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March 18
- RoboCup@Work: THWS-Team 'SWOT' Wins the German Championship
➀ The THWS 'SWOT' team won the German Open in the RoboCup@Work competition, showcasing their skills in autonomous transportation systems and smart factory simulation.
➁ The team overcame various challenges, including object identification and precise manipulation, to secure their victory.
➂ Preparations are now underway for the team to defend their title at the World Championship in Brazil next July.
- Molekül-Ringe Herr: An Innovative Shortcut to High-Performance Organic Materials
➀ Researchers at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Vienna, have presented an innovative approach to the synthesis of Azaparacyclophanes (APCs), a class of highly developed ring-shaped molecular structures with great potential for materials science.
➁ The new CTM method uses the 'Pd-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling reaction' to create π-conjugated cyclic structures, offering a direct and efficient way to produce APCs.
➂ The method is flexible, allowing the production of APCs with different ring sizes and functional groups, and is scalable and reproducible.
- Extended Fiber Optic Expansion with Passive Optical Networks: Fraunhofer HHI Initiates PONTROSA Project
The Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) is working on the further development of passive optical networks (PON) in the PONTROSA project to promote fiber optic expansion and explore new applications for the technology. The institute, together with project partners, will develop new electronic and optical subsystems to significantly increase the transmission capacity of future PONs. The project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with 3.8 million euros, will run for three years until September 2027.
Passive optical networks (PON) have become prevalent over active optical networks (AON) for their cost-effectiveness and simplicity. However, to meet future demands and new application areas, such as connecting data centers and distributed mobile stations, the achievable data rates need to be significantly expanded.
The project team will design, fabricate, and integrate optimized electronic and photonic integrated circuits into a complete system. The researchers will also analyze the requirements for digital signal processing and develop appropriate methods.
March 17
- Hannover Messe: Smart Materials Offer Sustainable Cooling and Heating Solutions for Homes, Cars and Industry
Researchers at Saarland University in Germany are developing a novel elastocaloric cooling and heating technology that uses shape memory nickel-titanium alloy. This technology is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional methods. The research team is working on prototypes for use in vehicles, with the goal of commercialization within five years.
The technology is recognized by the EU Commission as a promising alternative to conventional heating and cooling systems, and has received significant funding. The team is collaborating with industry partners to develop practical solutions for cooling electric vehicles and residential buildings.
The prototypes being developed are based on the unique shape memory properties of nickel-titanium, which can absorb and dissipate heat during phase changes. The technology has the potential to address global energy challenges and reduce carbon emissions.
- Hannover Messe: New Climate Technology for Home, Car, and Industry – How Wires and Sheets Cool and Heat Sustainably
➀ The University of Saarland's research team, led by Professors Stefan Seelecke and Paul Motzki, has developed a new climate technology that is more energy-efficient and sustainable than current methods.
➁ The technology, called Elastocaloric, uses thin wires and sheets made of nickel-titanium to transport heat through deformation.
➂ The team is working on prototypes for vehicles and aims to have the technology ready for practical use within five years.
- TU Ilmenau Launches European Project to Protect Intellectual Property in Education
➀ The Technical University of Ilmenau is enhancing its educational offerings on intellectual property protection with an international project from the European Patent Office.
➁ The university has been selected as one of 35 European universities to offer the 'Modular IP Education Framework' curriculum.
➂ Starting from the upcoming summer semester of 2025, master's and doctoral students will take online courses to gain comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge about the development, protection, and marketing of ideas.
March 14
- Institute for Digitalization and Electric Drives (IDA) Achieves Record Revenues
The IDA Institute strengthens its further development in the research and development sector.
The research institute, as a successful part of the regional innovation system, achieves this through various cooperations.
The IDA ends its fiscal year 2024 with record third-party funding, patents, and invention notifications. The institute has raised more than 5.7 million euros in third-party funding since 2019 and currently employs thirteen staff. The IDA cooperates closely with universities, universities, and industry. These collaborations enable mutual exchange of ideas between IDA, business, and society. The Institute achieves a regional reputation with its expertise and provides effective research and development support for large companies as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Research partners benefit from well-equipped laboratories, participation in in-house training, and the opportunity to obtain a guest researcher status, as well as the granting and supervision of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral theses. There is also the possibility of completing a doctorate in collaboration with universities. Doctoral students can remain in the IDA or in the regional industry. "This has the advantage that the region is supplied with scientifically trained personnel and this personnel does not have to migrate to urban areas," says Professor Jürgen Ulm, director of the IDA Institute.
