Berlin Adlershof is Germany’s largest and most successful Science and Technology Park as well as Berlin’s largest media location—embedded in an overall urban development concept the park is home to 1,350 companies and 18 scientific institutions with around 29,100 employees The Science and Technology Park Adlershof is divided into three areas: the core area In the core area of the Science and Technology Park which is shaped predominantly by high-technology companies around 600 companies were able to grow their revenues and subsidies to 1.25 bn Around 9,400 people worked in the core area in 2024 Employment figures thus stayed largely stable The revenues and budget funds of the approximately 485 companies and research facilities in the growth area rose by 5%—amounting to 1.86 bn The number of employees also saw an increase—by 7% to 12,100 people while the number of employees reached 3,500 The number of so-called regular freelancers continued its positive trajectory as well In the core area of the Science and Technology Park, the approximately 600 companies and non-university research institutes focused on the following technology fields: Adding to this are the institutes of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (chemistry there were around 3,300 residential units across Adlershof’s development area More housing will be added in the years to come Area: 4.6 km²Staff: 29,100Companies: 1,350Scientific facilities: 18 Number: 600Staff: 9,400Revenues (total): 1.25 billion euros (incl Non-university research institutionsNumber: 11Staff: 3,000Core funding: 251 million eurosSubsidies and third-party funding: 81 million euros Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinNumber of institutes: 7(computer science CSMB Adlershof)Staff: 1,100Students: 6,300Core funding: 67 million eurosThird-party funding: 43 million euros freelancers)Revenues: 470 million euros (incl Companies and facilities: 485Staff: 12,100Revenues and budget funds: 1.86 billion euros (incl Cindy BöhmeCompany spokespersonWISTA Management GmbHRudower Chaussee 17, 12489 Berlin+49 30 6392-2191cindy.boehme(at)wista.dewww.wista.de The development of the Science and Technology Park Berlin Adlershof was and is co-financed by the European Union namely by EFRE. This concerns infrastructure development like construction of technology centres Furthermore EFRE is used for international projects the Johannisthal Airfield (today: Johannisthal/Adlershof) was opened with an international aviation week in 1909 Hans Grade won the “Lanz-Preis der Lüfte” award in his “Grade monoplane” It is this that marks the first successful powered flight in Germany Johannisthal then rapidly developed into a hub for Germany’s aviation industry Amelie Hedwig (Melli) Boutard-Beese was the first woman in Germany to receive a pilot’s license on 13 September 1911 Count von Zeppelin initiated the founding of the German Research Institute for Aviation (Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt aircraft manufacturing soared in Johannisthal The largest manufacturers were the Albatros-Werke The site became the most important hub for Germany’s air force rearmament approximately one in three German military planes were produced by Johannisthal-based companies and their branch factories an aircraft of the German Aeronautical Company (Deutsche Luft-Reederei DLR) embarked on Germany’s first scheduled passenger flight (bound for Weimar) aeronautical research came to a virtual standstill because of the terms laid out in the Treaty of Versailles It was later revived (with considerable limitations) as of 1922 the site became a major location for producing feature films Berlin-Johannisthal saw the first model of BMW’s legendary “Dixi” car roll off the factory line More than 2,100 people worked there in 1944 Adlershof was home to the research and development personnel of many large aerospace companies One of Berlin’s largest forced labour camps is close to the DVL and to the Johannisthal Airfield Prisoners of war and concentration camp prisoners were used for building shelters and producing missile parts The first Soviet expert group arrived in Adlershof as early as 29 April 1945 and immediately began inspecting the research facilities the DVL was turned into the central Soviet collecting point for Germany’s modern aerospace and missile technologies and weapons prototypes were collected and some of them tested in Adlershof before being shipped off to the Soviet Union Adlershof’s technical facilities were disassembled and also transferred to the USSR Air traffic lost importance after 1946 and was stopped completely in 1954 the German Academy of the Sciences (formerly the Prussian Academy of the Sciences) was refounded at the behest of the Soviet occupation forces (and renamed into Academy of the Sciences of the GDR in 1972) Adlershof developed into a large-scale research hub for the natural sciences The East German television broadcasting company went on the air in 1952 a large barracks area for the guard regiment of the Ministry for State Security (since 1967: Guard Regiment “Feliks Dzierzynski”) was set up on the former airfield in the years after 1954 East Germany made contributions to Interkosmos Sigmund Jähn was the first German to fly into space on the Soviet space shuttle Sojus 31 bound for the space station Saljut A hyperspectral camera made in Adlershof was on board with him Adlershof became home to the Institute of Cosmos Research (IKF) The decision to develop an “integrated landscape of science and business” in Adlershof was mainly about building new economic structures It was clear at the time that this could only be done in a science and research environment Adlershof became a project that was carried by a broad political consensus it was not only about salvaging its economic heritage but also about creating a new economic foundation for itself synergies between science and private enterprises and about developing university campus culture The non-university research institutions were repeatedly evaluated In 1997, Humboldt-University (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin HU) decided to move its mathematics and natural science faculties to Adlershof The move added a major scientific pillar to the site While rich in tradition and located in Berlin’s downtown district the HU’s buildings and equipment in Berlin’s did not stand up to comparison with West Berlin’s universities which is a prerequisite for cooperation in research and teaching what the site in Adlershof was missing to develop an integrated landscape of science and business was proximity to a university the decision to move was an opportunity as much as a challenge the area was connected to the A113 motorway and other commercial properties on both sides of Groß-Berliner Damm were integrated into the overall development plan for Adlershof The extension of the tram line went into operation in 2010 the new S-Bahn train station Adlershof above the widened Rudower Chaussee was opened Progress was made on “Living on Campus” project In 2012, three large manufacturers of solar modules filed for insolvency in 2012. The Science and Technology Park continued to grow despite this, both in the high-tech sector as well as the media industry. The newest technology centre was the Centre for Photovoltaics and Renewable Energies (ZPV) in 2013 It is home to a total of 8,000 m² of production and office space for companies working in the field of “photovoltaics and renewable energies” a university housing community with 386 dormitories and guest rooms the many new buildings and companies gave the Adlershof site an increasingly urban feel enhancing its attractiveness as a place to live Many of the CEOs who founded companies in the 1990s were starting to look for successors The year 2016 marked the launch of Adlershof’s first accelerator bringing together start-ups with established companies The company Innovations-Zentrum Berlin Management GmbH (IZBM) was integrated into WISTA annual revenues of the Science and Technology Park Adlershof hit 2 billion euros for the first time ever about 3,800 people lived in the two new residential areas (“Living on Campus” and “Living at the Landscaped Park”) the German Institute for Economic Research the site triggered an employment effect of 30,000 people 2019 marked the completion of several large-scale construction projects on Rudower Chaussee The keys were handed over for the new building of Berlin and Brandenburg’s state laboratory and the “Allianz Campus Berlin” celebrated its opening the same year – as well as the Europa Center AG office building at Forum Adlershof The Science and Technology Park’s companies view themselves as well-prepared to participate in tackling the so-called Grand Challenges of the future (climate change The revitalisation of the “Gleislinse” area has started to take shape The area between the Johannisthal S-Bahn station (formerly named “Betriebsbahnhof Schöneweide”) and Groß-Berliner Damm began offering new commercial properties across 33 hectares Many new commercial businesses set up shop there in 2020 The S-Bahn station “Betriebsbahnhof Schöneweide” was renamed into “Johannisthal” Construction has begun on the tram line extension from Karl-Ziegler-Straße via Hermann-Dorner-Allee and Groß-Berliner Damm to the Schöneweide S-Bahn station The completion of the “Living on Campus I” project created additional residential properties in Adlershof The coronavirus pandemic has also affected Adlershof-based companies face the crisis with confidence and are committed to the fight against the virus more news about the history young researchers and founders came together to the Adlershof Research Forum on 11.11.2024 at Erwin Schrödinger Centre to discuss current developments and challenges facing the science location Adlershof ST3AM is intended to provide an answer to the changing requirements of the workplace of the future and serves as an innovation and collaboration space for start-ups and established companies Professor of Occupational Health Psychology at HU presented current research findings on healthy working models in hybrid work Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH) summed up his experiences being in this position for a year and presented latest research results from his institute One focus of his work is the precision measurement of time The potential applications of these technologies range from new standards in measurement technology to space missions and the development of sensor technologies President of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities who pointed out the current budget crisis and the associated need for action “There is no room for fear,” said Markschies and emphasised the importance of proactively dealing with possible cuts He appealed to the scientific community to network more closely and develop its own cost-saving measures before external cuts take effect but we could work together even better,” said Markschies He also argued in favour of more targeted science planning and the creation of a state science council in Berlin in order to better coordinate strategic processes Cooperation with Brandenburg was also a topic: Markschies pointed out that the potential for cooperation with the neighbouring state had not yet been fully exploited He also suggested more institutional cooperation and a stronger focussing of the scientific institutions to reduce duplicate structures The topics currently being researched by young scientists in Adlershof could be heard and seen in an exciting poster pitch and following poster show The poster prize of 500 euros was awarded to Juliane Scholl from BAM who presented her research on the topic of “Fluorinated Lithium-Ion Battery Additives: Forever Chemicals of Tomorrow?” The transfer from science to industry was another important aspect of the event. The start-ups Nosh.bio, C1 Green Chemicals and Hyphox presented their product developments IGAFA e. V.Sanela Schlößerschloesser(at)igafa.de Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinPetra Metzpetra.metz(at)hu-berlin.de WISTA Management GmbHSylvia Nitschkenitschke(at)wista.de research institutes and companies are invited to participate and present selected research projects An opportunity for scientific exchange is also provided by the poster show with which young scientists can present their work The best poster will be awarded 500 euros The PhD2CEO Seminar Series targets advanced students and startup enthusiasts interested in scientific entrepreneurship and deep-tech startups we strongly encourage quantum-eager minds to join Also if you come from business and other fields and are still interested in these topics The seminars cover various science-startup-related topics funding strategy and insights from experienced speakers It also features pitch training and culminates with a first-class stage at Photonics Days ’25 as the closing event Participation is at no-cost and we offer a participation certificate for those who meet the minimum attendance requirement (events are in Berlin Participate and get to know like-minded people at Leap and takes place every last Thursday of the month until October (closing at the Photonics Days ’25) Questions and comments at brito(at)optecbb.de The EuPRAXIA consortium has selected ELI Beamlines at ELI ERIC in the Czech Republic as the site for its laser-driven second plasma-accelerator pillar This decision marks a major milestone in the consortium’s journey to pioneer compact high-performance electron accelerators using laser- and beam-driven plasma wakefield acceleration technology FBH plays a key role by contributing its expertise in diode laser pump technology EuPRAXIA aims to establish a pan-European research infrastructure that will lead to breakthroughs in accelerator science and drive innovations across scientific and industrial fields Recognized in the 2021 Roadmap of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) the initiative unites leading institutions across Europe to develop cutting-edge accelerator capabilities The accelerator community’s efforts are further supported by the recently started EU-funded PACRI project that pursues technology development towards next-generation plasma acceleration systems a steadfast supporter of European efforts in advancing the high-energy-class laser field especially recent efforts to pioneer laser-driven plasma acceleration facilities A full member of the EuPRAXIA consortium – serving on both its steering committee and collaboration board – FBH co-leads the efforts in Laser Technology and Liaison to Industry in close collaboration with CNR-INO in Pisa they are working to ensure the development of large-scale diode-pumped laser systems that will be central to the project’s success “We are very excited about the formal selection of the second EuPRAXIA site at ELI ERIC,” says Dr project lead at the FBH and head of FBH’s High-Power Diode Lasers Lab “Diode laser pumps are a critical technology for all high-energy-class laser systems from the advanced accelerators developed by EuPRAXIA through to studies in fusion as they are both essential system components and a significant cost factor Our work drives the innovation needed to enable the industries of the future – for example addressing future energy challenges by securing sustainable energy supplies through research into inertial fusion energy We look forward to working closely with our partners to advance the field.” In parallel to its contributions to EuPRAXIA FBH also plays a key role in the newly launched PACRI project (Plasma Accelerator systems for Compact Research Infrastructures) This EU-funded initiative focuses on advancing high-power high-repetition-rate laser technology for next-generation plasma accelerators FBH leads the development of high-performance diode laser pumps – critical components that determine the efficiency and performance of large-scale laser systems By working closely with industrial partners FBH ensures that cutting-edge diode laser technology will be available for future accelerator infrastructures including the second EuPRAXIA site at ELI ERIC in the Czech Republic Both EUPRAXIA and PACRI are funded by the European Union On the 26th of June 2024 Impact Grid organized a workshop in its premises in Adlershof to develop storylines for the Webtoon comics Webtoons serve as the primary medium for communication and education within the BioYouToon project This digital comic format is particularly effective in engaging young audiences and interactivity to convey complex ecological concepts in a visually engaging manner Young people are central to BioYouToon's mission and leadership are key drivers for change in biodiversity conservation The project empowers youth through leadership Development BioYouToon has made significant strides in raising biodiversity awareness and empowering young people to take action BioYouToon is more than just an educational initiative—it is a catalyst for long-term change and equipping young people with essential skills the project strengthens the global biodiversity conservation movement BioYouToon envisions a future where biodiversity is not only protected but celebrated we can inspire the next generation to take meaningful steps towards safeguarding our planet’s natural heritage ensuring that biodiversity remains a priority for generations to come.  