Recap 2023: A look back at the year in pictures These were the highlights at TU Braunschweig
We look back on an eventful year at Technische Universität Braunschweig. It was a year full of exciting research, openings, awards, changes and events. We have captured the highlights in a picture gallery.
January: On board the “Polarstern” on the “Iceland Impact” expedition
Our review of 2023 begins in the freezing cold, in stormy conditions, in the middle of the Southern Ocean. As part of the “Island Impact” expedition, environmental scientist Dr Marta Pérez Rodríguez from the Institute of Geoecology spent seven weeks on board the “Polarstern”, collecting water and sediment samples in the South Atlantic for her research on the mercury cycle. Photo credit: Anna Hölemann
January: On board the “Polarstern” on the “Iceland Impact” expedition
January: Ocean conditions with the salt water wave current channel
Ocean conditions will soon be available in Braunschweig. In the test hall of the Leichtweiß Institute of Hydraulic Engineering (LWI), a large-scale saltwater research facility is being built, the only one of its kind in Europe. The new channel will combine salt water, waves and currents. Scientists will soon be able to study living marine growth for the first time. The facility is expected to be operational in early 2024. Photo credit: David Schürenkamp/TU Braunschweig
January: Ocean conditions with the salt water wave current channel
January: Artificial intelligence from light
AI – a topic that will be on many people's minds in 2023. It is also the focus of Professor Christian Werner's research at the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland. Together with Professor Andreas Wagner from Technische Universität Braunschweig, he is working on making modern AI systems more energy-efficient – using a neuron network of microscopic LEDs. For his work, Werner has been accepted as an associate member of the LENA research centre. Photo credit: Laurenz Kötter/TU Braunschweig
January: Artificial intelligence from light
February: A test bench within a test bench
The desire for efficient flying requires engines with a special feature: in so-called ultra high bypass ratio engines, the bypass flow generates the main thrust. The Institute of Aircraft Propulsion and Turbomachinery has put a new test bench into operation to investigate this technology. Photo credit: Marco Diedrich/TU Braunschweig
February: A test bench within a test bench
March: Chip platform to replace animal testing
Scientists from Technische Universität Braunschweig and Hanover have joined forces to promote alternatives to animal testing in science. Cell-based test systems could provide better results than studies with laboratory animals. They are working on a chip platform with integrated sensors for dynamised 3D cell culture models to reduce the need for animal experiments in basic research on the intestine and airways. The project is funded by the “Spitzenforschung für Niedersachsen” programme with around 3.6 million euros. Photo credit: Eugen Koch/TU Braunschweig
March: Chip platform to replace animal testing
March: Ground-breaking ceremony for new hydrogen terminal at Braunschweig Research Airport
The construction of the new hydrogen terminal at Braunschweig Research Airport is an important step towards the energy revolution. In the immediate vicinity of the research airport, a hydrogen competence centre is being set up, which will bundle the research along the hydrogen efficiency chain carried out by TU Braunschweig and the Steinbeis Innovation Centre energieplus (siz energieplus) and put it into practice. Photo credit: David Sauss/siz energieplus
March: Ground-breaking ceremony for new hydrogen terminal at Braunschweig Research Airport
April: A centre for climate research in Niedersachsen
The newly established Centre for Climate Research Niedersachsen (ZKfN), based at TU Braunschweig, aims to drive forward research into climate change in the coming years. Funded with €1.9 million from the state of Niedersachsen, the ZKfN bundles the activities of topic-specific future labs across the state, in which interdisciplinary teams develop solutions for a safe and fair climate future. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
April: A centre for climate research in Niedersachsen
April: Quantum sensors on the way to application
Scientists led by junior professor Nabeel Aslam are working on sensors in diamonds that will enable MRI with precise atomic resolution. The project has received five million euros in funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Together with colleagues from Harvard University, they have summarised the potential of biomedical measurement methods in quantum sensing in an article in Nature Review Physics. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
April: Quantum sensors on the way to application
April: JUICE mission: space probe on its way to Jupiter
