The Week at TU Braunschweig │05.02.2021 Our Newsletter for all Employees
Topics: free trials + sea dough + propeller distribution + gold complexes + illuminant + St. John’s wort + Carolo Cup + chameleon
Editor: Laurenz Kötter
► Limited free trials
Only rarely does the TU Braunschweig Senate meet for an exceptional meeting. This coming Monday is the case. The only item on the agenda: a limited free attempt regulation for the upcoming digital exams in the current semester. The Presidency, all faculties and the administration have taken up the students’ urgent request and have been working hard to initiate the necessary changes. More information will be available at the beginning of next week.
► Limited lift-off
Never before have all lifts at our university been out of order at the same time. But it happened this week. The cause was connection problems to the emergency call centre, which had presumably occurred in the supra-local telephone network. Many thanks to Department 32, which was immediately on the spot and ensured that almost all lifts could be put back into operation very quickly! The service provider will be able to rectify the defect in the Oker high-rise building today or on Monday.
► Volunteers wanted
At present, colleagues are supporting the Public Health Services in Gifhorn and Braunschweig. If, after consultation with your superiors, you also see the possibility of stepping in, with at least 20 hours, for at least 3 months, we are still happy to receive your information to the Personnell Department.
► When the seabed turns to dough
In order to optimally adapt floating offshore wind turbines to underwater conditions, researchers of the Leichtweiß Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources (LWI) are simulating the phenomenon of seabed liquefaction. With a computer model, the scientists want to develop a tool that helps the planning engineers answer questions about anchor design, soil type and site selection. In an interview, project coordinator Dr. Christian Windt talks about the development of the model and his research on wave energy in Ireland.
► Flying electrically with optimum propeller distribution
To reduce noise, CO2 emissions and energy consumption of aircraft, TU Braunschweig is working on novel aircraft concepts. The “Clean Sky2” project DISPROP focuses on electrically powered aircraft and the arrangement of propellers.
► Drugs made from gold complexes
We think of gold primarily as jewelry, but it also helps in medicine. Seyedeh Mahbobeh Mahdavi is a doctoral student in the PhD program “Drug Discovery and Chemical Informatics for New Anti-Infectives” and is researching how gold compounds could benefit new drugs.
► How to make a cell nucleus glow
A team of chemists succeeded in developing novel dye molecules based in sugars. These glycoBODIPYs can dye certain cell components.
► Form plant to microorganism
Our picture of the month for February shows the blossom of St. John’s wort. Professor Ludger Beerhues and his research group at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology are investigating how the hyperforin contained in the plant can be produced in the laboratory.
► EU Green Week 2021 “Zero Pollution”
From May 3 to June 13, events fitting the theme “Zero Pollution” can become part of the EU Green Week, getting additional attention. The deadline for applications is March 12.
► Insights into Horizon Europe
From February 10 to March 10, events will provide insights into the new framework program for research and innovation of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research – Horizon Europe.
► Carolo Cup@Home
Live on track, but controlled from home. In a public livestream on February 12 at 6 pm, little autonomous speedsters compete at the Carolo Cup.
► The Audimax – renovated with care
How was the Audimax renovated, what were the challenges and how does it look now? The public online Tour “The Audimax – preservation and revitalization” with subsequent discussion provides answers on February 11 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.
► Darling of the Week
Professor Miguel Vences was part of the expedition that discovered our darling of the week. It lives on Madagaskar and can easily stretch on a fingertip. This makes the male nano-chameleon Brookesia nana the smallest known reptile in the world. Nevertheless, to charm the chameleon ladies, the little fellow has a piquant detail …