From 30 June to 4 July 2026, Chemnitz University of Technology hosted the International Summer School “Entrepreneurship: Managing Innovation and Building Start-Ups”. The event marked the final stage of the pilot international microcredential programme in start-up management implemented within the ClikBridge project. The project brings together Chemnitz University of Technology, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. It is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

Overall, the joint international microcredential programme in start-up management was delivered in a hybrid format from April to July 2026, involving lecturers from the three participating higher education institutions as well as a broader cohort of learners. Throughout the intensive offline week in Chemnitz, students learned from Ukrainian and German academics and entrepreneurship experts. German lecturers Dr. Julien Bucher and Dr. Salman Ahmad presented Germany's innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurial support infrastructure, and European Union funding opportunities for start-ups. Dr. Olha Sych, Associate Professor at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, delivered a lecture and workshop on Social Leadership, while Dr. Marianna Kokhan, Associate Professor at the same university, introduced participants to start-up branding and marketing communication strategies.

A highlight of the programme was a series of visits to the university's research laboratories. Participants explored the Automotive Laboratory and the Drone Laboratory, where they gained first-hand insight into the application of data analytics and artificial intelligence in automotive engineering and unmanned aerial systems.

The Summer School culminated in the Final Start-up Pitch on 3 July, during which interdisciplinary student teams from Lviv, Kyiv, and Zaporizhzhia presented innovative business ideas they had been developing over several months. The projects included: Sapsan – an autonomous system for analysing agricultural soil conditions; Mobile Waste Processing Station – a mobile solution for municipal solid waste processing; and STEM Educational Products – innovative educational products designed to promote STEM learning.

The presentations were evaluated by an expert jury consisting of representatives from Chemnitz University of Technology and the regional start-up network SAXEED, including Prof. Dr. Stefan Hüsig, Dr. Anja Herrmann-Fankhänel, Marion Mattern, Michael Cherkaskyy, and other innovation experts.

Participants emphasised that the programme provided far more than new knowledge. It became an important milestone in both their professional and personal development. During the course, they experienced the entire start-up journey – from generating an innovative idea and developing a business model to preparing an investment pitch. Students particularly appreciated the continuous support of lecturers and mentors, the interactive learning environment, teamwork in international groups, and the opportunity to immerse themselves in a European academic setting.

Viktoriia Volynets (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv): “Before joining the programme, I was worried because I had no previous experience in entrepreneurship and lacked confidence in my English. However, I found an inspiring team, became much more confident, learned how to present my ideas, and realised that I want to continue developing our Sapsan start-up. What I value most is the support of our mentors, the welcoming atmosphere, and their belief in our potential.”

Potap Herasymenko (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv): “The programme gave me a comprehensive understanding of the entire start-up creation process – from an initial idea to launching a business. I improved my teamwork, leadership, communication, and English-language skills. Spending a week at Chemnitz University of Technology was a unique opportunity to work in an international environment, experience European culture, and meet inspiring people. I would highly recommend this programme to every student.”

Yelyzaveta Yerenburh (Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University): “I joined the programme almost by chance, but it exceeded all my expectations. It helped me understand how technological ideas are transformed into real products and inspired me to deepen my knowledge of drone security architecture. I am sincerely grateful to the organisers, mentors, and my teammates for their support, trust, and the opportunity to become part of this international project.”

The Summer School successfully concluded the pilot microcredential programme and became another important step in strengthening German-Ukrainian academic cooperation, fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and supporting the next generation of student start-ups. Furthermore, during the meetings in Chemnitz, the launch of the next phase of the programme in 2027 was discussed. This future phase is expected to involve students from Chemnitz University of Technology as well.

(Authors: Marianna Kokhan, Olha Sych, Oksana Molderf)

Until now, the bachelor’s program at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology could only be pursued in German, but that is set to change starting in October 2026. That is when the new bachelor’s program in "Digital Engineering" will launch, offering students the opportunity to begin an undergraduate degree in English. In terms of content, the new program is modeled after the established German-language Bachelor’s program in "Electrical Engineering and Information Technology", providing a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, computer science, and electrical engineering and information technology during the first four semesters. Starting in the fifth semester, students then choose one of two specializations "Automation and Control" or "Information and Communication Systems" in which they receive their first in-depth training. Upon successfully completing their studies in one of these promising fields, they will have both the opportunity to enter the job market directly and the qualifications needed to pursue a master’s degree.

What makes this degree program unique is the fact that, in addition to specialized academic training, the teaching and—above all—the practical application of language skills are an integral part of the curriculum. Students who do not already possess the required German language proficiency must reach Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) within the first four semesters. These language skills can then be continuously applied and further developed starting in the fifth semester, as subject-specific courses are taught almost exclusively in German from that point on. An additional benefit of this approach is that it is intended to foster networking with students in German-language degree programs and, above all, to support students' future integration into the German job market.

The admission requirements for the program are a general or subject-specific high school diploma or an equivalent qualification for university admission. In addition, applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at the B2 level of the CEFR and German proficiency at the A1 level of the CEFR.

Enrollment for the winter semester 2026/2027:  International applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland can still apply for the winter semester 2026/2027 through uni-assist (www.uni-assist.de/en) until 15 July 2026. International applicants from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland may apply until 31 August 2026. German applicants may apply through the Chemnitz University of Technology’s online application portal (https://campus.tu-chemnitz.de) until 18 September 2026.

Further information on the “Digital Engineering” degree programme can be found on the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/etit/studium/stugang/index.php?page=b_de 

For additional information, please contact Sven Quinger (Degree Programme Advisor of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology), phone +49 (0)371 531-24055, e-mail studienberatung@etit.tu-chemnitz.de, or the Dean of Studies, Prof. Dr. Klaus Mößner, phone +49 (0)371 531-39001, e-mail klaus.moessner@etit.tu-chemnitz.de.

Who did not make the experience of stress prior to the examinations? In order to assist students of Chemnitz University of Technology to prepare at the best for their examinations, the University Library (UL) offers to them even several opportunities during the central examination period from July 6 to August 15, 2026. During this period, it has not only extended opening hours, from 09:00 am to midnight, but it is additionally open on Sundays during the same time. Furthermore, the UL provides from July 17 on four more teamworks spaces in its „IdeenReich“ in addition to those in the „Common Area“ at the East Wing. However, they have to be booked online before via a reservation system (mytuc.org/hwfc).

Organizational information: Bookings are possible daily for the periods from 9 am to 01 pm, from 01 pm to 5 pm and from 5 pm to 10 pm respectively. For the usage of the additional teamwork spaces at the IdeenReich on Saturdays and Sundays, the booking has to be done the respective Friday before until noon at latest. The working spaces may be used by groups up to 10 persons. However, the registration has to be done by one person serving also as contact person for the UL then.

The information and service desks are not staffed on the seven Sundays within the examination period. This means, that users may work in the UL and also borrow and return media from its collections via the self-checkout and return machines, but may not pay charges or ask for making changes at their user data. This applies also to weekdays from 07 pm to midnight and to Saturdays from noon to midnight. However, in case of inquiries, the guard at the ground floor next to the main entrance may be contacted.

