The Week at TU Braunschweig │27.03.2020 Our Newsletter for all Employees
Topics: Infection prevention in construction + PhoenixD + “WeCare
Home office + Luminous windows and daffodils
► Infection prevention in hospitals
How new spatial planning can prevent infections in hospitals is shown by our architects in the KARMIN project. Together with doctors and molecular biologists, they developed a prototype for an infection-preventive patient room. The demonstrator is to be presented in October 2020 at the “World Health Summit” in Berlin.
► The TU Braunschweig and the “PhoenixD” Cluster of Excellence
In January 2019, the Cluster of Excellence “PhoenixD” at Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH) started its work. Almost 120 scientists from physics, mechanical engineering, chemistry, mathematics and computer science are working on new optical technologies. Four institutes of the TU Braunschweig are also involved. A conversation with Dr. Reinhard Caspary and Hans-Hermann Johannes about the “century of optical technologies”.
► WeCare
What is in store for us when the corona curve rises in the next days and weeks? Already now, there are requests for help from clinics and institutions to the TU Braunschweig. At the same time, there are wonderful offers of help from colleagues and students alike. But: What exactly is needed? What is secured in terms of service and budget? Who is actually already providing support where? In order to coordinate offers and requests, we are currently building up a platform. Under the e-mail address wecare@tu-braunschweig.de we collect the individual projects, network and communicate.
► Shining message
Even though most people cannot watch it on site because we stay at home, the message from Dr. Jeldrik Mainka from the Institute of Structural Design has quickly spread in Braunschweig and beyond: Science is hope! This now shines out on the Oker skyscraper. Together with his colleague Joschua Gosslar, Jeldrik Mainka attached the letters and spotlights, which were provided by the Institute’s director Prof. Dr. Harald Kloft from the Institute’s holdings.
► Working differently I
Telephone and video conferences from the couch at home, virtual coffee breaks, working on a deserted campus – everyday working life has changed for all of us and brings many challenges. So it is particularly important to keep in touch, exchange ideas and share experiences. Greetings by e-mail from the home office are sent to us by Professor Carmen Becker and the Institute of English and American Studies. Dr. Thomas Feuerle from the Institute of Flight Guidance coordinates work on the university’s new research aircraft via telephone conference. Preparations for the transfer of the aircraft from France to Germany are continuing – but somewhat differently than planned. Professor David Woisetschläger from the Chair of Service Management is also facing the corona crisis. What’s annoying, what works – that’s what she reports on in our series “Demand”.
► Working differently II
On Wednesday, the Senate of the TU Braunschweig met for the first time via video conference. As usual, you will find the minutes in the information portal in the next few days. Viewed from the virtual spectator’s bench, it was remarkable how such a large committee can actually work from the home desk in a highly disciplined and conscientious manner. It was also a special Senate session for another reason: For Professor Ulrich Reimers it was the 118th session, as Senator, Dean and Vice-President, and at the same time the last. It is unfortunate that due to the virus this could not be duly honoured, as many a celebration, including his “Last Lecture” Corona, falls victim to. He remains with us, among other things, as President of the Braunschweig Scientific Society, so we are optimistic that we can still make up for all this.
► Working differently III
Home office needs resources. It is amazing what has been technically set up and expanded in this respect within just a few days. Our volunteer Laurenz Kötter reports from the machine room of digital communication, the Gauss IT Centre, and would like to take this opportunity to thank his colleagues who made tremendous things possible in a short time so that we could work “TUHause”.
► Getting through the isolation at home
Whether in the home office or privately: domestic isolation and quarantine is a new and special challenge for all of us. Our Institute of Psychology has given us very helpful hints “how to get through domestic isolation and quarantine well”. A huge issue is the situation at home for families with children. For the younger ones Prof. Daniela Hosser recommends a three minute video.
► Favorite of the week
Flowers brighten the soul. So does our spring-like favourite of the week: the daffodil on the Forum Square. Feels good. Thanks to Professor Dirk Lorenz for the foto the beautiful photo.