On 14 April, after more than 10 years of preparation, the JUICE space probe was launched on a carrier rocket on its way to Jupiter. TU Braunschweig is involved in the mission with a specially developed magnetic field measuring instrument and a camera data processing unit. One week after the launch, the instrument mast on the JUICE space probe successfully began its work. In July 2031, the orbiter will arrive in the Jupiter system and begin its three-and-a-half year study of Jupiter's atmosphere. Photo credit: NASA/JPL/DLR
April: JUICE mission: space probe on its way to Jupiter
May: Into the melting season with the icebreaker
Why and when does the ice in Actis start to melt? What processes are involved? An international climate expedition on the icebreaker “Oden” in May will investigate these questions. Also on board are Dr Falk Pätzöld and Magnus Asmussen, two scientists from TU Braunschweig: their post from the ice provides an insight into their work and everyday life surrounded by ice, storms and curious polar bears. Photo credit: IFF/TU Braunschweig
May: Into the melting season with the icebreaker
May: Fully automated and driverless
Four fully autonomous vehicle prototypes from the UNICARagil project show how future mobility can succeed. Eight universities presented the major achievements of their five-year project to the public, including the family car autoELF developed at TU Braunschweig. Photo credit: Timo Woopen
May: Fully automated and driverless
May: An opportunity for both sides
Strengthening ties with Ukraine, supporting refugee academics and gaining new perspectives: These were the aims of various scholarship programmes this year. The two Ukrainian scientists Dr Olesia Zavarzina and Dr Mariia Savchenko came to TU Braunschweig for the second time on a scholarship from the Volkswagen Foundation and enriched the research at the Institute for Partial Differential Equations. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
May: An opportunity for both sides
May: New specialised research centre for aviation
In order to pave the way for climate-neutral aviation, it is not only engines that need to be optimised, but also the aircraft itself and its components. A high degree of integrated functions and components can reduce weight, size and energy consumption while increasing performance and efficiency. Researchers in the new SFB/Transregio project “Synergies of Highly Integrated Transport Aircraft” (SynTrac) are investigating how big these effects really are. Photo credit: Jonas Grubert, Patrick Brunow/IFAS
May: New specialised research centre for aviation
June: A day on campus: a sneak peek for prospective students
June was a busy month on campus. The first Sneak Peek kicked things off. 180 prospective students were given answers to the question: What is it like to study at TU Braunschweig? They also explored the campus with hands-on workshops, lectures and networking opportunities. Photo credit: Ahmed Nassef/TU Braunschweig
June: A day on campus: a sneak peek for prospective students
June: Protecting the climate with beats, awards and a watch
For three days, the TU campus was all about sustainability: TUmorrow Days took place from 13 to 15 June. Workshops, award ceremonies, a science slam and the Market of Opportunities offered a varied programme on the topic of sustainability. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
June: Protecting the climate with beats, awards and a watch
June: Together for more diversity
On 26 June, TU Braunschweig took a stand for diversity, anti-discrimination and equality with its second Diversity Day. On the colourfully decorated University Square, numerous visitors exchanged ideas in workshops and at information stands of regional initiatives and celebrated to live music. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke /TU Braunschweig
June: Together for more diversity
June: Extended Large Wave Current Flume
The extension of the large wave current flume in Hanover-Marienwerder was opened with the largest wave machine ever built. The unique test facility of TU Braunschweig and Leibniz Universität Hannover was inaugurated in the presence of the Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck. More than €35 million has been invested to advance research into energy system transformation. Photo credit: LUH/Thomas Damm
June: Extended Large Wave Current Flume
July: Premiere: Next Level – A choral symphonic high score
After a long period of planning, the time had finally come: TU Braunschweig's choir and orchestra finally performed together. Around 150 musicians took part in the four concerts in the packed Audimax, which paid homage to music from video and computer games under the motto “Next Level”. Photo credit: Andreas Greiner-Napp
July: Premiere: Next Level – A choral symphonic high score
July: Students take off again
