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 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 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)

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)

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)

On February 5, 2026 from 04:00 pm on, it happens again: The University Library jointly with the University Computer Center, the Foreign Language Center, the Methodological Competence Center of the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Central Course Guidance Service as well as the Student Council, the faculty student bodies and the Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau invites again for the “Long Night of Postponed Course Papers”. The concept was adapted to the demands of the students. Thus, this year is provided the opportunity to book in advance individual time slots of 20 minutes for consultation with the respective consultant at the information booths according to the own time planning and orienting at the personal inquiries and needs via OPAL (mytuc.org/gsxv). The information booths provide their offers at the west wing at the ground floor of the Library Building until 10:00 pm.

In order to create the best conditions for finally complete the course paper, also sufficient opportunities for relaxing are provided: Thus, at 05:45 pm and at 08:00 pm a “break for moving” of respectively 15 minutes is offered at the east wing at the ground floor and within the period from 06:00-08:00 pm four times yoga and relaxing exercises of respectively 20 minutes (in the IdeenReich). From 07:00-09:00 pm, twelve time slots for “speed massages” of respectively ten minutes are provided. Those are allocated from 05:00 pm on at the information booth of the Student Union – first come, first serve! For the “breaks for moving” as well as for the yoga and relaxing exercises on the contrary, no prior registration is required. Thanks to the Student Union, also food and beverages are provided.

The event is rounded off by a keynote speech of Sofie Marie Götz of the Junior Professorship Sociology with Specialization in Technology dealing with the topic “Apply Generative AI (right) within studies” in the IdeenReich.

Subsequently, from 10:00 pm on, the course paper may be elaborated – this time, however, not only until midnight but all around the clock as until February 14, 2026 midnight, the University Library stays open 24/7 for the first time and thus fulfills a wish frequently expressed by its users. Consequently, not only the “course paper authors” but all students are cordially invited to extensively make use of this offer and crowd the University Library also during the night within the period mentioned. Please observe to bring with you your TUCcard as you will need it for getting in the Library Building within the time from midnight to 09:00 am by presenting it to a scanning device next to the main entrance.

Detailed information regarding the “Long Night of Postponed Course Papers”: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/ub/aktuell/veranstaltungen/landah.html.en

A stay abroad allows you to acquire new knowledge and skills and expand your social, cultural and professional competencies. Students at Chemnitz University of Technology can choose from exchange places at more than 200 partner universities in 30 countries as part of the Erasmus+ programme.

Anyone who would like to spend a semester abroad with the Erasmus+ programme in the winter semester 2026/27 or summer semester 2027 should now apply to their department for an exchange place at an Erasmus+ partner institution of the department. The online application for participation in the Erasmus+ programme must be submitted to the International University Centre (IUZ) at Chemnitz University of Technology by 31 March 2026. Further information is available online.

Erasmus+ offers a lot

A semester abroad with Erasmus+ has many advantages: the stay can be financially supported, there are no tuition fees at the host university, and the recognition of credits earned abroad and extensive organisational support are also advantages. The monthly funding rates of €600 or €540 are supplemented by a travel allowance and possible additional funding of €250 per month for students with children, physical disabilities, from non-academic backgrounds or in employment.

The IUZ supports Erasmus+ students before, during and after their stay. Numerous counselling and support services, preparatory meetings and intercultural training courses complement the stay at the ‘dream study location’. In addition, the IUZ is in contact with many partner universities and is available as a contact point at all times to ensure that the semester abroad is an unforgettable experience.

For further information please contact: Oliver Sachs, phone: +49 (0)371/531-37972, E-Mail: oliver.sachs@iuz.tu-chemnitz.de

From December 1 to 4, 2025, the final week of the three-year collaborative project „WeSPICE" took place at the Tunisian university École Nationale d'Electronique et de Télécommunications de Sfax (ENET'COM). The project was funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as part of the Ta'ziz Partnership Program. The following staff members from the Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology were involved in the project: Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun (Chair holder), Dr. Thomas Keutel (Project Manager Impedance Spectroscopy), Dr. Christian Viehweger (Working Group Leader and Project Manager Energy-Autonomous Sensor Systems), Dr. Rim Barioul (Working Group Leader Smart Wearables), Dr. Hiba Hellara (Project Manager Smart Wearables), and Mohamed Dhia Ayadi (Project Leader Micro- and Nanosensors (Nanogenerators)). The project was officially concluded with all participating organizations on December 4, 2025, in a ceremonial closing event attended by representatives from TU Chemnitz and the German Embassy in Tunis, as well as the Director of the DAAD Country Office.

Cross-Border Professional Development and Student Orientation

TU Chemnitz and ENET'COM in Sfax have worked closely in recent years with the Dräxlmaier Group, headquartered in Vilsbiburg, Lower Bavaria. The globally renowned premium vehicle manufacturer develops and produces wiring systems, electrical and electronic components, battery systems, and high-quality interiors for premium automotive manufacturers such as BMW and Porsche.

The project pursued three central thematic priorities with a special focus on knowledge transfer, participatory network building, and sustainable dialogue between academia, industry, and society:

• Professional development in ASPICE (Automotive SPICE): A total of 17 professionals were qualified, including seven instructors who will directly incorporate their knowledge into university teaching in the future, thereby ensuring sustainable knowledge transfer from industry to academia.
• Building an interdisciplinary network: A network of 25 partners from industry and society was established. Together with these non-university actors, „Improvements of Engineering Education Addressing Industry and Research Needs" were discussed from the perspectives of instructors and students. These participatory dialogue spaces enabled knowledge exchange between academia and practice and contributed to the needs-oriented development of engineering education.
• Student-oriented events: Over 360 students participated in a total of 32 participatory events including hackathons, soft skills seminars, women's empowerment workshops, job fairs, and green economy workshops. These formats strengthened the dialogue between universities, industry, and civil society and created sustainable bridges between academic education and professional practice.

ASPICE is an internationally recognized process model for evaluating and improving development processes in the automotive industry. Manufacturers and suppliers worldwide use it to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of software and system development. The project's final week was framed by a job fair and a workshop on integrating ASPICE into academic teaching. This made the international collaboration between research, industry, and education clearly visible and strengthened once again. „The parallel qualification of instructors and the practice-oriented offerings for students represent a sustainable contribution to strengthening international cooperation and training future professionals," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, project leader on the German side.

