Five Berlin-based research institutions join forces in data-driven materials research
At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. © Natalia Slepenko, Humboldt Universität
Research data is regarded as key to materials research in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Five Berlin-based research institutions have now signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish long-term collaboration in the fields of research data, data infrastructures and AI.
The partners in this collaboration include the NFDI consortium FAIRmat, based at Humboldt University of Berlin; the Helmholtz Centre Berlin (HZB); the Leibniz Institute for Crystal Growth (IKZ); the Paul Drude Institute for Solid-State Electronics (PDI); and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). Together, they are laying the foundations for cross-institutional collaboration, thereby strengthening Berlin’s position as a centre of scientific excellence.
With this MoU, the five partners are laying the foundations for a joint research data space. The aim is to make research data accessible across institutions, to develop common standards for data and metadata, and to advance the use of artificial intelligence methods in materials research.
Bernd Rech, Scientific Director of HZB, emphasises the importance of the collaboration: “The future of materials research is data-driven. High-quality research data and metadata form the basis for artificial intelligence and for self-driving laboratories - fully automated research laboratories that combine robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Through this collaboration, we are creating an important prerequisite for jointly driving this development forward and further establishing Berlin as a leading centre for digital materials research.”
The FAIRmat-HZB Symposium on “The Digital Future of Materials Science” on 20 July 2026 provided the ceremonial setting for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. Among the guests was the internationally renowned scientist Giorgio Rossi (University of Milan/NFFA), who, in his opening address, emphasised the importance of shared research infrastructures for data-driven science. Claudia Draxl, spokesperson for FAIRmat, then demonstrated how the NOMAD platform is preparing materials research for new data-driven paradigms.
Finally, a panel discussion on the topic of “Driving the Cultural Change” addressed the question of what changes are necessary to enable research data and AI to realise their full potential for science.
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