Free access to scientific knowledge is a fundamental human right. In reality, however, this is countered by a drastic and continuous increase in the cost of accessing and disseminating knowledge. Under the theme “The Cost of Knowledge,” we will therefore explore the following questions: Why is this the case? What mechanisms are driving this trend? Together, we would like to find ways to ensure that our research remains a freely accessible public good and to determine how Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC) can best support you in this endeavor.

That is why, during this year’s International Open Access Week on October 20, 2026, the first draft of an Open Science Policy for Chemnitz University of Technology will be presented to the members of the university for the first time at the “Ideenreich” in the University Library. As part of this informational and discussion event, Professor Strobel, Vice Rector for Research and University Development, will explain the policy’s development process. In addition, the topics of the policy will be briefly outlined to illustrate what Open Science at Chemnitz University of Technology might look like in the future. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to share your ideas on implementing Open Science at TUC. This event will be in German only.

This year´s Open Access Week program features many more interesting events, some of them organized by the ACROSS Alliance, including sessions on current topics such as Responsible Research Assessment and Diamond Open Access. Furthermore, you can play “OA Poly” at the University Library on several days. This interactive game offers a fun introduction to the serious issues surrounding open-access publishing. Join us as we navigate our way to the finish line along paths of different colors.

Background: Open Access and Open Science

The open-access movement has been around for more than 20 years, primarily as a response to significant shortcomings in the existing scientific system: skyrocketing prices charged by commercial publishers have locked publicly funded research behind expensive paywalls. In addition, the replication crisis revealed that many study results in psychology and medicine could not be replicated.

Digitization offers new opportunities for academia, as Open Science encompasses a broad range of practices designed to address these challenges. In addition to open access to publications, these include the provision of data (Open Data), educational materials (Open Educational Ressources), and software (Open Data); the transparent documentation of methods, including the pre-registration of studies; and the involvement of the public through citizen science and participatory research.

Programme of this year´s „Open Access Week 2026“ at Chemnitz University Library: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/ub/openscience/veranstaltung/oaweek.html.en

Contact the Open Science Team at Chemnitz University Library, which also offers specialized consulting services: Ute Blumtritt, Phone 0371 531-31290, E-Mail os@bibliothek.tu-chemnitz.de

(Author: Carolin Zapke)

It has become a long tradition that Chemnitz University of Technology starts in winter term with its Enrolment and Initiation Celebration Act. Particularly welcome to this event are all first-year students officially welcomed within the University-Family at that day. By the slogan “Let’s start #TUCgether”, the new students may attend on October 9, 2026, the closing day of this year’s orientation week, a varied afternoon with information, entertainment and a number of actions.

The academic ceremony starts at 05:00 pm at the Lecture Hall- and Seminar-Building C10 of Chemnitz University of Technology, Reichenhainer Straße 90. Subsequent to the welcome addresses of the President of Chemnitz University of Technology, Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, of the Mayor for Human Resources, Finance and Education of the City of Chemnitz, Ralph Burghart as well as of the Student Council of Chemnitz University of Technology, the Firstis and their accompanying persons may attend a varied program. The University Choir and the TU Big Band will take care for the musical frame. In addition, the guests may look forward i.a. to an interview with Lisa Schaefer, successful top athlete in showdance and primary school teacher student at Chemnitz University of Technology, as well as to other surprises.

Discover Study-Hacks, Campus-Life and Leisure-Options

Already from 03:30 pm on, a number of offers and actions at the foyer invite for participation. Within three thematic areas, the new students are invited to gather information around the life on campus as well as on opportunities for passing their leisure time at Chemnitz and the region. Several contact persons, among them student initiatives and Central Institutions of Chemnitz University of Technology, stakeholders of the City of Chemnitz as well as partners of the University, will answer questions, give hints for a successful start into student-life and offer creative and sportive hands-on activities. In case of interest, one may, for instance, test her/ his knowledge by the Language Bingo of the Foreign Language Center of Chemnitz University of Technology, or prove her/ his abilities by two motion-challenges of the Center for Sports and Health Promotion and win a voucher for a test-training at the fitness studio of the University or try her/ his luck at the wheels-of-fortune of the Chemnitz Municipal Theaters as well as of Courage – Workspace for Democratic Educational Work. The Student Council of Chemnitz University of Technology offers duck fishing and – for a suitable look – glitter-tattoos. In addition, one may taste healthy snacks i.a. at the Info-Point of the Techniker Krankenkasse. The Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau provides in addition to small delicacies for strengthening also a basketball-challenge.  

Welcome gift, free drink and University-Shop-Special

It will be also worth staying at the foyer after the ceremony in order to celebrate the beginning of the new term jointly with the new fellow students as well as with the parents and the guests. Furthermore, interested participants are cordially invited to take part in an “After-Sunset-Campus-Tour” from ca. 07:15 pm on (meeting point at the forecourt of the Lecture Hall- and Seminar-Building).

Naturally, also in this year, the traditional free drinks shall not be missing – friendly supported by the Chemnitz Marx Brewery. All first-year-students are cordially invited for a toast on their beginning of studies. In addition, there will be distributed a Half-Moon-bag in the design of the campaign ZUSAMMENSTEHEN #TUCgether of the University as special welcome gift for all Firstis as long as stocks last.  

Finally, the University Shop offers a special as well on the occasion of the start of the term and the Enrolment and Initiation Celebration Act: A bio-t-shirt and a bio-hoodie, an USB-stick and a TUC-rucksack are offered as starter set for only 50 Euro within the period from October 1 to November 8, 2026. Apart from this special offer, it is also worth browsing through the other offers. The University Shop at the Lecture Hall- and Seminar-Building C10 is open during winter term always on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 09:30 until 11:30 am as well as from 12:30 pm to 02:30 pm.  

The participation in the Enrolment and Initiation Celebration Act is free of charge. However, prior registration is required until October 8, 2026, noon, by the following link: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/tu/veranstaltungen/immafeier/anmeldung.php.

Website of the Enrolment and Initiation Celebration Act: www.mytuc.org/welcome

The Enrolment and Initiation Celebration Act 2026 is support by the Society of Friends of Chemnitz University of Technology, the supporting association of the University, in which students may become members for an annual contribution of 10 Euros. More information: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/tu/freunde/

For further information please address to the team of the Department Marketing, Event Management and Merchandising of Chemnitz University of Technology by using the following email-address: event@tu-chemnitz.de.

(Translation: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht)

How do pedestrians react when they encounter an automated vehicle on the street? Does the interaction feel safe and comfortable, and does it make a difference whether the vehicle is operating autonomously, is driven by a human, or is teleoperated from a remote location? How should an automated vehicle brake when yielding to a pedestrian? Researchers from Chemnitz University of Technology and Technische Universität Berlin investigated these questions in July and August 2026 using an automated shuttle on the campus Erfenschlager Straße 73 in Chemnitz.

The studies were conducted by the Chair of Cognitive Psychology and Human Factors (Prof. Dr. Stefan Brandenburg) and the Chair of Ergonomics and Innovation Management (Prof. Dr. Angelika Bullinger-Hoffmann) at Chemnitz University of Technology as part of the Chemnitz Center for Mobility (CCM). The cooperation partner was the Department of Automotive Engineering at TU Berlin (Prof. Dr. Steffen Müller), which provided and programmed the vehicle for the studies.

