty Collaborative Research Centers
CRC 925: Light Induced Dynamics and Control of Correlated Quantum Systems
Spokesperson:
Prof. Dr. Klaus Sengstock
Universität Hamburg
Institute of Laser Physics
Luruper Chaussee 149, Building 69
22761 Hamburg
E-Mail: sengstock@physik.uni-hamburg.de( sengstock"AT"physik.uni-hamburg.de)
Co-Speakers:
Prof. Dr. Francesca Calegari( francesca.calegari"AT"desy.de) (Physics, UHH/DESY)
Prof. Dr. Andrea Cavalleri( andrea.cavalleri"AT"mpsd.cfel.de) (Physics, UHH/MPSD)
Prof. Dr. Markus Drescher( markus.drescher"AT"physnet.uni-hamburg.de) (Physics, UHH)
Prof. Dr. Michael Potthoff ( michael.potthoff"AT"physnet.uni-hamburg.de)(Physics, UHH)
Third funding period: 01.07.2019–30.06.2023
Second funding period: 01.07.2015–30.06.2019
First funding period: 01.07.2011–30.06.2015
Departments involved: Physics
This CRC focuses on the fields of atomic, molecular and quantum physics, condensed matter physics, and x-ray physics. The objective is to gain deep understanding of the dynamics of correlated quantum systems on all length and time scales using light to control the dynamics. Research is conducted within 18 networked research projects on theoretical and experimental physics. Worldwide, a total of 23 leading researchers and 56 employees are active in this field at institutes in Universität Hamburg, DESY, the Max Planck Research Department for Structural Dynamics, and European XFEL GmbH. The projects are divided into three groups:
Ultrafast dynamics and correlations in small quantum systems
Control and investigation of strong correlations and quantum phases in condensed matter
Correlations and quantum phases in quantum gases and model systems
CRC 925 receives a total of €8.7 million in funding.
International CRC/TRR 169 - Crossmodal Learning: Adaptivity, Prediction and Interaction
Spokesperson:
Prof. Dr. Jianwei Zhang
Universität Hamburg
Department of Informatics
Technical Aspects of Multimodal Systems (TAMS)
Vogt-Kölln-Straße 30
22527 Hamburg
E-Mail: zhang@informatik.uni-hamburg.de( zhang"AT"informatik.uni-hamburg.de)
Co-Speakers:
Prof. Dr. Fuchun Sun (Tsinghua-Universität)
Prof. Dr. Stefan Wermter ( wermter"AT"informatik.uni-hamburg.de)(Informatics, UHH)
Prof. Dr. Changshui Zhang (Tsinghua-Universität)
2. Funding period: 01.01.2020 - 31.12.2023
1. Funding period: 01.01.2016 - 31.12.2019
Launched in January 2016, the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre (TRR) on "Crossmodal Learning" (CML) is positioned as an interdisciplinary cooperation between the existing fields of artificial intelligence, psychology and neuroscience, focused on establishing the topic of crossmodal learning as a new discipline. Our aim is therefore to establish our collaborative centre as the primary research vehicle at the focal point of this new discipline. Based on an extensive groundwork of collaborative research between Germany and China, this centre is jointly funded by the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) and the NSFC (Natural Science Foundation of China) as a new international collaboration between the University of Hamburg, the Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE) and the three top universities in China (Tsinghua, Beijing Normal and Peking University) as well as the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences—all located in Beijing, China.
The long-term goal of our research is to develop a framework describing the neural, cognitive and computational mechanisms of crossmodal learning. This framework will allow us to pursue the following primary sub-goals of the research programme: (1) to enrich our current understanding of the multisensory processes underlying the human mind and brain, (2) to create detailed formal models that describe crossmodal learning in both humans and machines, and (3) to build artificial systems for tasks requiring a crossmodal conception of the world.
The term crossmodal learning refers to the adaptive, synergistic integration of complex perceptions from multiple sensory modalities, such that the learning that occurs within any individual sensory modality can be enhanced with information from one or more other modalities. Crossmodal learning is crucial for human understanding of the world, and examples are ubiquitous, such as: learning to grasp and manipulate objects; learning to read and write; learning to understand language; etc. In all these examples, visual, auditory, somatosensory or other modalities have to be integrated. (source)
International CRC/TRR 181 - Energy transfer in Atmosphere and Ocean
Spokesperson:
Prof. Dr. Carsten Eden
Universität Hamburg
Theoretical Oceanography
Bundesstr. 53
20146 Hamburg
E-Mail: carsten.eden@uni-hamburg.de( carsten.eden"AT"uni-hamburg.de)
Co-Speakers:
Prof. Dr. Monika Rhein (Uni Bremen)
Funding period: 01.07.2016 - 30.06.2020
Departments involved: Mathematics, Earth System Sciences
The energy of a closed system is steady. It is not lost but rather converted into another form, such as when kinetic energy is transferred into thermal energy or vice versa heat results in a force.
