Faculty II - Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Research Profile

The growing complexity of challenges in business, politics and society is reflected in the profile of Faculty II and its three areas - mathematics, physics and chemistry. Research at Faculty II is characterized by basic research in mathematics and the natural sciences and interdisciplinary application-oriented research. Networking with numerous non-university research institutions on a regional, national and international level as well as the orientation towards interdisciplinary research networks beyond the faculty borders characterize the self-image of Faculty II.

Research at the Institute of Mathematics has a strong application-driven focus. The focus is on the development of mathematical models in order to describe, simulate and optimize complex processes and phenomena of the real world. For many years, the Institute of Mathematics has been an significant partner in a wide range of research networks at both national and internationall level, including the Cluster of Excellence MATH+ and the Berlin Mathematical School (BMS). The special focus on integrated mathematical modeling, simulation and optimization is also reflected in the 'Berlin International Graduate School in Model and Simulation based Research (BIMoS)', the cross-faculty graduate school of the TU Berlin. 

The Institutes of Physics place particular emphasis in research on nanomaterials and physics on nanostructures, optics, photonics and soft matter. A cornerstone of basic research is also the close cooperation with non-university research institutions. The application-oriented nature is illustrated by the Institute for Optics and Atomic Physics, the Institute for Solid State Physics and the Center for Nanophotonics with its pure spaces as research facilities, which have an equivalent at only a few universities. In addition, Faculty II has the only university research area in astronomy and astrophysics in Berlin.

At the Institute of Chemistry, technical and materials science chemistry traditionally form the applied component of research and thus act as a cross-disciplinary link to the engineering sciences. In addition, homogeneous and heterogeneous as well as biological catalysis and biologically oriented chemistry are decisive research foci. Research at the Institute of Chemistry is largely determined by the Cluster of Excellence Unifying Systems in Catalysis (UniSysCat).