Finding synergy in science: Birmingham, German institute extend partnership

The University of Birmingham and Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) are extending their partnership to create a joint research centre for Chemistry and Materials Science.

The centre will initially focus on research into materials characterisation, catalytic chemistry and corrosion but later expand to cover a number of other key research fields, according to a media release.

Experts from BAM, a federal agency that reports to Germany’s Economics and Technology Ministry, will also continue to work with the university in a number of research priority areas such as Environmental Sciences, Energy, Additive Manufacturing, and Infrastructure, including resilience monitoring, buried resources and railways.

“Europe continues to be a region of key importance for the University of Birmingham research and we continue to build and strengthen partnerships with major institutions across the European Union, such as BAM,” University of Birmingham Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Robin Mason said when signing the agreement extension at a special ceremony in Berlin this week.

“We have enjoyed a productive first year of partnership with BAM and our ongoing work together will provide an excellent basis for developing exciting collaborations – benefiting the advancement and use of scientific knowledge in the UK, Germany and beyond.”

The agreement extension strengthens the current framework for discussion and interaction between both partners on activities to demonstrate the technology, manufacturing or regulatory readiness levels of scientific developments.

Forged last year, the initial agreement saw the parties agree to collaborate on joint activities such as research experiments, staff exchanges, seminars, joint publications and reports, as well as exchanging data, materials and samples.

With the new agreement, the partnership will extend a further three years.

“BAM is looking forward to deepening the collaboration with our strategic partner University of Birmingham and strengthening the ties with our British partner in key research fields,” BAM President Professor Dr. Ulrich Panne said.

As Germany’s federal materials research institute, BAM’s remits are to improve safety in technology and chemistry through research and development, testing, analysis, approvals, advice and information to the federal G=government, industry, and national and international organisations in the fields of material technology and chemistry.

Its five focus areas include energy, infrastructure, environment, materials and analytical science.