How do pedestrians perceive different vehicle modes?

One study examined how vehicle mode and driving speed affect pedestrians’ perception of the interaction and their intended crossing behaviour. Three operating modes were simulated: automated, manual, and teleoperated. Furthermore, the shuttle approached participants at different speeds, after which they evaluated the interaction.

Initial results indicate that interactions with the shuttle were generally perceived as safe, comfortable, self-determined, and efficient. As vehicle speed increased, perceived safety and comfort decreased slightly, while perceived efficiency increased. The vehicle’s operating mode, however, had no significant influence on how the interaction was experienced. These findings suggest that both automated and teleoperated vehicles can enable positively perceived interactions from the pedestrian’s perspective.

How should an automated vehicle brake?

Another study focused on the braking behaviour of the automated shuttle during interactions with pedestrians. Participants experienced different braking manoeuvres in which both the stopping distance and the braking profile were systematically varied, representing different braking strategies.

Preliminary analyses show that both the nature of the braking manoeuvre and the final stopping position substantially influence how pedestrians perceive the interaction. The findings indicate that it is not merely the fact that an automated vehicle stops that matters; the way it decelerates and where it stops are equally important for creating a positive interaction.

A human-centred perspective for automated mobility

Together, the two studies provide valuable insights into how automated vehicles should behave when interacting with other road users. Rather than defining vehicle behaviour solely from a technical perspective, the project places the human experience at the centre of the design process.

The data are currently being analysed and will be published in scientific journals. The findings will contribute to the human-centred development of automated mobility and provide evidence-based recommendations for the design of future automated shuttles.

The research was funded through internal resources of TU Chemnitz and TU Berlin. In addition, the project received support through a doctoral scholarship funded by the Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB) in cooperation with the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

Additional information is available on the project website: www.mytuc.org/rfmh

Event announcement: The research project and the automated shuttle will be presented on 6 October 2026 at the CVAG conference “MOBILITÄTSIMPULS – Automated Driving in Public Transport” to a professional audience. In the evening, the project will also be showcased during a free public event, where visitors will have the opportunity to take a seat inside the automated shuttle and learn more about the project and its findings.

Contact: Prof. Dr. Stefan Brandenburg, Chair of Cognitive Psychology and Human Factors at Chemnitz University of Technology, Email stefan.brandenburg@psychologie@tu-chemnitz.de, Prof. Dr. Angelika Bullinger-Hoffmann, Chair of Ergonomics and Innovation Management at Chemnitz University of Technology, Email angelika.bullinger-hoffmann@mb.tu-chemnitz.de, and Prof. Dr. Steffen Müller, Department of Automotive Engineering at TU Berlin, Email steffen.mueller@tu-berlin.de

A research team at Chemnitz University of Technology has developed a flexible nanocomposite film that uses two physical effects in one material. Under mechanical load it generates electrical charge through the piezoelectric effect. At the same time, it changes its electrical resistance through the piezoresistive effect. The material combines the polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with ceramic barium titanate (BaTiO₃) particles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The results have been published in Nano Energy, one of the leading international journals in the field of energy materials and nanotechnology.

Two sensing principles in a single material

Piezoelectric materials are used in two ways. They serve as sensors for dynamic loads such as vibrations and impacts, and they can also harvest energy by converting mechanical movement into electrical energy. A piezoelectric sensor can therefore supply its own power. However, it only responds to changing loads. Piezoresistive materials respond to pressure with a measurable change in resistance, so they can also detect static loads precisely and sensitively. Until now, the two material types have usually been developed separately. The Chemnitz team combines both principles in one film only about 40 µm thick.

The two fillers divide the work between them. BaTiO₃ is a lead-free piezoceramic. It supports local polarization and promotes the formation of the electroactive phase of PVDF, which is responsible for the piezoelectric effect. The carbon nanotubes form an electrically conductive network in the polymer. When the film is compressed, the contacts between the nanotubes change and the electrical resistance changes with them. The nanotubes also reinforce the polymer mechanically.

“Our central question was how the ceramic and conductive fillers act together inside the PVDF matrix,” says Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, head of the Professorship of Measurement and Sensor Technology at TU Chemnitz. “By adjusting both concentrations systematically, we could control the material structure and direct its performance toward energy conversion or pressure detection.”

PVDF is lightweight, flexible and suitable for large-area processing. To perform well as a piezoelectric material, however, it usually needs high-voltage electrical poling, mechanical stretching, or both. In the new composite, the fillers take over this task during film formation. The ceramic particles promote the polar crystal structure, and the nanotubes act as nuclei that increase the overall crystallinity of the polymer. At the interfaces between polymer, ceramic particles and nanotubes, microcapacitor-like regions form, which increase charge accumulation and polarization. As a result, the electroactive content of the films is up to about twice as high as in pure PVDF. Their piezoelectric coefficient reaches values comparable to those of electrically poled PVDF-based systems.

Simple processing produces flexible thin films

The films are produced by solution casting. PVDF and the fillers are dispersed in a solvent, then cast and thermally treated. The result is a homogeneous, flexible film. For energy-harvesting tests, the films were placed between flexible electrodes to form compact nanogenerators.

“A homogeneous distribution of the ceramic particles and carbon nanotubes was essential,” explains Dipl.-Ing. Ahmed Attaoui, lead author of the study. “The performance depends not only on the individual constituents, but also on the interfaces formed between them.”

The composition decides which effect dominates

The team succeeded to systematically vary the nanotube content at each ceramic level. This allowed them to link the composition of the material to its structure, mechanical strength, electrical output and pressure sensitivity. The composite is considerably stiffer and stronger than pure PVDF, yet it stays flexible.

A formulation with a higher nanotube content delivered the best energy harvesting. It reached output voltages of up to 25 V and a maximum power of 345 microwatts, about a hundred times more than the same material without nanotubes. The material also demonstrated long-term stability: The output voltage remained stable over 20,000 loading cycles. Even after 50,000 and 100,000 cycles, the peak voltage decreased only slightly, while the overall signal shape was preserved. A formulation with more ceramic and fewer nanotubes gave the highest pressure sensitivity, while still delivering a high electrical output. This formulation was therefore selected for all subsequent device tests.

“The important result is the controllability of the system,” says Kanoun. “One composition can be selected for higher electrical output, while another can be selected for pressure sensitivity. This gives device designers a clear basis for choosing the formulation that fits the intended function.”

“Combining piezoelectric and piezoresistive effects in one material opens up a range of possible uses, from sensors to energy harvesters and, in future, actuators,” says Kanoun. “Our results provide a materials basis for exploring these functions within one composite system.”

Toward self-powered smart skins and wearable electronics

A demonstration shows how the two effects complement each other in a single device. When the researchers pressed the film steadily with a fingertip, its electrical resistance dropped clearly while almost no voltage was generated. Rapid tapping, by contrast, produced strong voltage pulses. The same film can therefore register how strongly and how long it is pressed, and at the same time harvest energy from movement. The team also showed that the harvested energy is usable: The rectified output charged capacitors within a few seconds and powered an array of LEDs.