How exactly the energy transfer between waves, eddies and local turbulences in the ocean and the atmosphere works, often remains unclear. The interdisciplinary project „Energy Transfers in Ocean and Atmosphere“ wants to change this: oceanographers, meteorologists and mathematicians from Hamburg, Bremen and Rostock work closely together to achieve this goal. The aim is to develop energetically consistent mathematical models and thus enhance climate analyzes and forecast accuracy. The project is funded by the German Research Foundation. The Departments of Mathematics and Earth System Science are involved in five projects form the project Area M: Mathematics, new concepts and methods (M1, M2, M4, M5, M6).
Participations in Collaborative Research Centers
CRC 1328 - Adenine Nucleotides in Immunity and Inflammation
Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas H. Guse (Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf)
First funding period: 01.07.2018 - 30.06.2022
Extracellular and intracellular adenine nucleotides (AN) impact on all central processes in biology and medicine. AN are essential and ubiquitous signaling molecules involved in regulating universal cellular processes, including
(i) cell-cell communication and
(ii) intracellular signaling.
Unresolved issues regarding the signaling function of extracellular AN in inflammation, e.g. adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), relate to the timing and location of their release, their conversion by ecto-enzymes, and their biological role within the balance of inflammatory processes. Likewise, the precise role of intracellular AN second messengers, e.g. nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) or 3’,5’-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), in the spatio-temporal control of signaling processes by forming or modulating microdomains with their metabolizing enzymes, specific binding proteins or receptors, or target ion channels remains largely unknown. The central goal of the research consortium is to further our understanding of the regulatory roles of AN and their kinetics in the context of inflammatory diseases.
Specific aims relate to
(i) modulation of the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory processes by AN converting ecto-nucleotidases and purinergic receptors, and to
(ii) AN-driven intracellular calcium signaling and cAMP signaling in inflammation.
Based on the local Research Network “Regulatory Adenine Nucleotides at Membranes” (Landesforschungsförderung Hamburg), a collaborative research center has been formed, centrally located in Hamburg. National and international experts in the AN research field from Bonn, Genova (Italy), Göttingen und Munich significantly strengthen our initiative. By interdisciplinary integration we will develop an integral view of AN biology and pathophysiology, providing the basis for novel diagnostic methods and innovative treatment strategies, focusing on inflammatory diseases in immune, adipose and nervous systems. (Source)
Prof. Dr. Chris Meier and Prof. Dr. Henning Tidow from the Department of Chemistry and Prof. Dr. Christian Lohr and Dr. Daniela Hirnet from the Department of Biology are project leader in the sub-projects: 4,5,7 and 16
CRC 986: Tailor-Made Multi-Scale Materials Systems—M3
Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Gerold Schneider (TUHH)
Second funding perod: 01.07.2016–30.06.2020
First funding period: 01.07.2012–30.06.2016
Researchers from CRC 986 are developing entirely new materials and components in a cooperation between the Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH), Universität Hamburg, and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Center for Materials and Coastal Research (HZG). Experimental and theoretical methods from the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, materials and process engineering are used across disciplinary boundaries in 20 projects. The MIN Faculty is involved in three projects within the CRC under the aegis of the TUHH led by Prof. Dr. Horst Weller and Dr. Tobias Vossmeyer (physical chemistry) as well as Prof. Dr. Kornelius Nielsch (applied physics). The CRC develops multi-scale hierarchical materials to achieve tailor-made mechanical, electrical, and photonic properties. These comprise building blocks based on polymers, ceramics, metals, and carbon, which combine to form structured units.
CRC 986 has been granted a total of almost €9 million in funding.
Recently expired Collaborative Research Centers
CRC 950 - Manuscript Cultures in Asia, Africa and Europe
Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Michael Friedrich (UHH- Faculty of Humanities)
Second funding period: 01.07.2015-30.06.2019
First funding period: 01.07.2011-30.06.2015
The Centre for the Studies of SFB 950 is engaged in fundamental research, investigating from both a historical and comparative perspective, based on material artifacts, the empirical diversity of manuscript cultures. The Department of informatics is involved with the project "Image Processing Methods for Determining Visual Manuscript and Character Features" led by Prof. em. Ph.D. Bernd Neumann.