Background: The WeSPICE Project

The collaborative project „We Establish Sustainable Program to Improve Commitment to Employability" (WE-SPICE)" was funded from 2023 to 2025 by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as part of the Ta'ziz Partnership Program with approximately 300,000 euros from the German Federal Foreign Office.

Background: Ta'ziz Partnership Program

The Ta'ziz Partnership Program, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with resources from the Federal Foreign Office, promotes cooperation between German universities and partner institutions in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). The Arabic term  „Ta'ziz" means „strengthening" or  „consolidation" and clarifies the program's objective. In times of social and political change, universities and non-university actors are to be supported in order to promote reforms, scientific cooperation, and civil society participation.

For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology

The Physik Journal, the member magazine of the German Physical Society (DPG, Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V.), the most important specialist medium and central information forum for over 50,000 physicists of all disciplines in German-speaking countries, features an overview article in its January 2026 issue on two projects from the TUCculture2025 initiative of Chemnitz University of Technology in recent years that have combined art and physics in a special way. For example, the stele artwork “Thinking and Perception Model for the Phenomenon of Color” by Dresden artist Stefan Nestler, erected in 1998 as part of the construction of the Central Lecture Hall and Seminar Building at Chemnitz University of Technology, demonstrated how abstract concepts of modern physics can be explored through aesthetic experience. From the viewpoint of the end of 2025, the article puts the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz again into a retrospective focus.

Behind a largely regular arrangement of 187 metal steles, which have adorned the forecourt of the Central Lecture Hall and Seminar Building as a work of art since 1998, lies more than just an aesthetic object: it represents a kind of color in itself, a variation on what it conveys as its main message. What sounds like a somewhat convoluted but trivial statement is the result of more than three years of intensive and interdisciplinary scientific observation, funded in part by the projects “Chemnitz: Wood, Light, Sound” and “Wave Plays” as parts of the TUCculture2025 initiative. The work revealed that the artwork “Thinking and Perception Model for the Phenomenon of Color” is the world's largest scientifically described realization of a photonic crystal for electromagnetic waves and, at the same time, represents a phononic crystal that can be used fort he manipulation of sound waves. It thus represents forbidden regions, i.e., barriers for waves in several spectral ranges: the band gaps occur for both sound and radio waves, so that the artwork has its own “color” in each of these two domains.

This special connection between physics, art, and the worlds of human perception and metrological measurement is the focus of the overview article titled “Phoxonic Art” Herein, Prof. Dr. Angela Thränhardt, Professor of Theoretical Physics at Chemnitz University of Technology and Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and Dr. Thomas Blaudeck, Managing Director of the Research Center for Materials, Architectures, and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology, explain how Stefan Nestler's stele arrangement allowed fundamental wave equations to be examined clearly and how numerical simulations, theoretical models, and metrological experiments were interlinked with the expertise of the faculties of Natural Sciences and Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. The adjective “phoxonic” in the deliberately pejorative title “Phoxonische Kunst” (Phoxonic Art) refers to the fact that several “forbidden regions” for the propagation of waves, i.e., band gaps, occur in one and the same object. This applies both to the photonic case, i.e., that related to light and electromagnetic waves in the field of established communication technologies, and to the phononic case, i.e., that are related to acoustics and hence sound. An interaction between these domains is also conceivable, at least in principle. This demonstrates the remarkable visionary nature of artist Stefan Nestler, who has imbued his artwork with a unique, phoxonian model of perception that is measurable and therefore verifiable.

The overview article also highlights that physical research not only unlocks new insights into abstract or complex phenomena in nature, but also opens up innovative avenues for science communication through its connection with art: as part of the TUCculture2025 projects, the artwork and its surroundings were transferred to a laboratory environment where the complex wave phenomena of photonics and phononics, such as scattering, interference, and diffraction, became audible and tangible in surprising ways. The artwork thus became the starting point for dialogue between scientists, friends of art, and the general public, for example at the Open House Days (TUCtage) since 2022 or the Christmas market at Chemnitz University of Technology. This is an example of bringing physics out of the “ivory tower” and into the urban and cultural space.

Beyond the specific topic, the overview article provides an outline of other projects with a “physical flavor” from the TUCculture2025 initiative of Chemnitz University of Technology, which since 2022 has bundled many of the university's activities at the interface of science, art, and society since 2022 and was geared toward 2025, when Chemnitz held the title of “European Capital of Culture.” The article also looks back on cultural projects and events in Chemnitz during the European Capital of Culture year that had a special connection to physics and thus became part of the broad cultural program in Chemnitz as scientific sprinklings.

The article has been available as a summary on the Physik Journal website (issue 01/2026) since January 5, 2026 (login required to access the PDF).

For further information, please contact Dr. Thomas Blaudeck, phone +49 (0)371 531-35610, e-mail thomas.blaudeck@main.tu-chemnitz.de, and Prof. Dr. Angela Thränhardt, phone +49 (0)371 531-37636, e-mail angela.thraenhardt@physik.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Author: Dr. Thomas Blaudeck, Translation: Tobias Bollig)

A special highlight of the winter semester is the 12th “Tag des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses” at Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC). The Centre for Junior Scientists (ZfwN) cordially invites all interested participants to join the event on 11 November 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the Central Lecture and Seminar Building, Reichenhainer Straße 90. The event is aimed at prospective doctoral candidates, doctoral researchers, postdocs, supervisors, and all other interested persons. Participation is free of charge, but online registration is requested. This year’s event is held under the theme “Academic Qualification in the Age of AI”. It offers various insights into the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence brings to research, teaching, and career development.

Program and Key Topics

The day will begin at 10:30 a.m. with an “Opening and Moderated Talk with Early-Career Scientists”, in which young researchers will share insights into their doctoral experiences. The session will conclude with Prof. Frank Asbrock, Ombudsperson for Good Scientific Practice, who will highlight key aspects of responsible conduct in research.

During the Networking Break (12:30–2:00 p.m.), participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with representatives from various faculties and other university institutions and to establish new contacts.

In the afternoon, the session from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. will focus on the main theme: “Wissenschaftliche Qualifikation im KI-Zeitalter – Chancen, Herausforderungen und Perspektiven”.

After a short Break (3:30–4:00 p.m.), two parallel sessions will follow from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.:

• The PhD Journey from Different Perspectives – with Prof. Dr. Anja Strobel (Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences) and Prof. Dr. Martin Wagner (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering)
• Postdoc Roundtable: Sharing Experiences – an open discussion format for postdoctoral researchers from various disciplines.

