The selection process for the Clusters of Excellence represents one of the most rigorous and transparent procedures in academic funding worldwide. Initial submissions comprised 143 draft proposals in response to a December 2022 call, which were meticulously reviewed by international expert panels. These 143 drafts were then narrowed down to 98 fully developed funding proposals by early 2024, following a stringent evaluation led by international panels whose nearly 90% makeup of foreign researchers ensures an unbiased and globally aligned review process. This peer review mechanism, emphasizing scientific merit above all, sets a benchmark for excellence and international comparability in university research funding.

The final decisions were the culmination of comprehensive deliberations held between 19 and 22 May at the Wissenschaftszentrum in Bonn. Here, the Committee of Experts conducted comparative evaluations before the Excellence Commission finalized funding allocations. The selected 70 clusters included 45 renewals of previously funded projects and 25 newly funded initiatives, spatially distributed across 43 universities in 13 federal states. These Clusters of Excellence represent dynamic research hubs, many multidisciplinary and involving collaboration between multiple universities and non-academic partners, thereby fostering a rich ecosystem of innovation and knowledge transfer.

Financially, the Excellence Strategy’s current funding phase is set to provide approximately €539 million annually, with the federal government contributing 75% and the remainder supplied by the host states. Unlike the previous funding round, these allocations will undergo a uniform proportional reduction of about 24 percent due to budgetary constraints and the upper-range funding requests typical of the clusters. Despite these adjustments, the funding strategy ensures substantial support, enabling the Clusters of Excellence to pursue ambitious, large-scale research projects over a seven-year period commencing 1 January 2026.

Scientific authorities emphasize that the selection process remains firmly rooted in research quality and academic freedom. The Excellence Commission’s decisions reflect a fully research-led evaluation, incorporating international perspectives and expert reviews devoid of political influence. Such an approach not only guarantees the integrity of the funding system but also stimulates scientific innovation by prioritizing projects with the highest potential for groundbreaking discoveries and significant societal impact.

Contextually, the Clusters of Excellence funding mechanism serves as the foundation for the parallel Universities of Excellence funding line supervised by the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat). The current selections directly influence these universities’ eligibility for additional institutional funding, contingent on maintaining a sufficient number of clusters and passing rigorous self-assessment reviews and international site visits. This tiered and interlinked funding architecture fosters both project-level and institutional excellence, creating a virtuous circle of research quality enhancement across Germany’s academic landscape.

The distribution of clusters reveals interesting patterns of collaboration: 43 are hosted by single universities; 18 by pairs; and nine by tri-institutional consortia, with five clusters spanning multiple federal states. Nearly all involve partners beyond the university realm, including industry, research organizations, and other stakeholders, thus embedding science within broader societal and economic contexts. This widespread interdisciplinarity and partnership intensity are strategic components aimed at maximizing the scientific, technological, and innovation outputs stemming from the Excellence Strategy.

For the clusters not selected for continuation, the funding framework provides a phased withdrawal through two-year completion funding at reduced levels, allowing ongoing projects to maintain momentum while transitioning out of the funding cycle. This approach balances resource allocation with responsible stewardship of research activities, preserving research output quality and enabling strategic planning for affected institutions.

Looking forward, selected new clusters can seek a second funding phase, competing again alongside fresh proposals after their initial seven-year term. This competitive renewal mechanism encourages continuous innovation, requiring clusters to demonstrate sustained scientific excellence, organizational robustness, and impactful outcomes to secure further investment. The cyclic nature of this funding model promotes a dynamic, ever-evolving research environment responsive to cutting-edge scientific challenges and opportunities.

The Excellence Strategy’s 2025 results not only solidify Germany’s position in the global research hierarchy but also set a precedent for strategic, science-driven policymaking that other nations may emulate. By combining governmental oversight, international peer review, and substantial financial support, Germany is investing decisively in its future as a powerhouse of academic excellence and innovation. This commitment underscores the vital role of science in driving societal progress and economic vitality in an increasingly knowledge-based world.

The transparent dissemination of cluster details, including a comprehensive list and geographical mapping, enhances public accessibility and accountability, fostering greater awareness of the research hubs shaping the future of science and technology in Germany. This openness also supports networking opportunities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and benchmarking within the academic community, amplifying the Excellence Strategy’s broader impact beyond the immediate research outcomes.

