Outstanding Research Recognized: Two ERC Synergy Grants for Helmholtz Information Researchers
Helmholtz Information is proud to announce that two research projects have been awarded the prestigious Synergy Grants by the European Research Council (ERC). These grants underscore the importance of interdisciplinary top-tier research in addressing complex challenges. The awarded projects at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon showcase how science and technology can jointly tackle global challenges at the intersection of materials and information sciences.
ATHENS: Advancing Optical Data Transmission
The ATHENS project, led by Professors Christian Koos and Stefan Bräse at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), has been awarded an ERC Synergy Grant worth €14 million. The project aims to develop innovative and energy-efficient optical communication systems, particularly for applications in artificial intelligence (AI).
Located at the upcoming Karlsruhe Center for Optics and Photonics (KCOP), the project focuses on hybrid material systems that combine cost-effective silicon components with organic materials, enhanced by platforms such as crystal-on-insulator technologies. These cutting-edge approaches are expected to significantly improve the efficiency and speed of optical transceivers while reducing energy consumption.
In addition to KIT, the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) are key partners. Together, they bring expertise in materials science, optical technologies, and advanced platform development to create photonic systems that not only revolutionize data transmission but also enable applications in AI, quantum technology, and medical technology, such as optical lab-on-chip systems or wearable sensors.
MechVivo: Biomechanics in Clinical Practice
The MechVivo project, led by Professor Christian Cyron at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, has been awarded an ERC Synergy Grant worth €10 million. The project aims to develop a novel method for determining the mechanical properties of living tissue, making biomechanical computer simulations more reliable and widely applicable.
The research combines innovative MRI technologies, physics-based neural networks, and microstructural imaging to determine the mechanical properties of tissues in vivo. The ETH Zurich is developing groundbreaking MRI technology to map the microstructural fingerprints of tissues. The Technical University of Graz conducts biomechanical tests to uncover the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties. The Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon is designing AI-driven software to process and transform this data into medically actionable insights.
This approach promises significant advancements in clinical healthcare, particularly in diagnosing and treating heart failure. Beyond that, the methods developed could also inspire new innovations in materials science and medical technology.
ERC Synergy Grant: Supporting Interdisciplinary Excellence
The ERC Synergy Grants support outstanding research teams tackling groundbreaking projects through interdisciplinary collaboration. With a success rate of just 10 percent, these grants are among the most competitive and prestigious funding programs in Europe. They aim to solve scientific questions that can only be addressed through close cooperation across disciplines.
The ATHENS and MechVivo projects illustrate how the centers within Helmholtz Information are addressing key challenges in information research while driving transformative innovations. Both projects make a vital contribution to advancing science and society.
The original press release can be found at:
Neue Materialien für eine leistungsfähigere optische Datenübertragung (KIT press release – only in german)
ERC Synergy Grant for Hereon researcher Christian Cyron ( Hereon press release)
Localization in Helmholtz Information:
Helmholtz Information, Programm 3: Materials Systems Engineering, Topic 2: Optics & Photonics: Materials, Devices, and Systems & Topic 4: Scale-Bridging Designed Materials: From Fundamentals to Systems
Contact:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Koos
Institute of Photonics and Quantum Electronics (IPQ)
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Phone: +49 721 608-42491
E-Mail: christian.Koos@kit.edu
Prof. Dr. Stefan Bräse
Institute for Organic Chemistry (IOC)
Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems – Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS)
Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT)
Phone: +49 721 608-42902
E-Mail: stefan.braese@kit.edu
Prof. Christian Cyron
Institute of Material Systems Modeling
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
Phone: +49 (0)4152 87-2583
E-Mail: christian.cyron@hereon.de
Contact for this press release:
Dr. Mark-Robert Kalus
Coordination Helmholtz Information
Forschungszentrum Jülich
Phone: +49 2461/61-85759
E-Mail: m.kalus@fz-juelich.de
About Helmholtz Information:
The Research Field “Helmholtz Information” is one of the six research fields of the Helmholtz Association and serves as its digital innovation center. Here, advanced and future computer architectures merge with insights from materials research, data science, and life sciences. Inspired by nature, supported by brain research, and enriched by modern approaches in artificial intelligence, experts from the Forschungszentrum Jülich, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin are shaping the digital future in science, business, and everyday life.
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