- HM25: Dependable Smart Systems – Development Methods and Technology Transfer
➀ The reliability of AI-based image recognition is ensured through a smart validation environment, even under adverse conditions such as strong vibrations.
➁ Components and sub-systems can be efficiently characterized under various mechanical boundary conditions, for example, to easily generate AI training data.
➂ The transfer of developed technologies into the economy is demonstrated through various development steps along the Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).
March 13
- Large-Scale Fuel Cell Project: Production Technologies for Mass Production
➀ The transition from conventional fuels to renewable energy sources has made hydrogen a crucial energy carrier. Fuel cells provide energy for mobility and independent power supply as an alternative to traditional combustion engines. However, the technology is still lacking in components available in the required quantities and at affordable costs.
➁ The Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany are working together on cost-effective mass production of bipolar plates, the core of fuel cells, to achieve widespread use of fuel cells.
➂ The research project 'H2GO' focuses on developing industrial technologies for fuel cell production, including efficient processes and production systems, as well as machinery and equipment construction.
- New Paths for the Future: HHN and OPTIMA pharma Enter into a Partnership
➀ The Hochschule Heilbronn (HHN) and OPTIMA pharma GmbH have entered into a comprehensive cooperation agreement.
➁ The partnership aims to advance the connection between science and medium-sized industry in the region and address the skilled labor shortage.
➂ A new degree program in 'Artificial Intelligence and Industrial Digitalization' is to meet the specific needs of the industry.
- Ultra-Wideband MHz to THz Plasmonic EO Modulator Achieves Terahertz Data Transmission
➀ ETH Zürich researchers have developed an ultra-wideband MHz to THz plasmonic EO modulator that achieves terahertz data transmission;
➁ The modulator can convert data signals with frequencies above 1 Terahertz efficiently into optical signals for transmission through fiber optic networks;
➂ The technology could have applications in 6G mobile networks, medical imaging, material analysis, and high-performance measurement technology.
March 12
- Hannover Messe: Pumps and valves made from ultrathin elastomeric films are lightweight and energy efficient
➀ A research team in Saarland, Germany is developing miniaturized pumps and valves using dielectric elastomeric silicone films, which are lightweight, compact, and energy-efficient.
➁ These devices operate without compressed air, motors, or lubricants and are suitable for cleanroom environments.
➂ The technology is scalable and can be used in various applications, including automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, and industrial processing.
- Hannover Messe: Ultra-Thin Silicon Films Lead to Energy-Saving and Lightweight Pumps and Valves
➀ A new type of miniaturized pumps and valves using ultra-thin silicon films is presented at the Hannover Messe, developed by researchers at Saarland University. These pumps and valves operate without air pressure, motors, and lubricants, and can be operated in clean rooms. The team demonstrates a prototype of a new vacuum pump that can draw a vacuum up to 300 millibars.
➁ The technology is cost-effective, lightweight, and energy-efficient compared to current methods, with a 400 times lower energy consumption compared to conventional air-driven valves.
➂ The researchers have developed a novel actuator and pump technology that can be used in various applications, including robotic grippers, speakers, smart textiles, and haptic feedback.
- Quantum Repeater for Secure Quantum Networks: Fraunhofer HHI Launches QR.N Project
➀ The Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) has initiated the QR.N project to develop interconnected quantum repeaters for secure end-to-end communication networks.
➁ The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and is set to run from January 2025 to December 2027.
➂ Quantum networks ensure secure data transmission through the principles of quantum mechanics, particularly quantum entanglement, making any tampering or query of quantum states immediately detectable.
- Quantum Repeaters for Secure Quantum Networks: Fraunhofer HHI Launches QR.N Project
The Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) is developing networked quantum repeaters for secure communication networks, part of the QR.N project. Quantum networks use quantum mechanics principles to ensure secure communication. The project aims to extend data transmission range and connect quantum computers securely. QR.N is coordinated by Saarland University and involves various research and industry partners.