The event will be held in both German and English. Each session will be conducted in the language of its respective presentation title.

Further information and the registration link are available online at: https://mytuc.org/tztm

Stay Informed

The ZfwN newsletter provides regular updates on current workshops, events, and news related to doctoral studies, career planning, and academic development. Interested persons can subscribe online.

For questions, feedback, or suggestions regarding the continuing education program or the “Tag des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses”, the ZfwN team is happy to assist.

Contact: Centre for Junior Scientists, E-mail zfwn@tu-chemnitz.de

(Author: Dr. Nadia Lois)

Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, holder of the Department of Measurement and Sensor Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology, was awarded the President of the Republic of Tunisia's prize for the best Tunisian researcher living abroad at a ceremony in Tunis on 28 August 2025.

The National Prize for Science and Technology is awarded by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS). It honours Tunisian researchers and inventors living in Tunisia or abroad who have distinguished themselves through outstanding scientific achievements or technological innovations. The research prize is awarded according to strict criteria that go far beyond mere publication performance. Scientific visibility through publications and doctorates, innovative strength through patents or new methods, the economic and social benefits of research projects, and international presence through collaborations, conferences and awards are all taken into account. In the case of Prof. Dr. Kanoun, the award recognises in particular her scientific excellence and the technological innovation of her internationally recognised research work.

“This award represents an important milestone in my academic and scientific career. I regard it as recognition of many years of intensive research and the dedicated commitment of our entire professorship. At the same time, it is a strong motivation for us to continue on the path we have chosen with determination and dedication and to further advance our scientific work,” emphasises Prof. Dr. Kanoun.

"We warmly congratulate Professor Kanoun on this prestigious award and are delighted that our colleague has received this recognition. The award once again underlines the excellence of the scientific achievements and technological innovations that Professor Kanoun and her team are making in the field of materials and intelligent systems," says Prof. Dr. Anja Strobel, representative of the Rector and Vice-Rector for Research and University Development at Chemnitz University of Technology.

Commitment to Tunisia and promoting young talent

Although Prof. Dr. Kanoun works in Germany, she has always maintained close ties with Tunisia. She has supervised more than 100 theses by Tunisian engineering and master's students, as well as over 20 doctoral and postdoctoral students. In addition, she has organised more than 15 international summer schools in Tunisia and developed over 30 research and mobility projects with Tunisian institutions, which were funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the European Union.

Innovation, patents and international projects

As the (co-)owner of seven patents in the field of sensor technology and nanomaterials, Kanoun is also heavily involved in innovation. She supported the founding of NanoSen GmbH, a start-up specialising in innovative force sensors. She also coordinates numerous large-scale international projects at EU level and in the context of joint projects of the German Research Foundation.

Prof. Dr. Kanoun has also founded and chaired several renowned international conferences, including the International Workshop on Impedance Spectroscopy (IWIS) and the Multi-Conference on Systems, Signals and Devices (SSD). She has been elected IEEE Distinguished Lecturer twice (2016 and 2022).

About Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun

Born and raised in Sfax, Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun studied in Germany and established herself internationally as a leading expert in the fields of sensor technology, impedance spectroscopy and nanomaterials.

Prof. Dr. Kanoun received her doctorate from the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich in 2001 and was awarded the dissertation prize by the Working Group of University Lecturers for Measurement Technology (AHMT e. V., Germany). In the same year, she founded the ‘Impedance Spectroscopy’ working group at the Institute for Sensor Technology and Measurement Systems at the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich (Prof. Dr. Hans-Rolf Tränkler). In 2006, she was appointed adjunct professor and head of the Department of Measurement Technology at the University of Kassel. Since 2007, she has been a full professor at Chemnitz University of Technology, where she heads the Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology. After founding the International Workshop on Impedance Spectroscopy (IWIS) in 2008 and the Advanced School on Impedance Spectroscopy in 2017, she launched the Technical Committee Impedance Spectroscopy (TC2) in 2018. Prof. Dr. Kanoun is now a leading and internationally recognised scientist in the field of sensors and sensor systems.

In the SCOPUS literature database, she tops the list of authors on impedance spectroscopy in Germany and the list of authors worldwide in the field of sensor systems for impedance spectroscopy. She has published over 700 peer-reviewed scientific publications, which have been cited more than 8,000 times. Her work has led to decisive advances in the development of novel intelligent sensors, energy-autonomous systems and new diagnostic methods for batteries, health, the environment and industry. In 2022, she was honoured with the Technical Award of the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society for her pioneering achievements.

(Translation: Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, Anne Eichhorn)

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I came from Mongolia. I graduated from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Hardware Engineering. Since 2023, I have begun my master’s research in the rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence, one of the most dynamic areas in today’s technological world. I am very pleased to have been selected for the “Saxon Student Mobility Program” and to have joined Chemnitz University of Technology in May 2025 as a visiting research master's student.

What brought you to Chemnitz and what are you currently doing at Chemnitz University of Technology? 

I learned about the "Saxon Student Mobility Program” through an announcement posted on the official website of MUST. After successfully passing the selection, I came to Chemnitz University of Technology as a research master’s student to produce an internationally recognized research paper in my chosen field of study. My research work involves studying a wide range of methods in AI and machine learning, as well as image processing, and exploring how these can be applied to solving real-world problems. For instance, I am working on the development of a mobile application capable of detecting various types of skin cancers and lung cancers.

What is your impression of the city and its university?

Chemnitz is a city with a rich history and remarkable beauty. Upon my arrival, I found it to be safe for foreigners, characterized by abundant green spaces, a tranquil atmosphere, friendly residents, and a highly developed public transportation system. I have been thoroughly impressed by the university’s campus, research laboratories, library, and surrounding environment. The abundance of research laboratories and the extensive collection of resources in the library provide significant advantages for student learning.

What has been your highlight so far?

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that many students at the university were already familiar with Mongolia. For instance, they spoke about Chinggis Khaan, Ulaanbaatar city, and the Mongolian countryside. I have had the opportunity to gain knowledge from excellent professors, connect with international students, build meaningful friendships, and explore various aspects of myself. These experiences have made my time here both enriching and memorable.

What will you do after your stay at Chemnitz University of Technology? What are your plans?

