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Federal Ministry of Research selects: Einstein Telescope and IceCube-Gen2 in focus!
The University of Münster is involved in important research projects, including the Einstein Telescope and the IceCube-Gen2 expansion to better research gravitational waves and neutrinos.
Federal Ministry of Research selects: Einstein Telescope and IceCube-Gen2 in focus!
On July 21, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Research published a shortlist for the national prioritization process for extensive research infrastructures. There are nine significant projects on this list, including the Einstein Telescope and the expansion of the IceCube neutrino observatory. The University of Münster plays a central role in both projects, which underlines the importance of these projects for German and international research.
The prioritization process, which has existed since 2024, evaluated a total of 32 applications from 56 sponsoring institutions. Inclusion on the shortlist signals that these projects will be given priority, even if there is currently no funding commitment.
Technological progress in the field of neutrino research
The supporting facilities of the Einstein Telescope include renowned institutions such as the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, the Ruhr University Bochum and the Technical University of Dresden. Scientists from the University of Münster, including Prof. Dr. Alexander Kappes and Prof. Dr. Christine Thomas, are actively involved in the development of the telescope. This is intended to enable gravitational wave detection and thus provide valuable insights into the behavior of black holes and other cosmological phenomena.
The expansion of the IceCube Observatory to IceCube-Gen2 is also a key step in neutrino research. IceCube had already discovered high-energy neutrinos from space in 2013, marking the beginning of high-energy neutrino science. In 2018, an international team managed to identify the source of a cosmic neutrino, marking a historic breakthrough.
IceCube-Gen2 is expected to increase the detection rate of cosmic neutrinos tenfold. This will not only advance neutrino research, but also contribute to geophysics, glaciology and climate research. The development of these new technologies could significantly improve our understanding of the high-energy universe for the coming decade.
Gravitational waves and their significance for astronomy
Research into gravitational waves is based on Albert Einstein's theories, which he developed over 100 years ago. Einstein recognized that gravity is a property of space and time and should not be viewed as a classical force. Matter bends space, which is similar to the effect of an invisible force. When massive objects accelerate, they produce gravitational waves that travel at the speed of light and briefly alter space.
Measurements of gravitational waves were made possible for the first time by the LIGO detector in the USA. The LIGO detector consists of two rectangular tubes, each 4 km long, containing laser beams, with the waves causing a temporary change in the laser beams. The first successful measurements were recorded in 2015, when two black holes collided at a distance of 1.3 billion light years.
From autumn 2023, the researchers hope to be able to receive weekly gravitational wave signals. The plan is to create a global network of telescopes that will be alerted to such events in order to search for visible phenomena. These developments could revolutionize gravitational wave astronomy and provide new insights into the universe.
Overall, these advances in the areas of neutrino and gravitational wave research show the increasing pioneering work of scientists in Germany and internationally. The University of Münster and its partners are taking significant steps to significantly expand our knowledge of the universe.