The concept is aimed at flexible and wearable electronics, where space, weight and energy supply are limited. Potential applications include self-powered pressure sensors, electronic skins, health-monitoring patches, robotic tactile interfaces, structural monitoring and autonomous Internet of Things devices.

The researchers are now investigating whether the material can also produce controlled mechanical motion under electrical excitation. This could extend the concept to actuation, for example vibrotactile feedback in wearable and interactive systems. “The study provides a materials basis for compact autonomous devices”, says Attaoui. “The next step is to translate the measured material properties into reliable components and to evaluate how energy harvesting, sensing and actuation can be integrated at device level.”

Interdisciplinary and international cooperation

The study is the result of a cooperation between the Professorship of Measurement and Sensor Technology and TU Chemnitz alumna Dr. Ayda Bouhamed. She is now at the Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, and a member of the Laboratory of Electromechanical Systems at the National Engineering School of Sfax in Tunisia. The work was carried out during her visiting professorship at TU Chemnitz. The visiting professorship allowed the partners to combine their expertise in nanocomposite materials and sensor technology. It also strengthens the long-standing collaboration between TU Chemnitz and research institutions in Tunisia.

“It is a special pleasure for me to collaborate with my alma mater,” says Dr. Ayda Bouhamed. “The visiting professorship program gave us the opportunity to bring our expertise together in Chemnitz, and it shows how well scientific cooperation works across borders today.”

Further partners from TU Chemnitz contributed their expertise: Prof. Dr. Martin F.-X. Wagner and Mario Scholze from the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, and Prof. Dr. Christoph Tegenkamp from the Professorship of Analysis of Solid Surfaces at the Institute of Physics. Prof. Dr. Chokri Bouraoui from the Laboratory of Mechanics at the National Engineering School of Sousse, University of Sousse, co-supervised the work. The cooperation brought together measurement and sensor technology, materials science and surface physics.

Publication: Ahmed Attaoui, Ayda Bouhamed, Mario Scholze, Martin F.-X. Wagner, Christoph Tegenkamp, Chokri Bouraoui, Olfa Kanoun: "High-performance self-poled PVDF-BaTiO₃-CNT nanocomposites: A multifunctional material for flexible next-generation energy harvesting and sensing." Nano Energy, 2026, 148, 111688. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2025.111688

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

(Author: Ahmed Attaoui)

The Chair of Microeconomics (Prof. Dr. Torsten Heinrich) at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Chemnitz University of Technology has successfully secured external funding from the EFRE/JTF Regionale program. Together with Prof. Dr. Svenja Flechtner and her team at the University of Siegen, the team at Chemnitz University of Technology will analyze labor market trends in the Südwestfalen reion in Westphalia as part of the project "MARS — Modellierung der Arbeitsmarktverschiebungen in Südwestfalen" (Modeling Labor Market Shifts in South Westphalia). The project has a total budget of over 1.6 million Euros (ca. 0.8 million Euros at Chemnitz University of Technology).

Prof. Heinrich explains: "Labor markets in Germany and Europe are facing major changes driven by the rise of AI, demographic shifts, and missed opportunities for innovation. The Südwestfalen region is among the more strongly affected regions. The MARS project will apply new computational economics methods to empirical labor market modeling in order to develop better forecasts and new strategies for addressing the challenges of the coming years. Collaboration with companies and other regional stakeholders plays a key role in the project."

Prof. Flechtner says: "The labor market in South Westphalia is facing profound changes driven by digitalization and AI, demographic change, skills shortages, and the ecological transformation. MARS therefore focuses not only on what changes can be expected, but also on the scope for shaping these developments in the region. The project combines quantitative labor market modeling with the perspectives of regional businesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders to identify potential developments at an early stage and jointly develop approaches for shaping a sustainable future for the regional labor market."

Funded by EU and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia via EFRE/JTF, the project will run until mid-2029.

(Author: Prof. Dr. Torsten Heinrich)

From 21 to 25 September 2026, the “Summer School on Applied Analysis” was held once again at the “IdeenReich” of the University Library. With more than 70 participants, the event, which has been organised annually since 2006, recorded the highest attendance in its history. In the mornings, four invited speakers each gave two lectures: Prof. Dr. Nicolas Boullé (Imperial College London), Prof. Dr. Hanno Gottschalk (TU Berlin), Prof. Dr. Carola-Bibiane Schönlieb (University of Cambridge) and Prof. Dr. Gabriele Steidl (TU Berlin). In addition, there were two talks from Chemnitz: Prof. Dr. Tino Ullrich (Professorship of Applied Analysis) and Prof. Dr. Sebastian Neumayer (Professorship of Inverse Problems).

The programme showed how strongly artificial intelligence now shapes applied analysis. Nicolas Boullé spoke about operator learning, i.e. learning solution operators of partial differential equations from data. Hanno Gottschalk presented a statistical theory of generative learning, and Gabriele Steidl covered generative flows — including a paper accepted as a spotlight at NeurIPS 2026, the world’s largest conference on machine learning. Carola-Bibiane Schönlieb showed how classical inverse problems in imaging are being reconsidered in the age of AI.

The two contributions from Chemnitz spanned the range from theory to practice. Tino Ullrich spoke about approximation, sampling and recovery, illustrating how closely the organisers of the summer school collaborate in their research. The closing talk was given by Sebastian Neumayer, who demonstrated how research results can be translated into software with the help of new AI-assisted tools — and how programming with AI works in practice today.

The concept that gives doctoral students in particular their first conference experience proved successful again this year: in the afternoon sessions, doctoral researchers and postdocs gave short talks or presented their research topics on posters. The award for the best talk went to Linéll Dehne (University of Greifswald) for the presentation “Parameter Identification using Physics-informed Neural Networks”. The prize for the best poster was awarded to Nikolas Klug (University of Augsburg) for the contribution “Natural Riemannian Gradient for Learning Functional Tensor Networks”.

The summer school was financially supported by the Priority Programme “Theoretical Foundations of Deep Learning” (SPP 2298) of the German Research Foundation (DFG).

“That more than 70 researchers came to us this year shows how great the need is for a format that brings together the mathematical foundations and current developments of machine learning. We were particularly pleased by how intensively the early-career researchers used the time between talks for discussion and networking,” reports Prof. Dr. Daniel Potts (Professorship of Applied Functional Analysis). Together with Dr. Franziska Nestler, Sebastian Neumayer, Prof. Dr. Martin Stoll (Professorship of Scientific Computing) and Tino Ullrich, Potts is part of the summer school’s organising team.

“Record participation of more than 70 researchers and such lively discussions in all sessions — that speaks to the appeal of this summer school,” says Prof. Alois Pichler, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics. “I am especially pleased by how modern our applied mathematics is: the topics of the summer school are exactly those that are currently moving the field.” The next summer school will take place from 20 to 24 September 2027.

Further information is available from Prof. Dr. Daniel Potts, phone +49 (0)371 531-32150, email potts@mathematik.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Author: Prof. Dr. Daniel Potts)

Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable in road traffic accidents. Statistics from the past ten years show that they account for 75 to 85 percent of all seriously and fatally injured individuals in Germany—even though they are only involved in about one in ten accidents. While the absolute number of road fatalities continues to decline, partly as a result of stricter requirements for vehicle structural design and advanced driver assistance systems, the safety of “vulnerable road users” (VRUs) remains a key challenge.