To explore our initiatives, access educational resources, and learn more about how we are fostering sustainability and youth empowerment, visit Bio You Toon.  IG inspires communities to adopt sustainable practices and drive positive change fostering interregional collaborations to distribute expertise and best practices by connecting educators Biodiversity is essential for sustaining life on Earth yet it is increasingly threatened by human activities The project harnesses the power of digital storytelling to engage youth in environmental education in an accessible and compelling way By integrating creative media with scientific knowledge BioYouToon empowers young people to become active participants in conservation efforts The project also aims to strengthen the collaboration between youth NGOs and young researchers equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to develop impactful biodiversity-focused initiatives Youth empowerment is at the heart of IG’s work equipping young individuals and organizations with the skills and knowledge to lead sustainability efforts Through its initiatives IG also aspires to contribute to the engagement of the Adlershof community by involving youth and SME organisations Die Entwicklung des Wissenschafts- und Technologieparks Berlin Adlershof wurde und wird co-finanziert durch die Europäische Union mit EFRE-Mitteln; insbesondere Infrastrukturmaßnahmen wie der Bau von Technologiezentren EFRE-Mittel werden auch für internationale Projekte verwendet Daniel Rosón Eichelmann believes that the right spaces are vital for people to connect and create new things together He is passionate about well-designed public spaces and unconventional work environments that inspire and foster creativity which he took on at WISTA Management GmbH in October last year Daniel Rosón Eichelmann: I see myself as a facilitator of businesses and research The question I like to ask is: What direction do you want to go next I want to build up networking structures and professional events that are as accessible as possible or initiatives can businesses take advantage of My job is to fill in the gaps and support their communication and marketing efforts I’d like to intensify exchange with other science parks I already had the chance to visit numerous events including the German Aerospace Center (DLR) the GFal – Society for the Advancement of Applied Computer Science The tech industry tends to be quite conservative—it takes trust to build strong relationships I started my role just in time for the 2024 Photonics Days Berlin Brandenburg which was the perfect opportunity to network within the photonics and optics cluster Adlershof is already well-established in this area thanks to the OpTecBB competence network I’d love to help generate more visibility in the community for Adlershof’s profile as a hub for biotechnology I was impressed by how organically the park has grown You can feel the history of the place—it breathes courage and innovation The Quantum Hub Leap Berlin in the start-up centre with its rooftop terrace is fantastic I’ve already attended some great events there Multi-purpose buildings that offer both workspaces and areas for informal networking—ideally with a café or restaurant—create a unique atmosphere The new ST3AM workspace is another great example of that My background is in urban geography and infrastructure research I worked at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO) in the Urban Systems Engineering department Adlershof is such a fascinating place that I wish more people would come and experience it for themselves they would benefit from clear access points where they can immediately see the exciting and important work happening here I wouldn’t mind a bit more of a hipster vibe either I know this is a place where people go to work but why not have a bar where people can meet up after work Peggy Mory for Adlershof Journal around one-fifth of young people aged ten to 16 have a ‘fear of mathematics.’ This applies equally to most STEM subjects these findings are not set in stone—and young people are by no means ‘lost.’ As the head of DLR_School_Lab Berlin (one of 16 student labs of the German Aerospace Centre) and a judge at the Berlin South regional competition of ‘Jugend forscht’ he observes: ‘Young people are generally interested in STEM subjects Children are naturally curious and fascinated by scientific phenomena,’ explains Bohnhardt This enthusiasm was especially evident when they did experiments and have hands-on experiences However: ‘The shortage of skilled workers in the STEM field both in academia and the professional sector remains a significant problem.’ Consequently: Despite the general interest of young people it was evidently difficult to sustain this enthusiasm ‘Students often lose confidence in their abilities or is how the aforementioned survey results come about it is therefore imperative to nurture the curiosity once sparked and to use targeted initiatives like DLR_School_Lab or ‘Jugend forscht’ to demonstrate how fascinating and relevant (to everyday life) STEM subjects are ‘Through extracurricular STEM initiatives like these talent is not only recognised but also supported and promoted in the long term.’ One example of this success is a former intern of DLR_School_Lab who went on to study physics after leaving high school—in Cambridge ‘She went on working for MIT,’ says Bohnhardt has produced countless examples of alumni pursuing a career in the STEM sector ‘Our regional competitions make sure that high school students from all over Germany have the chance to take part,’ says Bohnhardt with emphasis ‘This makes sure not only the top performers are promoted And that motivates young people to further develop their ideas and projects and gain recognition in the scientific community.’ Alexander Unger has noticed little ‘fear of mathematics’ either He is responsible for the ‘Känguru der Mathematik’ competition which is German for ‘mathematics kangaroo’ organised by the Department of Mathematics at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) Aimed at students between year three and 13 this international competition is held in over 100 countries and aims to ‘support mathematical education in schools and foster a love for and deeper engagement with mathematics.’ How is this achieved—and how successful is it we achieve this through the subject matter of the competition—of course ‘The problems often differ significantly from the usual textbook ones They are meant to entertain and be puzzled over are designed with attention to detail and humour ‘They often tell stories based on everyday situations that connect to the problem Unger goes on: ‘What’s important to us is to have a broad thematic variety with key skills needed in everyday life taking centre stage.’ They include logical reasoning Their goal: ‘We want to challenge the more advanced students and make sure to intrigue those who may be perceived as weaker or who haven’t yet developed an interest in mathematics,’ he stresses It would be desirable if more young people would begin to study mathematics and there is a real shortage of teachers: ‘We need to keep working on this While currently preparing for the RoboCup World Championship in July 2025 in Brazil the Berlin United Team led by Heinrich Mellmann from the Department of Computer Science at HU is also making a tangible contribution to boosting STEM enthusiasm who has been working in this field for a good 20 years trains his team of young computer scientists to program kicking robots One of those involved is Anastasia Prisacaru who describes the appeal as follows: ‘RoboCup gives us the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge we gain in our studies to practical situations Our goal is to program humanoid robots that can play football autonomously.’ is the diversity of tasks: They range from high-level development to low-level tasks like optimisation of movements and shot mechanisms we develop tools for data analysis and debugging which gives us comprehensive insight into modern software development,’ explains Prisacaru this work is more ‘like a fascinating journey of discovery.’ Computer science offers a unique blend of logical thinking and creativity ‘What I find particularly fascinating is the continuous evolution of the field with constant new technologies and innovations,’ she says ‘It’s inspiring to play an active part in this digital transformation and contribute to technological development through my own projects.’ Let no one say computer science is dusty Prisacaru is aware of the stereotypes about her profession That computer science is somehow monotonous characterised by teamwork and interdisciplinary Another stereotype is that it’s a subject for introverts.’ An outdated perception that was probably wrong from the start: ‘In the modern IT industry communication and other soft skills are paramount,’ says Prisacaru How can somebody realise their potential in this industry Prisacaru recommends: ‘Follow your personal interests and strengths rather than being restricted by traditional career paths.’ Computer science offers countless opportunities for specialisation—from game development to cybersecurity and AI research because lifelong learning is the key to success in this dynamic field.’ Chris Löwer for Adlershof Journal tolerance—communities that practice openness and diversity— This is complemented by other ecological and cultural institutions these four advantages impact the attractiveness and improve the quality of a place according to the American economist Richard Florida who first postulated the economic theory of the creative class is a factor closely connected to attracting and retaining talent “Inspiring work environments give way to unusual ideas This makes it possible to create meaningful things and achieve outstanding results,” says Romy Sanne of WISTA Management GmbH “Especially for tackling urgent issues like the climate crisis These are questions that also resonate with young talent They are a key target group of Adlershof’s new worlds of work With its 2,200 square meters and five distinct workspaces ST3AM aims to go beyond the well-known models of classic “When it comes to the future of work,” flexibility is the key term Flexibility not only increases employee satisfaction but also productivity Technology plays a pivotal role here—and this is where Graham Thorn comes into play Strengthening the ST3AM team with his expertise in 3D printing brings experience in creating models and prototypes for design companies with him “3D printers can do incredible things nowadays “Solving problems” is how the British-born expert describes his main mission along with “finding the best 3D tech for the goals of our tenants.” Thorn is excited about his new role noting that he has not encountered anything like Adlershof or ST3AM back in England Digital tools make collaboration smoother and more efficient AI and automation take on repetitive tasks so that employees can focus on creative and strategic work “Tenant well-being is also central to us at ST3AM,” Salmon explains Important factors here are flexible work hours and taking breaks in accordance with one’s own needs Companies increasingly value diversity and are committed to an inclusive culture this encompasses fair work conditions and ethical business practices “Anyone wanting to work here needs to know that tolerance and respect are core values—and rental prerequisites for us,” Sanne adds “The focus of working is shifting from routine tasks to problem-solving activities that require a creative approach,” says Salmon exchange and communication are becoming the primary work mode Even in the era of Meta Cities and digital connectivity the need for face-to-face interaction is stronger than ever the more technology enables us to live and work separate from each other It could be argued that the core function of such spaces is shifting from organising companies to organising talent Rico Bigelmann for Adlershof Journal ST3AM Working Environments - Real Estate - WISTA Management GmbH and why initiatives like it are so important: Soapbox Science is a public outreach platform for promoting women and non-binary scientists and the science they do The events follow the format of London Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner which is historically an arena for public debate a bunch of dedicated female scientists want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy interact with and be inspired by some of our leading scientists no amphitheatre – just remarkable women and non-binary scientists who are there to amaze you with their latest discoveries and to answer the science questions you have been burning to ask Erika will also share her experience as a participant and organizer of Soapbox Science events and how this initiative complements her career as a researcher Erika Martinez Ruiz is a researcher specializing in aquatic microbiology She completed my bachelor's and master's degrees at IPN in Mexico City and earned my PhD at TU Berlin Now as a postdoctoral researcher at the Leibniz IGB in Berlin she investigates the impact of chemical pollution on aquatic microorganisms and their interactions She is also part of the organizing team of Soapbox Science Berlin Please register by 25 AprilZoom link shared after registration We are pleased to invite you to our second webinar in our “Tech and Spaces for Circular Economy” series we will deep dive into electronics products and how current technology progress in Optics Photonics and Materials can turn them circular E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in Europe. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024 report the world generated 62 billion kg of e-waste in 2022 and since 2010 this number has been increasing by 2.3 billion kg annually but also socially damaging with a vast majority (more than 75%) of the produced e-waste being undocumented and processed in unsafe conditions IoT and AI are driving forces for this increase The big question:Can technology provide solutions to fundamentally shift the electronics industry from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular one This webinar will aim at answering this question by introducing some key elements such as the development of materials and processes for electronic circular design or the use of optics and photonics systems for enhanced extension of product life or material recovery We will explore how the circular value chain of electronic products can benefit from technology innovations of today This webinar is organised as part of the ‘Tech and Spaces for Circular Economy’ project, led by Creative Climate Cities, Circular Berlin, and WISTA Management GmbH addresses the challenges of implementing circular strategies The project explores how innovations in optics and materials sciences and spatial concepts can enhance and scale circular practices across industries Funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises part of the Master Plan Industrial City Berlin 2022-2026 (MPI) this initiative aims to drive resource-efficient production and manufacturing For more information on project goals, partners, and timeline, please visit our project webpage the Integrative Research Institute for the Sciences of Humboldt University in Berlin – IRIS Adlershof – looks back on 15 years of successful work IRIS Adlershof has developed into an internationally recognized player in the fields of Hybrid Systems for Optics and Electronics as well as Space—Time—Matter IRIS Adlershof was intended as an innovative but temporary structure to connect core competencies with partners from research and industry and to promote the development of young scientists. With the IRIS research building and the founding of the Center for the Science of Materials Berlin (CSMB) and the Kolleg Mathematik Physik Berlin (KMPB) we have created important prerequisites for interdisciplinary research at the Campus Adlershof The idea of IRIS Adlershof will therefore live on beyond its expiry at the end of October 2024 the institute bid a ceremonial farewell to its members and partners the IRIS members are presented and the research activities and development of the institute are summarised: It could make it easier for a layperson to understand how Carsten Engelhard spends his workdays and application of instrumental measurement techniques” to detect “chemical elements or molecular structures” in unknown samples Hunting down molecules is the central topic of