During my time at Chemnitz University of Technology, I am working on completing my master's thesis. Upon returning to Mongolia, I plan to finalize and defend my master's degree as soon as possible. My future goal is to return to Chemnitz University of Technology to pursue doctoral studies. I also intend to share the knowledge and experience I have gained with students in Mongolia.

(Interview conducted by Sophie Oelsch.)

In a major step toward intelligent and collaborative microrobotic systems, researchers at the Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology have developed a new generation of autonomous microrobots—termed smartlets—that can communicate, respond, and work together in aqueous environments.

These tiny devices, each just a millimeter in size, are fully integrated with onboard electronics, sensors, actuators, and energy systems. They are able to receive and transmit optical signals, respond to stimuli with motion, and exchange information with other microrobots in their vicinity. The findings are published in the prestigious journal Science Robotics under the title “Si chiplet–controlled 3D modular microrobots with smart communication in natural aqueous environments”. Unlike previous generations of microrobots that relied on much larger wireless control setups to mitigate limited onboard functionality, smartlet microrobots are powered by integrated photovoltaic cells, controlled by tiny microchips, and capable of optical communication through embedded micro-LEDs and photodiodes. "For the first time, we demonstrate a self-contained microrobotic platform that not only senses and moves in water but also interacts with other microrobots in a fully programmable and autonomous manner," explains Prof. Oliver G. Schmidt, one of the corresponding authors of the study and Scientific Director of MAIN.

The microrobots are built using a flexible origami-inspired approach, based on smart multilayer patterned materials, allowing the flat electronic system to roll and fold up autonomously into a tiny scroll-adorned hollow 3D cube, with interior as well as exterior functionality. This opens up the extra surface space needed for each cube to carry its own solar energy harvester, computational logic, and an optical signaling system, in addition to interacting external faces and inboard locomotion. When immersed in water, these smartlets can move up and down by buoyancy forces created by bubble generating engines that fill the hollow interior of the smartlet with gas. They can also emit pulses of optical signals to broadcast instructions to other smartlets nearby. This setup enables multi-robotic interactions in water, including stimulus-driven movement, synchronization, and coordination among multiple smartlets. For example, when one unit receives a light signal, it can decode the information using its onboard processor, triggering a coordinated motion or behavior in others. “The idea of using light as both energy and information opens up a compact and scalable way to create distributed robotic systems,” adds Dr. Vineeth Bandari, co-corresponding author and research group leader at MAIN.

One of the key innovations lies in the smartlets’ use of a “wireless communication loop” that does not require any external cameras, magnets, or antennas. Optical messages are interpreted locally on each robot using custom-coded logic stored on their microchips. The smartlets make use of innovative soft-bonding to origami-films to attach custom microscopic silicon chiplets, called lablets, which were developed in an earlier European Union funded project led by Prof. Dr. John McCaskill, a co-corresponding author and member of MAIN. This permits decentralized control and collaboration—an essential foundation for creating robotic collectives that behave in a coordinated yet flexible way.

Beyond the laboratory, the potential applications of such microrobots are wide-ranging. Because they are untethered, biocompatible, and able to respond to environmental cues, these devices could one day assist in tasks such as monitoring water quality, performing minimally invasive medical diagnostics, or probing confined biological environments. Their ability to form interactive, stimulus-responsive colonies could also be used in soft robotics, autonomous inspection systems, or distributed sensing networks. Dr. Yeji Lee, co-author and specialist in active multi-layer microfabrication, whose recently completed PhD research provided vital contributions, emphasizes that this work is just the beginning. “We’re exploring ways to further increase autonomy by adding chemical and acoustic sensing modules. These smartlets could evolve into multifunctional platforms that sense, act, and adapt in complex fluidic environments.”

Looking forward, the team envisions the progressive evolution of these microrobots into dynamic systems that resemble colonies of digital organisms. Much like zooids in colonial animals such as siphonophores, each smartlet can serve a specialized function—sensing, communicating, moving—and together form an emergent robotic organism. “We’re still far from creating artificial life,” cautions Prof. John McCaskill, who was a founding Director of the European Center for Living Technology in Venice, “but we are starting to see how distributed intelligence and modular hardware can build systems that begin to mirror the adaptive, communicative behaviors of living collectives.” By building such self-contained, communicative microrobots, the Chemnitz team is not only addressing fundamental challenges in microrobotics but also laying the groundwork for future systems that operate, evolve, and perhaps even self-organize—inside water droplets, tissue scaffolds, or miniature ecosystems.

Publication: Si chiplet–controlled 3D modular microrobots with smart communication in natural aqueous environments, Yeji Lee, Vineeth K. Bandari, John S. McCaskill, Pranathi Adluri, Daniil Karnaushenko, Dmitriy D. Karnaushenko, Oliver G. Schmidt, Science Robotics (20 Aug 2025)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adu6007

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Oliver G. Schmidt, Scientific Director of the Research Center MAIN and Chair of the Professorship of Material Systems for Nanoelectronics at the TU Chemnitz, E-Mail oliver.schmidt@main....

An interdisciplinary team of researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology has succeeded in developing a groundbreaking ceramic composite material that can monitor its own structural integrity. The research work, led by Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun from the Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Daisy Nestler from the TKV research area of the Chair of Lightweight Structures and Polymer Processing, shows how carbon nanotubes can be integrated into oxide ceramic composite materials (OCMC) to create reliable self-sensing materials.

Revolutionary approach overcomes conventional monitoring limitations

Conventional monitoring of the structural condition of ceramic composites in extreme environments faces major challenges. Conventional methods, such as acoustic emission monitoring, thermal stress analysis and surface-mounted flexible sensors, often fail under flexible temperature conditions, including thermal shock, or suffer from low sensitivity due to insufficient load transfer between the structure and the sensing elements. “The key innovation is to embed multi-walled carbon nanotubes directly into the ceramic matrix instead of mounting the sensors on the surface,” explains Kanoun. “This creates a truly integrated sensor system where the ceramic structure itself becomes the sensor, eliminating the problems of sensor detachment and poor load transfer that occur with surface-mounted solutions.”

