We are pleased to present the 2025 DGM Young Scientist Award, which honors exceptional doctoral students who have graduated within the past two years. This prestigious award recognizes young scientists who have made significant contributions to nonprofit research in materials science and engineering. Congratulations to Dr. Liuliu Han of the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials on winning the DGM Young Scientist Award 2025!

1) You conducted research in China, Portugal, and Germany, experiencing different scientific cultures along the way. How did you get started in materials science, and what led you to multicomponent alloys and soft magnetic materials? 

I've always been fascinated by how materials form the basis of all technology. My path took me to different labs to learn from various scientific styles—each one taught me something new. That journey eventually led me to multicomponent alloys. I was drawn to the idea of using them not just for strength, but for their functional properties, aiming to solve that classic problem of making a material that's both strong, tough and magnetically soft.

2) Your research demonstrates how mechanical and magnetic properties can be decoupled. What opportunities does this create for energy technology applications, and what personally fascinates you about the combination of functional and mechanical properties? 

It's exciting because it breaks a fundamental trade-off rule. By decoupling these properties, we can finally design much more efficient motors and transformers. This is key for things like electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, where reducing energy loss is so important. On a personal level, I just find it really cool to solve a fundamental puzzle—connecting what happens at the atomic level directly to a real-world application. One step further, creating magnets without rare-earth elements to have an impact on sustainability goals.

3) You have established many international collaborations in a short period of time. Which collaborations have been particularly successful, and how do you find the right partners for ambitious projects?

For me, the best collaborations feel like a partnership where everyone brings a unique piece to the puzzle. It works when there's mutual respect and a shared excitement for the problem. Finding the right people starts by being clear about what you don't know—then you look for the experts who can fill those gaps. Conferences and groups like the DGM are perfect for meeting those people who are just as passionate about ambitious projects as you are.

Congratulations again to Dr. Liuliu Han on this special award! We look forward to honoring him and all the award winners at DGM-Tag 2025, where we can get to know them personally.