Engelhard's scientific life In his PhD thesis that he completed in 2007 he focused on optical emission spectroscopy a method that makes possible detecting up to 60 elements in very low concentrations in liquid samples he enhanced a procedure that significantly reduces the gas and energy consumption used for these measurements Engelhard has been head of Department 1 at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) “Analytical Chemistry; Reference Materials” With eleven departments across locations in Lichterfelde and Adlershof the agency’s self-proclaimed mission is to improve “safety in technology and chemistry” while Engelhard’s department is responsible for safeguarding innovation and reliability in chemical analysis methods: “Together with our partners we continuously work on new possibilities for more precise and faster measurements.” A key task here is the development and production of so-called reference materials—solids and gases with known and certified properties that serve as benchmarks in laboratories all over the globe for verifying their measurement results “This work is technically challenging and costly,” Engelhard explains “making it difficult for the private sector to undertake.” Those in need of reference materials can buy them at an online store that BAM operates Adlershof—these are the stages of the professor's life and career to date He was born in Siegen 47 years ago and has been a faculty member at the university there since 2013 He studied and earned his doctorate in Münster and then spent two years conducting research in Bloomington a small university town in the American Midwest a beautifully green campus and modern laboratories.” He also “very much appreciated” free concerts regularly hosted by the music department Engelhard led a group of early-career researchers It was his first experience with pursuing his own research and having access to a laboratory funded by the German Research Foundation One of his former team members is now a professor in the US: “Supporting young talent is very important to me It brings me immense joy to see people who I have mentored succeed in academia or the industry Engelhard expresses: “My heart lies in research.” He feels well-positioned here: “Excellent infrastructure highly specialised scientists with whom I can drive exciting new research forward an intellectual climate that he describes using an English term adding: “I can attend lectures within walking distance every day.” Unlike many who work here while his wife and three children still live in the Münsterland Dr. Winfried Dolderer for Adlershof Journal BAM - Department 1 - Analytical Chemistry, Reference Materials At the 2024 meeting for the users of the electron storage ring BESSY II Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) presented the BESSY II+ upgrade programme It enables world-class research at BESSY II to be further expanded and new concepts to be tested with regard to the successor source BESSY III HZB invites the users of BESSY II light source to Adlershof for an exchange of expertise Research highlights of the year are presented and the wishes of the user community regarding future developments are discussed “BESSY II is now in its 27th year of operation,” says Antje Vollmer “The expectations of our users have changed over the years laboratories close to the beamlines and have high expectations of the sample environment we are seeing a strong interest in battery research and energy conversion processes.” This is where the BESSY II+ project comes in The aim is for BESSY to become an “operando synchrotron for the energy transition” BESSY II+ offers new experimental possibilities to watch batteries or solar cells “at work” In addition to the new “operando” possibilities the BESSY II+ project also focuses on the two topics of “modernisation” and “sustainability” the utilisation of waste heat from the BESSY II experimental hall Machine learning and artificial intelligence will also be even more integrated into many processes the HZB has received additional funding from the Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) “Invest BESSY II+” covers the most important investments for the project which the BMBF is supporting to the tune of 17.45 million euros This funding secures the development of new infrastructures which stands for soft-to-tender X-ray spectroscopy This is a comprehensive concept for operando multi-modal experiments that will be of great benefit to research into batteries and materials for energy applications Antje Vollmer emphasises: “BESSY II is facing up to the scientific and social challenges The positive feedback from users encourages us to do so!” Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB)www.helmholtz-berlin.de/forschung/quellen/bessy/ Dr. Ina HelmsPress spokeswoman+49 30 8062-14626ina.helms(at)helmholtz-berlin.de Florentine KrawatzekCommunication and Public Affairs Officer+49 30 8062-14922florentine.krawatzek(at)helmholtz-berlin.de The laser diodes of TOPTICA EAGLEYARD find use in manifold areas of the industrial sector After stints at Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) and a junior professorship at Technische Universität Berlin (TU) Björn Globisch started leading the teams for chip development (frontend) and research and development (R&E) in 2024 Adlershof Journal spoke to the PhD physicist about new product developments and generational shifts Björn Globisch: Things are going great now It was very challenging in the beginning due to the wide variety of new topics But the work is a lot of fun because every team brings in their specialist knowledge into the projects creating an amazing new product in the end I am learning a lot because I can not only work with the laser diodes themselves but also with system integration The focus of our R&D work is currently on laser diodes for use in quantum technology The main aim here is to replace large laser systems with smaller but equally powerful laser diodes in order to bring quantum technology from the lab table to application This will be the key to success in the coming years and we can make a decisive contribution to it we ensure that every product development can be easily transferred into series production our goal goes far beyond supporting the construction of prototypes Their primary application is in higher quantities we are currently working on novel laser diodes in the medical sector our laser diodes are to be used to detect strokes clearly and early on to ensure that ambulances are directed straight to the appropriate urgent care clinic for further treatment Lasers can also be used to build extremely sensitive magnetic field sensors this technology will be used to control new types of prostheses or measure brain waves with unprecedented accuracy we are working together with highly innovative who are developing these ideas and bringing them to product maturity with us cooperation with research institutions remains an important pillar of our development work it is crucial to know the newest research results early on and think about commercialisation We are working with the Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut and the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration The Adlershof campus offers the advantage of being able to implement projects and experiments quickly ideas come up while we’re having lunch together Several of our long-standing employees have retired in recent years or will be retiring in the years to come I find the exchange with experienced team members particularly valuable because I can learn from tapping into their wealth of experience and playing music with friends—I've played the piano and organ for many years and recently took up the keyboard It gives me a chance to fully express my creativity Toptica Eagleyard | Game changing Laser Diodes A team from the Technical University of Berlin IMTEK (University of Freiburg) and Siemens Energy has developed a highly efficient alkaline membrane electrolyser that approaches the performance of established PEM electrolysers What makes this achievement remarkable is the use of inexpensive nickel compounds for the anode catalyst the team was able to elucidate the catalytic processes in detail using operando measurements Singapore) provided a consistent molecular description prototype cells were built using a new coating process and tested in operation The results have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Catalysis Hydrogen will play a major role in the energy system of the future a fuel and valuable raw material for the chemical industry Hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis of water in a virtually climate-neutral way provided this is done with electricity from solar or wind power Scale-up efforts for a green hydrogen economy are currently largely dominated by two systems: proton-conducting membrane electrolysis (PEM) and classic liquid alkaline electrolysis AEM electrolysers combine the advantages of both systems and do not require rare precious metals such as iridium together with the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) at the University of Freiburg and Siemens Energy have presented the first AEM electrolyser that produces hydrogen almost as efficiently as a PEM electrolyser they used nickel double hydroxide compounds with iron cobalt or manganese and developed a process to coat them directly onto an alkaline ion exchange membrane they were able to carry out operando measurements at the Berlin X-ray source BESSY II at the LiXEdrom end station A theory team from Singapore and the USA helped to interpret the experimental data ‘This enabled us to elucidate the relevant catalytic-chemical processes at the catalyst-coated membrane in particular the phase transition from a catalytically inactive alpha phase to a highly active gamma phase and the role of the various O ligands and Ni4+ centres in the catalysis,’ explains Prof ‘It is this gamma phase that makes our catalyst competitive with the current state-of-the-art iridium catalysts Our work shows important similarities to iridium in the catalytic mechanism but also some surprising molecular differences.’ The study has thus significantly advanced our understanding of the fundamental catalysis mechanisms of the new nickel-based electrode materials the newly developed coating method for the membrane electrode promises excellent scalability A first fully functional laboratory cell has already been tested at IMTEK The work lays the foundation for further industrial evaluation and demonstrates that an AEM water electrolyser can also be highly efficient High-performance anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers using NiX (X = Fe,Co,Mn) catalyst-coated membranes with redox-active Ni–O ligandsM. Klingenhof, H. Trzesniowski S. Koch, J. Zhu, Z. Zeng, L. Metzler, A. Klinger, M. Elshamy, F. Lehmann, P. W. Buchheister, A. Weisser, G. Schmid, S. Vierrath, F. Dionigi & P. StrasserDOI: 10.1038/s41929-024-01238-w Prof. Dr. Peter StrasserInstitute of Chemistry, TU Berlin+49 30 314 29542pstrasser(at)tu-berlin.de Dr. Antonia RötgerHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und EnergiePress Officer+49 30 8062-43733antonia.roetger(at)helmholtz-berlin.de Join us for an engaging and timely panel discussion on Fake News and Greenwashing Our expert panel will explore the rise of misinformation in the digital age and the growing trend of deceptive environmental claims made by corporations Learn about the EU’s efforts to curb the negative consequences of these issues while we gather our inquisitive minds together to tackle these crucial topics or digital marketer looking to spend Halloween evening purposefully—come join us at Steinbeis Haus GV Vadivan – Head of Operations at Impact Grid e.V.Natalie Tsiapalo – Founder & CEO of TaskfulnessKateryna Ilchenko – Lecturer in Digital Marketing at Arden University & Business Advisor Enjoy the event in our newly inaugurated Steinbeis Haus a stunning venue located on the second floor Register Here:www.linkedin.com/events/truthmatters-combatingfakenewsa7253369052176216064/ An after-work mixer is a casual get-together that happens after work bringing professionals together in a laid-back environment we're truly impressed by the amazing people we see around us but we've noticed there aren't many chances for meaningful connections we’re focusing on a topic we've been engaged with for the last 15 years Birsen VurdemSteinbeis School of Sustainable Innovation and Transformation (SIT)Entrepreneur-in-residence EYE Programbvurdem(at)steinbeis-sit.de The Joint Laboratory for Advanced Magneto-Transport Adlershof (JAMA) was officially opened on January 29 The new laboratory is a joint project of the Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ) and the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin It combines the expertise of both institutions in solid-state physics and materials science JAMA offers state-of-the-art infrastructure for research into magnetotransport phenomena in extreme conditions such as high magnetic fields and low temperatures The laboratory aims to investigate new electronic materials and quantum structures for future electronics and quantum technologies as well as their physical properties It represents an important resource for the scientific community and promotes co-operation between the Humboldt-Universität and the IKZ an interesting program of presentations and talks further illustrated the scientific vision of JAMA members of the ‘Novel Materials’ working group gave an insight into JAMA's measurement technology and into transport phenomena and superconductivity in two-dimensional layers Jens Martin from the IKZ introduced a modern perspective on new oxide semiconductor heterostructures and Si-based quantum materials The ceremony was complemented by a lecture given by Prof Thomas Filk from the University of Freiburg who celebrated the milestones of quantum mechanics and looked back on the 100-year history of this fundamental theory Ignacio Farías from the Institute of European Ethnology at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin then shed light on the significance of waves and their effect in contemporary urbanism as part of the Cluster of Excellence "Matters of Activity" A particular highlight of the ceremony was the musical performance ‘One or Two of Six Strange Strings’ by Prof Alberto de Campo from the Berlin University of the Arts which impressively highlighted the interaction between science and art where participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas and engage in discussion fascinating experiments were presented in a JAMA-show including a superconducting levitation train (figure) and an acoustic levitator which illustrated the basics of some of the new laboratory's physical phenomena Selected crystals with explanations were provided by the IKZ for demonstration purposes Interested guests were also given the opportunity to experience the equipment and technology of the JAMA during a guided tour of the lab researchers analyze new electronic materials in particular modern semiconductor and superconductor heterostructures Nano- and quantum structures are also investigated using high-precision voltage This includes the determination of material-specific parameters as well as the investigation of topological and quantum effects that are used in modern electronics or in future quantum technologies Research focuses on surface and interface effects in charge spin and heat transport that occur in complex material systems consisting of metals superconductors and topological insulators JAMA thus makes it possible to investigate new electronic materials for unknown physical phenomena In an interdisciplinary and institutional co-operation basic research is carried out with a view to future applications thus strengthening the training of young researchers Further information: Joint Lab JAMA Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ)Dr. Andreas Fiedler+49 30 246499-519andreas.fiedler(at)ikz-berlin.dewww.ikz-berlin.de Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinDr. Olivio Chiatti+49 30 2093-82204olivio.chiatti(at)physik.hu-berlin.dewww.physik.hu-berlin.de/en/gnm-en the world's foremost experts in single molecule research convene in the vibrant city of Berlin This year's gathering is nothing short of extraordinary We are honored to host two Nobel laureates along with the pioneers who paved the way and the rising stars shaping the future Be part of an exciting and stimulating conference where you can give a talk we will award a “Best Student Talk” prize worth 750 Euro Immerse yourself in a groundbreaking exploration of ultra-sensitive optical detection down to the single molecule level as well as beyond the classical diffraction limit PicoQuant's renowned workshop provides an unparalleled platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and the exchange of cutting-edge