While the Clusters of Excellence form the project-level backbone of this initiative, parallel programs targeting universities holistically underscore the governmental vision of an integrated research ecosystem. Universities securing requisite clusters remain eligible for enhanced funding aimed at fostering institutional strategies, infrastructure, and capacities aligned with world-class standards. This layered funding approach reflects an understanding of the multifaceted nature of academic excellence, addressing both the creation of scientific knowledge and its embedding within robust institutional frameworks.

In conclusion, the latest round of the Excellence Strategy marks a watershed moment in German science policy, emphasizing competitive rigor, international collaboration, and strategic investment. By fostering clusters characterized by disciplinary diversity, strong partnerships, and innovation potential, the program continues to catalyze transformative research. Its outcomes will shape the contours of scientific discovery and knowledge application in Germany for years to come, setting a benchmark for research excellence initiatives around the world.

Subject of Research: Future funding and selection of Research Clusters of Excellence under the German Excellence Strategy

Article Title: Germany’s Excellence Strategy Selects 70 Clusters of Excellence to Drive Top-Level University Research Forward

News Publication Date: 22 May 2025

Web References:

• https://www.dfg.de/en
• https://www.excellencestrategy.de/en
• https://www.dfg.de/excellence_strategy
• https://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/excellence_strategy

Keywords: Academic policy, Academic freedom, Applied research, Research organizations, Scientific associations, Scientific conferences

At the heart of this discovery lies the vortex fluidic device (VFD), an ingeniously designed apparatus invented nearly 15 years ago by Professor Colin Raston, a leading figure in clean technology. The VFD operates by rapidly spinning a thin film of fluid within a rotating tube, generating complex fluid flows characterized by high shear rates, double helical streams, and even typhoon-like vortices. This unique microfluidic environment creates conditions that accelerate chemical reactions, fragment tough materials, and guide molecular assembly, all while drastically reducing energy use and chemical waste.

In this latest study, the Flinders research team, in concert with international collaborators spanning the United States, Europe, and China, demonstrated for the first time that the Earth’s invisible magnetic field exerts a profound influence on these fluidic flows within the VFD. Through meticulous experimental modeling conducted in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, they revealed that the orientation of the rotating tube within the Earth’s magnetic field induces the formation of chiral nanostructures—structures that are distinctly ‘right-handed’ or ‘left-handed’—revealing an intrinsic coupling between fluid dynamics and geomagnetic forces.

The implications of this coupling are far-reaching. Chirality, or handedness, is a fundamental property in many biological molecules and materials, profoundly impacting their interactions and functionalities. Traditionally, controlling chirality during synthesis is a complex challenge, necessitating intricate and often costly chemical methods. The VFD’s ability to use magnetic-field-influenced fluid flows to steer chirality without added reagents offers a cleaner, energy-efficient route to fabricate chiral molecules, macromolecules, and advanced materials.

Professor Raston emphasized the subtle yet potent role of Earth’s magnetic environment, stating, “The Earth’s magnetic field is not innocent or innocuous. It aids in bird migration and now, as our experiments show, it can be harnessed as a positive force in human technological endeavors.” This revelation recasts the geomagnetic field as an underappreciated variable in nano- and micro-scale processes, opening prospects for harnessing natural forces in advanced material synthesis.

This trailblazing work involved a comprehensive data collection effort across multiple laboratories worldwide. The collaborative approach allowed for validation and reproducibility, ensuring that the observed chiral formations linked to the rotation direction—clockwise or anticlockwise—were genuinely affected by geomagnetic polarity and not artifacts of local conditions. Such robust international validation underscores the universal applicability of these findings.

Beyond elucidating this fundamental science, the study paves the way for tangible advances in areas ranging from pharmaceuticals to quantum technology. The precise control over chirality could revolutionize the development of better drug molecules, whose activity often hinges on their handedness. Moreover, the researchers highlight potential breakthroughs in the fabrication of novel metamaterials—engineered composites with unique electromagnetic properties—that are essential components in cutting-edge quantum devices designed to manipulate photons and electrons.

