Functional materials—that is, materials that offer more than just strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance—are playing an increasingly important role in our daily lives. They are often used in sensor technology. Functional materials can be found, for example, in solar cells, cell phones, modern televisions, implants—and soon also in active noise-reducing windows. Research on such multifunctional windows is already underway in Clausthal.

The campus is a scientific research consortium at Clausthal University of Technology, in which the university collaborates with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM).

The goal is to develop functional materials and structures for adaptable, efficiently manufactured, and tolerant lightweight structures through joint research projects, including larger-scale ones. About a dozen ambitious research topics have already been identified, for example in the fields of zinc oxide systems, transparent piezoceramics, and additive manufacturing. The new campus provides a framework for the cross-institutional use of equipment, personnel, and expertise. Furthermore, the expertise of the three participating institutions complements each other exceptionally well. Another focus is on the training of the next generation of scientists.