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  1. Homepage
  2. Research
  3. Clusters

Our Clusters of Excellence

Clusters of Excellence are innovative, world-class research projects funded under the national Excellence Initiative, which connects universities with leading German research institutes and businesses. The School of Natural Sciences contributes to five of these clusters.

Continued Clusters

e-conversion

The cluster “e-conversion” explores the underlying processes in the conversion of renewable energies, for example, in photovoltaics, photocatalysis, and batteries. Researchers are working to reduce energy losses occurring at the interfaces between different materials as a result of physical effects. These are crucial for the efficiency of energy conversion.

Image: Bettina V. Lotsch et al., published by American Chemical Society

MCQST

MCQST is examining the scientific basis for complex quantum systems and establishing the technological foundation of quantum technology, a key next-generation technology for the 21st century. The researchers address significant fields of application ranging from quantum computers, powerful quantum information systems and quantum sensors to novel quantum materials.

Image: MCQST / C. Hohmann

ORIGINS

The cluster „ORIGINS“ is conducting research into the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang to the origin of life. Researchers from the fields of astrophysics, biophysics and particle physics collaborate, for example, in the search for the connection between the formation of planets and the origin of the first prebiotic molecules. Among other things, they are trying to show that life is a natural process that forms part of the evolution of the universe.

Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)

Upcoming Cluster

BioSysteM (Start January 2026)

The cluster “BioSysteM“ aims to create self-organizing molecular and cellular systems with programmable, life-like properties. The researchers develop biomolecular machines, intelligent materials and pattern-based therapeutics. As a basis for new medical applications, they are also researching the control of cell differentiation and organ formation.

Image: Barth von Rossum

Cluster with NAT involvement

NUCLEATE (Start January 2026)

The NUCLEATE research cluster investigates the fundamental biological functions of RNA and DNA molecules. The focus is on interdisciplinary approaches to better understand the roles of nucleic acids in organisms and how their activity can be specifically regulated. As a key technology for future medicine, the targeted modulation of nucleic acids will open up completely new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment.

Image: Adimas / Fotolia

News on clusters with participation from NAT

ORIGINS, Research, Bioscience, Physics, Award | 10.06.2025

TUM Distinguished Affiliated Professorships Awards 2025

Honorees: Prof. Susanne Mertens, Prof. Frank Eisenhauer, and Prof. Reinhard Fässler [read more]

NUCLEATE, BioSysteM, ORIGINS, MCQST, e-conversion, Bioscience, Chemistry, Physics | 26.05.2025

Clusters of Excellence with Participation of the TUM School of Natural Sciences

NAT is involved in five Clusters of Excellence funded by the German Research Foundation. [read more]

NUCLEATE, BioSysteM, ORIGINS, MCQST, e-conversion, Bioscience, Chemistry, Physics, Award | 22.05.2025

TUM to receive funding for seven Clusters of Excellence

Natural sciences, medicine, and social sciences are at the forefront [read more]

Color photo of a person with long hair smiling at the camera with a colorful background
Quantum Science & Technologies, MCQST, Research, Physics | 22.05.2025

Diamonds and quanta

Career in science: Viviana Villafañe [read more]

Clean Technology Solutions, e-conversion, Research, Chemistry, Physics | 20.05.2025

Sunlight in - power out, long after sunset

Solar battery based on porous organic material [read more]

Color photo of a large experimental device in silver and blue
Fundamental Forces and Cosmic Evolution, ORIGINS, Research, Physics | 13.05.2025

New island of asymmetric fission discovered on nuclide chart

An international team, including ORIGINS researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), has discovered a new island of asymmetric nuclear… [read more]

Color photo of a researcher side profile looking left in a lab coat holding a small sample container
FRM II, Clean Technology Solutions, e-conversion, Research, Physics | 25.04.2025

How heat harms Li-ion Batteries

When charged, the graphite anode in a Li-ion battery (LIB) can be exposed to temperature- driven changes, causing structural degradation and… [read more]

Fundamental Forces and Cosmic Evolution, ORIGINS, Physics, Award | 23.04.2025

Professors Laura Fabbietti and Lukas Heinrich share 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics

NAT School’s collaborative research at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider recognized for championing science globally for the benefit of all [read more]

Quantum Science & Technologies, MCQST, Research, Physics | 14.04.2025

World Quantum Day on April 14

Current research on quantum technologies [read more]

Fundamental Forces and Cosmic Evolution, ORIGINS, Research, Physics | 11.04.2025

Astroparticle physics: Neutrinos weigh less than 0.45 electronvolts/c2

Precision balance KATRIN at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology surpasses itself and sets a new upper limit for the mass of neutrinos [read more]

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TUM School of Natural Sciences

Technische Universität
München

Boltzmannstr. 10
85748 Garching

Excellence Strategy of TUM

Clusters of Excellence at TUM

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