research Discover a vast array of applications and methods in single molecule spectroscopy and advanced microscopy presented through captivating talks and posters Network with leading experts and like-minded researchers at our welcoming reception and workshop dinner Don't miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of scientific innovation Both widefield and confocal fluorescence microscopy techniques are covered as well as in vivo and in vitro measurements with single molecule sensitivity When Janet Zapke went from Hamburg to Adlershof it was the return to a landmark of her past She has many memories connected to this place memories of her time at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Of chemistry internships at laboratories in Adlershof that she completed as a biology student memories of swathes of undeveloped land that took up a significantly larger proportion of the site in the years between 2001 and 2006 Zapke took up her position as administrative director of the Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung In short: She makes sure operations run smoothly This is not a “dull administrative position” The IKZ is part of Adlershof’s early tradition Having emerged from the “Technical Centre for Crystal Growth” at the Academy of the Sciences of former East Germany it is now one of 96 research facilities under the umbrella of the Leibniz Association due to its importance to the country as a whole is funded in equal parts by the federal government and the governments of the German states As a development and production site of crystalline materials if not Europe,” and a sought-after partner in the industry “We also produce crystals in very small quantities that would not be available on the market otherwise,” she says Crystals from Adlershof are used in chips manufacturing and are indispensable in all areas of photonics and electronics the institute is contributing to more independence from foreign and insecure providers an endeavour that has become known as “technology sovereignty” Especially in this day and age with all that’s happening internationally things simply have to move in this direction.” The Leibniz Association has accompanied the now 42-year-old throughout much of her life she completed her doctoral thesis at the Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) in Berlin-Buch she acquired a master’s in business administration as an additional qualification she began working in the administration of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research in Bremen in 2012 One of her tasks there was to prepare the institution for the evaluation that Leibniz Institutes must undergo every 7 years and that determines the continuation of government funding This was a job that seemed tailor-made for her “I was brought up by parents that were very concerned with achievement and advancement,” says Zapke lived through enough of the pre-school and school system of former East Germany to be “shaped” by the experience enthusiastic young researchers is close to her heart WISTA Management GmbH hosts the regional competition for Berlin South in Adlershof Zapke volunteers as a member of the biology jury “to be able to seamlessly continue” this work for the foundation Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung - Contact (ikz-berlin.de) The institutes and companies in Adlershof show how it can be done differently every day anew We will take an in-depth look at how they secure our future and why there is no way around more networking and communication “There are alarming increases in skin cancer occurrences while the number of medical practitioners and the quality of care is decreasing,” says Thomas Diepold The Adlershof-based company is working on putting a halt on this calamitous trend “Thanks to the support of smart software we can help optimise diagnostics and disseminate knowledge across the board—think of rural-to-urban migration and demographic changes,” Diepold explains what he calls a “groundbreaking solution” He is referring to a system that includes a smart dermatoscope designed to make high-precision images of tissue damage Its handling is similar to the analogue magnifying lamp commonly utilised by professionals The unique and effective design of the instrument recently won the Red Dot “Best of the Best” Award Magnosco is working on an AI-based analysis software aimed at the non-invasive detection of skin tumours and inflammatory skin diseases This is one of many examples of how the researchers and entrepreneurs working on the campus serve the common good “Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in Germany and the consequences for the people and the healthcare system are not to be underestimated,” says Diepold with emphasis Early detection—especially of melanoma—is a crucial function “That’s why we are driven to help as many people as possible and develop products that create an added value,” says Diepold medical practitioners in rural areas can also make early and reliable diagnoses “Ethical values and principles should serve as the guardrails for all actions and activities in society including development,” is Diepold's credo researchers must be able to work as independently as possible.” Creativity and agility are important drivers of successful innovation “We at Magnosco define our goals as a team as well as from an entrepreneurial perspective but we give us leeway to reach these goals,” says Diepold “The dynamic and creativity that come from this often make the difference between failing and finding unique and innovative solutions.” This and collaborative out-of-the-box thinking are the drivers of developments relevant to society “The greatest challenges of the future are not manageable without interdisciplinary network building among researchers and without the inclusion of policymakers She is the manager of the business office of Berlin Research 50 (BR50) and is responsible for defining the goals of this association which consists of almost all non-university institutes and facilities in the Berlin area “We want to facilitate coordination between non-university research institutions and act as a one-stop shop for cooperation with Berlin universities and the exchange with civil society and policymakers,” Sommerfeld explains BR50 wants to offer a platform for dialogue among the participating institutions as well as between science and society A key issues paper on the Berlin Research Area currently in development and set to be published at the end of the year will demonstrate how networking can be enhanced “This will also be about how research results can be more effectively brought into society,” says Sommerfeld outreach is focused solely on one’s own community those already interested in science and technology while failing to engage broader segments of society One way forward could be more citizen science formats that involve citizens in research directly Sommerfeld feels that projects from mobility and urbanity are particularly suitable for this purpose because they are close to people’s everyday lives will create more acceptance for science and research,” says Sommerfeld Research results are being doubted and unwanted results lead to threats or other attempts at intimidation “Freedom of research guaranteed by the constitution is a precious good,” underscores Sommerfeld Eleven institutes of the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics have joined forces with Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) and the Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics (IHP) to strengthen the position of the European semiconductor and electronics industry on the global market They are now pooling their resources and skills in this area in the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) we are contributing to safeguarding the security of the economic region,” says Wolfang Heinrich department head at FBH and professor at Technische Universität Berlin (TU) This is mainly because technologies for future ultrafast wireless communication are being developed here Specifically: energy-efficient high-performance microchips for the radio interface “It’s about technological sovereignty and about making our societies more resilient Wireless communication is essential for digitalisation One that has so far been approached in a monopolistic manner Manufacturing and system integration of the associated components are now firmly in the hands of the United States and the Far East This is the reason why FBH in cooperation with FMD is working with the European Chips Act (EuCA) aimed at strengthening chips manufacturing in Germany and Europe Heinrich explains: “The aim is to make the technologies available for development and prototyping.” From a single source the entire value chain for microelectronics and nanoelectronics is to be made available to customers from large industrial companies small and medium-sized enterprises and universities Heinrich: “FBH is contributing its expertise in the development and realisation of semiconductor components for high-frequency and optoelectronics.” One of the users of such high-performance chips is Thomas Kosch The professor at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) is head of the teaching and research area Human-Computer Interaction His work is focused on improving the interaction between artificial intelligence and users by designing novel computer interfaces “What stands out particularly is our interdisciplinary approach which are both intuitive and efficient,” explains Kosch A highlight of the research is the development of AI-based adaptive interfaces that can adapt to the needs and conditions of users in real time our work has allowed us to lay the foundation for new standards in this field,” Kosch adds Kosch’s working group is playing a central role in pushing society forward through research and development in the field of human-computer interaction “We are developing technologies and interfaces with a focus in AI that are available to everybody,” says Kosch we are contributing to digital inclusion and are enabling more people to take part in a digital life and benefit from novel technologies.” Aim of the research is to make the interaction between humans and computers more intuitive and efficient we develop systems that reduce stress and promote well-being by detecting when users are stressed and making appropriate adjustments.” The scientists also create innovative teaching and learning tools that facilitate understanding and application of modern technologies and prepare the next generation of professionals for the challenges of the digital future It is also conceivable that the work of the Adlershof-based researchers results in intelligent assistance systems in healthcare that can propose preventive measures or optimise individual therapy plans which would significantly increase people’s quality of life and satisfaction It goes without saying that this research will also benefit human societies an association of non-university research institutes in Berlin recently put out the following statement: “In these turbulent times—faced with ongoing crises and attacks on our democracy— it is our task and civic duty as scientists to stand up for what makes our research possible: freedom of thought the pursuit of knowledge and technology to improve lives and the advocacy of equal rights for all individuals regardless of background or origin.” Openness and tolerance are important topics in the FVB’s current communication We spoke to the responsible PR officer Patricia Löwe about necessary and new paths for an exchange between science and society Patricia Löwe: The research association consists of seven Leibniz institutes—in Adlershof these include the Max-Born-Institut for Nonlinear Optics and and Short Pulse Spectroscopy and the Institute for Crystal Growth—and a joint administration The institutions are highly engaged in communicating scientific information The corporate communications department represents the research alliance as a whole utilises the press work done by its institutes and communicate our content through social media channels Some of it concerns recruiting and employer branding I benefit greatly from my previous work in the cultural sector Those who don't take action here risk losing touch with the younger generation I also think that the Long Night of the Sciences is a fantastic format we showcased the work of our researchers to visitors who ranged from four to 90 and presented exhibits like crystals and the foetus of a rhinoceros created by artificial insemination Those wanting to delve deeper could visit the individual institutes because they are incredibly cool and interesting This also includes many things that are not quite as obviously fascinating as dinosaur bones Informed people are more capable to act and to act in an informed way I also think that every person has the duty to educate themselves I see this as a permeable membrane: Just as research must somehow get into the world I believe we need to step out of our comfort zone and be present in unusual places—on the street We need new approaches and unconventional ideas should be done without any practical end-use in mind But—and this is more important than ever: A society must be open and free for research to be possible at all Only in a democracy can we attract the best minds and international talent Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. - Press Contact (fv-berlin.de) Featured guests in coorperation with Steinbeis Wissens- und Technologietransfer GmbH Academic Career Upgraded – Freelancing on the Side: A Possibility for Scientists Many researchers extend their expertise beyond academia through consulting But how can freelancing fit into an academic career Can it be a sustainable path or a valuable side activity we’ll explore the opportunities and challenges of freelancing for scientists we’ll discuss how transfer projects can be structured within a reliable framework Steinbeis Transfer) will provide insights into how researchers can engage in entrepreneurial activities while maintaining their academic careers Through two real-world case studies from researchers (tbd) and become part of a network of over 5,000 experts Join us for an inspiring discussion on bridging research and entrepreneurship Book you spot here for the upcoming Campus Club Adlershof – Future talks is a new format introduced by the Campus Club Adlershof HU and WISTA host informal gatherings with inspiring guests who will share insights into career journeys after the PhD and discuss how the doctoral degree would truly reward all the efforts you’ve put in Whether you're considering a career in academia or exploring opportunities beyond the academic sphere Join us for an engaging discussion and gain valuable insights into post-PhD career options but registration is required as places are limited to 25 participants Reserve your spot as soon as possible to secure your place at this insightful event Rawad Chammas+49 170 4433148chammas(at)wista.de To understand the properties of the rocky mantle beneath Earth's continents researchers use a little geophysical trick: they measure how fast large areas of land once covered by kilometres of ice during the last ice age around 20,000 years ago Thick ice sheets once depressed Earth's surface and where the surface rises by up to one centimetre per year helping scientists to better understand our planet's composition such phenomena have not been documented on other planets Adrien Broquet from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) gathered a group of leading scientists in planetary science and geosciences to document a comparable process occurring on Mars the group has been able to determine the Red Planet’s interior structure and assess the age of its northern polar ice cap The north pole of Mars is covered by a 1000-kilometre-wide three-kilometre-thick ice sheet composed mainly of pure water ice "Estimating the deformations induced by the ice sheet at Mars's north pole is key to understanding the planet's interior structure," explains Adrien Broquet from DLR's Institute of Planetary Research He and his colleagues investigated the formation of this ice sheet by combining geophysical models of Mars's thermal evolution with calculations of glacial isostatic adjustment The results of these analyses were published today in the journal Nature "We show that the ice sheet pushes the underlying ground into the mantle at a rate of up to 0.13 millimetres per year," notes Broquet “The small deformation rates indicate that the upper mantle of Mars is cold highly viscous and much stiffer than Earth's upper mantle," comments Ana-Catalina Plesa geophysicist at DLR and co-author of the study The surfaces of Earth and other rocky planets may appear proverbially 'rock solid' but events such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes reveal that our planet is