(Translation: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht)

From intelligent industrial robots and autonomous vehicles to automated greenhouses and networked energy systems – automated and controlled systems are increasingly shaping our everyday lives and industrial value creation. As a result, companies in process engineering, mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, electronics, medical technology and many other sectors are seeing a growing demand for engineers with expertise in automation, robotics and control engineering. This is where the new English-language Master’s programme “Automation, Robotics and Control” comes in, which can be studied at Chemnitz University of Technology from the winter semester 2026/27 onwards. Even before the application deadline has passed, there is already strong international interest in the new master's program. 

The programme was designed by the Institute for Automation at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology. “With our new Master’s programme, we are creating an offer that covers the entire chain – from the modelling and control of dynamic systems, through intelligent automation, all the way to implementation on real robots – in an integrated way”, says Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Stefan Streif. “Here, students do not only learn theory; they also work with modern simulation tools and can directly test what they have learned on experimental setups. This creates a clear practical link from theory to application.”

A central element of the degree programme are the practice-oriented project groups in the second and third semesters. In interdisciplinary teams, students with different academic backgrounds work on complex tasks, for example in the areas of intelligent sensor systems, mobile robotics or automated agriculture. “Our project groups mirror typical working situations in companies”, explains Prof. Dr. Peter Protzel, who co-designed the new programme. “Students learn how to analyse requirements together, design solutions, implement and test them, and present the results convincingly”, Protzel adds.

The admission-free programme is taught entirely in English and is aimed at both international and German-speaking applicants. International students have the opportunity to acquire extensive German language skills as part of the programme. At the same time, German-speaking students deepen their subject-specific English skills. In addition, an accompanying seminar series within the project groups provides space to strengthen soft skills such as academic/scientific work, ethics in technology development and the interaction between humans and technology.

According to the Dean of Studies, graduates of the Master’s programme “Automation, Robotics and Control” are excellently qualified for demanding positions in research and development, project management or system integration – both in Germany and internationally. “Through the close linkage of theoretical foundations, practical lab work and interdisciplinary projects, the programme opens up excellent career prospects in industrial companies, research institutes and for a subsequent doctorate”, says Streif.

Enrollment for the winter semester 2026/2027:  International applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland can still apply for the winter semester 2026/2027 through uni-assist (www.uni-assist.de/en) until 15 July 2026. International applicants from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland may apply until 31 August 2026. German applicants may apply through the Chemnitz University of Technology’s online application portal (https://campus.tu-chemnitz.de) until 18 September 2026.

Further information on the “Automation, Robotics and Control” degree programme can be found on the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/etit/studium/stugang/index.php?page=m_at.

For additional information, please contact Sven Quinger (Degree Programme Advisor of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology), phone +49 (0)371 531-24055, e-mail studienberatung@etit.tu-chemnitz.de, or the Dean of Studies, Prof. Dr. Stefan Streif, phone +49 (0)371 531-31899, e-mail stefan.streif@etit.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Translation: Dr. Philipp Sauerteig)

As part of the Across Mobility Scholarship Programme, Chemnitz University of Technology is offering scholarships for short stays at the partner universities of the European university alliance Across. The programme aims to strengthen networking, knowledge exchange and the long-term development of cooperation among researchers within the alliance. Stays dedicated solely to carrying out research projects are explicitly not eligible for funding – the focus is on networking as well as teaching and training activities. Applications are open to doctoral candidates as well as master's students in their final year who are actively working on their master's thesis or whose thesis is due to begin during the mobility period. The stay must take place at one of the Across partner universities.

Funding is available for stays of at least one month, either as physical or as hybrid mobility. Funding is based on the Erasmus+ reference rates and comprises a travel allowance and a contribution to living costs, with maximum total funding of 1,250 euros per month of physical mobility. Details on formats, funding amounts and the documents to be submitted can be found in the call.

Application deadline: 5 August 2026

Call and application form: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/international/vernetzung/across/research_networking_grants.php.en

Background: European university alliance Across

The European university alliance "Across – European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing", coordinated by Chemnitz University of Technology, promotes the exchange of knowledge, skills and resources across national and institutional borders. Through collaboration in teaching, research, administration and transfer, Across aims to strengthen international and sustainable cooperation among the partner universities in the long term. Its core activities include building and expanding joint teaching, learning and mobility opportunities for students and staff.

Homepage of the European university alliance Across: https://www.across-alliance.eu/

Further information is available from Oliver Sachs, e-mail oliver.sachs@iuz.tu-chemnitz.de, and Dr Benny Liebold, e-mail benny.liebold@iuz.tu-chemnitz.de, at the International Office of Chemnitz University of Technology.

Researchers from the Professorship of Optics and Photonics of Condensed Matter (led by Prof. Dr. Carsten Deibel) at the Chemnitz University of Technology and several partner institutions have systematically investigated how organic solar cells behave when the usual donor–acceptor mixing ratio is pushed to the extreme – down to only 1 percent donor content. Using the well‑known PM6:Y12 material system, they link nanomorphology, charge transport, and recombination to device performance and provide a unified physical picture of “donor‑diluted” organic solar cells. This is taking place within the framework of the Research Unit "Printed & Stable Organic Photovoltaics with Non-Fullerene Acceptors - POPULAR", funded by the German Research Foundation, of which Prof. Deibel is the spokesperson.

Organic solar cells typically consist of two components: a donor, which tends to donate electrons, and an acceptor, which accepts electrons. When light is absorbed, electron–hole pairs are formed and then separated at the donor–acceptor interface, enabling the generation of photocurrent. “In recent years, dilute donor blends have reached surprisingly high efficiencies, but we lacked a consistent understanding of how morphology, transport, and recombination interplay in these systems,” says Prof. Dr. Carsten Deibel, head of the Chair of Optics and Photonics of Condensed Matter at Chemnitz University of Technology and corresponding author of the study. “Our work shows that donor dilution mainly reshapes the topology of the transport network – and that this topology, rather than a sharp percolation threshold, defines the performance limits.”

Continuous donor network even at low content

In their study, the team fabricated PM6:Y12 bulk‑heterojunction solar cells with donor fractions ranging from 1 to 45 percent and characterized them with a broad set of structural, optical, and electrical methods. Grazing‑incidence wide‑angle X‑ray scattering (GIWAXS) and resonant soft X‑ray scattering (RSoXS) reveal that even below 5 percent donor content, lamellar stacking enables charge extraction in the inverted device architecture used. Complementary ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) depth profiling confirms that, apart from a thin donor-rich surface layer, the bulk composition closely follows the nominal donor–acceptor ratio across all blends.

To quantify charge transport, the researchers extract an effective active‑layer conductivity directly from current–voltage curves under illumination, based on a recently developed method that separates recombination and transport contributions near open‑circuit voltage. The resulting effective conductivity, that accounts for electron and hole conductivities, drops strongly towards low donor content but shows a robust, nearly temperature‑independent scaling with composition when evaluated at a fixed energetic depth in the density of states. The authors show that this dependence can be described by a classical three‑dimensional percolation model. “We find that the topology of the PM6 transport network controls conductivity and mobility, and that this network behaves like a three‑dimensional percolating system without a pronounced percolation threshold,” says Dr. Maria Saladina, co‑lead author of the study.

