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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Application deadline: 5 August 2026

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

Background: European university alliance Across

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

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

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

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

Causally grounded and human-understandable explanations for optimal predictive control

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

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

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

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

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

Background: Junior Research Group MORE-KIBA

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

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

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

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

About ICML

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

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

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

(Translation: Ramesh Arvind Naagarajan)

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

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

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

From Sensors to Intelligent Systems: Comprehensive AI Education

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

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

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

Comprehensive Support: From Arrival to Career

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

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

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

Background: Project "AI GlobalMinds"

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

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

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

(Author: Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun)

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

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

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

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

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

(Author: Dr. Thomas Blaudeck)

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

High-resolution microscopes enable precise material analysis

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

A worthwhile investment at Chemnitz University of Technology

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

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

Technological marvels explore the nano cosmos

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

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

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

Background: Transmission Electron Microscopy Center at Chemnitz University of Technology

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

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

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

(Translation: Ulrike Lohr)

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)

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

On 29 October 2025, Prof. Dr. Benanchour Saidi (Mohamed First University, Morocco) delivered a guest lecture titled “Criticality, Interculturality and Decoloniality: A Southern Praxis.” The event was part of his Visiting Scholar stay at the Junior Professorship of Intercultural Practice with a Focus on Digital Cultures at Chemnitz University of Technology, headed by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Yolanda López García. During his stay from September 2025 to January 2026, Prof. Saidi has been contributing as a Visiting Scholar to several courses in the Bachelor's and Master’s programs in Intercultural Communication. Together with Jun.-Prof. López García, he engaged with critically decolonial discourses as well as everyday practices and forms of knowledge related to interculturality. In doing so, they focused particularly on Latin American perspectives and those from the MENA region.

In his guest lecture, Prof. Saidi examined the epistemic intersections of criticality, interculturality, and decoloniality. He analyzed how discourses on interculturality are frequently depoliticized and rely on tokenistic notions of diversity, thereby unintentionally reproducing colonial structures of knowledge and power. At the same time, he cautioned against essentializing or reducing perspectives from the Global South, emphasizing that decoloniality must be oriented not merely reactively but transformatively.

Prof. Saidi advocated understanding criticality and decoloniality as ongoing epistemic and meta-ontological projects—processes of delinking, re-existence, and re-worlding. Such approaches require reflexivity, situatedness, and openness toward plural, multiversal articulations of Southern epistemologies.

Prof. Saidi’s Visiting Scholar stay fosters ongoing dialogue and academic exchange with Jun.-Prof. López García, whose research focuses on critical interculturality, (post)digital everyday practices, coloniality, and migration. Further collaborations are already being discussed to continue this dialogue beyond his current visit.

(Source: Junior Professorship of Intercultural Practice with a Focus on Digital Cultures)

When you made your first coffee this morning, did you act on autopilot or did you plan each movement with the goal of coffee in mind? This simple question goes straight to the heart of a central distinction in neuroscience: the difference between actions that are habitual and those that are goal-directed. In a recent paper published in the renowned journal Trends in Neuroscience, Prof. Dr. Fred Hamker (Chair of Artificial Intelligence, Chemnitz University of Technology), Dr. Javier Baladron (University of Santiago de Chile), and Dr. Lieneke Janssen (Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg) challenge this classic distinction. They discuss how interaction between brain loops could efficiently shape our behavior – and potentially that of AI-Transformer models in the future.

Until now, researchers have assumed that our brain operates with two systems that control our thinking and behavior: a fast, automatic system and a slow, deliberate one — known, for example, from Daniel Kahneman’s bestseller Thinking, Fast and Slow. These systems are thought to produce either quick, habitual actions or considered, goal-oriented behavior. However, according to Hamker, Baladron, and Janssen, much of our everyday behavior arises from a complex chain of processes in the nervous system in which both systems are tightly interwoven.

The research team therefore proposes a new model: instead of distinguishing between “habitual” and “goal-directed” behavior, behavior should be viewed on a continuum. At the center of this are the loops connecting the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cortex — recurring circuits in the brain. “These loops enable both goal-directed and automatic behavior. The key factor is how strongly they interact: when shortcuts form within these circuits, behavior tends to become habitual. When all loops are fully traversed, actions remain more goal-oriented,” explains Hamker.

