News - Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

The persistent one

At DLR in Cologne, Robert Pitz-Paal is researching a technology that is highly efficient but widely unknown: He is improving solar thermal power plants that can play a crucial role in the energy transition. Central to this is international cooperation.

Energy System 2050

Open source models for the future energy system

New technologies, but above all strong models, algorithms and IT systems are needed to make the energy system of the future environmentally friendly, economical and secure. The Helmholtz Initiative "Energy System 2050" makes these tools freely available.

Battery research

A Revolution with AI and Robotics

Helmholtz scientists want to make batteries more powerful, more environmentally friendly and cheaper. They are also using artificial intelligence, robots and supercomputers to search for new materials.

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Droughts and climate change

As dry and hot as never

Periods of drought have always existed. In recent years, however, they have been much more extreme than before, both in Germany and worldwide. Researchers expect this trend to continue. One reason for this is climate change.

Sailing for climate protection

The fastest data collector in the world

Regatta sailor Boris Herrmann has installed a mini-laboratory on his high-tech yacht "Seaexplorer" - and transmits information to ocean researchers during his races. The data helps to improve climate models.

Species Tracking Dogs

Researcher on four paws

More and more animals and plants are threatened with extinction. With their fine sense of smell, species-tracking dogs can often track down these endangered species better than technology or humans.

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Corona Pandemic

Lack of exercise threatens children's health

More digital instruction, less movement and encounters - the lockdown has a particular impact on children and young people. Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology were able to show that children suffer mentally from the pandemic.

International AI collaboration

“We can’t wait to combine our expertise”

The Helmholtz International Lab "Causal Cell Dynamics" is now collaborating with the AI research institute Mila from Canada. The goal: to understand cellular processes in the development of diseases with the help of Big Data and AI. Fabian Theis and Yoshua Bengio explain the idea.

SARS-CoV-2

How well are we protected six months after infection or vaccination?

Researchers are gaining a better understanding of how long a passed infection or vaccination protects against the virus. The latest findings are rather reassuring, also with regard to the virus variants.

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Space Exploration

Reinforcement for Europe's astronauts

For the first time in 13 years, the European Space Agency is looking for new female and male astronauts. The focus is on diversity, because ESA wants to make work in orbit more attractive not only for women, but also open it up to people with disabilities.

Transportation Research

The traffic turnaround is stuck in traffic

Clogged roads, traffic jams, unpopular public transport: Germany is still a long way from a real turnaround in traffic. The Corona pandemic is further exacerbating the dominance of the car. Researchers are calling for the privileges for passenger cars to be abolished.

Leibniz Prize winner

With AI to better climate models

Veronika Eyring combines climate models and observational data to better understand and predict the Earth system and climate change. The physicist, who conducts research at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the University of Bremen, has now been awarded the Leibniz Prize for her achievement.

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Coronavirus research at the storage rings

Using X-ray images to study virus proteins

Medical and biochemical laboratories are not the only places where research on the new coronavirus is taking place. Particle accelerators are also contributing to decoding SARS-CoV-2 and identifying promising substances for effective medications.

Portrait

The Unifying Factor

Although Ursula Bassler grew up in Germany, it is through her work in France that she has risen to become one of the most influential women in the field of particle physics. Her roots in both countries are useful in her work today.

Helmholtz extreme

The particles with the smallest mass

They are constantly passing through our bodies without us noticing. Even more than 60 years after they were discovered, neutrinos still hold mysteries for the scientific community. Because they are so elusive, they are also called ghost particles.

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Data Science

Revolutionizing science with Big Data

Evaluating huge amounts of data requires intelligent algorithms - and interdisciplinary experts. The DASHH graduate school in Hamburg trains the next generation. Helmholtz is thus laying the foundation for using data science to find answers to the big questions of our time, such as climate change.

Efficient PCR tests

"More than 4,000 samples in 24 hours"

Researchers from Karlsruhe have been able to make PCR tests for detecting coronavirus infection more efficient. Their invention has become established in practice: Devices based on their principle have a market share of around 25 percent in Germany alone.

Pandemic management

What does the Corona warning app do?

The Corona warning app has now been available for more than half a year. How is it helping to contain the pandemic, and what new features are planned?

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Science communication

“We mustn’t focus solely on apocalyptic scenarios”

What the coronavirus pandemic has in common with climate change, how science communication should respond – and what opportunities are now emerging for the research community. Part two of the conversation between science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar and Helmholtz President Otmar D. Wiestler.

Science Communication

“We need to do a better job of explaining how science works”

Science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar and Helmholtz President Otmar D. Wiestler discuss the role of science communication and mistakes made during the coronavirus pandemic.

Award

Doctoral prize for six young researchers

At Helmholtz, more than 8,000 doctoral students do their research. Six of them received the Doctoral Prize 2019 in Berlin. With this award, the Helmholtz Association supports talented young researchers at an early stage.

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Two points of view

Brain drain: a threat to the European Research Area?

Brain drain exists not only worldwide, but also within Europe: talented young researchers are leaving their home countries. Mobility in science is not unusual - but what happens to the EU if some regions permanently lose their research potential to others? Two points of view.

European Research Area

"Global challenges do not stop at borders"

The European Research Area was created 20 years ago. Now the concept will be on the agenda of the European research ministers in the Council. A comment by Helmholtz President Otmar Wiestler on the successes and opportunities of a unique project.

Funding

15 ERC Starting Grants for Helmholtz

Helmholtz was more successful than ever before in this year's ERC Starting Grant awards. The awards allow promising young researchers to establish their own research groups and are highly coveted.

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