From brake assistance to advanced driving maneuvers

Existing driver assistance systems prevent or mitigate accidents or their consequences through braking maneuvers. In the VIRTUS project, Chemnitz University of Technology, the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics/ Ernst-Mach-Institute (EMI) and Technische Universität Berlin are investigating the extent to which injuries can be reduced through additional, targeted steering maneuvers – specifically in situations where a collision is unavoidable. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space with €1.6 million, of which €247,000 Euro is allocated to TU Chemnitz. Fraunhofer EMI is the project coordinator.

VIRTUS builds on findings from the project “ATTENTION”, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Using cyclists and pedestrians as examples, the researchers demonstrated in a virtual test environment that injury risks could be reduced with targeted steering and braking interventions performed by involved vehicles. Over the next three years, the VIRTUS project partners will verify whether this also works reliably under realistic conditions.

At the core of the project is an algorithm that, based on sensor data, vehicle movement, and the predicted movement of the VRU, calculates driving strategies in very short time that minimizes injury risk. The Chair of Cognitive Psychology and Human Factors of TU Chemnitz is responsible for the user studies and the human-centered validation of the algorithms. “Within the project, we investigate the effectiveness of the automated driving function while taking the VRU behavior, the system acceptance, as well as the interaction between drivers and the driving function into account,” says Prof. Stefan Brandenburg.

Realistic testing in a virtual environment

For the tests, the project partners will use a highly integrated test bench system. Within a virtual traffic scenario, a real vehicle mounted on a test bench, a pedestrian in a virtual environment, and a human driver in a driving simulation are integrated into the system and interact in real time. By coupling these components, accident scenarios and the interactions between different road users can be realistically replicated and investigated without exposing participants to risks and in compliance with ethical requirements.

“In this test environment, we can investigate how an injury risk-minimizing vehicle control system behaves in interaction with real people and realistic hardware for the first time—without real risks for any of the people involved. This is an important step toward deployment-ready safety technology,“ project leader Dr. Thomas Soot explains. Prof. Stefan Brandenburg adds: “The user studies of the project will provide important insights how people respond intuitively and how their reactions affect the effectiveness of this safety technology during such encounters.”

Beyond testing the specific driving function, VIRTUS pursues another goal: The developed test methods and ethical guidelines of the project are intended to be applicable for other automated driving systems in the future. In this way, the project supports the safe development and testing of automated vehicle technology in Germany. 

For further information, please contact Dr. Ann-Christin Hensch, Telefon 0371 531-35419, E-Mail ann-christin.hensch@psychologie.tu-chemnitz.de, Bettina Kämpfe, Telefon  0371 531-36314, E-Mail bettina.kaempfe@psychologie.tu-chemnitz.de, and Prof. Dr. Stefan Brandenburg, Telefon 0371 531-31312, E-Mail stefan.brandenburg@psychologie.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Sources: Fraunhofer EMI, Professur Allgemeine Psychologie und Human Factors der TU Chemnitz)

The Centre for Junior Scientists (ZfwN) at Chemnitz University of Technology is launching a new professional development program for the 2026/27 winter term. The free courses are aimed at those interested in pursuing a doctorate, doctoral researchers, doctorate holders, and researchers working toward a habilitation. Registration for the workshops opens on October 1, 2026, at 10 a.m. via the OPAL learning platform. Further information about the workshops and the links for enrollment are available on the ZfwN website.

The program, offered in German and English, once again covers a broad range of transferable skills. Workshops include “Intercultural Competence and Inclusive Collaboration”, “Thesis Defense Training”, and “Stimmfunktion und Resonanz. Körperzentriertes Stimmtraining für den akademischen Vortrag.” “KI im Promotionsalltag – Literatur, Schreiben, Prompting” explores current uses of artificial intelligence in academic work. Other workshops address topics such as writing persuasive research proposals and navigating ethics applications for research projects with confidence.

MentalStrategies – Effective Stress Management During Your PhD

A special offering this semester is the English-language workshop series “MentalStrategies – Effective Stress Management During Your PhD”, organized for doctoral researchers in cooperation with Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). Across five sessions, held partly in person and partly online, participants will learn evidence-based strategies for managing stress and relaxing. Practical exercises, discussion, and self-reflection will help them recognize personal sources of stress early and develop suitable strategies for their doctoral studies. Enrollment is available here.

TUCgraduate Day 2026

A highlight of the winter term is TUCgraduate Day (formerly the “Tag des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses”) on November 10, 2026, held in cooperation with Across. Under the theme “International Doctoral Research and Academic Careers: Research Stays Abroad, Networks, and Career Pathways,” the event offers opportunities to learn, exchange ideas, and build connections around international research experience, academic networks, and career paths. Further information about the program and registration is available on the event page.

Stay informed!

The Center for Junior Scientists regular newsletter provides updates on events and other news. It can be subscribed to online.

The ZfwN team is happy to help with questions about pursuing a doctorate, as well as questions, suggestions, or requests concerning its professional development program.

(Author: Dr. Nadia Lois)

Organic solar cells can be thin, lightweight and flexible. Although laboratory devices now achieve efficiencies of more than 20 %, maintaining a high performance when moving towards large-scale production remains a challenge. Researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology have now demonstrated organic solar cells based on non-fullerene acceptors using scalable printing and coating processes on flexible substrates. At the same time, they investigated why these devices are less efficient than their laboratory-scale counterparts.

The researchers used the photoactive material system PM6:Y12 and deposited the photoactive layer by gravure printing instead of conventional spin coating. In this process, the material solution is transferred onto the substrate using an engraved cylinder – a method suitable for continuous roll-to-roll production. They also used o-xylene, a non-halogenated solvent that is both more environmentally friendly and better suited to industrial processing than the commonly used laboratory solvent chloroform.

"We were able to produce uniform photoactive layers using gravure printing and a solvent suitable for industrial processing. However, printing the active layer is only one part of the challenge. All the layers have to work together, and each manufacturing step must be compatible with the layers underneath," said Svitlana Taranenko, first author of the study and researcher at the Institute for Print and Media Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology.

Gravure printing itself is not the limitation

An obvious explanation for the lower efficiency would be that gravure printing changes the morphology of the photoactive layer – in other words, how the two photoactive materials arrange themselves. However, the results reveal a more complex picture. "Our measurements show that gravure printing largely preserves the photoactive material's ability to absorb light and generate charge carriers. A substantial part of the efficiency loss comes from the architecture of the complete solar cell. At the same time, slower charge transport and additional recombination further reduce the performance," said Dr. Maria Saladina, corresponding author of the study and postdoctoral researcher at the Professorship of Optics and Photonics of Condensed Matter at Chemnitz University of Technology.

Despite these losses, the solar cells achieved power conversion efficiencies of 7.3 % – a record for fully roll-to-roll-compatible organic solar cells with a gravure-printed photoactive layer. "We now understand better where the remaining limitations lie. To bring the efficiency of printed solar cells closer to that achieved in the laboratory, we need to optimise the entire device architecture, including the interfaces and charge-transport layers. This provides a clear direction for the next steps towards scalable manufacturing," adds Dr. Saladina.

