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.

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?

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.

Originally Tommaso Calarco studied music before moving on to the natural sciences. Today, the Jülich quantum physicist is one of the most influential representatives of his field as author of the European Quantum Manifesto.

The physicist Catherine Dubourdieu is researching high-tech materials to make future computer generations and quantum computers more energy-efficient. In Berlin, she commutes between three different locations.

Kristel Michielsen fought for access to computer science while still at school. She has continued this path consistently. At Forschungszentrum Jülich, she simulates the functioning of quantum computers - with success: In the past ten years, she has set several world records.

Quantum physics is one of the most complex areas of physics – and one of the most promising: Researchers are working on a wide variety of technologies based on quants. These technologies could revolutionize science, from medicine to materials research.

Forschungszentrum Jülich is strengthening its quantum research. Frank Wilhelm-Mauch begins his work at Jülich on 1 July. The arrival of the physicist will provide fresh impetus for the development of a European quantum computer. Since October 2018, he has coordinated the OpenSuperQ project as part of a large-scale quantum initiative at European level.

Quantum technologies will change our everyday lives. But many applications are still in their infancy. We spoke with Wolfgang Marquardt, head of Forschungszentrum Jülich, about what can be expected and how research is organized in this area.