very much dynamic Whether it is the individual continental plates on Earth – lithospheric blocks drifting past each other like rafts – or the monolithic crust of Mars the slow deformation of the underlying mantle brings these planets to isostatic equilibrium researchers have studied Earth's isostatic balance by observing changing ice loads and how the planet's surface responds in turn The rate at which deformation occurs has helped scientists estimate Earth's internal properties as well as the shape and extent of past ice sheets that once covered a large portion of the planet two satellites were launched to investigate this deformation process as part of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) This joint NASA and DLR mission investigated Earth's deformation by measuring variations in our planet’s gravitational field the mission continues with its successors GRACE-FO and the upcoming GRACE-C "Observing and understanding glacial isostatic adjustment has been pivotal in Earth sciences such observations were limited to our planet," explains Broquet The isostatic adjustment process heavily depends on a planet's internal structure and properties and particularly on viscosity – a measure of how much materials resist flowing Viscosity depends on both the type of material and its temperature deform more easily when warm and become stiffer (have a higher viscosity) at lower temperatures The word viscosity originates from the viscous juice of mistletoe berries (viscum) viscous bird glue was once made for catching birds the rocks making up Earth's mantle are over one trillion (twelve zeroes) times more viscous than asphalt but still deform and flow over geological timescales Radar sounders aboard ESA's Mars Express (2003) and NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (2005) mapped Mars's north polar cap revealing the interface between the ice and underlying bedrock while large ice-sheets substantially depressed Earth's surface 20,000 years ago Mars's surface appears undeformed by its large mass of ice Why the surface of Mars has remained so stiff and undeformed has been unclear for decades estimates of Mars's variable gravity field and seismic measurements collected by the InSight lander Broquet and his colleagues discovered that the key to this conundrum is time The interior of Mars is so viscous and cold that the surface has not had the time to fully deform Broquet's group estimates that Mars's north pole is currently subsiding at rates of up to 0.13 millimetres per year This requires the viscosity of Mars's upper mantle to be 10 to 100 times greater than Earth's indicating that the interior of the Red Planet is extremely cold "Although the mantle underneath Mars's north pole is estimated to be cold our models are still able to predict the presence of local melt zones in the mantle near the equator," comments Doris Breuer with a seemingly cold north pole and the recently volcanically active equatorial regions The ice sheet covering Mars's north pole must also be substantially younger than any other large-scale feature seen on the planet With an estimated age of 2 to 12 million years it may well be the youngest and largest feature on the Red Planet The work of Broquet and his colleagues is the first to document glacial isostatic adjustment on another planet and has profound implications for understanding Mars's interior and geological evolution multiple GRACE-like gravity missions have been proposed for Mars In addition to studying the planet's climate future gravity missions will now have a new goal: providing new measurements of Mars's rise and fall German Aerospace Center (DLR)Institute of Planetary ResearchRutherfordstraße 2 Anja PhilippCorporate Communications Berlin, Neustrelitz, Dresden, Jena, Cottbus/Zittau+49 30 67055 8034www.dlr.de/berlin Generational succession is a critical moment—particularly for owner-managed small and medium-sized companies We asked around how to make business succession a success While many are already considering retirement he recognised it was time to hand over the reins he plans to step back from day-to-day operations and is seeking a suitable successor together with co-managing director Ute Franke as the company is highly specialised; a provider of solutions and products focused on measurement and control systems within the Internet of Things (IoT) Candidates must possess both technical expertise and a solid understanding of business management we thought about colleagues from our team,” Franke explains the level of commitment and responsibility that comes with being a managing director often deterred them or it simply didn't fit into their personal life plans.” Attempts at “taking the temperature” among the network of partners and friendly businesses yielded little other than “good conversations” and the realisation that many others faced similar succession challenges we created a company profile and collaborated with a consultant to post a listing on the nexxtCHANGE platform in addition to being featured on the succession platform of Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK).” Now They have already conducted initial interviews with applicants although enthusiastic about becoming 'first-time entrepreneurs' often haven't fully considered the realities of the role—especially regarding the commitment and engagement required or the daily work of a technical managing director,” says Franke most people who reached out to us want to become entrepreneurs but without—and this is an original quote—having to endure ‘the challenging startup phase’ themselves.” Well Management are narrowing down candidates with shareholders and creating a shortlist managing director at Mittelstandsbroker and professor at FOM University of Applied Sciences in Berlin believes that seeking external assistance can enhance the chances of a successful succession process typically under 500,000 euros in company value might a transfer be managed independently—provided it is well-prepared A general truth: “Succession is a highly sensitive topic the German Mittelstand.” That’s where the problem begins: Those who shy away from openly addressing the sale or leadership transition will have a hard time finding potential candidates potential candidates are typically aged 35 to 45 and are in managerial positions They are also not likely to advertise their interest in changing roles,” Wassermann points out There is only one solution: “Engage a succession consultant with a relevant network.” While this may involve costs—typically performance-based upon successful placement—it is a worthwhile investment Those who exercise false economy run the risk of losing their entire assets Outgoing business leaders should recognise that they are generally novices in this area This also applies to transitioning within the family The expert recommends involving a tax advisor or lawyer specialising in inheritance and gift tax law to avoid financial pitfalls And to getting psychological support: “This should serve to clarify the rules of the game the roles of the departing parents within the company.” Retaining the collected company knowledge solely with the outgoing management is not a good idea This risks brain drain and the potential destruction of business value It is therefore crucial to establish hierarchies and distribute knowledge across the organisation beforehand the departing leader must genuinely be ready to let go many transitions fail due to a leader's inability to relinquish control Not so with FOC – fibre optical components GmbH and distributes optical components for data transmission founder and managing director Christian Kutza will gradually step back from daily operations “Although it may sound trivial,” Kutza emphasises “the person handing over must truly want to and create the conditions necessary to do so.” who has been with the company for 17 years is gradually acclimating to her new role: “For that I have a mentor and partner at my side,” she says But not only that: They have sought external assistance from the outset to ensure a robust and professional succession process “Along with the conscious decision to wanting to step back that's my most crucial piece of advice for a successful generational transition,” Kutza underscores to have the business continue within the family “Not every partnership or constellation is suited for it But it works for us!” Husband Kutza nods in agreement and says: “It's an adventure and a rewarding experience when succession can be managed in the best interests of the company.” two young scientists joined HZB as Humboldt Fellows Antonio Abate's group and brings his expertise in modelling and data analysis to solar energy research Qingping Wu is an expert in battery research and works with Prof Yan Lu on high energy density lithium metal batteries  “I chose to come to HZB because of its outstanding reputation in materials and energy research and the opportunity to work with Prof Yan Lu and her team on cutting-edge electrochemical storage technologies,” says Qingping Wu Wu completed his PhD in chemical engineering in 2021 and worked as an assistant professor at the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology in China He joined HZB in August 2024 and will stay until the end of July 2026 His research focuses on aging mechanisms and optimisation of electrode/electrolyte interfaces for high energy density lithium metal batteries Kazuki Morita earned his PhD from the Department of Materials He was a postdoctoral scientist at the Department of Chemistry Antonio Abate with a Humboldt-Fellowship in May 2024 for the next two years “I have been reading papers from HZB including ones from Antonio's since I was a PhD student HZB is an ideal environment to pursue my research,” he says He will study the stability of tin halide perovskites I will investigate the tin oxidation process using theory and simulations Antonio Abate primarily focuses mainly on experiments so our expertise is complementary,” he says Dr. Antonia RötgerHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und EnergiePressestelle+49 30 8062-43733antonia.roetger(at)helmholtz-berlin.de “We are currently living in a type of mental health crisis,” says Mariette Herzog “Every fourth child in German daycare centres exhibits signs of social-emotional developmental deficits Twenty percent of all schoolchildren have mental health problems Almost half of all later mental disorders begin before we turn 14 years old.” It doesn’t look any better when we get to adulthood Mental health problems are often rooted in the fact that people are bad at dealing with emotions avoidance and repression create a vicious circle “The root of the problem is to be found primarily in childhood,” says Herzog “When children learn how to deal with emotions and self-reflection Her aim is to give parents the tools they need to gradually familiarise their children with the topic of feelings “We as adults often forget that children need to learn what feelings are and how they can deal with them,” says the psychologist “This begins roughly at age two and is usually a pretty stressful time for parents.” But it’s also a very important time Effectively managing one's own emotions is a crucial foundation for success in later stages of life as well as for fostering happy and fulfilling relationships we want to help children come of age with self-confidence and happiness.” Animal characters symbolise various emotional challenges and how to deal with them children can learn that they are good the way they are The bee and its strong community teach the little ones to ask for help This is not always easy and sometimes laden with shame I use books to present the animal characters,” Herzog explains her concept further “Reading aloud doesn’t just create important bonding moments but it also builds a common vocabulary to speak about feelings.” It comes with a matching cuddly toy “The children can use it to play and remember what they learned from the stories.” For children aged three to seven digital media like apps and games replace the books in the set with the cuddly toy With a recently acquired grant from the Berlin Startup Scholarship Herzog is now realising her ideas as part of the Adlershof Founder’s Lab She designs the prototypes for the cuddly toys herself “Children’s books are my great passion,” she says “I have written several stories and illustrated themselves.” She is now looking for like-minded people to conquer the market with “We will start with an online shop and then expand into the product range of bookshops Learning materials for kindergartens and schools are to follow “I will be truly happy when the characters have a permanent spot on television and support as many children as possible in their emotional development.” Kai Dürfeld for Adlershof Journal and the so-called chiral recognition process is fundamental for metabolism and drug action Within a bottom/up approach of molecular complexity substrate- and solvent-free chiral species is crucial but classical chiroptical probes such as Circular Dichroism (CD) in absorption are poorly-adapted to dilute matter because of their very weak associated asymmetries two decades ago was introduced a new chiroptical effect called Photoelectron Circular Dichroism (PECD) allowed in the electric dipole approximation leading to very intense (up to 40 %) forward/backward asymmetries in the angular distribution of photoelectrons produced by circularly-polarized light ionization of gas phase pure enantiomers (see [1]) photon energy dependent chiroptical effect and is a subtle probe of the molecular potential being very sensitive to static molecular structures such as conformers much more so than other observables in photoionization such as the cross section (Photoelectron Spectrum-PES) or the usual (achiral) β asymmetry parameter (for a review see [2]) PECD studies have both a fundamental and an analytical interest Several recent results regarding static one VUV-photon valence-shell PECD will be presented including the specific sensitivity of PECD to conformations [3] completed by a recent two-photon REMPI demonstration of conformer-selective PECD [4] as well as a first evidence of induced-PECD onto an achiral chromophore within a molecular complex [5] We will then move towards Time-Resolved PECD (TR-PECD) performed with the FERMI FEL enabling the chemical-specific and enantio-sensitive observation of the electronic structure changes of a transiently photoexcited chiral molecule via core-shell TR-PECD [6] Photoelectron Circular Dichroism in Chiral Molecules Electron asymmetries in the photoionization of chiral molecules: possible astrophysical implications Photoelectron Circular Dichroism as a Signature of Subtle Conformational Changes: The Case of Ring Inversion in 1-Indanol Conformer-Selective Photoelectron Circular Dichroism Induced photoelectron circular dichroism onto an achiral chromophore Time-Resolved Chiral X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy with Transiently Enhanced Atomic Site Selectivity: A Free-Electron Laser Investigation of Electronically Excited Fenchone Enantiomers There are many different reasons for coming to Adlershof Technology Park and to feel at home here She has been working at the café at Erwin-Schrödinger-Zentrum for seven years—she initially owned it and now works there as an employee It’s nice and quiet here and the area is green There are many young people and students about and our guests are always friendly There’s also a volleyball court that many students play on There is still a lot missing in terms of culture and sports Gerdan's Cafe - Technology Park Adlershof He lives in Friedrichshain and studies psychology at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) What makes this university location different from others is that it’s very green here The people I study with and I like to play beach volleyball and basketball after class I also use the university sports offerings at the HU sports halls We often go to Kaufland for small snacks or to do some shopping We also like Gerdan‘s Café and sit outside in the deck chairs and we love the MoPs student café in the former engine test bed MoPs is one of the few places where it's okay to be loud sometimes I would like to see more cheaper places to eat and an off-license Extending the U7 to Adlershof would be really good Institut für Psychologie (hu-berlin.de) she has been playing tennis for three years I love in Schulzendorf and only come to play tennis The people are nice and it’s not so snobby I don’t really do much in Adlershof other than play tennis I know that the area is very attractive for highly skilled workers but you still have a lot of nature and lakes in the vicinity I think it still needs better access to the infrastructure like expanding the S-Bahn service to cope with the stream of commuters Berliner Tennis Club WISTA (btc-wista.de) It’s a very peaceful place and it’s much less