While hundreds of studies focus on laboratory-scale organic solar cells, only a small number investigate devices manufactured entirely using roll-to-roll-compatible methods. Among the few research groups pursuing gravure printing for organic photovoltaics are those led by Prof. Chang-Qi Ma in China and Prof. Arved C. Hübler at Chemnitz University of Technology. "Our results show that there is no fundamental obstacle to transferring modern organic solar cells to scalable printing techniques. The challenge is that far fewer researchers work on these manufacturing methods than on laboratory-scale devices. With more research effort, more people and sustained funding, we could accelerate efficiency improvements and bring printed solar cells much closer to their laboratory counterparts," said Prof. Dr. Carsten Deibel, head of the Professorship of Optics and Photonics of Condensed Matter at Chemnitz University of Technology and spokesperson for the DFG Research Unit POPULAR.

The study demonstrates how interdisciplinary research combining printing technology, materials science and semiconductor physics can help bridge the gap between laboratory-scale organic solar cells and their future industrial production. The new publication, entitled "Bridging the lab-to-fab gap in non-fullerene organic solar cells via gravure printing" (https://doi.org/10.1039/d6el00051g), appeared in EES Solar, a journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry. The research was conducted by researchers from Chemnitz University of Technology in collaboration with Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Durham University in the UK.

The POPULAR research project

Within the DFG Research Unit "Printed & Stable Organic Photovoltaics with Non-Fullerene Acceptors – POPULAR" (FOR 5387), researchers from 9 universities are working together to advance organic solar cells for large-area printing processes. Their research focuses on improving the performance and stability of these solar cells while gaining a better understanding of the underlying physical processes. The Research Unit is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and coordinated by Prof. Dr. Carsten Deibel at Chemnitz University of Technology.

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)

This will be the 19th time that international experts have gathered for the “International Workshop on Impedance Spectroscopy” (IWIS) at Chemnitz University of Technology. Around 90 participants from over 9 countries are expected to attend. The focus will be on new measurement and analysis techniques, and their applications in energy systems, biomedical applications, materials characterisation and smart sensor technology. The workshop is organised by Prof. Olfa Kanoun in collaboration with Prof. Pasquale Arpaia from the University of Naples Federico II.

Four plenary presentations will cover additional topics: Professor Bilel Hafsi (ICAM Lille, France) will speak about portable electronic noses that combine impedance spectroscopy with surface acoustic wave technologies. Dr.-Ing. André Weber (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) will give a plenary lecture providing an overview of research into the characterisation of batteries, fuel cells and electrolyisers. Prof. Burak Ülgüt (Bilkent University, Turkey) will discuss signal analysis in electrochemical systems, covering impedance, noise, and ultrafast spectroelectrochemistry. Finally, Prof. Franco Simini (Universidad de la República, Uruguay) will present on biological tissue characterisation, electrical impedance tomography, food quality and impedance-based point-of-care sensors, offering insights into biomedical engineering with a focus on bioimpedance.

However, the conference is not only aimed at experts. There is also a programme for those who are new to the subject, as well as anyone else who is interested. On 22 and 23 September, two days of tutorials will precede the technical presentations as part of the 'Advanced School on Impedance Spectroscopy (ASIS)'. Topics covered will include the fundamentals of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, distribution of relaxation times, electrical characterisation of biological matter in the time domain, and applications in corrosion and electrocatalysis, as well as calibration and compensation methods. There will also be a hands-on workshop focusing on typical measurement errors and how to correct them.

In addition, the event once again offers a platform for female researchers and students to exchange expertise and network with “SheIWIS”. New to the programme is a panel discussion hosted by the 'Circle of Experts in Impedance Spectroscopy (CEIS)', during which the conference's strategic planners will consult with the community on its future direction. The programme is rounded off with a poster exhibition and an industry exhibition.

Homepage „International Workshop on Impedance Spectroscopy“ (IWIS): https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/etit/messtech/iwis/

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

(Source: Department of Measurement and Sensor Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology)

A successful start in the studies is crucial for successful studies. In order to facilitate the start of studies for the first-year-students at Chemnitz University of Technology, an introduction week will happen from October 5 to 9, 2026. In this context, students are offered various opportunities within the orientation phase (abbreviated: “O-Phase”). Thus, the newly enrolled students get insights in their respective degree program, they may i.a. on the occasion of parties, get into first contacts with their fellow students and explore the campus, many institutions of the University and the City in various manners. For participation in the events, prior registration is mandatory – this may be done on the websites of the respective student bodies, central institutions or faculties. A comprehensive overview of the introduction week is provided on the website of the Central Course Guidance Service: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/studierendenservice/zsb/start/index_wise_laufend.php.en

Another opportunity for orientation in the start of studies is offered by the brochure “Start of Studies at Chemnitz University of Technology”. This guide, tailored on the demands of first-year-students, contains relevant information for an easy start of studies. The guide includes i.a. a checklist, important contact information of various institutions of the University, consultancy offers, information on the student-ID-card as well as regarding the Germany Semester Ticket and the Culture Ticket, hints for the compilation of course plans, location maps as well as many useful links.

For students coming from abroad to Chemnitz University of Technology, the International Office offers a special Buddy-Program. 

By the way: The extended period for enrolment in admission-free degree programs (i.a. for spontaneous study seekers and university shifters) runs still until October 31, 2026.

Further information regarding studies at Chemnitz University of Technology: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/study-in-chemnitz/

Contact: Central Course Guidance Service of Chemnitz University of Technology: phone: 0371 531-55555, email studienberatung@tu-chemnitz.de

(Translation: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht)

Internationally renowned researcher Dr. Alejandro G. Frank from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in Brazil has accepted an invitation from the Chair of Factory Planning and Intralogistics and will visit Chemnitz University of Technology in October. During his one-week visit, Dr. Frank will deliver two complementary lectures in English on October 21, linking the future of industrial work with the future of research in the field of operations management.

"As *Homo faber*, humans not only create technology but are also profoundly influenced by it. Industrial revolutions have shaped societies and our planet. Whether this is for better or worse ultimately depends on how we shape the interaction between humans and new technology. It is therefore a pleasure to welcome Prof. Frank to our chair," emphasizes Prof. Matthias Thürer, holder of the Chair of Factory Planning and Intralogistics.

Extensive expertise in digital work and empirical research

In his lecture titled "Integration of digital technologies and work: main advances, challenges and future perspective", Dr. Frank will discuss how over a decade of research into Industry 4.0 has transformed our understanding of technology and work, why the emerging debate on Industry 5.0 increasingly focuses on human-centric production, and the challenges researchers and companies still face in designing digitally supported work environments.

In his lecture titled "What makes a paper relevant for publication at IJPE? Lessons learned from the empirical research department" the guest from Brazil will draw on his editorial experience to provide a behind-the-scenes look to explain what distinguishes impactful empirical research from manuscripts that struggle to meet the expectations of leading international journals. The talk addresses recurring methodological and theoretical weaknesses, emerging trends in empirical research, and how researchers can design studies that make a significant contribution to operations and production management.

About Prof. Alejandro G. Frank

Prof. Alejandro G. Frank conducts research in the fields of digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and operations management. His work has received exceptional international attention; for instance, his 2019 article on Industry 4.0 technologies, published in the International Journal of Production Economics (IJPE), has been cited over 2,600 times in Scopus and is currently the journal's most-cited article on that platform. Prof. Frank also ranks among the top two percent of the most influential scientists worldwide according to the citation database compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier.