Exciton quenching experiments indicate nearly complete harvesting of PM6 excitons for all compositions, while the quenching of Y12 excitons and their effective lifetime improve with increasing donor content. “Even at very low donor fractions, we still observe a continuous, three‑dimensional PM6 network rather than isolated donor islands,” explains first author Dr. Chen Wang. This connectivity is crucial to maintain efficient charge extraction despite strong dilution.

From reduced Langevin to Smoluchowski‑type recombination

Nongeminate recombination is analysed by combining time‑resolved photoluminescence under 1‑sun‑equivalent excitation with time‑delayed collection field measurements. For higher donor fractions, the recombination kinetics can be described within a Langevin‑type framework with a pronounced Langevin reduction factor smaller than one, which the authors attribute mainly to redissociation of electron–hole pairs at the donor–acceptor interface before recombination.

At donor fractions below 5 percent, however, the situation changes qualitatively. The apparent recombination order and the time dependence of the recombination rate deviate from Langevin expectations, and the effective Langevin reduction factor extracted from experimental data can even exceed unity, i.e. the recombination rate becomes higher than predicted by the classical Langevin model. By analysing the long‑time dynamics, the authors identify a transition to a dispersive, Smoluchowski‑type recombination regime, where encounters of spatially distributed carriers lead to a characteristic power-law decay of the recombination rate. “In strongly diluted blends, charge carriers move in a topology‑limited network with spatially inhomogeneous fields, and the recombination kinetics become dispersive and scale‑free,” explains Saladina. “This Smoluchowski‑type regime goes beyond the conventional Langevin picture and helps explain why recombination can exceed Langevin predictions at very low donor contents.”

Publication in the Journal "Advanced Materials"

The study “Rethinking charge transport and recombination in donor‑diluted organic solar cells” appears as a research article in the renowned journal Advanced Materials. The work was led by Maria Saladina together with Carsten Deibel at the Institute of Physics, Chemnitz University of Technology, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Freiburg, Fraunhofer ISE, the University of Bayreuth, TU Dresden, IFW Dresden, and Durham University. The research builds on and extends earlier work by the Chemnitz group showing that transport resistance dominates fill‑factor losses in record organic solar cells and provides a quantitative framework to describe these losses via an effective conductivity and a transport‑related figure of merit. These results have been achieved within the framework of the DFG Research Unit POPULAR, which continues to work on understanding and improving printed organic solar cells.

Background: DFG Research Group "Printed & Stable Organic Photovoltaics with Non-Fullerene Acceptors - POPULAR" under the leadership of TU Chemnitz

The research group "Printed & Stable Organic Photovoltaics with Non-Fullerene Acceptors - POPULAR" (FOR 5387), funded by the German Research Foundation with around five million euros, is leading in the field of optoelectronic characterization of organic solar cells. Prof. Dr. Carsten Deibel, holder of the Professorship of Optics and Photonics of Condensed Matter at TU Chemnitz, is the spokesperson for the DFG Research Unit, which involves 14 scientists from several universities in Germany and the UK. The common goal is to produce organic solar cells using mass-production-compatible printing processes and to understand and improve them with complementary experiments and simulations.

Publication: Chen Wang, Maria Saladina, Carsten Deibel, et al: Rethinking charge transport: Donor dilution reshapes limits of organic solar cells. Advanced Materials e23681 (2026). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202405889

For further information, please contact Maria Saladina, phone +49 (0)371 531-34046, email maria.saladina@physik.tu-chemnitz.de, and Prof. Dr. Carsten Deibel, phone +49 (0)371 531-34878, email deibel@physik.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Source: Professorship of Optics and Photonics of Condensed Matter)

The International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) is considered one of the most important international conferences in machine learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence. The conference is highly competitive: this year, only 6,352 out of 23,918 submitted papers were accepted. Among the accepted contributions is a paper from the ESF PLUS junior research group “Human-Understandable, Optimal Resource and Energy Management for Complex, Network-Integrated, Biogenic Production Systems” (MORE-KIBA) at Chemnitz University of Technology, led by Prof. Dr. Stefan Streif, Professorship of Automatic Control and System Dynamics.

Causally grounded and human-understandable explanations for optimal predictive control

The accepted paper, titled “Hierarchical Causal Abduction: A Foundation Framework for Explainable Model Predictive Control”, addresses a central question of MORE-KIBA. Model Predictive Control (MPC), widely used in control engineering, is applied in many domains where resource consumption must be optimized, such as energy systems, building climate control, and process or biotechnological systems.

“Due to nonlinear process dynamics, strict safety constraints, and the complexity of numerical optimization procedures, time-dependent control decisions are often very difficult for operators to understand,” says Streif. “This significantly reduces trust in the control system and often leads to it being switched off and replaced by manual operation. This, in turn, results in efficiency losses and unnecessary resource consumption.”

He continues: “With Hierarchical Causal Abduction, we present a framework that combines three complementary sources of evidence: physics-based knowledge from knowledge graphs of the underlying process model, auxiliary variables from the optimizer, and temporal causal dependencies. By integrating these sources, reliable and human-interpretable explanations for the decisions of nonlinear MPC can be derived.”

The approach was evaluated in three applications: greenhouse climate control, a heating and ventilation system for a residential building, and a process engineering system. Validated by domain experts, the method improves explanation quality by 53 percent compared to other AI-based explanation approaches. The quality of explanations can be further significantly improved with additional data and training. Moreover, the approach is easily transferable to other processes and applications controlled by predictive control methods.

“The acceptance of this Chemnitz contribution at ICML 2026 highlights the international visibility of the group’s research on trustworthy and explainable AI for engineering applications,” Streif concludes.

Background: Junior Research Group MORE-KIBA

The junior research group “Human-Understandable, Optimal Resource and Energy Management for Complex, Network-Integrated, Biogenic Production Systems” (MORE-KIBA) addresses a pressing challenge in sustainable industrial production. In times of limited resources, complex systems must be operated optimally, yet the underlying mathematical algorithms are often difficult for operators to understand. As a result, potential for sustainable operation is lost or promising technologies are not adopted.

The goal of MORE-KIBA is to make algorithmic decisions transparent and understandable using AI. The approach is demonstrated using a biorefinery coupled with an energy network simulator. Applicability is ensured through collaboration with various stakeholders from industry in Saxony.

The project is funded with more than € 2.13 million through the European Social Fund Plus program. Seven early-career researchers from four faculties at TU Chemnitz are involved.

Project homepage: www.tu-chemnitz.de/etit/control/research/CEA/index_MORE-KIBA.php 

About ICML

The International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) is a premier gathering of experts in machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence research. It showcases cutting-edge research across all aspects of machine learning, including artificial intelligence, statistics, and data science, as well as key application areas such as computer vision, computational biology, speech recognition, robotics, and control engineering.