in a rush than the city It is a special honour for me to work at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) It is highly acclaimed and offers excellent technical capabilities I live only two kilometres away in Altglienicke My way to work goes along the Teltow Canal—where I enjoy the relaxing view I go to shopping to Kaufland and the Asian market or I buy lunch at the small bistros and the fast-food places I like to go for a spontaneous walk at lunchtime or after work what would I give for a south Indian restaurant BAM Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung He has been living in Adlershof for seven years and works at the Berlin Treptow-Köpenick job centre I moved here from Mitte when the houses of the campus estate were newly built it offers a different quality of live and a pleasant neighbourhood Most people living here work in the nearby institutes and enjoy the short commute landscaped park is only a few minutes away But maybe I’m the only one: Most people here in the streets have children and people sit on their balconies and terraces Housing projects in the development area - Technology Park Adlershof Jördis Götz for Adlershof Journal A successful week came to an end for Sascha Neinert and Kirti Vardhan. The two young scientists from the Joint Lab Integrated Quantum Sensors (IQS) were awarded the jury prize of the Berlin Quantum Pioneer incubation programme for their research work carried out in the MyoQuant project They prevailed against eight other teams from Germany The prize was presented at the closing event at the Betterplace Umspannwerk in front of 150 participants The one-week incubator workshop organized by Berlin Partner took place in Berlin from 24 to 29 November 2024 – a format that inspired: “We established numerous connections with experts and companies from the fields of quantum computing sensing and communication,” says prizewinner Sascha Neinert “The intensive training and mentoring were also excellent providing us with important insights on how to build a company from our research project.” The MyoQuant project aims to miniaturize magnetic field sensors for use outside laboratory environments The goal is to develop a portable solution with a low SWaP (Size creating an energy-efficient sensor with reduced dimensions and low weight a collaborative effort between Berlin-based Ferdinand-Braun-Institut and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin uses amplified light-matter interactions through non-linear optical effects in resonant atomic media This technology opens up new perspectives in biomedical research for example to diagnose muscular fatigue as well as to measure brain and heart activity Such measurements require magnetic field sensors with sub-pico-Tesla sensitivities and a high bandwidth in the frequency range up to 1000 hertz In addition to the detection of biomagnetic signals such highly sensitive magnetic field sensors have numerous other applications including industrial sensing and geophysical investigations Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH,Leibniz-Institut für HöchstfrequenztechnikGustav-Kirchhoff-Str. 4, 12489 BerlinTel.: +49 30 63922600Email: pr(at)fbh-berlin.dewww.fbh-berlin.de FC Union Berlin’s women’s team will once again host MKS Pogon Szczecin on 26 January 2025 Kick off at the Fritz-Lesch-Sportplatz in Adlershof on Sunday is at 13:00 Having already played two friendlies with them over the last two summers The first half of the season in the Ekstraliga kobiet ended for Szczecin at the beginning of Novemberwith a 3-2 win over APLG Gdańsk to finish the year in third place The second half of the season in Poland does not start until March so Pogon are currently in the middle of a four-month winter break Union concluded a nine-day training camp in Oliva Nova with a friendly against Bayer 04 Leverkusen the Berliners put in a strong performance and held their own against the fourth-placed team in the Bundesliga Winter signing Nele Bauereisen scored the equaliser on her Union debut Pogon Szczecin were crowned Polish champions for the first time in the club's history last season the club also took part in the first qualifying round of the Champions League for the first time but lost 1-0 to Servette FC to a single goal scored in injury time is once again in charge of a side in good form Pogon are currently occupying 3rd place in a table led by last season’s runners-up who finished the first half of the season without dropping any points Kattowitz only lost out to Szczecin in the title race due to their weaker goal difference Pogon's top scorer is 27-year-old forward Kornelia Okoniewska who is second in the Ekstraliga scoring charts with nine goals this season The two previous matches were both won by Union’s women there was a 2-1 away win in Szczecin before they followed this up with a 3-2 victory in Bad Saarow Union’s goals that day were scored by Lisa Heiseler Union's head coach Ailien Poese will have to do without Cara Bösl Katja Orschmann and Sarah Abu Sabbah on Sunday ‘Szczecin are doing well in the Polish first division and have shown a high level of aggressiveness and enthusiasm in each of their past games,” said Union’s head coach “We are looking forward to another competitive game and want to put the content from the training camp into practice on Sunday – we want to remain defensively stable and create and take our opportunities in attack.” The game will kick off at 13:00 on Sunday at the Fritz-Lesch-Sportplatz on Dörpfeldstraße. Admission is free. For those who cannot be there in person, Union will provide information about the game via the club's own live ticker but perhaps you've wondered where they're all housed and what a start-up office actually looks like?  we'd like to introduce you to the latest innovation in working environments and interior design: the ST3AM building a new kind of workspace at Rudower Chaussee with a VR/AR studio and 3D printers co-working areas as well as spaces for concentration and creativity ST3AM is designed to promote exchange and knowledge transfer by offering special areas such as lounges swings and coffee corners for a pleasant atmosphere that moreover invites interaction and stimulates creative and innovative processes The design is focused on promoting privacy while creating a sense of belonging and community that provides a foundation for building trust in collaboration.  the entire environment invites new forms of knowledge exchange and ways of working Our visit at the beginning of the year sets a dynamic and motivating start to the continuation of our networking events That afternoon let's meet some of the most dynamic start-ups working there their founders and employees and see how and where they work and create Oliver Igel moved even closer towards the Technology Park This is due to construction work at Köpenick City Hall which forced the district mayor of Treptow-Köpenick and his department to make a temporary move to the Allianz Campus in Adlershof Before Igel and his staff gradually move back into the historic building we talked to him about his current neighbourhood Oliver Igel: We have been very well received here Thanks to our move to Technology Park Adlershof we have been given the unique opportunity to become part of a dynamic and future-oriented environment—in addition to the colleagues that have been based here already The vicinity to innovative companies and leading research institutions has not only enriched the way we work but also opened up new perspectives on collaboration and knowledge exchange We especially appreciate the vibrant community here in Adlershof Being able to walk to many appointments is also great I was lucky enough to visit a variety of companies JENOPTIK Optical Systems GmbH in their new building or the commercial and industrial courtyards along Gerhard-Sedlmayr-Strasse or Riot Games—these and many others were real highlights I am also happy to see that Adlershof is thinking “bigger” be it through close cooperation with Berlin-Chemie AG or the expansion of Gleislinse area which now extends all the way to Johannisthal S-Bahn station A remarkable place where history and modernity meet The square lies at the heart of Technology Park Adlershof and is lined by restaurants and the institutes of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin I really enjoy the short way across the S-Bahn bridge into Alt-Adlershof with its historic town centre Adlershof is celebrating its 270-year anniversary this year the area around Dörpfeldstrasse has been included in the “Lively Centres and Quarters” funding programme which was previously named “Active Centres” These developments are part of a comprehensive urban development programme that aims at modernising the centre of Adlershof and enhancing its appeal The redesign of the marketplace and Dörpfeldstrasse will improve the quality of life in Adlershof in the years to come and strengthen the local economy There will be no future for the Marktpassagen shopping mall It will give way to a new residential quarter The Treptow-Köpenick district is unique and diverse People who come here can hardly believe that they are in the middle of a major city and culture make Treptow-Köpenick a very attractive place to live It's important that we keep that going—that’s progress my ideal is a district that is ecologically responsible provides efficient transportation solutions These are the pillars that will make Treptow-Köpenick a liveable and future-oriented place for everyone Peggy Mory for Adlershof Journal District mayor Oliver Igel - Berlin.de (In German only) the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is developing standardized measurement methods for investigating the surfaces of nanoparticles The goal is to further improve the functionality and safety of nanoparticles Due to their tiny size of one to 100 nanometers such as an enhanced chemical reactivity or special electronic and optical properties These features make them indispensable for numerous technologies and products – from paints and cosmetics to solar cells Although there are already standardized methods for determining particle size there are still no established methods for determining and quantifying the surface chemistry of nanoparticles The surface plays an important role for the interaction of nanoparticles with their environment stability and tendency to form larger particle assemblies These factors are crucial for the functionality and safe use of nanoparticles in various applications methods and test and reference materials are developed and validated to reliably measure the function and coating of nanoparticles,” explains Ute Resch-Genger “These methods are of crucial importance both for research on the next generation of safer nanomaterials with an improved performance and sustainable and safe-by-design concepts as well as for quality control in industrial production as well as developing and validating simple and cost-effective analytical methods the project will help to increase the confidence in products containing nanoparticles and ensure their safe use worldwide.” BAM is significantly involved in the development of new measurement methods the implementation of international interlaboratory comparisons for the validation of the methods and their standardization and the provision of test and reference materials Leading research institutions and companies from Europe are jointly working on the project the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (Germany) the University of Vienna (Austria) and other international partners BAM offers webinars and workshops to share the knowledge acquired in the project Via the Nano@BAM competence center and the BAM Academy interested parties can also gain insights into various measurement methods X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and OECD Test Guideline 124 and 125 These programs are available online at any time and can be accessed free of charge after registration Test materials for method establishment and validation can be obtained from the SMURFnano consortium on request sticking on labels: At Berlin-Chemie’s Social Enterprise Department in Adlershof these tasks are performed by people with mental or physical disabilities They are an integral part of the pharmaceutical company which has medical manufacturing locations in Adlershof and Britz the workplace was typically the primary focal point of social life and the involvement of people with disabilities was a matter of course in many places This was also the case at the pharmaceutical company Berlin-Chemie in Adlershof Founded in 1890 and later located in the socialist East the company became a Publicly Owned Enterprise after World War II people with and without disabilities produced pharmaceuticals here it wasn’t yet necessary to have specific training,” explains Sebastian Jastram who has been head of the Social Enterprise Department since 2020 but people also didn’t want to lose their jobs.” The company quickly decided to try something new—and launched its Social Enterprise Department in 1978 the divided company in East and West have reunited Berlin-Chemie became a part of the Italian corporation Menarini and the Social Enterprise Department has grown significantly The latter have permanent contracts and are paid in accordance with collective agreements They make sure everything related to medicine packaging runs smoothly The do so on 1,000 square metres—barrier-free Anyone entering the department must adhere to hygiene regulations which include sanitising hands and wearing gowns a magnetic board displays the tasks of the day Using traffic light systems and pictograms—not all employees can read—the required tasks are clear right away The managers are there to support should any questions be left unanswered and help with more complex tasks A big part of the work in the Social Enterprise Department is to stick the patient information leaflet in the packaging Not all leaflets can be folded by a machine and pushed into the packaging without damaging the tablet blisters medical products are mislabelled or include too little or too many blisters “Our team makes sure everything is correct in the end.” Moreover and move pallets with the pallet truck and wrap them in film The team's record-breaking years of service demonstrate their genuine enjoyment of working here left the department in January after 45 years Many of his colleagues plan on staying on until they retire “When Sebastian told me he wanted to run the Social Enterprise Department four years ago that’s out of the question!” remembers Christian Matschke “He had a senior position at our location in Britz and I wanted him to climb the ladder Today I must admit: It was the best decision.” Jastram confirms that switching to the Social Enterprise Department was a career break for him “We wear our hearts on our sleeves here; there’s also quite a bit of hugging.” Colleagues have approached him at the company’s summer party about when he will return to the Britz location “Every last one of my coworkers gathered around me and said: 'We're not giving him back 'We're not giving him back!' The fact is I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else." Jastram would like to encourage other companies to involve people with disabilities more “It’s doable if people are given a level of trust and the appropriate structures Nora Lessing for Adlershof Journal Social Enterprise Department (berlin-chemie.de/en) LUM GmbH hosted the 11th International Conference on Dispersion Analysis and Materials Testing 70 participants from 14 countries around the world took part India and Germany were nominated from global applications for the Young Scientist Award 2024 their work was under the motto: Particle surface properties and their understanding [1] The finalists presented their research results to the audience and jury at the conference Institute for Molecules and Materials of Le Mans discussed his work on aqueous fullerene suspensions Buckminster fullerene (C60) is an attractive molecule due to its high conjugation with applications in (electro)-optical and biomedical fields The two different processes developed by Merland and his team to disperse large amounts of fullerene in water attracted great interest was nominated for his scientific achievements under the theme Interfacial Properties Dominate over Bulk Solvent Properties in Liquid Phase Exfoliation: an Experimental Study using Dispersion Analyser are summarized there is now new insight into the role of the solute-solvent interface in LPE of 2D materials and dispersion stabilization These topics that are of great interdisciplinary interest Amin Said Amin was awarded Young Scientist 2024 for his work Developing a Methodology for Systematic Selection of Probe Liquids to Determine Hansen Solubility Parameters for Carbon Black materials [2] which he carried out at the Institute for Energy and Materials Processes – Particle Science and Technology (EMPI- PST) Hansen solubility parameters (HSP or Hansen dispersibility parameters HDP) are used when it comes to the dispersion of particles in liquids; they characterize the surface properties of nanoparticles HDPs can provide an understanding of key factors in the development and design of electrodes electrolytes and other key components of electrochemical systems Current methods for determining HDP of nanoparticles by sedimentation are based on the time-consuming use of a variety of liquids Amin and his team developed a two-stage strategy that allows for a systematic selection of fewer liquids The analytical multi-sample centrifuge LUMiSizer® was used for these investigations The process implemented by Amin and his team led to a reduction in the volume of liquid required for experiments from the current over ten to a maximum of seven This selection was determined by a clearly defined Despite the reduction in the probe fluid list the HSP values for carbon black did not change significantly the validation process included other diverse materials such as nanoscale non-pigmented titanium dioxide silicon/carbon composites and lanthanum cobaltite particles These materials are widely used in applications such as fuel cells emphasized in his speech that the work of Amin Said Amin is a worthy follow-up to the seven previous prize winners from Israel (2014) The new experimental approach makes it possible to demonstrate the potential of analytical centrifugation for particle surface characterization to apply it successfully and to enormously reduce or even completely avoid environmentally harmful influences and potential health risks The award winner's results have already been published internationally in ChemCatChem [3] Lerche was very pleased to introduce the new external jury members for the upcoming LUM Awards to the conference audience Institute for Energy and Materials Processes; PD Dr.