xterior view of the main building of INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials, featuring a distinctive curved roof, with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

About INM

New Materials and Innovation

At INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials, we investigate hybrid materials in which chemical and living components are deliberately combined to unlock novel functions and properties. Through close interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, and engineering, we develop material-based solutions that overcome existing limitations in functionality, performance, and sustainability.

Our research focuses on two strategic application areas of high societal relevance: materials for health and quality of life, and materials for energy and resource efficiency. In close synergy with academic and industrial partners, we actively advance the targeted transfer of our hybrid materials into sustainable technologies.

INM is globally connected with numerous research organizations and technology companies. Through joint professorships and infrastructures, fellowships, and collaborative research projects, INM maintains close ties with Saarland University and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). These links are complemented by strong partnerships with non-university research institutions on campus, such as the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS).

INM is a member of the Leibniz Association and employs around 250 staff members.

Facts & figures
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Million Euro in Annual budget 2025

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Million Euro Third-party funding 2025

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Peer-reviewed articles 2024

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Active patent families

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Employees in 2025

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Nationalities

People at INM

Aerial view of INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials, with a large group of employees standing on the lawn in front of the building.
  • 128 Scientists (f 59, m 68, d1)
  • 51 Doctoral students (f 28, m 23)
  • 50 Tech-, Lab- & Service Staff (f 24, m 26)
  • 35 Administration (f 23, m 12)
  • 37 Student assistants (f 17, m 20)
  • 6 Trainees (f 2, m 4)

as of: 30.04.2025

Impressions

Zwei Forschende im Labor betrachten gemeinsam eine runde Probe; eine Person hält sie mit Handschuhen hoch und zeigt auf Details, während im Hintergrund Computerarbeitsplätze zu sehen sind

History

The INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials was founded in 1987 as one of the pioneer institutes for research and innovation in chemical nanotechnology under the direction of Prof. Dr. Herbert Gleiter (1987-1990), Prof. Dr. Helmut K. Schmidt (1990-2005), and Prof. Dr. Michael Veith (2005-2007). Since 1999, the INM has been part of the Leibniz Association and is jointly funded by the Federal and State Government

Since 2007, INM has progressively expanded its scientific profile in the field of hybrid materials and the transfer of biological principles to the design of new materials and devices. This expansion was initiated by the director Prof. Dr. Eduard Arzt (2007-2022), and is further developed by the current directors, Prof. Dr. Aránzazu del Campo (since 2015) and Prof. Dr. Wilfried Weber (since 2023). Today, INM pioneers the emerging field of engineered hybrid materials that integrate living and chemical components to address imminent societal and environmental challenges.