Students on the Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's and Aerospace Master's programmes took off to learn in a very practical way. With two experienced pilots from the Institute of Flight Guidance, they undertook measurement flights from Braunschweig Airport. They gained an exciting insight into a future career field and were able to put the knowledge they had gained during their studies into practice. Photo credit: IFF/TU Braunschweig
July: Students take off again
July: TU Braunschweig on the way to its vision
TU Braunschweig is on its way to becoming a university of the future with the “University Development 2030” initiative. In this interview, President Angela Ittel takes stock after almost two years, highlights successes and identifies challenges. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
July: TU Braunschweig on the way to its vision
August: Giant water lily Victoria blooms for two nights
Probably the most impressive plant in our Botanic Garden, the giant tropical water lily Victoria (Victoria cruziana), bloomed on two evenings this year. Long queues of visitors formed outside the conservatory to see the Victoria bloom live. On the first evening they were able to admire the fragrant large white flowers and on the second the pale pink flowers before the flower was submerged under water. Photo credit: Michael Kraft/TU Braunschweig
August: Giant water lily Victoria blooms for two nights
September: In-Person Kinder-Uni Braunschweig returns
“How can we reuse plastic bottles?” This was the question explored at the Kinder-Uni in October, which finally took place in person again in the Audimax. For the first time this year, the topic of “Zero Waste” will be complemented by a podcast series: “Clever nachgefragt”. For the first time, TU Braunschweig cooperates with the Braunschweig City Schools Department, the Pestalozzi School and the Haus der Wissenschaft GmbH for the Kinder-Uni.
September: In-Person Kinder-Uni Braunschweig returns
September: An Erasmus+ adventure on two wheels
“I had seven flat tyres on the way back. And it was my own fault because I was too stingy to buy a new coat for the return journey in expensive Norway”. Wiebke Hoffmann laughs as she recalls the bumpy ride home from her exchange programme in Trondheim. The biology and chemical engineering student has now arrived back in Braunschweig and can only smile at the series of breakdowns on her 2,550 kilometre cycle tour. She tells us about her exchange programme in Trondheim. As a passionate cyclist, she didn't think twice about taking her bike to Norway. Photo credit: Wiebke Hoffmann/TU Braunschweig
September: An Erasmus+ adventure on two wheels
September: Flying at last
Aviation students from all over Germany took to the skies in two research aeroplanes. The sixth edition of the DLR_Uni_Summer_School, organised jointly with the TU Institute of Flight Guidance, gave them the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practice during research flights. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
September: Flying at last
September: HIT: A taste of university life for a day
At the 2023 University Information Day, many young students wondered what their future home might look like. Taster lectures, campus tours and student talks gave them an insight into a wide range of courses, campus life and the application process. Photo credit: Madeleine Franke/TU Braunschweig
September: HIT: A taste of university life for a day
October: Prime Minister learns about digital building fabrication and microelectronics
During his visit to the Technical University of Braunschweig on 23 October, Minister President Stephan Weil gained an insight into how new technologies can make construction more environmentally friendly, faster and more economical in the future. The scientists introduced him to additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, as a key digital technology for the construction of the future, which they are exploring together with the Technical University of Munich in the Collaborative Research Centre “Additive Manufacturing in Construction”. Photo credit: Christian Bierwagen/TU Braunschweig
October: Prime Minister learns about digital building fabrication and microelectronics
October: Starting your studies with airy acrobatics and lots of music
Hola y bienvenido, Hello and welcome, Olá e bem-vindos, Bonjour et bienvenue: TU Braunschweig welcomed its 3,000 first-year students with a colourful, international and bilingual programme in the largest lecture hall, the Eintracht Stadium. Photo credit: Ahmed Nassef/TU Braunschweig
October: Starting your studies with airy acrobatics and lots of music
October: Fire and flame for the future: Centre for Fire Research opened
Fire for research: The research building of the Centre for Fire Research at TU Braunschweig was officially opened in October. Fire safety in sustainable construction and new products for the energy turnaround will be researched here in the future. With a research infrastructure that is unique in Europe, the centre is making a valuable contribution to the city of the future. Photo credit: Kristina Rottig/TU Braunschweig