Notably, the sensitivity of the VFD to the Earth’s magnetic field rivals sophisticated quantum sensors based on molecular spin systems. This remarkable sensitivity could redefine how magnetic fields are detected and employed in environmental sensing, quantum information processing, and nanoscale manufacturing, cultivating a synergy between classical magnetic fields and quantum technologies.

The environmental credentials of the VFD extend beyond its magnetic field applications. Its capacity to reduce solvent use, energy consumption, and hazardous byproducts makes it a cornerstone technology for sustainable green chemistry. By extracting DNA, separating proteins, purifying water, and even ‘unboiling eggs’—a metaphor for reversibly denaturing proteins—the VFD continues to demonstrate versatility and innovation in chemical and biological processing.

This study, published in the journal Small (DOI: 10.1002/smll.202409807), is titled “Chiral Lemniscate Formation in Magnetic Field Controlled Topological Fluid Flows” and represents a significant milestone in nanomaterial science. The detailed experimental analysis and theoretical modeling shed light on the topological fluid phenomena governing chirality selection, potentially igniting a wave of future research into magnetic field-manipulated fluid dynamics at the nanoscale.

The research team’s interdisciplinary efforts reflect a growing trend in science where complex, real-world problems demand the integration of physics, chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. Professor Raston’s VFD exemplifies innovation born at such intersections, offering not only novel scientific insights but practical technologies to address urgent challenges in healthcare, materials science, and sustainability.

Looking ahead, the team envisions exploring the full three-dimensional parameter space of applied magnetic and electric fields in fluidic environments, an uncharted territory ripe with promise for optimizing reaction outcomes and fabricating new classes of quantum-functional materials. The intricate dance between magnetic field orientation, fluid rotation, and molecular assembly might become a foundation for the next generation of adaptive, responsive nanomanufacturing systems.

In conclusion, this landmark study bridges an essential gap in our understanding of how natural magnetic fields can actively shape the physical and chemical properties of materials synthesized under controlled fluid dynamic conditions. The harnessing of the Earth’s magnetic field to influence nanomaterial chirality is not only a scientific breakthrough but a beacon guiding the future of sustainable and precise nanomanufacturing.

Subject of Research: Not applicable

Article Title: Chiral Lemniscate Formation in Magnetic Field Controlled Topological Fluid Flows

News Publication Date: 3-Apr-2025

Web References:
DOI link
Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology
Professor Colin Raston’s Laboratory

References:
Jellicoe, M., Gardner, Z., Alotaibi, A.E.H., Shoemaker, K.E., Scott, J.M., Wang, S., Alotaibi, B.M., Luo, X., Chuah, C., Gibson, C.T., He, S., Vimalanathan, K., Gascooke, J.R., Chen, X., Rodger, A., Huang, H., Dalgarno, S.J., Antunes, E., Weiss, G.A., Li, Q., Quinton, J.S., & Raston, C.L. (2025). Chiral Lemniscate Formation in Magnetic Field Controlled Topological Fluid Flows. Small. Wiley-VCH GmbH. DOI: 10.1002/smll.202409807

Image Credits: Please credit Flinders University

Keywords

Vortex fluidic device, Earth’s magnetic field, chiral nanomaterials, fluid dynamics, green chemistry, nanofabrication, topological fluid flows, quantum sensing, metamaterials, clean technology, sustainable nanomanufacturing, high-shear processing

Despite extensive research on a multitude of crystalline materials, most Weyl materials hitherto discovered have been overwhelmed by the influence of trivial electrons that obscure the presence of Weyl fermions. The successful synthesis of a material that supports a single pair of Weyl fermions without the interference of irrelevant electronic states represents not only a significant scientific breakthrough but also a culmination of years of theoretical predictions and experimental endeavors.

The research, published in the esteemed journal Nature, is the result of a four-year collaborative effort involving CEMS, the RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS), the Quantum-Phase Electronics Center (QPEC) at the University of Tokyo, the Institute for Materials Research at Tohoku University, and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The team ingeniously transformed a topological semiconductor into a Weyl semimetal, revisiting a strategy that had been theorized in 2011 but subsequently fell into relative obscurity within the scientific community.

