Interactive and Programmable Materials (IPROM)

One of the core principles in the construction of technical objects is that the materials used have more or less unchanging properties. In nature, on the other hand, (bio)materials are designed to adapt as well as possible to the respective environment in order to be able to react to changes. The aim of the IPROM cluster is to develop new types of technical materials that react to changing environmental conditions with a response programmed into the material and adapt to the changed conditions. To this end, they are to change their internal structure and/or their external shape through the action of an external stimulus, in order to adapt e.g. adhesion, wettability or mechanical properties accordingly. This opens up new design possibilities for the production of complex objects in many areas such as optics, medical technology or architecture.