Advanced manufacturing process ensures homogeneous integration

The research team used a sophisticated solution mixing approach in combination with ceramic injection molding to achieve a uniform distribution of the carbon nanotubes in the ceramic matrix. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which make up only 0.5 percent by weight of the total composition, form an electrically conductive network within the oxide ceramic composite. The realized manufacturing process offers key advantages, including uniform distribution of the carbon nanotubes for improved material performance, enhanced mechanical properties, precise and cost-effective shaping through the mass production of the injection molding process, and preservation of the nanotubes' integrity through controlled thermal treatment in an inert atmosphere. "Our microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy confirms that the carbon nanotubes remain in close contact with the ceramic matrix and form a network even after sintering at 1200°C," says Nestler. "This is crucial for maintaining the electrical conductivity that enables the strain measurement function. At the same time, the reinforcement by Al2O3 fibers in an Al2O3 matrix realizes better fracture toughness and thermal shock resistance compared to a monolithic ceramic."

Exceptional sensor properties with high reproducibility

The MWCNT/OCMC sensors developed have remarkable performance characteristics. In four-point bending tests, strain factors of 7.99 in the low strain range (0-160 μ-strain) and 2.12 in the higher strain range (160-380 μ-strain) were determined. Importantly, the sensors have excellent reproducibility, with deviations of less than 2.7% between independently manufactured specimens. "The resistance changes exponentially with the applied strain due to the tunneling effect between the carbon nanotubes," explains M.Sc. Dhivakar Rajendran, the lead author of the paper. "When the ceramic is stretched, the nanotubes move closer together, creating new conductive paths and drastically changing the electrical resistance of the material. This provides a highly sensitive method for detecting even the smallest structural deformations, which is essential for deducing the damage behavior," adds Sarra Missaoui, the first co-author.

European collaboration advances ceramic matrix composites and robust industrial applications

This research was carried out as part of an M-ERA.net project under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research framework program "Ceramics with sensing capabilities for high temperature applications (Centaur)". The work addresses critical requirements in the aerospace, automotive and industrial sectors, where ceramic components must perform reliably in extreme environments up to 1650°C, which can only be realized with composite materials. Spectroscopic analysis using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the carbon nanotubes maintain their structural integrity and properties throughout the manufacturing process, with no signs of oxidation or degradation. This is critical for maintaining long-term sensor performance under harsh operating conditions.

Future applications and impact on industry

The technology opens up new possibilities for monitoring the condition of structures in real time in areas where conventional sensors cannot cope. Potential applications include turbine blades, thermal barrier coatings and other structural components in aerospace and energy systems. "This truly integrated approach represents a paradigm shift in structural health monitoring," says Kanoun. "Instead of attaching ready-made sensors to a structure, we are making the structure itself intelligent. This could revolutionize the way we monitor and maintain critical components in extreme environments."

The research team is now working on optimizing the concentration of carbon nanotubes and exploring applications in temperature sensing based on this breakthrough in strain sensing.

Publication: Dhivakar Rajendran, Sarra Missaoui, Jonas Stiller, Rajarajan Ramalingame, Uwe Zschenderlein, Bernhard Wunderle, Daisy Nestler, Olfa Kanoun. "Truly integrated carbon nanotubes (CNT) in oxide ceramics for micro-strain sensing applications." Ceramics International, June 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.05.219

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

From June 16 to 19, 2025, Chemnitz University of Technology will host the hybrid-format OASIS-International Summer School on Sensor Technologies for Water and Health Innovation (OASIS-SENSE). The event is organized within the DAAD-funded project Open Innovation Alliance for Sustainable Islamic Societies in Water and Health (OASIS), coordinated by the Professorship of Measurement and Sensor Technology (MST) at TU Chemnitz. The project brings together partners include researchers from TU Chemnitz, the University of Science, Technique and Technology of Bamako (USTTB), CERFILTEX, DONYATEK SARL, EvoSmarTec GmbH, and Fayoum University.

The summer school provides a platform for interdisciplinary exchange between researchers, students, and professionals on innovative sensor technologies for sustainable water and health systems.

From Smart Materials to Environmental Sensors

One thematic focus of the summer school lies in the development of smart sensor materials and their use in water quality monitoring:

• Prof. Fabiana Arduini (University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy) will introduce paper-based electrochemical biosensors as low-cost solutions for environmental monitoring.
• Prof. Ahmed S. G. Khalil (Faculty of Science, Fayoum University, Egypt) will discuss functional membranes and 3D sponges for high-performance wastewater treatment.
• Prof. Najla Fourati (Le CNAM, Paris, France) will speak on the integration of chemical and biological sensing for real-time water quality monitoring.
• Prof. Asmaa Kamal Morad (Faculty of Science, Fayoum University, Egypt) will present advanced strategies for chemical synthesis aimed at sustainable societal solutions.

Biomedical Applications and Sensor Integration

A second major focus is on biomedical sensing and device integration, including the latest developments in organic and implantable technologies:

• Prof. Xing Sheng (Tsinghua University, China) will present on implantable optical and electrical sensors for advanced neural interfaces
• Prof. Caroline Murawski (Technical University Dresden, Germany) will present innovations in biomedical optoelectronic sensors using organic semiconductors.
• Prof. Abdelhamid Errachid (Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1) will present advanced point-of-care tool for saliva analysis: application to heart failure.
• Prof. Surinder Singh (Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology Longowal, India) will share insights on implantable antenna sensors for bio-telemetry.

Skills for Innovation: Conflict, Communication, and Ethics

The scientific program is complemented by workshops and discussions addressing key soft skills for interdisciplinary innovation:

• Dr. Rabeb Blaeich (University of Sfax, Tunisia) will lead sessions on conflict management and innovation management.
• M. Sci Mohamed Dhia Ayadi (Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany) will offer training in scientific presentation and media communication.
• A panel discussion on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in healthcare innovation will round out the program.

Registration Now Open

Participation in the summer school is free and open to interested students, researchers, and professionals. The event will be held both on-site at TU Chemnitz and virtually.

Registration is available here: https://shorturl.at/0Dfqy

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

Coordinator at Chemnitz University of Technology's International Office (IUZ). The program also aims to support sustainable travel, which is why the funding amount for using environmentally friendly means of transport such as trains or long-distance buses is higher than for non-sustainable travel.

In addition, students with children, students with disabilities (GdB from 20) or chronic illness, students from non-academic parents and, to a certain extent, working students for Erasmus+ stays have the opportunity to receive additional monthly funding of up to € 250 for their Erasmus+ stay.

"The new travel grant and the additional funding for fewer opportunities are great additions and extensions to the support provided by Erasmus+. This makes it easier for students to spend time abroad during their studies, even those who may not have previously planned such a stay for various personal reasons." Oliver Sachs is delighted with the increased funding opportunities.

Interested students can find all information on possible additional funding on the Erasmus+ website of the IUZ under “Funding” (https://mytuc.org/qtbh). You can also contact Oliver Sachs at the IUZ directly for personal advice.

Contact and further information: Oliver Sachs, phone: +49 (0)371/531-37972, E-Mail: oliver.sachs@iuz.tu-chemnitz.de

When hearing the word "crystal," one inevitably pictures precious stones that glitter impressively, sparkle, or leave lasting impressions with various color effects. Yet this common term does not merely exhaust itself in the decorative appearance of mineral treasures. A careful observation of sunlit, iridescent butterfly wings, shimmering peacock feathers, or the shifting hues of a chameleon reveals not only aesthetic beauty but also conceptual sophistication stemming from a shared physical mechanism: these surfaces are revealed to be highly complex, nanoscale-structured patterns, invisible to the naked eye yet remarkable in their optical effects.

These are known as "photonic crystals," structures that reflect certain ranges of light colors while allowing others to pass through. The interplay of scattering, absorption, and transmission creates spectral dependencies that impressively blur the lines between science and art, at least from a perceptual standpoint. Such phenomena rely on the wave nature of light, first described around 1650 by the Dutch naturalist Christian Huygens. They can be explained through the interaction of light waves with regularly structured surfaces, whose typical structural widths correspond roughly to the wavelength of visible light. This wavelength falls between 400 and 700 nanometers, about one hundredth the diameter of a human hair (approximately 0.05 millimeters, or 50 micrometers). Thus, the spectral properties of peacock feathers or other regularly patterned materials can be well-explained by the wave nature of light and by scattering and transmission effects, logically leading to their identification as photonic crystals.

A Chemnitz artwork and its unexpected significance for science

An interdisciplinary team consisting of members from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, and the Research Center for Materials, Architectures, and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology, along with researchers from the University of Marie & Louis Pasteur in Besançon (France) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (ENAS), have successfully identified, following in the footsteps of Huygens and Fresnel, a man-made artistic installation the largely regular arrangement and previously unknown wave-breaking properties of which qualify it as the largest realization of a photonic crystal reported hitherto in the scientific community. This installation manipulates the propagation of radio waves—electromagnetic waves in the gigahertz range—which play a crucial role in information and communication technology, including frequencies relevant to modern 4G and 5G mobile standards.

The artwork in the spotlight is "Denk- und Wahrnehmungsmodell zum Phänomen der Farbe" ("Model of Thought and Perception of the Phenomenon of Color") by Dresden-based artist Stefan Nestler, adorning the forecourt of the Central Auditorium Building at TU Chemnitz since 1998. It consists of 187 vertical, regularly arranged hollow steel pillars of varying heights, square in cross-section, originally representing colors from the so-called RAL color scale, widely used in industry and architecture as a reference standard. Accompanying the pillar structure is a glass panel engraved with a quote from philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951), inviting contemplation on the ideal representation of color, concluding with the words: "For do not forget that your gaze wanders, and there is no description of what you see."

As recently reported by researchers from Chemnitz and Besançon in the interdisciplinary journal "Scientific Reports," published by Springer Nature Portfolio, the artwork symbolizes not only an abstract representation of colors but also practically achieves a "color-selective" transmission of radio wave signals. Analogous to the play of colors on a butterfly's wings—though on a considerably larger scale—electromagnetic waves at certain frequencies within the so-called "bandgap" are prohibited from propagating through the material structure and are thus reflected. This is precisely the classic behavior expected from a photonic crystal.

Unexpectedly, the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 now hosts an artwork that, upon detailed scientific analysis, sets new benchmarks. Thus, Chemnitz 2025 will become not only a stage for art and culture but also the setting for an unexpected scientific discovery—highlighting, as quoted by Lichtenberg, the astonishing complexity underlying our human perception of color.

The project received funding from Chemnitz University of Technology under the TUCculture2025 initiative (projects "Chemnitz: Wood, Light, Sound" and "Wave Games"), the Free State of Saxony (Saxon State Doctoral Scholarship), and the French region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

Voices from TU Chemnitz on the Scientific Discovery:

David Röhlig, PhD student at the Professorship of Theoretical Physics – Simulation of New Materials at TU Chemnitz, scholarship holder: "This work is a beautiful example of how an initially seemingly utopian idea becomes reality through interdisciplinary cooperation."

Prof. Dr. Angela Thränhardt, Professor of Theoretical Physics – Simulation of New Materials and Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at TU Chemnitz: "It is truly remarkable: Right in the middle of the Capital of Culture Chemnitz, even on the university campus, a work of art opens a real window into the world of a fundamental physical principle – that of the propagation of waves in photonic crystals."

Prof. Dr. Ralf Zichner, Professor of High Frequency Engineering and General Electrical Engineering at TU Chemnitz: "Interdisciplinary collaboration opens up new perspectives and promotes innovation. This exchange between disciplines allows us to gain new insights and overcome existing boundaries of knowledge."

Dr. Thomas Blaudeck, Managing Director of the Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN): "The work is a beautiful example of how curiosity and serendipity, i.e., the in-depth observation and description of something not previously sought and the intellectual engagement with it, can constitute science."

Original Publication: David Röhlig, Vincent Laude, Ralf Zichner, Felix Thieme, Angela Thränhardt and Thomas Blaudeck "Radio wave attenuation by a large-scale photonic crystal sculpture", Scientific Reports 15, 12317 (2025), DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-95986-9.

Event Notice: The artwork "Model for Thought and Perception of the Phenomenon of Color" by Stefan Nestler also invites visitors to participate in experiments as part of the TUCculture2025 project "Wellenspiele" (Wave Games) on TUCtag 2025 on May 10th. These experiments are intended to spark interest in studying natural sciences and engineering at TU Chemnitz and will take place from 2:00 PM to 5:45 PM at the artwork in front of the Central Auditorium Building of TU Chemnitz, Reichenhainer Str. 90.

Further information can be obtained from: Dr. Thomas Blaudeck, Phone +49 (0)371 531-35610, Email thomas.blaudeck@main.tu-chemnitz.de, and Prof. Dr. Angela Thränhardt, Phone +49 (0)371 531-37636, Email angela.thraenhardt@physik.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Author: Dr. Thomas Blaudeck, Translation: Tobias Bollig)

In 2025 Chemnitz will be in the international spotlight of measurement technology: The IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), one of the world's leading conferences for measurement technology and instrumentation, will be held in Germany for the first time from 19 to 22 May 2025 - with Chemnitz University of Technology as host. The Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology, headed by Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, is responsible for the organisation.

Every year, the I2MTC brings together leading scientists, industry experts and other specialists to present the latest research findings, innovative applications and current trends in measurement science and technology. In Chemnitz, the conference will once again provide a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on a wide range of topics - from biomedical to industrial and environmental metrology - in addition to high-calibre keynote lectures, technical sessions and workshops. This year, more than 500 papers were submitted from 47 countries. The majority of submissions came from China, Italy, Germany, the UK, the USA, Taiwan and Canada. More than 50% of the authors are from Europe. Following a rigorous review process, around 350 papers will be presented. In total, more than 400 participants are expected in Chemnitz.

A special highlight of this year's edition is the 75th anniversary of the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society (IMS). To mark the occasion, attendees can look forward to a series of exclusive celebrations and professional events. Many distinguished guests from the IEEE's specialist areas will be travelling to Chemnitz to celebrate this anniversary with the IMS. In addition, an international student competition will be held to promote young talent and provide innovative impetus for the future of metrology.

The conference organization team has succeeded in attracting excellent scientists for the plenary lectures. One of them is Prof. Dr. Oliver G. Schmidt, head of the Centre for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology, who is one of the ‘Highly Cited Scientists’ and will speak on ‘Micro-Origami-Robots: From Single Agents to Microelectronic Morphogenesis’. Another outstanding lecture will be given by Prof. Dr. Stephan Schlamminger from the National Institute of Standards, USA, who will talk about ‘Chasing Precision: How Fundamental Constants Are Determined’.

A special highlight of the Chemnitz edition is an industry panel that will shed light on the central role of measurement technology in industry, particularly in the semiconductor industry. The panel will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Harald Kuhn, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (ENAS) in Chemnitz.

The organisation of this prestigious conference in Chemnitz reflects the growing international recognition of our location. It is a joint success that not only underlines the quality of our research, but also impressively confirms the increasing international visibility and excellence of our location. At the same time, we are delighted to be able to present TU Chemnitz and the city of Chemnitz to a global community of experts in this high-calibre setting," emphasises Kanoun.

The conference will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun (Chemnitz University of Technology), Prof. Faouzi Derbel (Leipzig University of Applied Sciences) and Prof. Carlo Trigona (University of Catania, Italy). Several members of the Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology are happy to be part of the organising team.

Dr Thomas Keutel, member of the international organisation team, says: "It is a special pleasure to contribute to the promotion of measurement technology and at the same time show that Chemnitz is an outstanding science location."

The choice of Chemnitz as the venue is made all the more attractive by the fact that the city will also be the European Capital of Culture in 2025. "This unique combination opens up fascinating perspectives for interdisciplinary dialogue and global networking. In addition to top-class scientific discussions, conference participants will experience an inspiring cultural programme - a symbiosis that presents Chemnitz as a vibrant metropolis where innovation and cultural life go hand in hand", says Kanoun.

The Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology alone is enriching the conference with a portfolio of ten scientific papers and an exclusive tutorial on 'Impedance Spectroscopy: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications and Signal Processing, led by Prof. Kanoun and Dr. Ahmed Yahia Kallel. "This international stage provides us with an ideal opportunity to demonstrate our research excellence and at the same time reinforce the importance of our location in the scientific community," emphasises Kanoun.

The Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology's many years of experience in organising prestigious conferences is reflected in its impressive track record: since 2008, it has established the International Workshop on Impedance Spectroscopy (IWIS) as a permanent fixture in the professional world. In 2022, the Chair will bring the IEEE International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Virtual Environments for Measurement Systems and Applications (CIVEMSA) to Chemnitz, followed by the highly regarded IEEE Conference on Robotic and Sensor Environments (ROSE) in June 2024. With the hosting of I2MTC 2025, Chemnitz is now impressively consolidating its reputation as a beacon of science and technology in the field of electrical engineering and information technology - another milestone in the dynamic development of the location from Kanoun's point of view.

Further information on the Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/etit/messtech/

Homepage of the IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC): https://i2mtc2025.ieee-ims.org/

Website of the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society (IMS): https://ieee-ims.org/

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun, phone +49 (0)371 531-36931, e-mail olfa.kanoun@etit.tu-chemnitz.de.

(Source: Chair of Measurement and Sensor Technology)

The 3rd Focus Day of the Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN) at Chemnitz University of Technology was dedicated to the medical application of nanotechnology, coined “Nanomedicine” for short. Around 60 participants from Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Municipal Hospital (Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH), non-university research institutions, local companies and other interested parties approached the interdisciplinary field from different perspectives on February 13, 2025. In his capacity as Scientific Chair of the event, Prof. Dr. Dietrich R. T. Zahn, Deputy Director of Research Center MAIN and holder of the professorship Semiconductor Physics at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Chemnitz University of Technology, assembled a spectacular program of plenary and short lectures, scientific posters, and interactive contributions from both the viewpoints of science, engineering, and clinical practice.

The „headliner” of the event was Prof. Rares Ionut Stiufiuc, Ph. D., Professor and Research Coordinator at the Department of Nanobiophysics at the Medical-Pharmaceutical University „Iuliu Hațieganu” in Cluj-Napoca (Romania). In his plenary lecture, he provided insights into current developments of spectroscopic analysis methods for biological and body fluids. This methodological toolbox is known under the technical term „liquid biopsy”. The set of methods used in this toolbox represent non-invasive and therefore gentler alternatives to conventional biopsy procedures which always require the at least partial surgical removal of tissue.

The lecture session showcasing the viewppoints of Chemnitz Municipal Hospital (Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH), the third-largest municipally run hospital in Germany and Medical Maximum Provider in the region of Southwest Saxony, was opened by Dr. Paul Warncke, pharmacist and scientific-technical employee at both the Department of Internal Medicine III with focus on Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) in Leipzig. His presentation ranged from the physicochemical and biological characterization of nanomaterials to the diagnosis and therapy of diseases. Prof. Dr. Vinodh Kakkassery and Prof. Dr. Matthias Kirsch, chief physicians at Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH, then examined the clinical requirements for research questions in nanomedicine from the perspectives of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery, respectively. Finally, the project „Cluster Gesundheit Chemnitz“ (Health Cluster Chemnitz, CGC) – a planned research and transformation cluster for the region of Southwest Saxony was presented by Aline Lohse, program manager at the Center for Knowledge and Technology Transfer (ZWT) at Chemnitz University of Technology.

Finally, Prof. Dr. Dietrich R. T. Zahn shared his research experience from over three decades in the field of nanospectroscopic analysis methods such as Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and surface- or tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS/TERS), which have a very high potential not only in the analysis of semiconductor surfaces but also in medical diagnostics of biological “soft matter”.

The participating experts used the opportunity in the breaks between the respective specialist lectures to network with each other and sought professional exchange at scientific posters and interactive booths in the MAIN Foyer. To name a few, Amir Jafari Moghaddem, Yeji Lee and Dr. Vineeth Bandari, representatives of the Professorship Material Systems in Nanoelectronics at Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (Head: Prof. Dr. Oliver G. Schmidt) informed on „Microactuatoric Systems in Action“ using a video installation.

The participants of the 3rd MAIN Focus Day particularly appreciated the exchange on an interdisciplinary level. Prof. Rares Stiufiuc, Ph. D., Professor and Research Coordinator at the Department of Nanobiophysics at the Medical-Pharmaceutical University “Iuliu Hațieganu” in Cluj-Napoca (Romania), explained: “Participation in the MAIN Focus Day ‘Nanomedicine’ was a valuable opportunity to exchange insights into the spectroscopic analysis of biological and endogenous fluids and their transformative potential in medicine. The presentation of my work before such a knowledgeable audience of experts and researchers sparked valuable discussions about advances in non-invasive diagnostics and the future of nanotechnology in healthcare.”

Also Dr. Paul Warncke, pharmacist and scientific-technical employee at both the Department of Internal Medicine III with focus on Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) in Leipzig, was pleased with the way the event took ist path: “The MAIN Focus Day 'Nanomedicine' enabled a rarely experienced, successful interdisciplinary exchange between clinic and science, in which various interesting perspectives, needs and possibilities came to light and could be discussed. Potential starting points for joint research work in the context of the development of the „Cluster Gesundheit Chemnitz“ (Health Cluster Chemnitz, CGC) that could make a positive contribution to the further development of Chemnitz as a scientific location were identified.“

“The exchange between clinics and researchers is essential to promote communication and learn from each other. With MAIN, in Chemnitz, we have an institution with a worldwide reputation - nothing could be more obvious than to get the local developments into clinical applications," the Chief Physician for Ophthalmology at Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH, Prof. Dr. Vinodh Kakkassery added.

“Events that cross borders – interdisciplinarily, internationally, open to everyone from students to management – bring fresh ideas and new perspectives. They are a real add-on and should be an integral part of everyday research,” concluded Aline Lohse, program manager at the Center for Knowledge and Technology Transfer (ZWT) at Chemnitz University of Technology, summing up the 3rd MAIN Focus Day.

Background: Cluster Gesundheit Chemnitz (CGC)

The implementation of a Cluster Gesundheit Chemnitz (CGC, „Chemnitz Health Cluster“) is an initiative of Chemnitz University of Technology together with Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH. A joint center for transformation is intended to promote the academization of Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH and strengthen cooperation in research and development between the two institutions. Relevant research fields include artificial intelligence & mixed reality systems, robotics & sensor technology, prevention and early detection, e-health and wound healing.

(Author: Dr. Thomas Blaudeck, Translation: Arthur Dumler)

“Postponed is not abandoned – finally complete the course paper!” Headed by this slogan, the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers" happens again on March 6, 2025 at Chemnitz University of Technology. It starts at 03 pm at the University Library, Straße der Nationen 33. The participation is free of charges.

"Students of Chemnitz University of Technology, who would like to complete their course paper, and doctoral students, who want to proceed with the elaboration of their doctoral thesis, may expect a comprehensive program and lots of time for writing," Angela Malz, Director of the University Library, says. Thus, representatives of faculties and central institutions of Chemnitz University of Technology, of the Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau as well as other offer a variety of workshops.

The "Long Night" will be opened by a presentation of Tina Horlitz from the Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau dealing with the question “Have you ever thought about yourself?” which would like to provide hints and information on how to take care for oneself in challenging phases of studies in order to charge (new) energy and to stay high-performing. The presentation is followed by workshops dealing with the search for literature for the course paper resp. the doctoral thesis, with the management of literature sources and with ways to avoid frequent mistakes in LaTeX-manuscripts, held parallely in German and English, as well as on how to conduct appropriate surveys in the field of empirical social research. In addition, there will be again a workshop giving answers to the question "And what comes next? Entrepreneurship during and after studies". Furthermore, there are additional new workshop offers regarding “Legal questions about studying” and the working method of the “Digital note box”. Finally, there will be again an offer for exercise.

Moreover, there will be information booths until 09 pm at the foyer of the University Library, where participants may gather information regarding literature search, working methods, texting techniques, IT as well as social and psychological aspects of academic work. Specific questions of international students, regarding residence issues or related to learning German as a foreign language for instance, are answered as well.

A number of persons and institutions of Chemnitz University of Technology were involved in the organization of the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers". Among those are the University Library, the Student Council of Chemnitz University of Technology, the faculty student bodies, the University Computer Center, the Methodological Competence Center of the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Professorship of Intercultural Communication, the entrepreneurship network SAXEED, the International Office, the Foreign Language Center and the Central Course Guidance Service as well as the Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau. 

Homepage of the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers": www.mytuc.org/landah   

Additional offers of Chemnitz University of Technology regarding "Academic Writing"

In addition to the "Long Night of Postponed Course Papers", also other offers may be used for getting assistance in academic writing. To those belong:

• a course "Academic Writing" during the term on Thursdays from 11:30 am to 01:00 pm,
• an Academic Writing Week  from March 10 to 14, 2025, from 09:00 am to 12:15 pm respectively, and
• consultation hours for academic writing, held during the term on Tuesdays from 11:30 am to 01:00 pm.

The courses and consultation hours are offered by Dr. Burkhard Müller. Please register for participation at the Foreign Language Center of Chemnitz University of Technology.