Beyond his own research, Prof. Frank plays a pivotal role in shaping international research in operations management, serving as an editor for IJPE (one of the field's leading journals) and as a board member of the European Operations Management Association (EurOMA). His international academic experience includes research activities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he remains affiliated with the MIT Industrial Performance Center.

For further information, please contact Prof. Matthias Thürer at matthias.thuerer@mb.tu-chemnitz.de. Details regarding the lectures can be found at https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/mb/FabrPlan/fo_seminars.php.en  

(Author: Prof. Matthias Thürer)

Being a little earlier at the University Library in the morning? That will be possible by the beginning of winter term 2026/27 as the University Library (UL) will open its doors from Monday to Saturday already at 8 am from October 1, 2026 on. “In that way, we comply to a wish frequently expressed by our users,” Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht, Deputy Director of the UL, explains. In addition, the extended opening hours also facilitate the event management as many events start already at 9 am for which will then be provided an appropriate lead time for organization and implementation.

The service hours, meaning the times, during that staff members of the University Library are at the desks, are remaining unaffected and will go on lasting from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm as well as from 9 am to noon on Saturday. This means that in the period from 8 am to 9 am, the users may – the same way like from 7 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and from noon to 10 pm on Saturdays – work at the UL as well as borrow and return media from the collections via the self-checkout stations and the return machine, but may not pay charges or asking for making changes at their user data. For those issues as well as for inquiries or requests, the users are asked to make use of the service hours.

Graphic: MIPEF key visual

Intellectual property plays a central role in research, innovation and the transfer of scientific knowledge into practice. Through a new cooperation between Chemnitz University of Technology and the European Patent Office (EPO), doctoral candidates, postdocs and staff of the university can now participate in the “Modular Intellectual Property Education Framework” (MIPEF) free of charge. The Centre for Junior Scientists (ZfwN), the Patent Information Centre (PIZ) of Chemnitz University of Technology and the Chair of Private Law and Intellectual Property (JURA II) accompany the programme.

The programme, developed by the EPO together with European experts, provides an introduction to intellectual property and connects it with specific practical applications. Topics covered include the various intellectual property protection systems, the life cycle of a patent, as well as technology transfer, IP strategies, licensing and commercialisation.

The English-language online course comprises interactive self-study modules, case studies, online events with IP experts and moderated forums. Upon completion of a final examination, participants receive a certificate from the European Patent Office.

Participants learn how intellectual property can be identified, protected and strategically used in the research and innovation process. In addition to the introductory course, the European Patent Office also offers an advanced course as part of the programme, which covers further aspects of patenting and the strategic use of intellectual property, as well as a course on IP management, which provides knowledge on the management of intellectual property rights and their commercialisation.

The interdisciplinary programme is aimed in particular at researchers working on innovative technologies, processes, products or transfer-oriented projects. No prior knowledge of patent law is required for the introductory course.

Registration and further information

Registration for the introductory course is possible from 21 September to 14 October 2026. The course phase relevant for participants begins with the opening of the online course area on 16 October 2026. The final examination must be submitted by 21 December 2026. The advanced course starts in spring 2027.

Participation in the courses is free of charge. The courses take place entirely online and in English.

Interested doctoral candidates, postdocs and staff of Chemnitz University of Technology who wish to participate in the introductory course are asked to first enrol in the OPAL course. There, they will receive all further information on registration and the course procedure. Anyone interested in the IP management course is asked to contact carina.gerlach@piz.tu-chemnitz.de by email.

The European Patent Office provides further information about the programme on its website: https://www.epo.org/de/learning/learning-resources-profile/universities-research-centres-and-technology-transfer-centres/modular-ip-education-framework as well as at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y-B9wuSViA.

For questions regarding the content, please contact Dr Carina Gerlach, Head of the Patent Information Centre, by email at carina.gerlach@piz.tu-chemnitz.de.

For organisational questions, please contact Dr Nadia Lois from the Centre for Junior Scientists, email: nadia.lois@rektor.tu-chemnitz.de.

Academic supervision by Prof. Dr. Dagmar Gesmann-Nuissl, Chair of Private Law and Intellectual Property Rights, email: dagmar.gesmann@wiwi.tu-chemnitz.de

(Author: Dr. Nadia Lois)

On September 6, 2026, all citizens interested in politics will have the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of the Saxon State Government. From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the State Government will open its doors around Dresden’s Carolaplatz for the 21st 'Open Government Quarter'—this time under the motto ‘To See and Be Seen.’ This event format offers insights into the work of the State Chancellery and the ministries, providing an opportunity to engage with staff members from these agencies.

At the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism (SMWK), located at Wigardstraße 17, Chemnitz University of Technology will be among the institutions presenting two research topics. The Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology (Director: Prof. Dr. Oliver G. Schmidt) presents its research within the university's core competency area ‘Materials and Intelligent Systems.’ Using demonstrators and video footage, an international team of researchers and doctoral candidates—led by Dr. Vineeth Bandari and Dr. Yeji Lee, senior scientists at Research Center MAIN at Chemnitz University of Technology—provides visitors with a clear and engaging look into the latest research on small, intelligent micromechanical systems, known as 'smartlets.' In addition, potential application scenarios for microrobotics in environmental and medical technology will be presented as building blocks. Visitors at the 'Open Government Quarter' will have the opportunity to engage with researchers and learn about degree programs offered by the participating faculties at Research Center MAIN—Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, and Natural Sciences—including the master’s degree programs in Microsystems and Microelectronics, Micro and Nano Systems, and Advanced Functional Materials.

Moreover, Chemnitz University of Technology will present its activities as part of the 'C:HUB One Health Cluster Southwestern Saxony,' which combines research and development efforts in the medical technology sector with local businesses and healthcare providers to create value, address regional needs, and drive innovation.

Project Manager Aline Lohse is presenting two flagship projects for the 'Open Government Quarter': First, the 'Spatial Computing' project, which adapts commercial mixed-reality headset technology for use in the operating room. Second, she is presenting the 'Artificial Immune System' project. It combines research approaches from microrobotics, spectroscopic analysis, and biomedical analytics at Research Center MAIN and its participating faculties, offering potential for disruptive innovations in medical technology.

Detailed information on the “Open Government District 2026”: https://www.staatsregierung.sachsen.de/offenes-regierungsviertel.html

For more information, please contact Aline Lohse at aline.lohse@zwt.tu-chemnitz.de or Dr. Thomas Blaudeck at thomas.blaudeck@main.tu-chemnitz.de

(Translation: Dona Maria (Research Center MAIN)

The Free State of Saxony is supporting structural transformation in Southwestern Saxony with further multi-million-euro investments in science and research. One of the largest planned investments is the construction of a new cleanroom for research and technology development in the field of sustainable microelectronics and sensor technology at the Center for Micro and Nanotechnologies (ZfM) at Chemnitz University of Technology. Unspent EU funds are to be utilized for the building, which will cost approximately €68 million. Subject to approval by the European Commission, this will enable the implementation of a project that strengthens Chemnitz University of Technology's research infrastructure and creates new opportunities for collaboration with research institutions and companies. This was announced by the Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture and Tourism in a press release published on August 25, 2026.

“We are absolutely thrilled that, even in these highly constrained and challenging fiscal times, the construction of the new cleanroom for research and technology development in the field of sustainable microelectronics and sensor technology can be realized. This represents an exceptionally significant investment in Chemnitz University of Technology—particularly in its core competencies of materials and intelligent systems — as well as in the entire region of Southwestern Saxony. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Saxon State Government — in particular to Minister-President Michael Kretschmer and Minister of Science Sebastian Gemkow — as well as to everyone else involved for their outstanding support!" says Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, Rector of Chemnitz University of Technology.

With the planned cleanroom, the ZfM will further expand its expertise in micro- and nanotechnologies. The focus will be on technologies for sustainable microelectronics and sensor technology. The new infrastructure creates the prerequisite for cutting-edge research and technology development, while also aiming to intensify collaboration with non-university research institutions and industry partners.

“The planned new cleanroom represents a milestone boost for the Center for Micro and Nanotechnologies at Chemnitz University of Technology. Through these forward-looking investments, our world-class research can be further expanded and strengthened. This state-of-the-art infrastructure serves as a tremendous source of motivation for our staff and acts as a magnet for leading international researchers. In doing so, we are not only creating optimal conditions for research into sustainable microelectronics and cutting-edge technologies in quantum computing, neuromorphic computing, photonics, and smart sensors, but we are also building a stronger bridge between excellent research and industrial applications. As a key player in the region, we make a significant contribution to value creation—from which regional partners will benefit in the long term," said Prof. Dr. Harald Kuhn, holder of the Professorship for Smart Systems Integration at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (ENAS), and Director of the ZfM at Chemnitz University of Technology.

The planned investment is part of a comprehensive package of measures by the Free State of Saxony to strengthen Southwestern Saxony as a hub for science and research. This includes 79 European research funding projects (ERDF/JTF) in the field of mechanical and plant engineering, totaling more than € 80 million, as well as projects totaling over € 200 million in medium-term financial planning through 2031.

Background: The Center for Micro and Nanotechnologies (ZfM)

With the ZfM, Chemnitz University of Technology (TU Chemnitz) is home to one of the world’s leading research centers for microsystems technology and nanotechnologies. It represents one of the technological cornerstones of the Southwestern Saxony industrial region and serves as an indispensable pillar of Silicon Saxony. Key research areas include system miniaturization, energy efficiency, performance enhancement with reduced resource consumption, and the integration of micro- and nanoscale components into complex systems.

Microelectronics is the core enabling technology for AI, medical technology, autonomous systems, as well as energy and mobility solutions—forming the foundation of industrial transformation. With over 120 German and 49 European partners, the ZfM serves as a global development partner for industry. The planned new building is therefore far more than just a construction project; it is of immense strategic importance. Ultimately, it will help secure and expand more than 300 highly skilled jobs in Saxony.

(Source: including a press release from the SMWK dated August 25, 2026)

Dr. Elizabeth Mamros, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, USA, has joined the Professorship Forming Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology as a visiting scholar. During her one-year stay, which began on July 1, 2026, she will work with the Chemnitz team on research focusing in particular on innovative heating strategies for incremental forming processes.

Her stay is supported by two programs: the Visiting Scholar Program of Chemnitz University of Technology and the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. This support provides an opportunity to continue and further develop a German-American research collaboration that has grown over several years.

The collaboration between Dr. Mamros and Prof. Dr.Ing. Till Clausmeyer, head of the Professorship Forming Technology, began at TU Dortmund University. At the time, Dr. Mamros was a doctoral researcher and spent 13 months in Germany conducting research through the Fulbright Program. Their collaboration subsequently included the joint supervision of a student through the DAAD RISE Worldwide program and a joint scientific publication. They also worked together on an international review contribution to the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP) and continued to meet regularly at international conferences.

After completing her Ph.D. at the University of New Hampshire in 2023, Dr. Mamros joined Bucknell University as an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Following Prof. Dr.-Ing. Clausmeyer’s move to Chemnitz University of Technology, their collaboration is now continuing at the Professorship Forming Technology.

“We are delighted to host Elizabeth Mamros in Chemnitz for an extended research stay. I have known Elizabeth since her time as a doctoral researcher in Dortmund and have followed her scientific development with great interest ever since. It is therefore a particular pleasure to welcome her to Chemnitz now as an Assistant Professor and internationally recognized researcher. The fact that our joint project was successful in both the Fulbright Program and the Visiting Scholar Program of Chemnitz University of Technology is a special recognition for us and gives us the opportunity to develop our existing collaboration into a long-term partnership between our professorships and universities,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Clausmeyer.

Dr. Mamros’ research in forming and manufacturing technologies combines fundamental questions of material behavior with innovative manufacturing processes. In Chemnitz, her work will focus on the application of induction heating strategies in incremental forming processes. Together with researchers at the Professorship Forming Technology, she will work to advance the fundamental understanding of these flexible manufacturing processes and explore new approaches for their future industrial application.

“I am very excited to spend a year as part of the team in Chemnitz and to further develop this international collaboration. One of our biggest strengths is the combination of the team’s scientific expertise and the excellent experimental capabilities in forming technologies. This gives us the opportunity to investigate scientific questions together that would be difficult to address at either of our institutions alone. At the same time, I am looking forward to being immersed in the German culture, exploring a new region of the country, and building new connections,” says Dr. Mamros.

The collaboration is intended to continue beyond the current stay. Plans include joint scientific publications and conference contributions as well as the development of further collaborative research projects. In the longer term, students from both universities are also expected to become more closely involved in the exchange.

Research is only one aspect of the collaboration. Personal and cultural exchange also plays an important role and is a central element of the Fulbright mission. For both researchers, this aspect has a personal connection: Dr. Mamros previously spent time in Germany as a Fulbright grantee, while Prof. Dr.-Ing. Clausmeyer gained international experience early in his life as a high-school exchange student in the United States. The current stay therefore brings together scientific collaboration and the long-term development of trans-Atlantic relations and cultural exchange between Germany and the United States.

In quantum computers, ions prefer to be isolated and kept at freezing temperatures because, to achieve optimal performance, they must be as isolated from their environment as possible. Only then can quantum operations be performed on them without perturbation. To this end, the ions are confined in a trap by electric fields, and the entire ion trap is cooled to a temperature of less than 10 Kelvin (just above absolute zero) in a high vacuum. Quantum computers based on such ion traps are currently attracting a great deal of interest in industry and science, particularly with regard to their miniaturization. This requires new concepts, materials, and technologies for heterogeneous system integration. This expertise is a strategic priority of the European Chips Act and will now be strengthened in Chemnitz and further developed for new areas of application. This is being carried out by Chemnitz University of Technology and the Chemnitz-based Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (ENAS), in collaboration with partner institutes of the German Microelectronics Research Factory (FMD).

At the new “Cryo-Lab for Materials and Electronics Packaging Chemnitz”—CRYME for short—based at Chemnitz University of Technology, scientists aim to research and develop materials, components, and systems for future generations of quantum computers, as well as evaluate their reliability. Thanks to an investment project by Fraunhofer ENAS, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR), state-of-the-art equipment was acquired, including two specialized cooling devices known as cryostats, a cryogenic materials testing system for determining thermomechanical properties, and a cryogenic scanning electron microscope for materials analysis at extremely low temperatures. This technology is now jointly operated by Fraunhofer ENAS and Chemnitz University of Technology. As part of the European Test and Reliability Center (ETRC), CRYME strengthens the close collaboration between Fraunhofer ENAS and the FMD as well as the Chair of Materials and Reliability of Microtechnological Systems, the Center for Micro- and Nanotechnologies (ZfM), and the Research Center for Materials, Architectures, and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology. The new laboratory is located at the Research Center MAIN. The new helium liquefaction plant at the neighboring Institute of Physics also plays an important role, as some of CRYME’s cryostats are powered by liquid helium.

“As a key technology of the 21st century, quantum computing also stands for technological leadership, high-quality jobs, and cutting-edge research. That is why the Chemnitz researchers involved in CRYME view the new laboratory as a key building block for innovation, new large-scale research projects, excellent teaching, and attracting young scientists,” says Prof. Dr. Bernhard Wunderle, holder of the Chair of Materials and Reliability of Microtechnical Systems. At the same time, he notes that the collaboration taking place here is a prime example of successful cooperation on the “Smart Systems Campus” in Chemnitz.

Dr. Remi Pantou, head of the “Characterization and Analytics” group at Fraunhofer ENAS and laboratory director of CRYME, adds: “CRYME’s new facilities are a key factor for collaborative projects with industry partners, as the complexity of this specialized research laboratory is unique in Germany and Europe. Several companies have expressed interest in collaborating. Specific collaborative projects have already begun, and additional projects are in the planning stages.”

The new laboratory will be officially opened on September 2, 2026, as part of a two-day event called “Chemnitz Seminars,” which will be held under the theme “Testing and Reliability Between Ice and Fire: New Laboratories and Methods from 4 K to 700 K.” The event covers topics related to testing and reliability and provides an ideal platform for sharing knowledge, discussing practical applications, and identifying future opportunities for collaboration within CRYME. Registration for the free seminar is open until August 21, 2026.

Program of the Seminar and Registration:

https://www.enas.fraunhofer.de/en/news_events/Events/Chemnitz_Seminars/chemnitz-seminar-test-and-reliability.html

(Translation: Dona Maria, Research Center MAIN)

Previous apps for identifying animal calls regularly reached their limits in practice: without a stable internet connection, real-time identification in the forest or high mountains was impossible. The new BirdNET Live app, a further development of the BirdNET app, solves this problem with a technological breakthrough: the underlying AI models have been optimised, streamlined and accelerated to such an extent that they can now run directly on the smartphone.

Around 11,000 bird species are currently known worldwide; the app can currently recognise 8,927 of them. It is also capable of identifying the calls of 268 mammals, 254 insects and 340 amphibians, in real time and completely offline. In total, BirdNET Live can identify almost 10,000 animal species by their sounds – more than any other app, as lead developer Dr Stefan Kahl from the Professorship of Media Informatics at the University of Technology Chemnitz explains: the next-best offline app can only identify around 2,300 species.

As an open-source project, BirdNET Live offers maximum usability. The app’s user interface is currently available in seven languages; the names of the identified animal species are translated into 25 languages.

A tool for experts and the general public

Whilst conventional identification apps are primarily intended for occasional use in one’s own garden, BirdNET Live is aimed first and foremost at nature conservation professionals, researchers, students and ambitious citizen scientists. Amateur ornithologists can, of course, also use it.

The app features specialised modes for structured surveys, as are standard in scientific fieldwork. It automatically records animal calls with precise location and time data and stores them locally on the smartphone.

The recordings can subsequently be flexibly reviewed, exported or shared with other experts for validation. At the same time, the app serves as a learning tool: users can listen back to their own acoustic recordings directly and thus continuously improve their species identification skills.

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt funded the development team

BirdNET Live is the result of close interdisciplinary collaboration as part of the RangerSound project, which was funded by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU).

To identify the shortcomings of existing bioacoustic systems in everyday practical use, conservation biologists from the University of Würzburg, the rangers at the Bavarian Forest National Park, hardware experts from the company Oekofor (Freiburg / Breisgau) and AI specialists from University of Technology Chemnitz worked hand in hand.

The result is a practical and robust app designed specifically for field conditions. When used with an external microphone, for example, the smartphone can be carried safely and waterproofed in a rucksack whilst the app continuously records data in the background.

BirdNET Live is an enormous technological progress

“At first glance, running the AI locally on a smartphone seems like a small, logical step forward. However, behind this lies enormous technological progress in optimising our AI models,” says Dr Stefan Kahl from University of Technology Chemnitz, an AI expert and lead developer of BirdNET. The app demonstrates just how important interdisciplinary collaboration is: “It was only when practitioners, conservation biologists and we, as AI developers, sat down together that we were able to identify the real shortcomings in the field and create a tailor-made, practical solution. This is a model that can be applied to many areas where AI is finding its way into our everyday lives.”

Professor Jörg Müller: “An app for students too”

“We will now be using BirdNET Live as standard in our university teaching. This will give our students entirely new opportunities to collect standardised data for their dissertations or during field courses,” says Professor Jörg Müller, Chair of Conservation Biology and Forest Ecology at the University of Würzburg.

The app’s potential extends far beyond local forests: “We expect the app to serve us exceptionally well in our research work in the extremely species-rich lowland rainforest in Ecuador, where there is no mobile phone coverage whatsoever.”

Dr Simon Verdon: “Ideal for rangers”

“Local analysis carried out directly on site is exactly what we’ve been hoping for in the day-to-day work of ranger teams in protected areas,” says Dr Simon Verdon from the University of Würzburg, a member of the RangerSound project: “They can simply leave the app running during their patrols and immediately get a clear picture of the local species composition without having to rely on mobile network coverage.”

Further facts about BirdNET

• De facto standard: BirdNET is an AI system for the automatic recognition of bird calls and the world’s leading technology for AI-supported bioacoustic monitoring.
• Successful citizen science project: With more than two million active users worldwide and over six million app downloads, more than 250 million verified nature observations have already been collected.
• Important for science: The data collected from citizen science projects feeds directly into global research projects. For example, BirdNET data collected via the BirdWeather network provided the basis for a study published in the renowned journal Nature on the impact of light pollution on birds’ singing behaviour.
• Partners: BirdNET is a joint project between University of Technology Chemnitz and the Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics (USA).

The ‘Schlaumeise’ portal helps you get started

For aspiring citizen scientists, schools, teachers and learners, the schlaumeise.org portal offers supporting materials, tutorials and project ideas covering the topics of bioacoustics, species conservation and artificial intelligence.

Further information on the app and how to download it:

• Official project website: birdnet.tu-chemnitz.de/live-app
• Portal for learners and teachers: www.schlaumeise.org

Contact: Dr. Stefan Kahl, Telephone +49 371 531-32219, e-mail stefan.kahl@informatik.tu-chemnitz.de, and Prof. Dr. Jörg Müller, Telephone +49 931 31-83378, e-mail joerg.mueller@uni-wuerzburg.de

(Author: Robert Emmerich, University of Würzburg)

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)