Pathways to Sustainability

The necessary transformation towards sustainability is fraught with a number of great technological, political, and societal challenges. The researchers in the key research area ‘Pathways to Sustainability’ are working on knowledge-based solutions to these challenges and are illuminating the contextual conditions for their implementation.

Three Research Fields

New Materials and Substances

Intelligent Technologies

Ecological and Socio-ecological Systems of the Future

The New Materials and Substances research field is shaped fundamentally by the work of the Cluster of Excellence ‘Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems’ (livMatS): Here, scientists are developing energy-autonomous materials systems with lifelike functions that are inspired by nature and capable of adapting to changing environments. Another important element of this area is research into functional and process optimization through, among other things, new nanomaterials and polymers as well as fundamental studies at the molecular level.

livMatS Pavillon im Botanischen Garten der Universität Freiburg-

Server room in the computer centre of the University of Freiburg.

In the Intelligent Technologies research field, scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent sensor technology to devise sustainable technical solutions. They aim to develop sustainable energy systems, for example in the production and use of green hydrogen and innovative battery systems, and promote environmentally friendly production processes of the circular economy. Through close cooperation with non-university research institutions on the one hand, particularly Freiburg’s five Fraunhofer institutes, and technology companies on the other, this research field covers the entire spectrum from basic research to industrial applications.

The research field Ecological and Socio-ecological Systems of the Future focuses on the protection of environmental foundations of life and the sustainable use of natural resources. The key question for the scientists is what future ecosystems will look like in the context of global change and how to ensure that ecosystem services can be provided and biological diversity preserved through adaptive management. One of the University of Freiburg’s unique selling points in this regard is that close cooperation between the humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, and medicine enables research into complex human-environment systems in all their breadth and diversity.

At the same time, various humanities disciplines are testing new avenues of cooperation with the natural and environmental sciences within the framework of the ‘Environmental Humanities’ network, thus forging a link to the key research area ‘Languages of Knowledge’.

Languages of Knowledge

Sonnenaufgang im Schwarzwald. Bergkulisse hinter grüner Wiese.

Current projects within the framework of the Excellence Strategy:

Cluster of Excellence: Future Forests – Adapting complex social-ecological forest systems to global change

Cluster of Excellence livMatS – Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems

An aerial view of a tower in a pine forest.

Years of drought turn pine forest into source of CO₂

A new study conducted at the University of Freiburg shows that recurring years of heat and drought since 2018 have caused long-term damage to a pine forest in southwestern Germany. Over 60 percent of the pine trees have died, and deciduous trees are taking root, but it is insufficient to reclaim climate balance. The ecosystem now releases more CO₂ than it sequesters.

“If we want truly intelligent robots, improving the design of their bodies is essential.”

Thanks to artificial intelligence, robots can already perform many tasks that would otherwise require humans. In this interview, Edoardo Milana, a junior professor of soft machines, explains how improved design and innovative mechanics are broadening the range of applications for these machines.

A group of people walk together through a wooded area. In the foreground is a board with the words Dr. Forest.

How forests can benefit our health

Forests always have a positive effect on human health, but how strong the effect is depends, among other things, on forest structure and biodiversity. This is shown by a study conducted by the international research project “Dr. Forest,” which was coordinated by the University of Freiburg.