- Efficient Light Control: Metaoptics Replace Conventional Lenses
Conventional lenses, which bend light through glass or plastic, are often bulky, heavy, and offer limited control over light waves. In contrast, metaoptics, consisting of flat surfaces with tiny structures called metaatoms, allow for precise control of light, including its phase, amplitude, and polarization. This precision enables the replacement of multiple optical components with a single metaoptical surface, reducing the size of optical systems without compromising their performance.
At the Hannover Messe, researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) demonstrated an optical component that enables highly efficient light control at steep incident angles, overcoming previous limitations. The researchers developed a metagrating with four times the efficiency of conventional systems, allowing unprecedented control over light under challenging conditions.
Metaoptics are particularly suitable for cameras, sensors, and augmented-reality displays due to their ability to enhance functionality while reducing the size of optical systems. Potential applications include material sorting, quality control, medical imaging, microscopy, and solar cells. They could also significantly benefit robotics and autonomous driving, which rely on object recognition.
- Praxis trifft Studium: Dual Studying at HWR Berlin
➀ Dual studying combines practical work experience with academic studies at HWR Berlin;
➁ Learn about the available study programs and how to find the right partner company;
➂ Discover the application process, deadlines, and the possibility of studying abroad during the dual study program.
March 11
- IU Innovation Award 2025: Apply Now and Shape the Future of the Real Estate Industry
➀ The IU Innovation Award 2025 is initiated by IU International Hochschule, in cooperation with meravis Immobiliengruppe, to honor forward-thinking ideas for the real estate and housing industry.
➁ The award aims to address the challenges of the real estate industry in achieving climate neutrality by 2045, focusing on sustainable innovation and smart energy solutions.
➂ The award ceremony will take place on May 15, 2025, at the Real Estate Arena 2025 in Hanover, providing a platform for winners to present their concepts to leading experts.
- Observing Electron Motion in Solids
The ultrafast dynamics and interactions of electrons in solids have been a challenge to observe directly. Researchers from the University of Oldenburg and Politecnico di Milano have developed a new spectroscopic method that uses ultra-short laser pulses to analyze the movement of electrons in materials. This method, known as two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES), allows for the study of quantum-physical processes with high temporal resolution. The team has found a way to simplify the experimental implementation of this procedure, making it more accessible for wider use.
The research involves using a sequence of three ultrashort laser pulses to excite electrons in a material, changing its optical properties, and then using a third pulse to provide information about the excited system. By varying the time intervals between these pulses, different stages of the process can be observed. The team's new approach, which involves adding an optical component to an interferometer, has significantly improved the precision of the laser pulses.
This breakthrough could lead to new insights into various quantum-physical processes, such as chemical reactions and energy transfer in solar cells.
March 10
- Smart Implants with Miniaturized Motors Find Their Place in Bone Screws at Hannover Messe
➀ A team from Saarland University's Faculty of Engineering and Medicine is developing smart implants at the university and university hospital to monitor and promote healing in body bone fractures.
➁ The robotic implants can stiffen and soften through shape-memory technology, allowing for permanent monitoring of fracture healing.
➂ The research team is miniaturizing the technology for use in market screws as part of an EU project.
- RoboCup@Home: Team ToBi Starts at German Open 2025
➀ The RoboCup@Home team ToBi from the University of Bielefeld's Faculty of Technology is participating in the RoboCup German Open 2025 in Nuremberg. The team consists of eight students and three scientists from CITEC.
➁ The competition challenges the robot to perform various household tasks, including greeting guests, storing purchases, or carrying luggage.
➂ The COSY@Home Lab at CITEC prepares a new team for the competition each year, providing students with valuable practical robotics knowledge.
- Dr. Kathrin Goldammer Appointed as Honorary Professor at HTW Berlin
➀ Dr. Kathrin Goldammer has been appointed as an honorary professor at HTW Berlin, Faculty 1 Engineering – Energy and Information.
➁ She brings extensive experience in the energy industry and expertise in applied energy research to the renewable energy programs.
➂ Goldammer's professorship focuses on the energy and electricity industry, energy policy, and the social framework for the use of renewable energy.
