Education and Research

Germany's Helmholtz Association offering 40 postdoc positions

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:19:18 GMT

The Helmholtz Association is offering 40 postdoc positions in the fields of Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Key Technologies, Structure of Matter, and Aeronautics, Space and Transport. The positions are aimed at up-and-coming young scientists, providing optimal conditions for starting a successful career in research. The application deadlines are March 30 and April 10, 2012 for the different programs.

Urban redevelopment takes centre stage in Project Earth: Our Future

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:35:12 GMT

Urban and rural communities play an important role in the development of sustainable lifestyles and are major players in Germany's Science Year 2012, "Project Earth: Our Future". To start off the year, a grass-roots oriented initiative entitled ZukunftsWerkStadt was launched wherein community members will contribute to the sustainable redevelopment of their local environment.

“New era for German-African research cooperation" with climate protection initiative in West Africa

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:47:04 GMT

Together with ten West African countries, Germany's Research Ministry will launch the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use. The objective is to research the effects of climate change and develop effective protective measures against climate-related risks. Up to 50 million Euro has been allocated by Germany for the development of West African research infrastructure in the long run.

Artguardian: Watchman for artworks

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:28:36 GMT

There are an estimated 150 million works of art in the market today – in museums, public spaces and with private collectors. Balancing the need to protect them from detrimental influences and exposing the public to them is difficult. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a solution that meets the challenges: the Artguardian.

Advances to make most effective anti-malaria drug at an affordable price

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:57:26 GMT

The most effective anti-malaria drug can now be produced inexpensively and in large quantities. This means that it will be possible to provide medication for the 225 million malaria patients in developing countries at an affordable price. Researchers at Germany's Max Planck Institute and the Freie Universität Berlin have developed a very simple process for the synthesis of artemisinin, the active ingredient that pharmaceutical companies could only obtain from plants up to now.

A step closer to mapping the Earth in 3D

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:51:21 GMT

After a year in service, the German Earth observation satellite TanDEM-X, together with its twin satellite, TerraSAR-X, have completely mapped the entire land surface of Earth for the first time. The data is being used to create the world's first single-source, high-precision, 3D digital elevation model of Earth.

Year of Science 2012 to explore sustainable development

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:06:01 GMT

Climate change, biodiversity, energy efficiency, world food supplies and population growth: The Year of Science 2012 is fully focused on sustainable development. The aim is to stimulate public awareness about sustainability research under the motto “Future Project Earth” by making current scientific developments accessible to a broader public.

Sky light sky bright - LED office ceiling

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:49:37 GMT

Working under the open sky – it sounds enticing, but it’s seldom really a practical option. Now, a dynamic luminous ceiling brings the sky into office spaces by creating the effect of passing clouds. This kind of lighting generates a pleasant working environment.

Funding for implementing creative ideas in applied research

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:41:54 GMT

The Fraunhofer Attract funding programme offered by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft gives researchers the chance to develop their ideas into an application, thereby opening up a career path in industry-related research or within a company. Proposals for the next round funding must be submitted by May 27, 2012. Projects begin in July 2012.

Film coatings made from whey

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:43:30 GMT

Ever feel guilty buying fresh or convenience foods but having to deal with all the plastic they are protected or wrapped in? These films are based on petrochemicals and hard on the environment. But they may soon be gone. German researchers have not only developed a biomaterial from whey protein, they have also come up with a commercially viable method of producing multifunctional films on an industrial scale.

German Future Prize for innovative lighting and solar technology

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:43:04 GMT

Germany's “innovation Oscar”, the German Future Prize 2011, was awarded to three scientists who developed a highly efficient form of organic electronics. President Christian Wulff presented the award on December 14 in Berlin.

German researchers use robot to speed up glass development

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:29:17 GMT

The electronics in a car are being moved closer to the engine block. This is why the materials used for the electronics must resist increasing heat – so the glass solder being used as glue must be continually optimized. For the first time ever, a robot takes on the task of developing new types of glass and examining their characteristics.

South African "Green Talent" selected as Youth Ambassador for Climate Change at COP17

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:34:43 GMT

“Green Talent” Aluwani Nemukula, winner of the international “Green Talents” competition funded by the Germany's Ministry for Education and Research, will participate as “Youth Ambassador for Climate Change” at COP 17 (Nov. 28-Dec. 9). The “Youth Ambassador” initiative is driven by the South African eThekwini Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department and encourages climate change leadership amongst youth.

Science – a powerhouse of ideas

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:19:15 GMT

Scientific insights that can change our world are at the centre of a special scientific conference in Berlin. Twenty top international scientists from the natural sciences, humanities, life science, economics and technology, will be presenting their specialist disciplines at the third “Falling Walls Conference” which is being staged in the German capital on November 9, the anniversary of the fall of the Wall.

International conference on sustainable consumption begins in Hamburg

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:08:05 GMT

Hamburg, Europe's “Green Capital 2011”, is hosting the scientific conference “Sustainable Consumption- Towards Action and Impact” from November 6-8, 2011. The conference focus is on consumer behaviour, how it is interwoven in our societies and cultures, and interdependent with economic, physical and political frameworks.

German research vessel begins Antarctic expedition

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:35:03 GMT

The Polarstern, a German research vessel operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), left port late last week for the start of its 28th Antarctic expedition. Over 200 researchers and technicians from 14 countries will man the ship's decks and research labs throughout each of the trip's five legs.

New therapy for hepatitis B combats virus and stimulates immune system

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:47:47 GMT

Scientists in Germany have developed a new treatment approach for chronic hepatitis-B infections that is set to improve the prospects of eliminating the infection and curing the disease. Researchers participating in a collaborative venture between Helmholtz Zentrum München, the Technical University of Munich and the University of Bonn succeeded in blocking hepatitis B virus replication while simultaneously stimulating an immune response.

Focus on global health

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:13:06 GMT

The Third World Health Summit, which is taking place in Berlin from October 23 - 26, will be spotlighting the worldwide challenges facing medical research and healthcare.

TU Munich's new concept for e-mobility

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:30:20 GMT

Electric cars aren’t exactly new, but electric mobility as a trend is a recent one. Twenty chairs from the Technische Universität München (TUM) have been working together with student researchers for the past 18 months on an innovative e-mobility concept. The result: an electric car which debuted at this year’s International Motor Show in Frankfurt and aims to change the conversation surrounding electric mobility.

IRENA's Innovation and Technology Centre opens in Bonn

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:57:59 GMT

Germany's Foreign Minister will attend the official opening of the International Renewable Energy Agency's Innovation and Technology Centre in Bonn on October 7. The centre is a key component of the intergovernmental agency and is intended to focus on favourable framework conditions for new technologies, innovation processes and improving the competitiveness of renewable energies.