BlueMat: Launch of TU Hamburg’s First Cluster of Excellence
Materials Research with Water Paves the Way for Innovations
09.02.2026
The Cluster of Excellence “BlueMat – Water-Driven Materials” officially begins its work. The first Cluster of Excellence in the history of the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) has the ambitious research goal of developing sustainable, environmentally friendly materials. Water serves as the key to enabling new properties or functions, such as improved insulation or efficient energy storage. The research outcomes of BlueMat are expected to open up extensive application prospects for industry.
Flagship Project for Hamburg as a Science Location
At the ceremonial inauguration held at the Audimax, TU Hamburg welcomes high-ranking guests from politics, science, and the international community. Senator for Science Maryam Blumenthal stated: “As one of the smallest universities competing for excellence, TU Hamburg has achieved something very big: With the BlueMat Cluster of Excellence, it has become a leading center of cutting-edge materials science research in Germany. Whether it’s green technologies, climate protection, or new pathways for energy supply – excellent research addressing the most urgent future issues is now being conducted here. The start of the Cluster of Excellence is a tremendous gain for our city, and I look forward to the coming years and especially the solutions we will find through innovative research. I warmly congratulate all involved on this success!”
TUHH Well Positioned for Top-Level Research
For the first time in its history, TUHH is receiving a Cluster of Excellence. For the seven-year funding of materials science, TUHH is excellently positioned through collaboration with strong partners:
- University of Hamburg
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
- University of Fine Arts Hamburg
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter
- European XFEL GmbH
- Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg
Additionally involved are:
- Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing
- Hamburg Media School
- Center for Molecular Water Science (CMWS)
- United Nations University
- Joachim Herz Foundation
Prof. Andreas Timm-Giel, President of Hamburg University of Technology: “BlueMat is a real milestone for TUHH and our path towards top-level research. The Cluster of Excellence shows how we combine science with social responsibility – and develop innovations that create real added value for people and the environment.”
Prof. Patrick Huber, BlueMat Cluster of Excellence Spokesperson: “Water already played an important in the first industrial revolution in the 18th century, for example in machines like steam locomotives. At BlueMat, we are now working on the next industrial revolution, in which we utilize water in materials.”
Prof. Irina Smirnova, Vice President for Research at TUHH and member of the BlueMat spokesperson team: “With BlueMat, we are boldly entering new territory by pursuing a unique research approach that excellently supports TUHH’s focus topic ‘Engineering to face Climate Change’. We are proud but also aware of the responsibility, as this project offers the chance to shape a new generation of materials for the future. BlueMat will also significantly influence TUHH’s research.”
Water – A Global Issue
Prof. Kaveh Madani, Director of the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH): “The era of Global Water Bankruptcy requires novel and out of the box approaches to water-related research and policy. Without the development of methods that recognize the dire state of present times, humanity will become further entrenched in irreversible conditions that pose a significant threat to human security, ecosystems, and public health."
More than Research: Interdisciplinary Dialogue and Science Slam
The Cluster thrives on interdisciplinarity: At the kickoff event, natural and engineering sciences meet art and cultural exchange. In his contribution, Prof. Martin Köttering, President of the Hamburg University of Fine Arts, emphasizes the dialogue between art and science and presents a video featuring the artist Julian Charrière.
In addition to expert lectures, a science slam provides entertainment and insights into the Cluster’s work. The best contribution will be awarded reimbursement of travel expenses to a conference. A special atmosphere is created by the musical performance “Summer 2021” by the Ligeti Center, an interdisciplinary center in which TUHH is involved. The center works at the interface of science, art, health, and technology.
A total of around 60 million euros has been approved for the Cluster of Excellence.
TUHH - Public Relations Office
Christina Röder
E-Mail: christina.roeder@tuhh.de
Phone: +49 30601 4941
