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LOEWE-QuEnergy and LOEWE-VEBITA, quantum mechanics and behavioral biology: €9.4 mio. for new LOEWE Research Clusters – TU Darmstadt, Philipps University Marburg, Senckenberg and ISOE involved
Wiesbaden. How can the laws of quantum mechanics aid in the development of solar cells and storage media? And how do animals adapt to global changes in climate and land use? These questions lie at the heart of two new research projects under the LOEWE research funding program: the "LOEWE Research Cluster QuEnergy – Quantum designs for efficient energy and information handling" and the "LOEWE Research Cluster Behavioral Plasticity in Transition: Bio-logging as a Key to Assessing Animal Adaptability (VEBITA)". A total of approximately 9.4 million euros will be allocated to these two LOEWE projects over a four-year period. This decision was made by the LOEWE Administrative Commission based on evaluations by external experts and recommendations from the LOEWE Program Advisory Board. Participating in these research initiatives are TU Darmstadt and Philipps University Marburg, as well as the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research and the Institute for Social-Ecological Research Frankfurt (ISOE). Funding begins on January 1, 2027.
"In these new LOEWE projects, universities and research institutes are collaborating on pioneering research," said Science Minister Timon Gremmels. "While QuEnergy shapes the digital infrastructure of tomorrow to be energy-efficient and technologically independent, VEBITA establishes the scientific foundation for protecting biodiversity in times of change. Both projects combine scientific excellence with ecological responsibility, thereby providing practical recommendations for addressing current societal challenges."
Prof. Dr. Stefan Treue, Chair of the LOEWE Program Advisory Board, adds: “The two LOEWE Research Clusters selected for funding prevailed over other proposals in the competition. They span a wide spectrum, ranging from quantum physics to behavioral biology. What they have in common is that they will provide entirely new insights – into innovative applications of quantum physics as well as the movement patterns of numerous animal species facing specific environmental challenges – with global relevance for nature conservation and corporate decision-making. Both priority areas will strengthen top-tier research in Hesse that holds great societal significance, extending its impact far beyond the state’s borders.”