-Ing Institute for Process Engineering and Environmental Technology Head of Research Group Mechanical Process Engineering Privatdozent at the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering; and Dr.-Ing Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Chair for Solid and Interface Process Engineering Head of Research Group Advanced Colloid Characterization LUM GmbH Justus-von-Liebig-Str. 3 12489 Berlin, Germany+49-30-6780 6030support(at)lum-gmbh.dewww.lum-gmbh.com Kathrin Goldammer complements the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in Renewable Energy with many years of practical experience in the energy industry and expertise in applied energy research Goldammer has been teaching as a lecturer at HTW Berlin since 2023 on economic aspects of the use of renewable energy we are pleased that we have been able to appoint Ms a proven expert in this future-relevant field The challenges of a climate-friendly energy supply for our country can thus be examined even more strongly from the practical side of our students’ education I appreciate that with this appointment we can offer our students another role model of a successful female engineer with start-up and management experience,” says Prof Goldammer’s professorship focuses on the energy and electricity industry energy policy and the social framework for the use of renewable energy “The HTW is a modern university that teaches exactly the right content for the future in all aspects of energy technology namely: How do energy systems with ever higher shares of renewable energies work What is needed to integrate renewable energy and hydrogen into the electricity and gas grids And which technologies are climate-friendly and economically sensible – and how is it calculated I would like to contribute to these topics and train the students to become engineers who can actively shape the energy system of the future,” says Dr Goldammer attaches great importance to problem-oriented learning The electrical engineer and doctor of physics teaches her students on the basis of clear practical cases and concrete questions about the energy industry: How does a business model around renewable energies come about or how can energy generation plants be built profitably Another focus is on energy policy and regulation: What framework conditions apply to the use and distribution of electricity and other energy sources in the liberalised energy market and what effects do they have on the design of the energy system Goldammer makes the field of energy technology and energy economics accessible to her students it relies on cooperative and interactive learning formats and looks beyond the horizon of classical engineering sciences with the students Goldammer has been Managing Director of the Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI) in Berlin Adlershof Responsible for the strategic orientation and technical management there she is very familiar with the framework conditions of practical and application-oriented energy research she also founded the company Localiser RLI GmbH an IT start-up that develops software for charging infrastructure planning for electromobility and for the hydrogen ramp-up she worked in the energy industry and in energy policy Goldammer will remain Managing Director of RLI and will also take on various honorary positions: Among other things she is the spokesperson for the Berlin-Brandenburg Energy Technology Cluster a member of the Berlin Climate Protection Council and the German-Japanese Energy Transition Council She is also part of the founding team of the international network Women in Green Hydrogen With 14,500 students and 80 degree programmes in the fields of technology HTW Berlin is Berlin’s largest university of applied sciences It stands for a challenging course of study qualified graduates and practice-oriented research The range of subjects ranges from classic disciplines such as mechanical engineering automotive engineering and business administration to courses of study such as renewable energies excellent company contacts and the more than 100 laboratories In the current ranking of German newspaper WirtschaftsWoche HTW Berlin occupies top positions in Germany in all fields of study surveyed Anja Schuster+49 30 5019-3937kommunikation(at)htw-berlin.dewww.htw-berlin.de The Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI) is an independent non-profit research institute that has been committed to a future with 100 percent renewable energy since 2010 In the three research units Transformation of Energy Systems Mobility with Renewable Energy and Off-Grid Systems RLI scientists work in an application-oriented and scientific manner for the energy and transport transition in Germany and internationally the open-source models developed at the institute have become firmly established in energy system modeling RLI’s mobility and electrification concepts are implemented by companies and the public sector worldwide Friederike Vogel+49 30 120843415presse(at)rl-institut.dereiner-lemoine-institut.de visited HZB on 11 June with a delegation of 50 people Among the highlights of the evening were the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chilean Corporation for the Promotion of Production (CORFO) and HZB and a visit to BESSY II light source The official delegation accompanying the Head of State on his presidential trip included representatives of national authorities academics and researchers plus five ministers After a short presentation of the research centre they visited the X-ray source BESSY II and had the opportunity to talk directly to HZB scientists (see picture gallery) The main topics were thin-film photovoltaics from basic research to the production process the production of green hydrogen and the development of new types of catalyst materials as the key to a climate-neutral industry a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between CORFO (Corporación de Fomento de la Producción*) and HZB expressed their delight at the future collaboration The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to pave the way for new collaborations in renewable energy research sustainable technology development and innovation particularly in areas such as photovoltaics Another highlight of the evening was Bernd Rech's official invitation to Aisén Amalia Etcheverry Escudero to attend this year's Falling Walls Summit in Berlin a plenary table organised by HZB and the Falling Walls Foundation will take place on the topic of "Green transformation through innovation with renewable energies and global synergy" The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin in Adlershof was the last stop on the Berlin programme of the Chilean delegation which was also accompanied by the Chilean ambassador in Berlin Through official visits to Germany and Sweden as well as the participation of international bodies in the Peace Summit for Ukraine in Switzerland and at the high-level political forum SDG4 (Sustainable Development Goals 4) on education in France Chile aims to deepen its relations in Europe Chile and Germany currently share the chairmanship of the Climate Club During a press conference following a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Chilean President Boric emphasised the close bilateral relations including in the field of science: ‘Germany is our most important partner in the European Union and our third most important partner at international level It is good and important that we maintain and expand ties that go far beyond the economy for example scientific cooperation and student exchanges." *CORFO is an organisation of the Chilean government that aims to promote the country's productive activity by increasing competitiveness as well as strengthening human capital and technological capacity in order to achieve economic and sustainable development Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und EnergiePicture gallery of the Chilean President's visit Florentine Krawatzek Public Affairs Officer+49 30 8062-14922Email Dr. Ina Helms Press spokeswoman+49 30 8062-42034+49 30 8062-14626Email Nosh.bio a pioneering B2B food tech startup specialising in fermented fungi-based ingredients has announced a groundbreaking commercial partnership with the zur Mühlen Group (ZMG) This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the food industry with the launch of Koji Chunks a whole new category of clean-label products Zur Mühlen Group is part of the Tönnies Group a leader in the European meat production sector with several billion euros in annual revenue and will leverage its extensive retailer network to introduce Koji Chunks to the market The Koji Chunks - developed using Nosh.bio’s non-GMO non-novel fungi - will be available in 5 flavours and are set to revolutionise the market as the world’s first single-ingredient meat substitute Featuring only one ingredient — Nosh’s innovative fermented fungi ingredient - and a marinade this simple formulation directly responds to growing consumer demand for transparency and cleaner Nosh’s speed of execution in tackling long-standing challenges in the meat analog field after only being incorporated two years ago has led new investors including ApolloCapital and Check24 Impact to invest in Nosh reflecting strong commercial conviction around Nosh’s value proposition and Grey Silo Ventures also joined in the round By securing fresh funds and a commercial collaboration with a major partner in the meat industry Nosh is readily equipped to deliver on accelerating mass market adoption of meat analogs This partnership also highlights the versatility and sustainability of fermented fungi as a revolutionary ingredient in the food industry While Nosh.bio’s first focus is to tackle the meat analog market the fermentation process can be adapted to produce ingredients for various applications demonstrating its potential to transform the food industry beyond meat analogs Nosh.bio operates from a former brewery in an approach that accelerates its route to market Nosh CEO and Co-founder Tim Fronzek said: “As a small start-up we will not be able to change the world alone we need strong and successful partners who are sharing our mission helping us make sustainable food delicious and affordable Tönnies is exactly such a partner and we are extremely excited and proud to welcome them to the team Nosh!” CEO of zur Mühlen Group: “The investment fits perfectly into our alternative protein strategy it offers both taste and nutritional value at an affordable price.” About Nosh.bio Nosh.bio GmbH is a Berlin-based startup founded in February 2022 The company is propelled by a steadfast commitment to realising the promise of sustainable proteins and reshaping the food industry for the better.About zur Mühlen Group The zur Mühlen Group is one of Europe’s leading sausage producers known for its commitment to quality and innovation With a strong presence in the market and an extensive distribution network Tönnies continues to set the standard in the food industry Nosh.bio Alix Chausson Head of Business Developmentalix(at)nosh.bio A new laser clock from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has achieved a record level of accuracy for optical clocks with gas cells: in 30 million years The quantum properties of iodine molecules determine the rhythm of this laser clock Space-grade laser clocks are set to contribute to positioning systems with centimetre accuracy and deliver a global time standard They promise new possibilities for more powerful data transfer in areas as varied as global communications DLR is currently developing and building a space-grade laser clock as part of the COMPASSO project. From 2027, it will be tested on the International Space Station ISS with the aim of using optical clocks on satellites the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation the DLR Institute of Optical Sensor Systems and the DLR Institute of Space Systems are involved in the development of the COMPASSO laser clock DLR's Galileo Competence Center is leading the project in close cooperation with the DLR Institute of Software Technology and DLR Space Operations and Astronaut Training Project participants from industry and research include Tesat-Spacecom the Institute of Scientific Instruments at the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Ferdinand-Braun-Institute Hydrogen can be produced via the electrolytic splitting of water One option here is the use of photoelectrodes that convert sunlight into voltage for electrolysis in so called photoelectrochemical cells (PEC cells) A research team at HZB has now shown that the efficiency of PEC cells can be significantly increased under pressure Some call it an ‘artificial leaf’: instead of the natural Photosystem II complex that green leaves in nature use to split water with sunlight inorganic photoelectrodes to generate the voltage required for the electrolytic splitting of water from sunlight The best performing devices already achieve impressive energy conversion efficiencies of up to 19 per cent losses due to bubble formation start to play an important role preventing optimal illumination of the electrode bubbles may block the electrolyte from contacting the electrode surface and thus cause electrochemical deactivation it would help to reduce the bubble sizes by operating the device at higher pressure all PEC devices reported thus far have been operating at atmospheric pressure (1 bar) A team from the Institute for Solar Fuels at HZB has now investigated water splitting at elevated pressure under PEC-relevant conditions They used gas to pressurise PEC flow cells to between 1 and 10 bar and recorded a number of different parameters during electrolysis They also developed a multiphysics model of the PEC process and compared it with experimental data at normal and elevated pressure This model now allows to play with the parameters and identify the key levers we investigated how the operating pressure affects the size of the gas bubbles and their behaviour at the electrodes," says Dr Feng Liang first author of the paper now published in Nature Communications The analysis shows that increasing the operating pressure to 8 bar halves the total energy loss which could lead to a relative increase of 5-10 percent in the overall efficiency “The optical scattering losses can be almost completely avoided at this pressure," explains Liang “We also saw a significant reduction in product cross-over especially the transfer of oxygen to the counter electrode” so the team suggests 6-8 bar as the optimum operating pressure range for PEC electrolysers can be extended to other systems and will help us to increase the efficiencies of both electrochemical and photocatalytic devices," says Prof who heads the Institute for Solar Fuels at HZB Note: The work was funded by the Helmholtz Innopool project 'Solar H2: Highly Pure and Compressed' The science team wants to express its heartfelt gratitude to Christian Höhn Torsten Wagner for their