Preprint link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.10624

Contact: Prof. Dr. Stefan Streif, Professorship of Automatic Control and System Dynamics, Phone +49 (0)371 531-31899, Email stefan.streif@etit.tu-chemnitz.de

(Translation: Ramesh Arvind Naagarajan)

Only 20 projects nationwide were selected by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in the competitive "Academic Horizons" programme and Chemnitz University of Technology is among the winners, as the only higher education institution in Saxony to secure funding in this call. With a budget of 750,000 euros over 3.5 years, the project "AI GlobalMinds – Global Minds Advancing Next-Generation Sustainable AI for Innovation Leadership" stood out through its comprehensive integration concept, holistic AI education approach across the complete value chain, effective mobilization of existing DAAD partnerships and international networks, and strategic diversification of recruitment channels for Master's students and PhD candidates.

Running from May 2026 to December 2029, AI GlobalMinds addresses a critical challenge: Germany's growing shortage of qualified specialists in artificial intelligence. The project aims to diversify the recruiting channels for students and PhD candidates by creating structured international talent pathways, combining targeted recruitment from Chile, Tunisia and Serbia, and with academic qualification and practical integration into the German innovation ecosystem. TU Chemnitz will build new recruiting channels and advertising strategies to showcase its excellent education programs around AI from data acquisition and sensor technology, through AI methods and neuromorphic computing, to sustainable and Green AI applications in science and different economic sectors.

"AI GlobalMinds addresses a key challenge for Germany's innovation system," explains Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, project coordinator at the Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology. "The demand for AI expertise is growing rapidly, while qualified professionals remain scarce. By connecting international recruitment with structured qualification and integration, we create opportunities for both AI talents and Germany's innovation landscape."

From Sensors to Intelligent Systems: Comprehensive AI Education

What distinguishes AI GlobalMinds is its holistic approach to AI education. Rather than focusing on isolated algorithms, participants gain system-level understanding across the full AI value chain from sensor-based data acquisition to intelligent processing and real-world implementation in neuromorphic systems and robotics, with particular emphasis on sustainable and Green AI approaches.

“Neurorobotics represents the convergence of brain-inspired computing, embodied AI, and intelligent sensor systems,” explains Florian Röhrbein. “By bringing together international talent with diverse backgrounds in these complementary fields, we are building the interdisciplinary teams needed to advance intelligent systems that can truly interact with and learn from their environment — while also addressing energy efficiency and sustainability aspects that are crucial for the future of AI.”

The project brings together multiple faculties at TU Chemnitz: Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Computer Science, and Mathematics alongside central institutions including the International University Center and Career Service.

Comprehensive Support: From Arrival to Career

"Successful international recruitment requires more than academic excellence it demands comprehensive support throughout the entire journey," emphasizes Katharina Wohlgemuth from the International University Center. "AI GlobalMinds provides exactly this: structured pre-arrival preparation, coordinated onboarding, buddy program, accelerated German language training, and continuous mentoring to ensure participants thrive both academically and socially in Chemnitz."

The project explicitly prepares participants for both academic and industry careers in Germany. "Germany's AI ecosystem needs qualified professionals across all sectorsfrom university research groups to innovative companies and applied research institutions," adds André Zwingenberger Claren from the Career Service. "Through targeted skills workshops, networking events with AI experts and industry representatives, and intercultural workplace training, we prepare AI GlobalMinds participants not just technically, but also for the realities and expectations of the German professional environment."

Building on established partnerships with universities in Tunisia, Serbia, and Chile, the project creates sustainable recruitment structures while strengthening international cooperation and diversifying TU Chemnitz's talent pipelines.

Background: Project "AI GlobalMinds"

AI development demands more than algorithms, it requires integrating data acquisition, hardware, and realworld implementation. AI GlobalMinds spans this full spectrum: from sensor technology through machine learning to sustainable Green AI applications. The project combines short-term orientation formats with longer study and research stays, allowing early identification of talent and gradual integration into academic and professional pathways in Germany. Students are introduced to research environments, work on practical topics, and gain experience in applying AI methods in realistic scenarios—from intelligent sensor systems to neuromorphic computing and autonomous robotics, with emphasis on energy-efficient and sustainable implementations.

At the same time, AI GlobalMinds strengthens existing international partnerships and contributes to the development of sustainable structures for recruiting and qualifying talent. By diversifying recruitment channels and building new pathways for international students and PhD candidates, the project supports Germany's long-term goals in innovation and artificial intelligence development.

Further Information: Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, phone +49 (0)371 531-36931, email olfa.kanoun@etit.tu-chemnitz.de

(Author: Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun)

A Franco-German research team of members of the FEMTO-ST Institute at the Université Marie et Louis Pasteur, Besançon, as well as the Faculties of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and Natural Sciences, and the Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology, have uncovered new insights into the formation of forbidden frequency bands in periodic solid-state structures. The study, titled “Contact points open wide band gaps in all two-dimensional Bravais lattices,” was published in late April in the physics journal Physical Review B and makes fundamental contributions to the understanding of the electromagnetic wave transport properties through regularly arranged materials.

This study examines the influence of contact points between copper tubes as individual scatterers arranged regularly in space on the propagation of radio waves and, consequently, on the formation of forbidden frequency regions for these waves—so-called band gaps. Using theoretical considerations, numerical simulations, and experimental measurements of scattering across all possible two-dimensional arrangements—known as Bravais lattices—of the tubes, the researchers demonstrate that contact points systematically generate wider band gaps, thereby enabling broadband filters for radio-frequency waves.

The results underscore that a precise understanding of the geometric structure of the scatterers and their exact positioning relative to one another, especially in the case of touch, can systematically influence and control the band structures, thereby helping to control and tailor the propagation of waves. Large, adjustable band gaps are of crucial importance, particularly for applications in electronics and photonics, as they determine the electrical and optical behavior of the components.

This study is part of the current research on the development of geometric effects in functional, two-dimensional membrane materials and is consistent with findings from previous research in which the authors demonstrated a similar effect for sound. It is inspired by work conducted as part of the TUCculture initiative on the stele artwork “Model of Thought and Perception for the Phenomenon of Color” by Dresden-based artist Stefan Nestler (1998), located in front of the Central Lecture Hall and Seminar Building at Chemnitz University of Technology. This artwork has been discovered as the world’s largest realization of a photonic crystal. By further developing this field, the authors are now making a positive contribution to basic research in the field of wave physics and providing a new impetus for materials research.

Original publication: D. Röhlig, R. Zichner, T. Blaudeck, A. Thränhardt, V. Laude: „Contact points open wide band gaps in all two-dimensional Bravais lattices“, Physical Review B 113, 144391 (2026). URL https://doi.org/10.1103/9ql7-t9rh

(Author: Dr. Thomas Blaudeck)

The annual student survey TUCpanel at Chemnitz University of Technology is open now. The goal of this annual survey is to gain a comprehensive picture of how students perceive their studies, their teaching and learning conditions, and campus life in general.

The results from previous years have already provided valuable input for the continuous improvement of study and teaching at TU Chemnitz. As a result, a number of changes have been initiated in recent years – for example, in exam structures, module descriptions, practical components, and the design of learning and recreational spaces like our common rooms.

To obtain a more precise overview of our student’s experiences TUCpanel 2026 has been further amended. Questions on workload and exam pressure have been updated and made more specific to provide a more accurate representation of your actual study load.

