The German Research Foundation (DFG) has awarded the prestigious Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize 2025 to our GRK2868 Principal Investigator Prof. Marco Salvalaglio from the Institute of Scientific Computing at Dresden University of Technology (TUD). The prize is awarded for outstanding scientific achievements by researchers who are still at an early stage of their scientific careers. Salvalaglio uses applied mathematics to investigate the behavior of materials and substances. In addition to Salvalaglio, the DFG honored nine other researchers. The prize is endowed with 200,000 euros.

"I feel very honored by this award. I see it not only as recognition for my work, but also for the achievements of my colleagues and students," said a delighted Salvalaglio. "The award underlines the value of interdisciplinary research and promotes collaboration between disciplines, faculties and departments - an aspect that I am convinced will advance scientific progress. The award is an additional incentive for me to continue researching new scientific challenges."

Research at the interface of solid state physics and applied mathematics

Salvalaglio works at the TUD at the interface between solid-state physics, computational materials science and applied mathematics. His research focuses on the modeling and simulation of material properties. "In order to develop new and high-performance materials, it is essential to understand their properties from the atomic to the macroscopic scale - in other words, from the smallest building blocks of the material to its coarser structure," explains Salvalaglio.

Based on the geometric arrangement of the atoms and molecules they contain, he investigates the behavior of materials and substances. The elastic and plastic behavior of metals is a particular focus of his work. He also develops mathematical equations that allow him to model and efficiently simulate crystalline materials.