Topological semiconductors, characterized by a small energy gap, can transition between insulating and conducting states. On the other hand, semimetals exist at the very brink of this transition, possessing a unique zero energy gap. This characteristic is exceedingly rare in natural materials, with graphene often cited as a prime example of a material featuring similar properties, particularly regarding its applications in flexible electronics and moiré physics.

The core material used in this groundbreaking study is bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃), a well-known topological semiconductor. Researchers carefully manipulated the chemical composition of the material by substituting chromium for bismuth, creating a compound denoted as (Cr,Bi)₂Te₃. This meticulous adjustment of the material’s properties allowed the team to unravel new physics beyond previously established topological semiconductor behavior, as evidenced by the observation of a large anomalous Hall effect (AHE).

The AHE observed in (Cr,Bi)₂Te₃ is particularly noteworthy, as it enables researchers to delve deeper into the material’s electronic structure. This uniquely simple electronic configuration has empowered the research team to quantitatively correlate their experimental results with theoretical predictions, thereby establishing a clear link between the large AHE and the emergent Weyl fermions. This connection signifies a pivotal moment in understanding quantum materials and their potential applications.

Leading author Ilya Belopolski expressed surprise at the discovery, noting that different research communities had already developed the necessary theoretical and experimental knowledge to synthesize this Weyl semimetal but had not effectively communicated. The success of this research illustrates the importance of collaboration across disciplines and highlights how missed opportunities can arise in the absence of dialogue between different scientific fields.

Belopolski attributed the emergence of this critical insight to the unique atmosphere fostered at RIKEN, where brilliant researchers come together in a creatively stimulating environment. The collaboration between talented research groups from various countries exemplifies the global pursuit of scientific knowledge and underlines how a collaborative approach can lead to significant breakthroughs that might otherwise remain unrealized.

One of the most exciting potential applications of this newly discovered Weyl semimetal lies in terahertz (THz) technology. Classical semiconductors are generally unable to absorb photons below certain energy thresholds dictated by their energy gaps. However, semimetals, with their zero energy gap, can effectively absorb light across the THz frequency range. This unique property positions Weyl semimetals as promising candidates for creating and detecting THz light, opening doors to potential advancements in communication technologies and sensor applications.

The implications of this discovery extend beyond just terahertz applications, as the research team anticipates exploration into high-performance sensors, low-power electronics, and innovative optoelectronic devices. The enthusiasm surrounding the prospects of this new quantum phase of matter embodies the dynamic research atmosphere at CEMS, where emerging technologies continuously push the boundaries of material science.

Lixuan Tai, a postdoctoral researcher who joined the Strong Correlation Quantum Transport Laboratory close to the publication of the findings, expressed exhilaration regarding the opportunities that this new Weyl semimetal presents for ongoing and future research. The team is poised to leverage the characteristics of this material to further explore its unique phases and properties, potentially sparking a wave of discoveries in quantum materials.

As researchers continue to delve into the properties of the ideal Weyl semimetal, they anticipate a rich landscape of inquiry that will lead to new methodologies and technological innovations. The intersection of theory and experimentation in this context illustrates the remarkable progress being made in the understanding of quantum materials, a field that will undoubtedly yield significant advancements in science and technology for years to come.

The synthesis of the ideal Weyl semimetal thus represents a transformative achievement in the realm of quantum transport and materials science. It paves the way for further exploration and understanding of Weyl fermions and their associated electromagnetic properties, signifying a potential turning point in how researchers approach the study of quantum materials and highlights the value of collaboration in unlocking the mysteries of the universe.

As the research community continues to build upon this foundation, the exciting prospects for the development of new devices, sensors, and methodologies driven by the unique properties of this Weyl semimetal will likely be a central theme in future scientific discourse. This breakthrough not only illustrates the potential of quantum materials but also serves as an exemplar of what can be achieved through sustained collaboration and innovative thinking in scientific research.

Subject of Research: Quantum Materials
Article Title: Synthesis of a semimetallic Weyl ferromagnet with point Fermi surface
News Publication Date: 22-Jan-2025
Web References:
References:
Image Credits:

Keywords