Greater focus on international perspectives

A new set of questions for international students at Chemnitz University of Technology takes into account their specific experiences and challenges, for example regarding language, the organisation of studies or integration. With the help of this expanded questionnaire, the university aims to capture these perspectives even more effectively in order to further improve study conditions for all students. A new Instagram channel for international students has also been launched, offering insights into TUCpanel and the university’s study success initiatives.

In addition, new topics on the university’s external perception and on students’ motivations for choosing Chemnitz University of Technology have been introduced. These insights will help to better understand the factors that influence the decision to study at TU Chemnitz.

Please take part and help us improve university life

Every participant in this survey contributes to further improving the study experience at Chemnitz University of Technology. By sharing their feedback, students can help initiate important changes – for themselves and for future generations of students. Each participation makes an important contribution to continuously improving study conditions at TU Chemnitz. All students are warmly invited to take part!

The survey is open until 15 May 2026. All participants will have the chance to enter a prize draw following the survey.

There are a total of 20 new Chemnitz University of Technology hoodies to be won. Participation in the prize draw is voluntary and takes place via a separate link provided after the survey. This ensures that the anonymity of the responses is maintained at all times.

Further information and contact details:

• Website: www.tu-chemnitz.de/tucpanel
• Contact persons: Anja Ertel, email anja.ertel@rektor.tu-chemnitz.de, and Alica Beckel, email alica.beckel@rektor.tu-chemnitz.de 
• Instagram channel: tucpanel
• Instagram channel for international students: tucpanel.internationals
• Feedback and enquiries:tucpanel@tu-chemnitz.de

(Authors: Alica Beckel, Evamaria Moore)

At the 23rd International Multi-Conference on Systems, Signals and Devices (SSD’26), held March 30 to April 2, 2026, in Catania, Italy, Dr. Ahmed Yahia Kallel, research associate and group leader for Impedance Spectroscopy and Measurement Systems at the Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology (headed by Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun) at Chemnitz University of Technology, received the Best Paper Award.

Lithium-ion batteries are the backbone of electric mobility and stationary energy storage. To reliably determine their state of charge, researchers use Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), a method that measures a battery’s electrical behavior across different frequencies and generates up to 480 data points per measurement – far too many for the small microcontrollers in battery management systems to process in real time. The award-winning paper “Fast A*-mRMR for Model-Aware Feature Selection in EIS-Based Battery State of Charge Estimation” addresses this challenge through intelligent pre-selection of the most informative data points. The method transfers the A* algorithm – a proven tool in robotics and game development for efficiently finding optimal paths through complex environments – to the domain of feature selection. Rather than exhaustively testing every possible feature combination, the algorithm identifies the best selection directly and efficiently, much like a navigation system finds the shortest route without driving down every road. Two criteria are considered simultaneously: how informative a data point is for predicting the state of charge, and how much it overlaps with already-selected points (Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance, mRMR).

Tested on physics-based digital twin data from four battery cells across 17 state-of-charge levels and three temperatures (756 measurement points in total), Fast A*-mRMR achieves a prediction accuracy of 3.62 to 3.93 % error with a computation time of just 1.27 seconds – more than 500 times faster than comparable methods while matching or exceeding their accuracy. The work also yields a counterintuitive insight: allowing a controlled degree of similarity between selected data points can actually improve predictions, contrary to the prevailing assumption that redundancy should always be minimized. “Our method enables the practical use of high-dimensional impedance data in resource-constrained embedded systems, laying an important foundation for more efficient and reliable battery management systems,” explains Dr. Ahmed Yahia Kallel. “The Best Paper Award is a gratifying recognition that our work in intelligent sensor systems and sustainable energy technologies is resonating with the international research community,” adds Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun.

The SSD is an established IEEE international multi-conference founded in 2001, bringing together research in the fields of systems, signal processing, and devices, with an H-index of 35. The award was presented at the sub-conference Power Systems & Smart Energies (PSE). The proceedings are published in IEEEXplore and indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.

Contact: Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology, email olfa.kanoun@etit.tu-chemnitz.de

Citation: Kallel, A.Y., Kanoun, O.: “Fast A*-mRMR for Model-Aware Feature Selection in EIS-Based Battery State of Charge Estimation.” Proc. 23rd Int. Multi-Conf. on Systems, Signals and Devices (SSD’26), Catania, Italy, 2026. Best Paper Award.

(Author: Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun)

The University Library of Chemnitz University of Technology was awarded with the current “Open Library Badge” (OLB). It is the first library in Germany, which was honored with this award for the third time in succession. Already in 2016 and 2020, its successful implementation of openness principles was certified by the dedication of the OLB. “We are very proud to be awarded again. This award encourages us in our engagement to fulfill also further criteria and fields of action”, Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht, Deputy Library Director, comments. The jury attested the University Library a consequent implementation of openness and transparency in its all-day Library life. It stated that the engagement is particularly strong in the topics “Participation and Citizen Science”, “Open Access” and “Open Data”.

During the Capital of Culture-year of Chemnitz 2025, the University Library performed a particularly high number of activities jointly with regional networks. Based on that, the collaboration between science and citizens shall be further enhanced by transparency and participation. The University Library offers in addition to the proven support of Open Access publishing also a comprehensive range of offers in the fields of Open Data and Open Educational Resources. In order to assure sustainable implementation, Open Science is included in varied ways in the strategy document of the University Library for developing towards a 5D-Library until the year 2030 (mytuc.org/jwvr). 

Keyword: Open Library Badge 2025

The “Open Library Badge 2025” includes seven topics in total: “Participation and Citizen Science”, “Inclusion and Social Commitment”, “Open Access”, “Open Data”, “Open Source”, “Open Educational Resources” as well as “Open Government and Open Research Information”. The respectively four fields of action are “Consulting and Teaching”, “Provision of infrastructure”, “Corporate Action and Implementation of Strategies” as well as “Cooperation and Engagement in Networks”.

More information regarding the „Open Library Badge“: http://badge.openbiblio.eu

Contact to the Open-Access-Team of Chemnitz University Library: Ute Blumtritt, phone: 0371 531-31290, email os@bibliothek.tu-chemnitz.de

(Translation: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht)

The question of "What binds the world in its innermost core?" was on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's mind in "Faust." Many researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology also search for answers to this question. At the new Transmission Electron Microscopy Center (TEM-Center), officially opened on April 14^th, 2026, at Erfenschlager Straße 73 in Chemnitz, researchers aim to visualize structures smaller than the wavelength of visible light. This will enable them to identify atoms, molecules, and the bonds of matter. To achieve this, they will utilize the top-tier research infrastructure.

High-resolution microscopes enable precise material analysis

"The core of the new, single-story building are two highly sensitive transmission electron microscopes that allow us to examine the structure and properties of materials at the molecular and atomic levels, and then translate these findings to new applications," says Prof. Dr. Andreas Undisz, the Chair of Electron Microscopy and Microstructural Analysis at Chemnitz University of Technology and head of the new center. For example, processes that lead to material damage can be examined in very detail, enabling more accurate conclusions to be made about the durability and performance of components.