Their insights could also inspire new directions in AI research. The three researchers see parallels between the attention mechanisms of modern transformer networks — the technology that underlies large language models — and context processing in the human brain. “If AI models could in the future make use of habit-like shortcuts, they could become more efficient and energy-saving,” the researchers suggest.

Thus, the work of Hamker, Baladron, and Janssen not only opens up new perspectives on how the human brain functions but also on the future development of intelligent machines.

Publikation: Interacting corticobasal ganglia-thalamocortical loops shape behavioral control through cognitive maps and shortcuts, Fred H. Hamker (TU Chemnitz), Javier Baladron (Universidad de Santiago de Chile) and Lieneke K. Janssen (OVGU Magdeburg), Trends in Neurosciences, 9 October 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2025.09.006 

Contact: Prof. Dr. Fred Hamker, Chair of Artificial Intelligence at Chemnitz University of Technology, Telefon +49 (0)371 531-37875, email fred.hamker@informatik.tu-chemnitz.de.

How study or do an internship abroad successfully? What funding opportunities are available, and what experiences have other students had during their stays abroad? Answers to these and many other questions will be provided at the International Day of the International University Center (IUZ) at Chemnitz University of Technology on November 4, 2025.

The event offers a diverse program with experience reports, livestreams from partner universities, and information by experts on organization and funding opportunities related to studying abroad. It will be held in the lecture hall and seminar building in and in front of lecture hall C10.113, Reichenhainer Straße 90.

Insights from students at Chemnitz University of Technology and partner universities from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Focusing on personal perspectives, students from Chemnitz University of Technology report on their semesters and internships abroad, both within and outside Europe. In addition, representatives from the partner universities of Across – The European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing, specifically the Università di Udine (Italy) and the University of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina), will join by livestream to present their universities as study locations and provide a brief insight into regional student life. The livestream will be in English. In addition, the IUZ team will provide information about scholarship programs and the necessary steps for applying.

“The reports from students during an information session are a great opportunity to gain direct and immediate insight into what studying abroad during your studies can be like and what wonderful experiences you can have,” says Oliver Sachs, Erasmus+ coordinator at the IUZ, looking forward to International Day. In combination with information about the Across university alliance, partner universities, scholarships, and internships abroad, the International Day at Chemnitz University of Technology will once again offer a varied program.

Presentation on funding opportunities for internships abroad in the Erasmus+ program from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Leonardo Office Saxony invites to a talk and provides information about Erasmus+ funding for internship stays abroad. Participants will learn how they can finance their internship abroad and what support is available for their application and preparation.

Further information offers

On the first floor of the lecture hall and seminar building, an IUZ and Across information stand will be available throughout the afternoon to answer individual questions and provide advice on stays abroad. Coffee and snacks will be available free of charge to accompany the information provided – while stocks last.

The International Day is aimed at all Chemnitz University of Technology students who are planning a semester or internship abroad or simply want to be inspired.

Further information on the program for International Day at Chemnitz University of Technology: mytuc.org/kwfp

Background: European university alliance Across

Across – The European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing is a European university alliance coordinated by Chemnitz University of Technology that aims to develop solutions for cross-border challenges. With their regional roots near borders, the nine partners of the Across Alliance contribute to the sustainable development of cross-border regions by bringing about genuine social change, cultural integration, a sustainable approach to innovation, new economic opportunities, and employment together with stakeholders from business and civil society. Across encompasses an academic space with more than 100,000 students and has been funded by the European Union since the beginning of the year as part of the European Universities Initiative.

Through innovative and diverse models of long-term cooperation, the participating European universities contribute to strengthening common European values and a stronger European identity. In doing so, they help to achieve significant progress in terms of quality, attractiveness, and international competitiveness in the participating regions, thereby contributing to the economy, employment, culture, and prosperity in Europe.

The Across alliance consist of:

• University of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegowina)
• Politechnika Białostocka (Poland)
• Technische Universität Chemnitz (Deutschland)
• Universitatea din Craiova (Romania)
• Universitat de Girona (Spain)
• Univerza v Novi Gorici (Slowenia)
• Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (France)
• Università di Udine (Italy)
• Angel Kantchev University Ruse - Русенски университет „Ангел Кънчев" (Bulgaria)
• Ivan Franko National University Lviv (Ukraine) – Associated Partner

Contact: Oliver Sachs, phone +49 (0)371 531 37972, email oliver.sachs@iuz.tu-chemnitz.de