Research data are key to advancing materials research in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Through a Memorandum of Understanding, five Berlin research institutions have agreed to establish a long-term collaboration in the areas of research data, data infrastructures, and AI.

This collaboration brings together the NFDI consortium FAIRmat, based at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ), Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik (PDI), and Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM). Together, they are laying the foundation for cross-institutional collaboration and thereby strengthening Berlin as a hub for research and innovation. The shared goal is to make research data accessible across institutional boundaries, develop common data and metadata standards, and advance the use of artificial intelligence methods in materials research. The further development of the NOMAD research data platform is a key aspect of the collaboration.

The FAIRmat–HZB Symposium “Digital Future of Materials Science” provided the ceremonial setting for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. The symposium opened with a keynote lecture by the internationally renowned scientist Giorgio Rossi (University of Milan / NFFA), who highlighted the importance of shared research infrastructures for data-driven science. Claudia Draxl, Spokesperson for FAIRmat, then showed how the NOMAD platform is preparing materials research for new data-driven paradigms. Bernd Rech, Scientific Managing Director of HZB, discussed the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence presents for science and technology.

The President of HU Berlin, Julia von Blumenthal, emphasized the importance of the new collaboration in her speech: “Today, we are signing a Memorandum of Understanding that confirms our partnership at the institutional level – I am delighted that the heads of all four institutes are here to sign it in person. This step will help speed up our scientific progress and set the stage for staying at the forefront of artificial intelligence in materials science.”

The symposium concluded with a panel discussion entitled “Driving the Cultural Change”, addressing the changes needed for research data and artificial intelligence to realize their full potential for science.
“We are convinced that research data are among the most important resources of the 21st century. However, the transition to the digital age comes with challenges that we will address together with our partners. This Memorandum provides an important foundation for bringing our expertise together even more effectively,” said Claudia Draxl.

Further Information
NOMAD platform: https://nomad-lab.eu/