A worthwhile investment at Chemnitz University of Technology

"With this new building and the two electron microscopes, Chemnitz University of Technology is once again at the forefront of global materials research. The complex technical features offered by this facility as a whole can be found at only a few other locations worldwide. In addition to the three faculties, partner institutions will also benefit. This makes Chemnitz University of Technology even more attractive to top researchers from around the world. Thus, we strengthen the entire scientific region of Southwest Saxony,” said Saxony’s Minister of Science, Sebastian Gemkow, in a statement from the State Ministry of Finance.

"We at Chemnitz University of Technology are delighted to celebrate the opening of the Transmission Electron Microscopy Center. This is an important investment in Chemnitz University of Technology and, by extension, in Chemnitz as a research hub, in our core competencies in materials science and intelligent systems, and in our university’s national and international reputation. We are very grateful to the Free State of Saxony and to everyone involved who actively supported the establishment of the center," says Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, President at Chemnitz University of Technology. Prof. Dr. Anja Strobel, Deputy President and Vice President for Research and University Development at Chemnitz University of Technology, who represented the Rector in receiving the key, added: "The new Transmission Electron Microscopy Center, which brings together expertise from various research areas at Chemnitz University of Technology, significantly strengthens our university’s STEM field in research and teaching and creates highly attractive conditions for new interdisciplinary research projects as well as for recruiting and training our next generation of academics by providing researchers and students with access to the latest technologies and methods in materials science."

Technological marvels explore the nano cosmos

The electron microscopes, which tower over four meters, capture images of the tiniest structures at the nanometer level. "To ensure these sensitive marvels of technology can operate optimally, they are housed in specially shielded, climate-controlled rooms and rest on a 1.4-meter-thick vibration-damping concrete slab," explains Undisz. This keeps mechanical, acoustic, electromagnetic, and thermal sources of interference at a distance. Experiments using the large-scale research equipment in the protected inner core of the building are conducted remotely from operating rooms. In-depth material analysis using the two transmission electron microscopes requires preparing material samples just a few nanometers thin. This process is semi-automated in an adjacent room using a focused ion beam system.

Researchers from over 20 professorships will work with the equipment in the future

The new center has the advantage of merging all of Chemnitz University of Technology’s high-resolution transmission electron microscopy equipment in one location. More than 20 professorships of the faculties of mechanical engineering, natural sciences, and electrical engineering and information technology will use the equipment for their transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary basic and applied research. They will also collaborate with non-university research institutions, such as Fraunhofer Society institutes, as well as companies.

Background: Transmission Electron Microscopy Center at Chemnitz University of Technology

Construction of the new research building began in September 2023 under the direction of the State Office for Saxon Real Estate and Construction Management. The building was designed by Heinle Wischer Partnership of Independent Architects mbB in Dresden. The sculpture "Impact", created by Stefanie Welk from Walldorf near Heidelberg as part of the "Art in Architecture" competition, frames the building’s entrance.

Approximately 13.1 million euros were invested in the construction of the building. Of this amount, approximately 7.4 million euros were provided by the European Regional Development Fund and around 5.7 million euros by the Free State of Saxony. The project was co-financed with tax revenues based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament. The German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Free State of Saxony each provided 3.5 million euros for the large-scale equipment. Professors Christoph Tegenkamp, Martin Wagner, and Bernhard Wunderle successfully acquired the funding on behalf of the three participating faculties at Chemnitz University of Technology.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Andreas Undisz, phone +49 (0)371 531-34528, email andreas.undisz@mb.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Translation: Ulrike Lohr)

For recognition of her particular engagement and in acknowledgement of her outstanding merits for the benefit of Chemnitz University of Technology, the Director of the University Library, Angela Malz, was awarded with the Honorary Medal of Chemnitz University of Technology. The President, Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, handed over the medal within the retirement celebration on March 26, 2026. “Angela Malz has led the University Library in an outstanding manner and generated a number of successes”, the President said. For this reason, it is a great honor and a particular pleasure for him to confer her the highest award of Chemnitz University of Technology. The president liked to quote a citation from an article issued only a few days ago by Berliner Zeitung: “The University Library is supposed to belong to those locations of the academic sphere which are historically most worth seeing and which should not shy the competition with Oxford, Cambridge or Stanford. One should have seen it or, even better, should have studied there. An assessment delighting Angela Malz and her Library Team as well.

Angela Malz is working at Chemnitz University of Technology resp. her predecessors already since 1984 – at first as librarian and later as directorate assistant. In 2006 she was engaged as managing director of the University Library, since September 2010 she is her Director. Already in 2006, Chemnitz University Library was considered, according to the Library Index (BIX), as most efficient University Library in Germany. In addition, the University Library was at the forefront with regard to the usage of electronic media. The engagement of the University Library for more openness in science and society – particularly on the field of Open Access – was honored i.a. in the years 2016 and 2020 with the “Open Library Badge”. Since 2013, Malz is a core participant and moderator of the “Literary Quintet”, an event format of the University Library jointly with the Professorshjp of Modern German and Comparative Literature Studies and the Student Representatives of the Faculty of Humanities. The most challenging task for Malz was the merging of the former Library sites in the “Old Spinnig Mill”-building. After five years of reconstruction works, the new University Library opened on October 1, 2020. This was preceded by the moving of around 1.2 million books and the major part of comprehensive archival material of the University. In 2025, the University Library participated in a varied manner in the Chemnitz Capital of Culture-year. Malz was involved in many projects as well as in an endless number of events happening at the University Library. As outstanding networker, she was always looking for connections with many institutions at Chemnitz, among them the City Library, the City Theaters and a number of museums. Malz liked to tell stories from the history of the building during her guided tours through the Library and from the successful development the University Library has taken.

„This award makes me very proud and it belongs also to my team and my former colleagues”, Malz says subsequent to the conferment of the Honorary Medal. Even though she will leave the University Library in a few days, she will remain faithful to her University. “For this reason, I have already registered in the alumni-database of Chemnitz University of Technology.”

Keyword: Honorary Medal of Chemnitz University of Technology

In order to award persons for their particular engagement or outstanding merits, there are several options at Chemnitz University of Technology. In addition to the Honorary Doctorate and the merit of an Honorary Senate Member, also the Honorary Medal of Chemnitz University of Technology is conferred. This Medal was handed over for the first time on October 9, 2007 to its Royal Highness Princess from Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who engaged in the networking of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology North Bangkok as well as other universities in the country with Chemnitz University. In total, this Honorary Medal was conferred to 18 persons until now. It was manufactured at the State Porcelain Manufactory Meißen.

(Translation: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht)

Since the launch of the European University Alliance „Across – European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing“ in March 2025, Chemnitz University of Technology has been working with nine partner universities across Europe. More than 30 students and staff from TU Chemnitz are involved in 16 international task forces. These teams develop joint strategies in the areas of education, research, innovation, governance, and societal engagement—creating direct added value for the university. Students and staff at TU Chemnitz are now invited to contribute their experiences on 18 and 20 March 2026 and support one of the task teams with their knowledge.

Supporting the task team by collecting valuable user experiences

Task Team 2.1 – „Across Border Campus System“ is responsible for ensuring the interoperability of digital services across all Across universities. At the core of this work is the “Across eCampus”, a digital hub for management, teaching, learning, and networking. In two moderated focus groups, the task team will collect experiences from everyday study and work routines with the university’s digital systems on 18 and 20 March. These insights will feed into the further development of a digital infrastructure designed to facilitate international collaboration and open up new opportunities for education and exchange. Key questions include: Where does access to information and services already work well? Where do barriers arise (e.g., due to scattered information, unclear processes/responsibilities, or parallel tools)? And which improvements would be most important from a user perspective?