The SFB 950 receives a total of €10 million in funding.
CRC 676: Particles, Strings, and the Early Universe—the Structure of Matter and Space-Time
Spokesperson:
Prof. Dr. Johannes Haller
Universität Hamburg
Institute of Experimental Physics
Luruper Chaussee 149
22761 Hamburg
Email: johannes.haller@physik.uni-hamburg.de( johannes.haller"AT"physik.uni-hamburg.de)
Third funding period: 01.07.2014 - 30.06.2018
Second funding period: 01.07.2010 - 30.06.2014
First funding period: 01.07.2006 - 30.06.2010
The Collaborative Research Centre centres around the interface of particle physics, string theory and cosmology. The particle physics experiments at the "Large Hadron Collider (LHC)" in Geneva will investigate the question about the nature of the elementary building blocks of matter and the mechanism responsible for their mass generation. Neutrino experiments will determine the properties (masses and mixing angles) of the neutrinos. This is of interest both for particle physics and cosmology. Cosmological observations, which are planned for the coming years will ask questions about the nature of dark matter, dark energy and the history of the early universe.
Various research groups are involved in the particle physics experiments and the cosmological observations. In parallel theoretical and mathematical investigations are carried out. In particular, (supersymmetric) extensions of the standard model of particle physics are in the focus of interest.
Such theories lead to interesting predictions for new particles and they also have a promising candidate for the dark matter. Aspects of cosmic leptogenesis and quantum field theoretic foundations of cosmology are additional research projects of the Collaborative Research Centre.
Theoretically, particle physics and cosmology are unified within string theory. The mathematical development of string theory and its application in particle physics and cosmology form a central research block of the Collaborative Research Centre. On the hand, the mathematical foundations of string theory are further developed, on the other hand, models of particle physics, which come out of string theory are investigated. The interplay of string theory and quantum-chromo-dynamics as well as the role of scalar fields in the physics of the early universe are further research projects.
In particular, the question of a possible unified theoretical framework such as string theory will be emphasised. (source)
CRC 668: Magnetism from the Single Atom to the Nanostructure
Spokesperson:
Prof. Dr. Roland Wiesendanger
Institute of Applied Physics and Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center Hamburg
Jungiusstr. 11A, Room: 302
D-20355 Hamburg
Germany
Email: wiesendanger"AT"physnet.uni-hamburg.de
Third funding period: 01.01.2014 – 31.12.2017
Second funding period: 01.01.2010 - 31.12.2013
First funding period: 01.01.2006 - 31.12.2009
Magnetism is one of the longest known phenomena in condensed matter and has fascinated mankind since millennia. Technological applications - like the compass needle - have already been known for centuries. This makes it even more astonishing that magnetism recently has again become one of the most intensely investigated fields in solid state research. On the one hand, this is closely connected with advanced experimental fabrication, synthesis and characterisation, as well as theoretical approaches to nanoscale magnetic systems. This includes investigations down to single atoms allowing for fundamental studies on a length scale, which was not accessible before. On the other hand, new questions arise from the ongoing miniaturisation in data storage technology: e.g. the smallest possible unit, which still shows a stable magnetisation direction over time and can thus in principle be used for magnetic data storage; or the question regarding the shortest pulse needed for magnetisation reversal in nanoscale magnetic systems defining the fastest possible writing process of magnetic information.
The aim of the Collaborative Research Centre is to contribute to a fundamental understanding of the static and dynamic behaviour of atoms, molecules, clusters, nanoparticles, nanowires and laterally structured nanosystems in contact with surfaces. This will facilitate the long-term goal of a direct control of magnetic properties down to the atomic scale and the single spin. At the same time this would serve as a foundation for new generations of magnetic data storage media, possibly one thousand times more powerful than current mass storage devices. On the way to this visionary goal many fundamental problems will have to be solved, such as the influence of different parameters on the type of magnetic coupling (ferro- or antiferromagnetic), e.g. the bond length between atoms as well as to the substrate, or the formation and stability of a preferred magnetic orientation. Equally important is the investigation of fundamental questions concerning the transport of electrons in interaction with nanoscale magnetic systems, and the study of the dynamic behaviour of nanoscale magnetic systems with the highest possible time resolution. (source)