Whether living being or stone, whether window pane or microchip: Each form of material has a structure. This structure is derived from interactions between molecules, nanoparticles, or other aggregates that can be controlled not only at molecular level but also by external manipulation, such as alterations to temperature, exposure to magnetic fields or electrical forces. Technical developments such as LCD screens and read heads of computer hard disks are also based on these principles. The aim of the Complex Materials Research Center is to study and investigate the basic principles of structure formation and thus to connect different areas such as solid-state physics (magnetism), polymer research (photovoltaic materials from organic macromolecules), and medicine (nanoscopic transporters for the transport of drugs into tumors).

The COMATT scientists have produced, among other things, artificial crystals with the help of laser light. The optical lattice of these crystals can be manipulated by altering the laser frequency and the radiation input angle. Hence, solid bodies with practically any characteristics can be simulated, and their behavior can be tested under certain conditions. Through this, the scientists hope to understand the high temperature superconductivity that is used, for example, in magnetic overhead monorail and magnetic resonance tomography, and which at present only functions if expensive cooling with liquid nitrogen is provided. Moreover, scientists could learn more about the mechanisms of photoconductivity in ultralight and flexible macromolecular systems. The development of innovative hybrid materials from inorganic nanocrystals, macromolecular building blocks, and biological recognition structures will facilitate the development of such different systems as high-strength and "self-healing" materials on the one hand, and transport systems for pharmaceutical anticancer agents that exhibit an efficacy previously unachieved linked with only minimal side effects on the other hand.

The potential for close collaboration with partners in industry is obvious. Numerous cooperation arrangements at national and international level are already existing with, for example, BASF, Boehringer Ingelheim, Degussa, Merck, Schott, and Sony Europe. Experts from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research are involved in COMATT in addition to chemists, physicists, and biologists from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. In this interdisciplinary environment of the materials sciences research, sustainable training structures are also being established – for example, the graduate school of excellence Materials Science in Mainz (MAINZ) is providing support to young top-level researchers from all over the world as they work towards their PhD.

The research programs of MAINZ and the proposed cluster of excellence Molecularly Controlled Non-Equilibrium (MCNE) are complementary to that of COMATT. Whereas MCNE focuses on non-equilibrium effects in soft matter, MAINZ takes a broad, multidisciplinary perspective over a wide part of materials science. Synergies exist in the area of materials processing, which often involves non-equilibrium states of materials. MCNE explores the molecular basis of these processes, for which MAINZ provides application-oriented training.

Examples for COMATT research areas.