What holds the world together – from smallest particles to the universe

TRA Matter: Building Blocks of Matter and Fundamental Interactions 

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© Bialek/Uni Bonn

In this TRA, basic research meets cutting-edge technology to study nature on differing length and time scales. Collaboration between particle physicist, molecular scientists, quantum technologists and astronomers is key to generating new insights into the structures, properties and interactions of the fundamental building blocks of the matter which our universe consists. The focus is on developing impactful new methods and systems for addressing today’s challenges, ranging from big data and information technologies to medicine and environmental sustainability.

RESEARCH

Areas, topics, collaborative research & awards

ABOUT US

Principles, organisation, members & network

SYNERGY BUBBLES

Concept and information on call(s) for proposals

RECAP

Highlights, videos and reports from past years

News from the TRA

Notifications

Stellar remnants solve the mystery of missing mass in galaxy clusters
Under the leadership of the University of Bonn, a research team led by Prof. Dr. Pavel Kroupa from the Helmholtz Institute for Radiation and Nuclear Physics has discovered that galaxy clusters are about twice as heavy as previously assumed. The additional mass comes mainly from neutron stars and stellar black holes and also explains the observed quantities of heavy elements.
Great honor for Prof. Ulf-G. Meißner
Prof. Dr. Dr.h.c. Ulf-G. Meißner from the Helmholtz Institute for Radiation and Nuclear Physics at the University of Bonn received the Award for International Scientific Cooperation. The Chinese Academy of Sciences honors the physicist for his outstanding contributions to scientific cooperation. During a festive ceremony in Beijing, Academy President Jianguo Hou presented the scientist with the coveted medal. 
ERC Proof of Concept Grant for innovation in low-temperature microscopy
Junior-Professor Daqing Wang from the University of Bonn has received a Proof of Concept Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for his “MinCryo” project. With the grant of €150,000 over one year, the physicist will continue to prepare his research results for practical applications in industry. The technical solution developed by him and his team facilitates a wider and more resource-efficient access to cryogenic – extremely cold - optical imaging that combines microscopes with extremely cold temperatures.
The mystery of intermediate-mass black holes
Galaxies contain black holes weighing between approximately five and 100 solar masses. There are also some with more than 100,000 solar masses. But do medium-mass black holes also develop in galaxies? A study by the Astronomical Institute of Charles University in Czechia, with significant participation from the University of Bonn, shows how medium-mass black holes can frequently form naturally. However, this currently only occurs in the innermost regions of star-forming galaxies similar to our Milky Way. The results have now been published in a “Letter to the Editor” in the journal “Astronomy & Astrophysics.” 

Highlights and announcements

Get Involved in the TRA

As a member of the TRA, you can access funding opportunities, participate in events, and build new networks.

Everything About Membership in TRA Matter

 
In TRA Matter, researchers from various fields can collaborate to explore the fundamental building blocks of matter and their interactions. Membership is open to all researchers who work independently in the field of research of the TRA and are employed at the University of Bonn or a cooperating research institution.

Directory of our members and their research focus areas

Search within our network of over 100 scientists for new cooperation partners. We are happy to support you in new joint projects or events.

Meet our Researchers

Inter- and transdisciplinary research actively pursued at the University of Bonn and is promoted across faculty boundaries. The faces of TRA Matter are our Clausius Professorship, the Argelander Professorship, as well as our designated Hertz Chair and many other dedicated researchers.

Computational Quantum Field Theory

Jun.-Prof. Lena Funcke

Clausius Junior-Professor 

Biohybrid Research

Jun.-Prof. Patrycja Kielb

Argelander Professorship

Astrochemistry

Prof. Serena Viti

Designated Hertz-Chair

Newest Member – Welcome to TRA Matter!

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Zorah Lähner

Machine Learning and Geometric Optimization

Contact

Avatar Westernströer

Dr. Birgit Westernströer

Manager TRA / Strategic Development and Quality Assurance Unit

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Transdisciplinary Research Areas

Spaces for innovation in research and teaching - these are the six transdisciplinary research areas at the University of Bonn. 

University of Excellence

Since summer 2019, we have been one of eleven German Universities of Excellence. Read more about our research profile and our future concept.

Research funding services

The Research and Transfer Department at the University of Bonn will assist you with any questions you may have regarding your third-party funded project.

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