Over 10 million euros for top researchers in Saxony

Dresden/Chemnitz/Leipzig, 23 November 2023. Twistronic chips, water electronics, superconductors, magnetoelectrics and biographies before the invention of writing: Five top researchers can look forward to a total of over ten million euros from the European Research Council „ERC“ for their pioneering projects. This was announced by the Saxon Ministry of Science and the participating institutes in Dresden, Chemnitz and Leipzig.

Minister delighted: 5 scholarships for Saxony

In concrete terms, these are so-called „ERC Consolidator Grants“. These are grants for particularly promising scientists who are in the process of consolidating their special expertise. The Research Council donates two million euros each plus a maximum of a further million for special costs. I am particularly pleased that five excellent researchers from Saxony were able to prevail in the rigorous selection process," emphasised Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow (CDU).

Nicola Poccia and the twisted twistronic chips

For example, Dr Nicola Poccia from the Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung (IFW) Dresden is working on the computer chips of tomorrow, which calculate with twistronics and without current resistance, i.e. superconducting. As part of his project „3DCuT“ („3D Cuprate Twistronics as a platform for high-temperature topological superconductivity“), he creates thin stacks of bismuth, strontium, calcium and copper oxide and then twists these layers very slightly. As a result of this distortion, these materials suddenly acquire amazing properties, including superconductivity, which make them ideal for use in quantum sensor technology, quantum cryptography or quantum computers, for example.

Elena Hassinger on the trail of topological quantum computers

Prof. Elena Hassinger from the Centre of Excellence „Ct.qmat“ at TU Dresden is also working on superconductors. The professor of low-temperature physics of complex electron systems has discovered an unconventional superconductor in the form of cerium-rhodium-arsenium (CeRh2As2). It masters two superconducting states at the same time. „The second superconducting phase arises because the otherwise completely symmetrical crystal structure around the cerium atom is asymmetrical. This is precisely what makes the chemical compound special and a hot candidate for topological quantum computing," says Hassinger, describing the enormous potential of the material. „I would like to look for the same unconventional structural property in other quantum materials and use it to find topological superconductivity at higher temperatures.“

Karin Leistner develops mini magnets for microrobots

Innovative electrical and electronic components are also the focus of Professor Karin Leistner from Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC) although she is following a completely different path: The holder of the Chair of Electrochemical Sensors and Energy Storage at the Institute of Chemistry at Chemnitz University of Technology is developing electrochemically switchable micromagnets with outstanding energy efficiency for the magnetoelectrics of tomorrow. The problem is that micrometre-scale electromagnets require comparatively high electrical currents to switch magnetic fields safely. As a result, they consume far too much energy and generate a lot of waste heat.

Karin Leistner's project „Actions: Engineering Magneto-Ionic Materials for Energy-Efficient Actuation and Sensing“ is now taking a ground-breaking new approach to energy-efficient magnetic micro- and nanosystems based on magneto-ionic materials“, according to the TUC. Ultimately, this should lead to tiny magnetic components that could revolutionise medical technology, microscopy and microrobotics. Leistner's grant is, by the way, the first „ERC Consolidator Grant“ üever for Chemnitz University, which has been endeavouring for some time to establish internationally visible research priorities of excellence.

Ivan Minev builds machines from water

Prof. Ivan Minev from the Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung (IPF) Dresden is using his grant for the project „Gelectro“ („Hydrogel Machines for Seamless Living System Interfaces). He is working on a new class of electronic hydrogel components that consist almost entirely of water and make the interface between tissue and machine disappear.

Benjamin Vernot writes preähistorical biographies

Dr Benjamin Vernot from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Eva) in Leipzig is dedicated to a completely different topic. The head of the research group „Historical Environmental Genomics“ analyses the life course of prehistoric Europeans, their history and socio-economic structures with the help of ancient human genetic material molecules from fossilised deposits. Background: Humans are constantly passing on DNA to their environment.

„This genetic material survives in sedimentary deposits, which are often abundant in archaeological sites compared to the rare finds of fossilised bones and teeth,

explain the Eva researchers. Vernot's research project „Unearth“ therefore combines genetic, archaeological and isotope analyses. „Our project will uncover genetic ancestry and social organisational structures and link individuals from their ancestors to the places where they left genetic traces during their lifetime – their home”, promises the researcher. Ancient DNA from sediments will allow us to explore archaeological sites, cultures and time periods for which there are few or no other human remains.

Article of the "Oiger" from 23 November 2023