Students and staff at TU Chemnitz who would like to contribute to shaping a future-oriented campus system are warmly invited to take part in the focus groups:

• Student focus group: 18 March, 13:00 (duration: 60–90 minutes; venue: Welcome Center, International University Centre (IUZ), Bahnhofstraße 8)
• Staff focus group: 20 March, 10:00 (duration: 60–90 minutes; venue: Welcome Center, International University Centre (IUZ), Bahnhofstraße 8)

Participation requirements and compensation

Students and staff of Chemnitz University of Technology can participate if they are willing to share experiences in a moderated group discussion and provide feedback on the beta version and concept ideas. No technical background is required. Focus group participants will receive 15 EUR compensation, an official certificate of attendance from the Across alliance, and—optionally—the opportunity to be involved in the future as a „premium beta user“ (early access and further feedback opportunities).

To register interest, students and staff are asked to complete a short pre-survey in advance. Based on the responses, eight to ten participants per focus group will be selected to ensure a broad range of perspectives. For students, selection aims to cover different faculties, study programms, and stages of study. For staff, selection will consider different roles as well as experience with various internal digital systems. Anyone who is interested but cannot attend on the scheduled dates can, upon request, be contacted again for the next development phases of the „Across eCampus“.

Links to the pre-survey

• Students (German): www.mytuc.org/bryq
• Students (English): www.mytuc.org/vxjx
• Staff (German): www.mytuc.org/ntfk
• Staff (English): www.mytuc.org/kjqk

Keyword: Across eCampus

The „Across eCampus” is intended as a central digital access point of the Across university alliance to make study- and work-related services easier to use across institutions. This applies in particular to access to course content and learning offers from partner universities, as well as information and services that facilitate international exchange and mobility. In the long term, a dashboard will serve as the central entry point, bundling user-related information and simplifying access to core services. These include, for example, a digital course catalogue and a learning environment for cross-institutional digital and blended-learning formats, as well as collaboration and communication tools. Within the Across alliance’s „eCampus” sub-project, a digital infrastructure is being developed to centrally bundle and integrate existing services rather than replace them.

Background: Across and the eCampus sub-project

The European University Alliance „Across – European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing“, coordinated by TU Chemnitz, promotes the exchange of knowledge, skills, and resources across national and institutional borders. Through innovative cooperation in education, research, administration, and third mission activities, Across aims to strengthen international collaboration and the long-term visibility of its partner universities. Key activities include the development of joint teaching offers and the expansion of mobility opportunities for students and staff. The „Across eCampus“ is a TU Chemnitz-led sub-project and a central building block within the alliance. As a digital infrastructure, it is intended to systematically facilitate access to cross-institutional offers.

Further information: Dr. Daniel Pietschmann, Co-Leader of the Across Task Team „eCampus“, email: daniel.pietschmann@phil.tu-chemnitz.de

Dr. Chundong Wang, Professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan (China), has been awarded a research fellowship for experienced scientists by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The prestigious fellowship will enable him to conduct a one-year research stay at the Chemnitz University of Technology, starting in March 2026. At the Research Centre for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), he will work in the group of Dr Minshen Zhu at the Professorship of Material Systems for Nanoelectronics (Chair: Prof. Oliver G. Schmidt) in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. 

Wang's research focuses on electrocatalysis and nanostructured functional materials, particularly for sustainable energy technologies such as hydrogen production and fuel cell technology. The aim of his work is to understand catalytic reactions at the atomic level and to develop advanced catalysts with precisely controlled electronic structures. In particular, he investigates single-atom catalysts and the role of electronic spin states in governing catalytic performance.

During his research stay in Chemnitz, Wang will collaborate with the groups of Dr Zhu and Prof Schmidt to develop microfluidic strategies for the controlled synthesis of single-atom catalysts at the MAIN Research Centre. The project aims to understand the influence of the electronic spin configuration of transition metal centres on catalytic reaction pathways and kinetics. By combining concepts from electrochemistry, nanotechnology and microfluidic technology, the aim is to enable more efficient and cost-effective production of catalysts. The expected results could contribute to the development of high-performance hydrogen fuel cell technologies, which are considered a key factor for sustainable energy systems.

Keyword: Humboldt Experienced Researcher Programme

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers supports highly qualified scientists with established academic careers from all over the world in carrying out long-term research projects in Germany. It enables experienced researchers to carry out independent research projects in collaboration with a host institution and become part of the global Humboldt network. With this initiative, the foundation promotes international scientific exchange, strengthens long-term cooperation and supports outstanding research across disciplinary boundaries.

For further information, please contact Yvonne Ulbrich, email yvonne.ulbrich@etit.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Author: Yvonne Ulbrich)

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the University Library at Chemnitz University of Technology invite you to a special exhibition in the Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony (TACHELES 2026): From February 25 to April 6, 2026, an exhibition on monument preservation in the “White City” in Tel Aviv will be on display on the first floor of the University Library, Straße der Nationen 33. The exhibition has been curated by the Leipzig Art Foundation in collaboration with the Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv to mark the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus.

This project connects many aspects of Chemnitz with the Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony and the immigration of Jewish architects to the British Mandate of Palestine in the 1920s and 1930s. At that time, renowned young architects transported and adapted the “International Style” from the Bauhaus school, which was considered degenerate by the National Socialists, to the Middle East. In Tel Aviv, the “White City,” which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, a number of remarkable modernist residential buildings were constructed. Some of these will be presented in the exhibition. The exhibition also addresses the issue of monument preservation in Tel Aviv, one of the most expensive cities in the world, where every square meter of building land is highly competitive.

“Since Chemnitz has a very special gem of this era and style in the form of the Schocken department store, built by Erich Mendelsohn in 1930, and since aspects of historic preservation also played a very decisive role here, Chemnitz has a truly unique connection to the international style in Israel, particularly through the Schocken,” says Christian Vogel from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology, who brought the exhibition to the university together with Stephan Luther from the university archives. 

Program note: An introduction to the exhibition will be held on February 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the university library by Leipzig art historian Dr. Wolfgang Hocquél.

For further information, please contact Christian Vogel, phone 0371 531-32285, email christian.vogel@mb.tu-chemnitz.de, and Stephan Luther, phone 0371 531-32694, email stephan.luther@bibliothek.tu-chemnitz.de.

On December 22, 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/70/212, establishing the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Since then, the United Nations, UNESCO, intergovernmental organizations, and numerous institutions from science and civil society have highlighted every year the importance of recognition, participation, and visibility of women in research and science. Despite progress, gender equality remains a major global challenge. Promoting young women, ensuring access to high-quality education, and translating scientific knowledge into practice are key measures to achieve this goal.

At TU Chemnitz, supporting early-career female researchers, strengthening women in leadership positions, and enabling the reconciliation of family, studies, and academic careers are central concerns in an increasingly complex research and work environment. Against this backdrop, TU Chemnitz is aligning with the UN initiative for the third time.

