Claudia Felser appointed to the Hall of Fame of German Research

At a time when scientific innovation is paving the way for the future, this recognition is more than deserved for Prof. Felser. Her current research topic, Topological Quantum Chemistry, has attracted widespread attention and led to her induction into the Hall of Fame of German Science. In an emotional statement, Prof. Felser emphasized, "I feel very honored to now also be among the Hall of Fame members, all of whom are highly decorated scientists and scholars and thus outstanding research personalities."

The work of Prof. Claudia Felser and her collaborators has had a significant impact on one of the hottest topics in contemporary condensed matter physics, namely topology. Of particular interest are materials whose properties, such as magnetism, electrical conductivity or catalytic activity, are controlled by their topology. Topological materials derive their name from a concept in mathematics that deals with the universal properties of shapes.

Prof. Felser and her internationally leading collaborators are responsible for developing general design rules for topological materials. These rules not only enable the prediction of thousands of new topological compounds, but also the experimental realization of many of these compounds. This breakthrough opens new horizons for the application of topological materials in various engineering devices and applications.

Translating these rules into real-world materials with specific useful properties requires interdisciplinary collaboration and, most importantly, the chemical intuition attributed to Prof. Felser. Her research has shown that topology is an overarching concept that can be used to classify compounds, much like the periodic table classifies individual elements. Many of the classified materials respond extremely strongly to external stimuli such as magnetic fields, strain, pressure or light, making them extremely promising for applications in technical devices.

Prof. Felser also pointed out to the wide range of applications for these materials, including quantum computing, catalysis, thermoelectrics, superconductivity and sensing. These materials have the potential to significantly shape our technological future and enrich our society in many ways.

Prof. Claudia Felser's induction into the Hall of Fame of German Research is not only an honor for her personally, but also a recognition of the significant role she plays in the scientific community. Her research and commitment are a shining example of the excellence of German research at an international level.

The award was granted on 12 October in Hamburg at a festive event with representatives from science, business, and politics. The laudatory speech for Claudia Felser was held by Prof. Dr. B. Albert, Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen.