28-04-2026
INCYTE – High-tech research building opens at the University of Siegen
On Monday, our interdisciplinary high-tech research building, INCYTE, was officially opened at the University of Siegen in the presence of Ina Brandes, Minister of Culture and Science. This building, the only one of its kind in Germany, sets new standards in the fields of nanoanalytics, nanochemistry, and sensor technologies, thereby strengthening cutting-edge research in North Rhine-Westphalia. The “Color meets flavor” Cluster of Excellence will also benefit from the new laboratories. The consortium of the Universities of Bonn and Siegen, along with TU Dortmund University, will conduct joint research and experiments here. The state is funding the construction with approximately 95 million euros.
The building was constructed under demanding technical conditions: among other things, laboratories for highly sensitive electron microscopes were built up to seven meters deep into the rock. To ensure vibration-free operation, the equipment rests on a concrete foundation weighing approximately 100 tons. In total, there are approximately 50 specialized laboratories, a 600-square-meter, completely dust-free cleanroom for sensor development, and extensive spaces for materials analysis and biochemical research, all of which facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration at the highest level. To enable the rapid transfer of research results into practical applications, partners from academia and industry can also use the laboratory building. The building offers 5,200 square meters of usable space and also houses seminar rooms and modern offices for scientists. The centerpiece of the building, which features a green roof and photovoltaic systems, is a four-story atrium with light-flooded domes.
Minister of Science Ina Brandes: “Excellent science requires excellent facilities. With INCYTE, we are creating optimal working conditions for scientists in a laboratory building that is unique in Germany. Here, various disciplines will collaborate to develop smart microsensors and innovative materials, thereby working to solve key future challenges in the fields of industry, mobility, and medicine. This strengthens North Rhine-Westphalia as a hub for science and business.”
University President Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese: “INCYTE is a research center with immense national and international influence, a magnificent beacon for the University of Siegen and for microelectronics in North Rhine-Westphalia.”
Prof. Dr. Peter Haring Bolívar of the Chair of High-Frequency Technology and Quantum Electronics: “The infrastructure at INCYTE is also open to external partners so that we can effectively carry out joint research and development—including other universities, research institutions, spin-offs, and small and medium-sized enterprises from the region and beyond.”
Anke Richter, head of the Dortmund branch of BLB NRW: “35,000 cubic meters of earth were moved so that the rock itself would serve as a protective layer for the sensitive measuring equipment. But INCYTE is not just a technical masterpiece: The four-story atrium with its light-filled domes forms a vibrant hub that fosters exchange and interaction—because research doesn’t happen solely in the lab.”