Cluster of Excellence "BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials" Approved

Up to 77 Million Euros for Groundbreaking Materials Research at TU Hamburg and Partner Institutions

22.05.2025

A significant milestone for materials research: the new Cluster of Excellence BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials has been approved. The Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), together with its partner institutions, has secured funding of up to 77 million euros for the next seven years. At the core of the cluster lies a revolutionary research approach: functionalizing materials through the targeted use of water.

Water is the Key to the Materials of the Future 

Water is not only omnipresent but also an extraordinary tool for modifying material properties. Through the targeted use of water, materials can reversibly change their characteristics — such as storing and generating energy, adjusting light transmission and color, modulating electromagnetic properties, or altering mechanical flexibility. All this is achieved using sustainable materials, paving the way for innovative and environmentally friendly applications. 

Hamburg – A Science Metropolis by the Water 

The cluster is a perfect fit for Hamburg—the international, open-minded city by the water—and leverages the combined expertise of this science metropolis. The cluster’s leadership is based at TU Hamburg. Further partners include: 

• University of Hamburg 

• Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) 

• Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg 

• University of Fine Arts Hamburg 

• Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) 

• Helmholtz Center Hereon 

• Max-Planck-Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter 

• European X-Ray Free Electron Laser Facility GmbH (EuXFEL) 

Additionally involved are: 

• Fraunhofer Institute for Additive Production Technologies (IAPT) 

• Hamburg Media School 

• Center for Molecular Water Science (CMWS) 

• United Nations University 

• Joachim Herz Foundation 

The close cooperation among these outstanding institutions provides ideal conditions for pioneering scientific discoveries and their transfer into practice. 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andreas Timm-Giel, President of TU Hamburg: 

“My special thanks go to all TUHH researchers and our partners who have made this successful application possible through their outstanding efforts—especially the cluster spokespersons Prof. Patrick Huber, Prof. Irina Smirnova, and Prof. Christian Cyron. I also thank everyone who supported this application from the non-scientific side. We are proud of this achievement and look forward with great enthusiasm to TUHH’s further development. BlueMat will be a defining example for the future of TUHH—always ensuring the transfer from fundamental research into a better, sustainable future.” 

Professor Dr. rer. nat. Patrick Huber, Spokesperson of the BlueMat Cluster of Excellence and Professor of Materials and X-Ray Physics: 

“This success is due to everyone involved scientifically developing and elaborating a convincing revolutionary approach. Water already played a major in the first industrial revolution in the 18th century when it was used in machines such as steam locomotives. Now, we are effectively working on the next industrial revolution, in which water is integrated into materials.”

Professor Dr.-Ing. Irina Smirnova, Vice President for Research at TUHH and Co-Spokesperson of the BlueMat Cluster of Excellence: 

“BlueMat is characterized especially by the close cooperation between engineering and natural science disciplines. This interdisciplinary collaboration enables not only the development of novel materials but also the development of scalable manufacturing processes—thus creating a reliable basis for later practical implementation.” 

Second Mayor Katharina Fegebank: 

“This is what excellence looks like! From fundamental research to the application of technology for people — this is TU Hamburg’s recipe for success. The approval of the Cluster of Excellence BlueMat: Water Driven Materials is a major achievement and continues the university’s unique success story. Just last year, we entered the second growth phase with TU Hamburg and opened a United Nations University Hub. This huge success in the excellence competition confirms the university’s profiling and development over recent years. That federal and state governments — at a time of severe global crises, rising anti-democratic forces, and attacks on scientific freedom — are jointly providing such strong financial and ideological support is also an important signal for strong, independent, and future-proof science — and thus for a livable tomorrow. The decision is a real boost for TU Hamburg, its partners, and our entire science location —wonderful! I wholeheartedly congratulate you on this unique achievement!”

Senator for Science Maryam Blumenthal: 

“The Cluster of Excellence BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials at TU Hamburg opens a new chapter in the university’s success story. In future, interdisciplinary and internationally networked research will be conducted here on a topic that is at the heart of the ‘Engineering to face climate change’ strategy: working with innovative engineering solutions on the global challenges of climate change. Sustainable materials inspired by nature are the fabric from which the future is made. This is also a great step forward for Hamburg as a location for science and innovation. I congratulate all involved on this unique achievement!” 

Vision for a Sustainable Future 

Research on water-driven materials addresses highly complex scientific questions while simultaneously offering concrete applications for a sustainable future. The cluster’s motto sums it up: “If you can do it with water, do it with water.” 

The following two Clusters of Excellence at the University of Hamburg, in which the TU Hamburg is involved, were also successful:

Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS)

The Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS) at the University of Hamburg researches climate change, with a focus on the natural sciences, societal dynamics, and their interplay. What developmental scenarios (“climate futures”) are plausible? CLICCS II also asks which desired climate futures are realizable. Societal discourse and scientifically sound recommendations to policymakers are key factors. The cluster is comprised of 12 Hamburg climate research centers.

Understanding Written Artefacts

The Cluster of Excellence Understanding Written Artefacts (UWA) studies one of humanity’s major practices, namely, writing by hand, from its origins in Antiquity to the digital age. The cluster focuses on the material nature of written artifacts, taking a holistic view that opens new perspectives on the development of handwriting across the worlds’ cultures. Significantly supported by the “niche subjects,” UWA incorporates expertise from the natural sciences, such as food chemistry, particle physics, and computer science. In this way, the cluster creates a conceptual framework to study written artifacts from a global perspective and develops innovative methods in the materials science. Researchers from the University of Hamburg cooperate with DESY, the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), and the Helmut Schmidt University.

Further information on BlueMat 

Water-Driven Materials Website 

https://www.tuhh.de/bluemat/homepage 

Additional Press Releases 

https://intranet.tuhh.de/presse/pressemitteilung_einzeln.php

https://www.tuhh.de/tuhh/ … /exzellenzprojekt-bluemat 

Information on the Excellence Strategy of Federal and State Governments https://www.exzellenzstrategie.de/ Science Council 

https://www.wissenschafts … e/exzellenzstrategie.html

TUHH - Public Relations Office

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