- Dr. Kathrin Goldammer Appointed Professor at HTW Berlin
Dr. Kathrin Goldammer has been appointed as a Honorary Professor at HTW Berlin, starting from the summer semester of 2025. She brings extensive practical experience in the energy sector and expertise in applied energy research to the Bachelor and Master programs in Renewable Energies.
Goldammer has been teaching at HTW Berlin as a lecturer since 2023, focusing on the economic aspects of renewable energy utilization.
Her teaching focuses on energy and electricity economics, energy policy, and social frameworks for the use of renewable energies. Goldammer emphasizes problem-based learning, using practical cases and specific questions related to energy economics to teach her students.
- Call for Support for the 2025 International Summer School at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences
➀ The Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences (HSHL) is hosting the fourth edition of its popular Summer School 'The Business of German Engineering' from July 6 to 19, 2025.
➁ The program offers international students a unique opportunity to delve into the world of engineering, learn from German innovations, and develop intercultural competencies.
➂ The Summer School aims to attract potential professionals to the German job market for the region, with up to 25 students from around the world learning about HSHL, the cities of Hamm and Lippstadt, and the region.
March 8
- Quantum Tornadoes in the Momentum Space: Würzburg-Dresden Research Team Achieves First Experimental Proof of a New Quantum Phenomenon
➀ A young research team from Würzburg has experimentally proven a new quantum phenomenon, the quantum tornado, in the momentum space of the quantum semiconductor tantalum arsenide (TaAs).
➁ This quantum phenomenon was theoretically predicted eight years ago by a founding member of the ct.qmat excellence cluster in Dresden.
➂ The research involves collaboration between ct.qmat, the research network of the universities of Würzburg and Dresden, and international researchers, with the work published in the journal Physical Review X.
March 7
- RETHINKING PHYSICS: 100 Years of Quantum Mechanics - Time for a Female Perspective!
➀ The Technical Collections Dresden are highlighting quantum physicists on International Women's Day 2025.
➁ The traveling exhibition 'RETHINKING PHYSICS. 100 Years of Quantum Mechanics: Time for a Female Perspective!' will open with portraits of established and emerging researchers.
➂ The exhibition aims to make women in the natural sciences more visible, promote role models, and encourage questioning the structures in the scientific culture.
- Efficient Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Achieved
➀ Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have demonstrated the production of climate-friendly fuels like kerosene using Power-to-Liquid (P2L) methods from CO₂, water, and green electricity.
➁ In the Kopernikus P2X project, an innovative and highly efficient co-electrolysis process has been coupled with fuel synthesis for the first time at an industrial scale of 220 kilowatts.
➂ The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding this project.
March 6
- Hannover Messe: Smart, energy-efficient robot grippers cut production costs
➀ A new type of robot technology in Saarland reduces energy consumption by 90% compared to conventional systems.
➁ The technology uses lightweight, shape memory materials to create non-pneumatic gripper systems that operate without additional sensors.
➂ The prototypes on display at Hannover Messe include vacuum and jaw grippers that require minimal energy to hold and manipulate workpieces.
- Students Launch Ferrofluid Experiment in Sounding Rocket - Improving Future Space Technologies with Magnetic Fluid
➀ Students from the University of Stuttgart are launching a ferrofluid experiment aboard the REXUS sounding rocket from the European spaceport in Sweden between March 10 and 15, 2025.
➁ The mission aims to explore the performance of ferrofluid-based technologies in weightless conditions and under extreme forces and temperatures.
➂ The use of magnetic fluid is intended to improve technologies for space travel, focusing on durability and sustainability.
- Students Conduct Ferrofluid Experiment on High-altitude Research Rocket - Improving Future Space Technologies
Students from the University of Stuttgart are launching a Ferrofluid experiment on the REXUS research rocket. The goal is to investigate how Ferrofluid-based technologies behave in microgravity and under extreme forces and temperatures. The technology could improve maintenance and sustainability of space vehicles.
The FINIX experiment tests a Ferrofluid-based pump and switch system. The students aim to demonstrate that these technologies can withstand space conditions through optimized magnetic field geometries and manufacturing processes.
The rocket is set to launch from the European Space Center in Sweden between March 10th and 15th, 2025, reaching an altitude of approximately 90 kilometers for a brief three-minute test period in zero gravity.