In connection with International Women’s Day on March 8, TU Chemnitz invites female scientists of all career stages, female students and university staff to the 3rd International Women-in-Science Day on March 6, 2026, at the Altes Heizhaus, Straße der Nationen 62, Chemnitz. No registration is required.

Focus Topic: Women’s Health

The 2026 event focuses on women’s health and its relevance for scientific careers, workplace structures, and academic environments. The event provides a platform for interdisciplinary exchange, new perspectives, and the empowerment of women in science.

The hosts of the event are Prof. Dr. Anja Strobel, Vice-Rector for Research and University Development at TU Chemnitz, and Karla Kebsch, Equal Opportunities Officer of TU Chemnitz.

Scientific Lectures and Program

The event opens with a scientific lecture giving psychological perspectives on Menstruation and Mentrual Pain. Further lectures explore the influence of hormonal, physical, and neurological factors on women’s careers and provide practical insights into cycle-oriented nutrition and performance.

A networking break offers space for discussion. In the afternoon, the project TUC_FemAktiv will be officially launched.

The day concludes with “Coffee & Talk”, an informal exchange format in which female students and researchers can connect with the Vice-Rector and the Equal Opportunities Officer, share experiences, discuss research interests, and address individual needs in a relaxed atmosphere.

Program Overview

09:00 a.m.
Welcome
Prof. Dr. Anja Strobel, Vice-Rector for Research and University Development, and Karla Kebsch, Equal Opportunities Officer, TU Chemnitz

09:15 a.m.
Talk (English): Psychological Perspectives on Menstruation and Menstrual Pain – Attitudes, Barriers and Work-Related Outcomes

Dr. Alexandra (Sasha) Cook, University of Amsterdam

10:15 a.m.
Talk (English): Invisible Influences: Hormones, Body, and Brain in Women’s Careers
Dr. Andresa Mara de Castro Germano, HSW, TU Chemnitz

11:15 a.m.
Talk (German): Zyklus-Power freisetzen: Ernährung, die pusht

Jonathan Balkenhol, freelance nutritional scientist

12:00 p.m.
Networking break 

01:00 p.m.
Opening of the project TUC_FemAktiv
Dr. Andresa Mara de Castro Germano, HSW, TU Chemnitz

02:00 p.m.
Coffee & Talk
Informal exchange with Prof. Dr. Anja Strobel and Karla Kebsch

03:00 p.m.
End of the event

(Author: Prof. Dr. Anja Strobel)

Dr. Konstantin Hopf has been appointed Full Professor of Information Systems and Business Analytics at Chemnitz University of Technology as of 15 February 2026. He received his letter of appointment from the Vice President for Academic and International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Maximilian Eibl. The professorship is located at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.

Academic Career

Konstantin Hopf studied Information Systems at the University of Bamberg, where he also conducted research at the Bits-to-Energy Lab. His research focused on the application of machine learning methods to energy-related data in industry-oriented projects. He additionally gained international experience during a research stay at Copenhagen Business School.

In 2019, he completed his doctorate at the University of Bamberg with a dissertation entitled “Predictive Analytics for Energy Efficiency and Energy Retailing.” He subsequently worked as a Senior Researcher and Lecturer at the Chair of Information Systems and Energy-Efficient Systems (Prof. Thorsten Staake). As part of his habilitation, he established the research group “Machine Learning & Data Work in Organizations.” During this period, he was also a lecturer at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Leipzig University.

Since October 2025, Dr. Hopf has been acting professor of the Chair of Information Systems and Business Analytics at Chemnitz University of Technology.

Research and Teaching

Dr. Hopf’s research focuses on the integration of explainable machine learning methods into enterprise information systems for decision support. His work addresses both methodological challenges in Business Analytics and theoretical questions concerning the transformation of socio-technical systems through artificial intelligence (AI). His research is supported by numerous third-party funded projects with national and international partners from academia and industry. He regularly publishes in leading international journals in Information Systems and management science and presents his findings at major international conferences.

At Chemnitz University of Technology, he aims to further strengthen practice-oriented and explainable Business Analytics and to expand the application of AI-based decision support systems in critical energy infrastructures and in digital higher education. In addition, he plans to pursue strategic and organizational research on the use of Business Analytics and AI in companies.

In teaching, he contributes to the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in Information Systems as well as to the Master’s degree programs in Business Intelligence & Analytics and Value Chain Management. He also offers complementary courses, including courses taught in English.

(Translation: Dr. Konstantin Hopf)

Chemnitz University Library is the seventh-nicest university library in Germany. However, this was the result of a current instagram survey of the digital funk Content-Network of the public television broadcasters ARD and ZDF, in which participated subsequent to nomination of the TOP 10 of the university libraries more than 35.000 followers. The predominant target group of this network are persons in the age between 14 and 29 years with a high affinity to social media. “I am very delighted that our Library is particularly attractive for young people in the main age category of people interested in studies and students” comments Angela Malz, Library Director, the results and continues: “This is not only good news for us as Library but we thus also contribute to further raising the attractiveness of the University of Technology and Chemnitz as location for studies.”

Since its relocation in the year 2020, Chemnitz University Library is not only focused on one location, which considerably facilitates orientation for first-year-students, but by the renovated “Ancient Spinning Mill” it also disposes of a very representative building in the heart of the city with a long, very diversified history since its construction in mid 19^th century.

In its interior, the building provides a lot of space for a comprehensive open-shelves area extending on both side wings over four levels, for more than 700 standing, sitting, single and team workplaces as well as 19 reservable study cabins (“Carrels”) on the top level. Within the context of the “Third Place”, the “Common Area” in the east wing of the ground floor invites with two childrens’ corners, teamwork spaces as well as eight seating areas to relax and to communicate because here not only unmuted communication but also eating and drinking is permitted. Also culture lovers may benefit from a variety of events happening in a large space situated behind the “Common Area”, which was specifically designed for this purpose (“IdeenReich”) as well as from changing exhibitions on the 1^st level.   

Finally, those spatial offers are perfected by a variety of services of the University Library for its users ranging from rallies and guided tours via training and e-learning opportunities up to bookable individual consultations (“Book a librarian”).

In the past, the University Library was already awarded several times; Thus, the architects and the builder of the building received the particular acknowledgement of the jury of the “German University Building Prize 2022” as well as the acknowledgement within the award of the Prize for Architecture of the Association of German Architects Saxony 2021.

Back to the ranking of the nicest university libraries: In addition to the Biblioteca Albertina of the University of Leipzig (1^st place), the University and State Library Darmstadt (2^nd place) and the Library of the University of Hohenheim (3^rd place) were reaching the virtual winners’ rostrum. Beside the University Library of Chemnitz University of Technology also those of Marburg, Bamberg, Heidelberg, Tübingen, Freiburg and Berlin were voted underneath the Top Ten.

Event tip: If you would like to see Chemnitz University Library live in action, you should come to the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers" (https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/ub/aktuell/veranstaltungen/landah.html.en) today from 04:00 pm on.

Website of the University Library: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/ub/index.html.en

(Authors: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht, Mario Steinebach / Translation: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht)