The new dimension to international research training in Germany
State-of-the-art laboratory, computing and library facilities, a well structured scientific programme and special support service for foreign students provide a stimulating environment for young researchers to excel in science. Dedicated supervision and mentoring arrangements, the training of transferable skills, and a transdisciplinary Science College to tackle overarching issues of our society prepare for professional perspectives beyond a pure academic career.
One single case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in a Canadian hospital resulted in the destruction of all 20,000 medical instruments as a precaution. Up to now, no method has been available for reliable decontamination of the affected instruments in this case. But now there is change in sight: today, plasma sterilization already gives biomolecules and bacteria no chance, whilst protecting even delicate instruments.
“You remember those magic drawing boards for children, don’t you? Where you write on them and then wipe them clean with a slider so you can start again?” Prof. Dr. Martina Havenith-Newen (Physical Chemistry II) starts gesticulating. “Yes, and that's how it works here too, only in the nanometre range!” adds her colleague Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schuhmann (Analytical Chemistry). They banter back and forth: “We start off by writing electrochemically” (Schuhmann) “… and then we read what’s written with infrared spectroscopy” (Havenith-Newen),” … yes and then we can erase it all – and start writing again from the beginning!” (Schuhmann). He leans back happily in his chair. “That's the 'molecular magic drawing board'!”
In the search for alternative, environment-friendly sources of energy, microalgae are highly promising. They can produce hydrogen, which generates electricity in the fuel cell. In the EU project “Solar H”, researchers are trying to optimize the algae system. The goal is an algae fermenter for home use.
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