Prizes And Awards
HZG Grants Magnesium Award
The Chinese scientist Prof. Dr Xiaoqin Zeng from Jiao Tong University in Shanghai was awarded the Helmholtz Centre Geesthacht (HZG) Magnesium Research Award 2011 for his innovative research on magnesium.
Lightweight construction in the automotive and aviation industry contributes to lowering fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Magnesium is up to four times lighter than steel and one-and-a-half times lighter than aluminium. Magnesium alloys could be an important future material in lightweight construction, as their characteristics include low weight and a high degree of strength and corrosion resistance. The future total potential of magnesium is estimated at more than 50 kilogrammes per vehicle.
The alloy developed by Xiaoqin Zeng features the special ingredient of rare earth metals. Rare earth elements include, for example, Gadolinium, Dysprosium, Neodymium and Cerium. Magnesium alloys containing rare earth elements are characterised by special features: In particular, they qualify for cast components requiring good mechanical properties at room temperature or even at high temperatures. Even very small admixtures of less than one per cent can decisively improve material characteristics such as toughness, high-temperature and creep resistance.
Since 2007, the Helmholtz Centre Geesthacht awards the "Magnesium Research Award" endowed with 5,000 Euro to young scientists.
