Willingmann Congratulates University of Magdeburg Scientist on Success in Research Competition
Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment
How can digital data be stored securely for longer periods of time? Professor Dr. Julian Thiele of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg has a promising answer. The Professor of Organic Chemistry developed a technology as part of the “3DPartForm” project that uses underpressure and overpressure to precisely position microparticles at specific locations. This innovative technology is now intended to open up new possibilities for the long-term preservation of digital data beyond today’s semiconductor-based storage technologies.
The microparticle research conducted within the “3DPartForm” project was funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through a Starting Grant from 2020 to 2026, with total funding of around €1.5 million. In the follow-up project “AMPALIS,” Thiele now aims to lay the foundations for making the new technology economically viable. By combining it with precision robotics, the project seeks to develop flat (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) particle structures that are particularly durable and capable of storing data reliably and without errors. The entire process is being addressed – from the production of microparticles and development of the required technical equipment to data storage and retrieval, as well as market analysis and the development of a business plan.
This concept has also impressed the ERC and was awarded its “Seal of Excellence.” On this basis, Thiele has now secured additional third-party funding for the follow-up project “AMPALIS”: €150,000 will be provided through a new pilot initiative of the Federal Ministry of Research supporting outstanding research projects in future technologies. The initiative supports researchers who have already received ERC funding (Grant) in demonstrating the application potential of their research results and advancing the transfer of excellent pioneering research into concrete innovations.
Science Minister Professor Dr. Armin Willingmann congratulated Thiele: “My heartfelt congratulations on this success in the highly competitive research landscape. Researchers like Professor Thiele, who are able to secure funding in this way, demonstrate a high level of expertise and an exciting vision for a genuine topic of the future. His project to enable digital data to be stored in a tamper-proof manner and for longer periods than with conventional semiconductor technology has significant economic potential. It also demonstrates once again that Saxony-Anhalt can deliver future technologies!”