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TUM scientists revolutionize materials with bioinspiration!
Find out more about Prof. Stefan Guldin and his innovative soft matter research group at TUM in Munich.
TUM scientists revolutionize materials with bioinspiration!
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is driving forward the development of sustainable materials and technologies with new initiatives. The focus is on the research group led by Professor Stefan Guldin, who works for Complex Soft Matter at the TUM School of Life Sciences. Guldin, who also serves as Scientific Co-Director of the Proteins4Singapore project, brings extensive experience from his research career. After completing his doctorate at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge and postdoctoral periods at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), he worked in various positions at University College London. In 2024 he finally returned to TUM, where he is now playing a key role in important research questions about future material development.
The research group is intensively involved in colloid and interface science as well as the physics of soft matter. Particularly noteworthy are the research projects on the self-organization of nanoscale building blocks, which are intended to develop bioinspired materials that have similar properties to biological systems. These novel materials have the potential to revolutionize the food industry, healthcare and environmental technology.
Focus on sustainable material development
As part of the research projects, for example, work is being done on multi-phase emulsions and gels. These systems are essential for the development of innovative products such as protein-based meat alternatives. The structural control of these materials makes it possible to create specific physical, chemical or biological properties, making them ideal for numerous applications.
Another focus is on the stabilization or destabilization of dispersed phases, which leads to targeted control of the material properties. The application of bio-inspired technology not only promises innovative approaches in materials research, but also environmentally friendly solutions for water treatment and pollutant remediation.
Long-term vision for Germany
The “InnoBioMat” project, supported by acatech and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), aims to further develop the innovation potential of biologically inspired materials. It is being investigated how such materials can be better integrated into the industrial value chain. For example, materials can be developed that are recyclable or biodegradable, as well as intelligent systems that can repair themselves.
Project leader Peter Fratzl from the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces emphasizes how important the connection between basic research and practical applications is. Emerging technologies, such as 3D printing and digitalization, are crucial for the future development of sustainable materials. These approaches support the federal government's strategy to promote sustainability and the application of natural principles in material development.
Overall, the research approaches at TUM and acatech's initiatives make it clear that Germany is an international leader in basic research on bio-inspired material development. These important steps are crucial to ensure Germany's competitiveness in the global market and to meet the challenges of the coming decade, particularly in the areas of chemistry, energy and health.
With these visions and research initiatives, Stefan Guldin and his team are setting an example for a sustainable future that will be characterized by innovative materials and technologies.