October: Fire and flame for the future: Centre for Fire Research opened
November: Pilot plant for circular battery production
High-performance, low-cost and environmentally friendly battery cells are crucial for advancing electromobility and the energy transition. The CirculaLab at the Battery LabFactory Brauschweig (BLB), which opened on 6 November, combines the research potential to make a significant contribution to the energy revolution. For example, it is investigating how lithium-ion batteries can be recycled and returned to a closed-loop production process. Photo credit: Christian Bierwagen/TU Braunschweig
November: Pilot plant for circular battery production
November: In Paris: Großer Erfolg für Braunschweiger Team
Over 400 teams from 66 countries took part in this year's “international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition”, the world's largest student competition in synthetic biology in Paris. The TU Braunschweig team took first place in the “Best Diagnostics” category with its project in the diagnostic application and is among the top 10. Photo credit: iGEM
November: In Paris: Großer Erfolg für Braunschweiger Team
November: How to make the campus more climate-friendly
Wildflower meadows along the walkways, vertical greenery on buildings, and oases of calm with herbs instead of cobblestones. Architecture students developed ideas for a climate-friendly campus in short-term designs. Photo credit: Island hopping by Helena Loy.
November: How to make the campus more climate-friendly
November: Excellent mobility and energy research at TU Braunschweig
The Future Mobility Hub, a real-world laboratory currently being set up at the Niedersachsen Automotive Research Centre, aims to drive forward the transformation of the mobility industry. Niedersachsen's Science Minister Falko Mohrs found out how the transformation of urban and rural mobility can succeed and what the plans and visions for the future look like. Photo credit: Philipp Ziebart/NFF
November: Excellent mobility and energy research at TU Braunschweig
November: Niedersachsen Science Prize for Professor Franziska Neumann and Antonia Schultz
Technische Universität was once again successful at this year's Niedersachsen Science Award. Professor Franziska Neumann and student Antonia Schultz were honoured for their outstanding commitment to research and volunteering. Photo credit: Behnush Martinez/MWK
November: Niedersachsen Science Prize for Professor Franziska Neumann and Antonia Schultz
November: 275 years of future: Anniversary celebration of the University Library
The 275th anniversary of the TU Braunschweig University Library (UB) culminated in a ceremony in the centre of the reading rooms. As well as looking back at the UB's past, the event also looked to the future. The rather closed library of the Collegium Carolinum has been transformed into an open knowledge space. Today, the university library is a central place of learning and communication for students and an information provider for the university and the region. Photo credit: Henning Peters/TU Braunschweig
November: 275 years of future: Anniversary celebration of the University Library
November: Student House: Honoured for “feather-light” construction
The Student House is a big winner at architecture awards! In September it won the German Architecture Prize, followed by the Niedersachsen BDA Prize and the Heinze ArchitekturAWARD. Photo credit: Leonhard Clemens
November: Student House: Honoured for “feather-light” construction
December: Parliamentary evening in Berlin presented research “Made in Braunschweig”
What will mobility look like in the future? What do technological developments mean for our social life and how will this change the world of work? These were the topics of the parliamentary evening organised by the city of Braunschweig with the leading research institutions in the field of mobility in Berlin, and the message of the event in the Braunschweig region is that mobility is becoming a joint project. Photo credit: photothek/TU Braunschweig
December: Parliamentary evening in Berlin presented research “Made in Braunschweig”
December: Foundation University Information Week: What are the arguments for active participation?
The interview with President Angela Ittel and Vice-President Dietmar Smyrek provides an insight into the transparent decision-making process on whether TU Braunschweig will become a foundation university next year. They explain what the Foundation University Information Week is all about and how you, as a member of TU Braunschweig, can help shape the decision-making process. Photo credit: Philipp Ziebart/TU Braunschweig
December: Foundation University Information Week: What are the arguments for active participation?