News - Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

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.

Energy transition

Europe's way with hydrogen

Hydrogen is to become a central pillar of a CO2-neutral future. There are still a few hurdles to be overcome on the way to this goal. Intensive research is to help.

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Interview

“Such an expedition can be done only once”

In an interview, Reinhold Messner explains why he is eagerly awaiting the results of the largest Arctic expedition ever, how he experiences climate change in his home country and why he would never fly into space.

Portrait

Climate researcher with new assignment

In recent years, the geologist and climate researcher Gerald Haug has often travelled the world's oceans in research sailboats and deep-sea drilling ships. But currently the expeditions will have to wait. As President of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Haug makes the voice of science heard by politicians.

Digital Leader Award

"It makes us really proud"

In the Digital Earth project, geoscientists and computer scientists want to better understand the Earth system using data scientific methods. The project has now been awarded the prestigious Digital Leader Award. We spoke to one of the researchers involved.

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COVID-19-Spread

Is this the second wave already?

Infectious diseases often spread in waves. Why is this the case and what do epidemiologists expect in view of the rising number of infections in the coming weeks?

Portrait

The virus expert

Ulrike Protzer has made it her mission to decipher the world of viruses - with the aim of finding effective therapies for infectious diseases. Together with her team, she is primarily researching hepatitis B - and the novel coronavirus. This makes her a sought-after expert in the media.

Long-term effects of COVID-19

What damage is potentially left behind after surviving an infection?

A small proportion of those infected with the novel coronavirus continue to suffer its consequences even months afterward. Researchers now want to get to the bottom of whether and why COVID-19 can lead to long-term damage.

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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.

Portrait

In the mine of data

Since her childhood in China, Xiaoxiang Zhu has been fascinated by space. Now the data scientist has found her dream job: At the German Aerospace Center (DLR) she analyses huge amounts of information sent to Earth by satellites.

Travelling and the corona crisis

How safe is it to travel during the coronavirus pandemic?

By the start of the summer break, it will be possible to travel within Europe again. But how great is the risk of contracting coronavirus on an aircraft or train? Researchers are studying how viruses spread inside passenger cabins.

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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.

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.

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.

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Portrait

Mister Quantum Manifesto

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.

Portrait

The quantum pioneer

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.

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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... 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).

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).

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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.

Commentary

Strong Europe: Solving societal challenges together

The German government has ambitious plans for the German EU Council Presidency. Europes top-level research should be the key to meeting major challenges.

Interview

"The language of science knows no borders"

The first large-scale particle accelerator in the Middle East has been assembled in Jordan. Researchers from Israel, Iran, and the Palestinian territories work together there. We spoke to Rolf Heuer, former General Director of CERN and chairman of the project’s supervisory board.

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