Uni intern Special Issue on the Excellence Strategy 2018 by Communications and Marketing Leibniz University Hannover
PDF,
3 MB
What is a Cluster of Excellence?
"Clusters of Excellence will enable German university locations to establish internationally visible, competitive research and training facilities, thereby enhancing scientific networking and cooperation among the participating institutions. Clusters of excellence should from an important part of a university's strategic and thematic planning, significantly raise its profile and reflect its considered long-term priorities.
They should also create an excellent training enviroment for early researchers. In conjunction with the other two funding lines, i.e. graduate schools and institutional strategies to promote top-level research, clusters of excellence will help to increase Germany's attraction as a research location in the long term and improve its international competitiveness."
Source: DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinde
Major success in the excellence strategy
The final stage of the federal Excellence Strategy was a brilliant success. Three of the four full applications submitted have been receiving funding since 1st January 2019. These are:
- QuantumFrontiers (Light and Matter at the Quantum Frontier: Foundations and Applications in Metrology);
- Phoenix-D (Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines);
- Hearing4All (Research for personalized treatment of hearing deficits) together with Hannover Medical School and Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
Those cluster will be financed from 1st January 2018 onwards.
-
QuantumFrontiers
QuantumFrontiers (Spokespersons: Prof. Dr. Karsten Danzmann, Prof. Dr. Piet O. Schmidt, Prof. Dr. Andreas Waag) observes light and matter at the quantum frontier: The scientists in the research partnership are concerned with novel measurement technologies at the nano-level. Basic physical units such as mass, length, and time are to become more precise on this extremely tiny scale. To this end, effects of quantum mechanics are to be exploited to improve measurement precision. Experts from various areas of physics, astronomy, geodesy and geoinformatics, semi-conductor research, circuits and integrated systems contribute to the partnership.
Apart from Leibniz University Hannover, the following institutions are involved in QuantumFrontiers: TU Braunschweig, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Braunschweig, the Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH), the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) in Bremen and the Max-Planck Institute of Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) in Hannover.
Further information is available here on the QuantumFrontiers website. -
PhoenixD
PhoenixD is a broadly-based initiative set up to redefine the design and production of optical systems. Optical design, optical simulation and modern production methods are combined in a single integrated platform, with the aim of developing and producting individual and highly-functional precision optical systems,
In addition, PhoenixD addresses the scientific challenge of how optical systems of the future can be produced, taking the necessary precision, the degree of integration, the individuality of the use of resources and the costs into account.
PhoenixD's holistic approach will deliver novel individual solutions to a wide range of challenges facing society.
PhoenixD is an interdisciplinary initiative between physics, mechanical engineering, IT and chemistry. It unites cutting-individual and highly functional edge optics, production technology, and expertise in simulation and materials. The spokespersons for PhoenixD are: Prof. Dr. Uwe Morgner, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ludger Overmeyer and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Kowalsky.
Further information is available here on the PhoenixD website.
Hearing4all
The aim of the Hearing4all Cluster of Excellence is to improve hearing in various fields of hearing aids and hearing implants - literally "hearing for all". The aim of the Excellence Cluster Hearing4all includes the improvement of diagnostics and care for the affected with regard to personal hearing aids.
Duration: since 2012
From Regenerative Biology to Reconstructive Therapy (REBIRTH)
The focus of the Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH is interdisciplinary cooperation on questions within the field of regenerative medicine. Research is conducted in more than 60 groups into therapeutic strategies for the heart, lung, liver and blood.
Duration: Since 2006-2017
Centre for Quantum Engineering and Space-Time Research (QUEST)
The main research areas of the cluster are quantum engineering and space-time research. An interdisciplinary research team from the fields of quantum optics, laser physics, solid state physics, gravitational physics, theoretical physics and geodesy work together. After the Cluster of Excellence ended, QUEST was integrated into the QUEST Leibniz Research School, founded in 2009.
Duration: 2007-2012
