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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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.

Porträt

Experienced planner with talent for improvisation

As logistics coordinator of the largest Arctic expedition ever, Verena Mohaupt ensured smooth and safe operations on board the "Polarstern". She enjoyed seeing how her concepts worked out in practice - even though the Corona pandemic threw many plans out of kilter.

Porträt

"The next ten years are crucial"

Since October 2020, Katja Matthes has been head of the Kiel Research Center GEOMAR. The sports enthusiast and climate scientist is convinced that the oceans can contribute much more to climate protection. In a pinch, they need a little help.

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Portrait

With AI to the "super expert doctor"

Engineer and computer scientist Narges Ahmidi has had to overcome a few hurdles since she began studying science in her native Iran. Today, she is working in Munich to optimize medical decisions with artificial intelligence (AI).

Management of the COVID 19 pandemic

Track contacts digitally and efficiently

The tracing of infection chains is in the hands of the public health departments. Impressions from the Berlin district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf show how the use of the SORMAS program can help. The authority has been working with SORMAS since the spring. By the end of the year, 90 percent of the offices nationwide should be using the program - but so far, only 95 are.

Intensive care treatment

What medications and therapies help with COVID-19?

We have been living with the Corona pandemic for a year now. A lot has changed in patient treatment since then. Senior physician Harald Prüß explains which drugs are effective and which are not - and how the survival chances of intensive care patients have developed.

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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.

Aerospace and climate change

When does flying become CO2-neutral?

How can airplanes be ecological and economical at the same time, and when will the dream of climate-neutral flying become reality? DLR researchers are getting to the roots of these questions. Their goal: a comprehensive concept for sustainable air traffic.

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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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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?

Supercomputers in research

The next big step

Modern science is almost inconceivable without supercomputers. Two new computers in Jülich and Karlsruhe are now setting new standards - and are already prepared for technologies that do not even exist yet.

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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.

Short Interview

Six questions with... Hugues Lantuit

Why did you become a scientist? And what has really annoyed you recently? We ask our scientists six intriguing questions. This time with Hugues Lantuit at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI).

Short Interview

Six questions with... Eduardo Zorita

Why did you become a scientist? And what has really annoyed you recently? We ask our scientists six intriguing questions. This time with Eduardo Zorita at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG).

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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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