unwavering contributions to the construction of this high-pressure flow cell Nature Communications (2024): Assessing elevated pressure impact on photoelectrochemical water splitting via multiphysics modeling Feng Liang, Roel van de Krol, & Fatwa F. AbdiDOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49273-2 Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB)Institute Solar FuelsCE-IF-office(at)helmholtz-berlin.de Prof. Dr. Roel van de Krol+49 30 8062-43035Email Dr. Antonia Rötger Press Officer+49 30 8062-43733Email An international team presents the functional principle of a new source of synchrotron radiation in Nature Communications Physics Steady-state microbunching (SSMB) allows to build efficient and powerful radiation sources for coherent UV radiation in the future This is very attractive for applications in basic research as well in the semiconductor industry This is used in so called storage rings in which magnets force the particles onto a closed path This light is longitudinally incoherent and consists of a broad spectrum of wavelengths Its high brilliance makes it an excellent tool for materials research Monochromators can be used to pick out individual wavelengths from the spectrum but this reduces the radiant power by many orders of magnitude to values of a few watts only But what if a storage ring were instead to deliver monochromatic coherent light with outputs of several kilowatts Physicist Alexander Chao and his doctoral student Daniel Ratner found an answer to this challenge in 2010: if the electron bunches orbiting in a storage ring become shorter than the wavelength of the light they emit the emitted radiation becomes coherent and therefore millions of times more powerful "You need to know that the electrons in a storage ring are not homogeneously distributed," explains Arnold Kruschinski PhD student at HZB and lead author of the paper "They move in bunches with a typical length of about a centimetre and a distance around 60 centimetres That is six orders of magnitude more than the micro-bunches proposed by Alexander Chao." Chinese theorist Xiujie Deng has defined a set of settings for a specific type of circular accelerator for the Steady-State Micro-Bunching project (SSMB) these create short particle bunches that are only one micrometre long Tsinghua University and PTB already demonstrated that this works in a proof-of-principle experiment in 2021 They used the Metrology Light Source (MLS) in Adlershof - the first storage ring ever designed for low-alpha operation The team has now been able to fully verify Deng's theory for generating micro-bunches in extensive experiments this is an important step on the way to a new type of SSMB radiation source," says Arnold Kruschinski HZB project manager Jörg Feikes is certain that it will take some time until then He sees some parallels between the SSMB and the development of free-electron lasers "After initial experiments and decades of development work and then there are experimenters who gradually realise it and I think that SSMB will develop in the same way." Communications Physics (2024): Confirming the theoretical foundation of steady-state microbunching Arnold Kruschinski, Xiujie Deng, Jörg Feikes, Arne Hoehl, Roman Klein, Ji Li, Markus Ries & Alexander ChaoDOI: 10.1038/s42005-024-01657-y Links:Meldung PTB: SSMB - Bestätigung erweiterter Vorhersagen Arnold Kruschinski (030) 8062 - 18075 (030) 8062 - 15073arnold.kruschinski(at)helmholtz-berlin.dewww.helmholtz-berlin.de Dr. Jörg Feikes (030) 8062 - 17970 (030) 8062 - 15073joerg.feikes(at)helmholtz-berlin.dewww.helmholtz-berlin.de Berlin-based Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) and the University of Glasgow to deepen cooperation focusing on ultra-high-power photonic applications and enhanced exchange of photonics experts and students through the newly established Visiting Professorship of Paul Crump from FBH in Glasgow The partners have also started a new UK Research and Innovation Impact Acceleration mobility project which aims to develop a testbed and roadmap for optical wireless power transmission technologies and cutting-edge technologies of both organizations The joint efforts will focus on advancing emerging ultra-high-power photonic applications Key areas of research include studies into the physics and material science of semiconductor materials and devices and their use in general to drive forward the development of innovative and high-performance photonic devices To strengthen the partnership between both institutions will assume the role of a Visiting Professor of Photonics at the James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow starting in August 2024 He will work closely with Professor Stephen Sweeney’s group at the University of Glasgow fostering collaboration between two of the world’s leading photonics institutes The Visiting Professorship will serve as a catalyst for joint research initiatives and funding proposals while also exploring new avenues for researcher mobility between Glasgow and Berlin will work to bridge connections between British and German researchers and industry thereby enhancing the ties between the German and UK photonics and semiconductor communities the Visiting Professorship will focus on supporting the education and employability of students in both the UK and Germany This includes creating opportunities for bilateral student exchanges between the FBH in Berlin and the University of Glasgow Paul Crump will also contribute to the supervision and development of Masters he will deliver guest lectures to students at Glasgow emphasizing the critical role of semiconductor and photonics technologies Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik Gustav-Kirchhoff-Str. 4 12489 Berlin+49 30 63922600fbh(at)fbh-berlin.de AEMtec GmbH from Adlershof specialises in the development industrialisation and production of complex microelectronic and optoelectronic modules through to complete systems. The UBM process is an integral part of the wafer back-end services offered by AEMtec Implementing this process in-house will result in improved lead times and greater production versatility With this important initiative increased flexibility maximized productivity and enhanced equipment accessibility are ensured Integrating the UBM process in-house will allow new engineering requests to be developed with more efficiency in the three-shift production schedule This strategic step represents a significant milestone in their ongoing commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technologies Qualification of the new UBM equipment will be complete in the third quarter of 2024 AEMtec GmbH James-Franck-Str. 10, 12489 Berlin+49 30 6392-7300info(at)aemtec.comwww.aemtec.com The CRC ‘FONDA - Foundations of Workflows for Large-Scale Scientific Data Analysis’ has been extended by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a funding period of four years IRIS Adlershof member Prof Dr Ulf Leser from the Department of Computer Science at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is the CRC's spokesperson The SFB FONDA is dedicated to researching methods for increasing productivity in the development execution and maintenance of data analysis workflows (DAWs) for large scientific data sets ever larger amounts of data are being generated in all scientific disciplines These need to be analysed using complex DAWs running on distributed and parallel computing infrastructures which leads to individual solutions that are difficult to reproduce and use for other researchers The aim of FONDA is to develop methods and tools that significantly reduce the development time and costs of DAWs This is to be achieved through new abstractions models and algorithms that can form the basis for a new generation of workflow infrastructures The CRC is investigating the following questions among others: How can DAWs be developed that run equally efficiently on different software and hardware infrastructures How must these workflows be designed so that they can adapt to changing input data or requirements And how can reliable data analysis systems be built that recognise and control their own requirements in order to increase the reliability of their execution the UV LED community will meet for the third time at the International Conference on UV LED Technologies & Applications in Berlin The internationally recognized conference series aims to bridge the gap between development of semiconductors and their applications Experts from all over the world will present their latest results in the development of UV LEDs luminaires and irradiation systems as well as their use in industry and research Comprehensive program covering the wide range of UV LED topics Participants can now register for ICULTA 2023; the conference will be held in person and poster sessions that cover the whole value chain of ultraviolet-emitting diodes including their application Leading international experts from academia and companies will present and discuss advances in UV chip technology – from epitaxy to packaging characterization and measurement technologies Invited and oral presentations cover the application fields of water the use of UV LEDs in medicine and analytics as well as in curing processes and plant growth lighting Of particular note are recent advances in the development of far-UVC LED and steady progress towards the industrialization of UVC LEDs for water disinfection and technical tours to research institutions and companies in Berlin complete the program Martin Strassburg from ams OSRAM and ICULTA Chair points out: “Don’t miss the many highlights revolving around cutting-edge UV technologies and enjoy the comprehensive program as well as the German capital in beautiful spring.” Visit the conference website www.iculta.com for further information Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik Gustav-Kirchhoff-Str. 4 12489 Berlin+49 30 63922600fbh(at)fbh-berlin.dewww.fbh-berlin.de the start-up Plances—funded by the Adlershof Founder’s Lab (AFL)—will deliver valuable moisture to the balconies of renters across the city more liveable cities in which anyone can create a green oasis of their own Plances relies on a circular sustainability model The two people behind the Plances idea have known each other since kindergarten Christopher Liebau studied medical technology and they had a problem that other people quite obviously had “Whenever we or our co-students came back from holiday they were surprised that you couldn’t buy a good watering system "We thought to ourselves: where there are obstacles they built ten prototypes of an automated watering system Friends and acquaintances tested them and were excited about it The system consists of a water tank in various designs Weather data and data gleaned from sensors in the soil run together in Plances A dedicated cloud controls the daily watering while customers can enter their location as well as the number and species of every plant In addition to differentiating between cloudy the system also knows whether the plants are tomatoes or small trees and whether they need a lot of water once or a little water several times a day “Every balcony is different,” says Schröder does it have small pots of herbs or a large hedge for screening off the neighbours—all these things must be considered and realised in the balcony concept.” Other factors pertain to large rooftop terraces that have other demands in terms of the water supply and the distance from the source to the plant The makers of Plances have secured funding from the Berlin Startup Scholarship for one year they want to build 250 of their watering systems and bring the product to market The customers who have ordered will receive everything in one package The next task is to win over buyers and collect comprehensive feedback Thanks to its modular design and reparability the water system has a long service life and can simply be freshened up if required The concept of a sustainable circular economy is important to the smart minds behind Plances range from interested botanists to city types who have a black instead of a green thumb They are confident: “Using our watering system many more people will have the courage to go green.” Finally the danger of a hot day or a week on holiday destroying all the work and investment into one’s green oasis will at least have been averted They plan to secure subsequent funding through additional grants and the support of business angels Tim Schröder has planted the first kiwi trees on his balcony—and they are always perfectly cared for Kathrin Reisinger for Adlershof Journal Click here to view the watering system: www.plances.de/vorbestellen presents Materials Acceleration Platforms (MAPs) as a transformative approach to accelerating materials discovery particularly in battery research and catalysis MAPs unify diverse methods (experimentation and data analytics) and connect material design to application The FINALES framework enables decentralized control over distributed experiments while HELAO advances lab automation and data management These innovations drive faster scientific progress optimizing materials and processes to tackle global challenges Join us for this engaging discussion in person at the Center for the Science of Materials Berlin or online. Registration is required for online participation Steinbeis School of Sustainable Innovation and Transformation (SIT) dedicates itself to delivering exceptional educational programmes and offering guidance in innovation and transformation within the realm of sustainable management utilising the Steinbeis technology transfer capabilities to address some of society's most pressing issues SIT joined hands with the Kildare County Council Kildare County Council is now leading Repower Regions a prestigious three-year Erasmus+ Alliance for Innovation project focused on decarbonisation and sustainable solutions in Europe’s heating and cooling sector an energy-intensive industry that accounts for nearly half of Europe’s total energy consumption Bringing together twelve partners from ten European countries the Repower Regions project was officially launched in Naas Ireland on 20th March 2025 by Ms Sonya Kavanagh She highlighted that the initiative would strengthen energy security and build economic resilience while advancing Europe’s mission to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 With a growing demand for skilled professionals in sustainable heating and cooling Repower Regions is actively engaging stakeholders across Europe As an Erasmus+ Alliance for Innovation project Repower Regions will enhance the capacity of higher education (HE) and continuous vocational education and training (CVET) institutions to provide updated and industry-relevant training in sustainable heating and cooling systems the partnership will focus on supplying educators with the latest industry insights It will also develop an educational course and training materials for current and future workers in the heating and air conditioning (HVAC) and construction sectors this initiative will equip professionals with green and digital skills essential for decarbonising Europe’s built environment The impact of Repower Regions will extend across multiple sectors Education and training providers in universities and vocational institutions will gain access to up-to-date resources and methodologies HVAC and construction professionals will receive training in sustainable heating and cooling solutions positioning them for new opportunities in the evolving market Companies will benefit from a more skilled workforce enabling them to undertake innovative projects and maintain competitiveness in the clean energy sector SIT is in active pursuit of engagement with the companies training providers and institutions in the Adlershof hub that are dealing with sustainable heating and cooling solutions Press release Repower Regions via Steinbeis SIT a distinguished expert in the field of organic materials and π-electron systems whose groundbreaking research has significantly advanced the development of innovative molecular architectures and functional devices We use the selective incorporation of nitrogen into the sp²-carbon-based polycyclic scaffolds to efficiently modulate their optoelectronic and materials properties the nitrogen readily adopts a planar sp²-hybridized geometry to provide for efficient electronic communication of its lone pair with the surrounding π-system the nitrogen can be reversibly oxidized to the corresponding radical cation with superior stability due to efficient delocalization of spin and charge throughout the π-conjugated framework This approach yields a wide variety of nitrogen-doped polycyclic scaffolds with exciting properties that are of interest both as valuable objects for fundamental studies and as functional materials for diverse applications Furthermore EFRE is used for international projects.