10 Point Program for Material Sciences and Materials Technology
Germany attaches major significance to the material sciences. Materials are essential innovation motors in nearly all industry sectors, with material research results playing an essential role in solutions to pressing megatrend questions of mobility, climate and environmental protection, energy provision, health, communication, and security.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), within the framework of the High-Tech Strategy, has drawn up a 10 point program promoting research and development in the material science and technology sectors. The future focal points of research activity promoted are as listed below.
I. Material science and technology key to building the future
1. Material sciences make system innovations possible
Multi-material systems create the conditions for the realization of breakthrough system innovations. Diverse materials and manufacturing and production processes should be adapted in order to develop materials with tailored functionality.
2. Material technology is an innovation driver for key industry sectors
The material technology sector makes a significant contribution to consolidating Germany's global leadership in key industry sectors including mechanical engineering and plant construction, chemicals, optomechanics and optics, and construction as well as the automotive and vehicle sectors. Modeling and simulation support the targeted development of new materials.
II. Future material science and technology focal points
3. Material science and technology key to a mobile future
Research endeavors being made in the battery technology sector will be built upon in order to drive the market entry of energy-efficient, resource-saving and high-performance electric vehicles.
4. Material science and technology key to sustainable energy provision and climate and environmental protection
Material science and technology make a significant contribution to future urban technologies which allow the significant energy-savings potential in the buildings sector to be used.
5. Material science and technology innovation drivers in health research
Functional materials will revolutionize regenerative medicine. Aging societies generate increased demand for materials which either replace human tissue, bones and discs or allow such structures to be developed and absorbed into the human body. A cumulative approach combining medicine and engineering-based approaches is becoming increasingly important in diagnostics and therapeutics.
6. Material science and technology innovation drivers in information and communication technologies
Research should help organic electronics to break through. Organic electronics have the potential to fundamentally change established value chains in a number of sectors (including communication, lighting, and logistics) and open up diverse market opportunities for innovative businesses.
7. Material science and technology innovation drivers in security technology
Multifunctional materials make security technology innovations possible. To do so, they must combine high resistance to extreme loads with integrated sensor functions.
III. Strengthening new approaches to material science and technology in Germany
8. "Thinking from material to product" - forming strategic partnerships
Eventual product applications should be considered more strongly – even in the material development phase. New innovation alliances between science and industry should be formed to this end.
9. Nanomaterials opportunities and risk public dialogue
Actors from science, industry and politics should initiate a public dialogue concerning nanotechnology, creating awareness of the pros and cons of nanotechnology-based materials and applications and promoting responsible use of nanotechnology.
10. Safeguard young talent, promote interdisciplinarity
Excellent research infrastructure at research institutes, universities and technical colleges should be built upon and used. New interdisciplinary research and application-oriented academic courses of study should be set up.
