The Week at TU Braunschweig | 20.02.2026 Our Newsletter for all Employees
Topics: Brain on a chip + Autonomous shuttle + Learning to work sustainably
Editor: Elisabeth Hahn and János Krueger
► Laying of the foundation stone for the new physics building
On 16 February, our President Angela Ittel, together with Science Minister Falko Mohrs and Anja Hesse, Head of the Department of Culture and Science of the City of Braunschweig, laid a time capsule in the foundation stone of the new physics building. The facility, which cost around 72.4 million euros to construct, will provide optimal conditions for research and teaching on the East Campus.
► “Collaboration Boosts Science”: Making Research Visible
With a new communication initiative, TU Braunschweig is bringing its research more into the public eye. To kick things off, the focus is on six professors who demonstrate how scientific work makes concrete contributions to overcoming societal challenges.
► President’s Office Hours
Anyone who has a concern or ideas, either personally or as a small group, can discuss them confidentially with President Angela Ittel during the consultation hour on 26 February at 10 a.m. Please register with Karen Lehmann by 24 February.
► Scientific gold medal for Braunschweig-based chip designer
The ISSCC conference in San Francisco is considered the Olympics of the chip community. The Braunschweig team led by Professor Vadim Issakov not only competed as Olympians, but also became only the second German team ever to win the ‘gold medal’ for the best European paper. Congratulations!
► Mini-laboratories for the brain: New approaches in Alzheimer’s research
In the Ing4Life project, TU Braunschweig is developing innovative mini-laboratories on a chip to better research age-related brain diseases. At the Braunschweig Centre for Systems Biology (BRICS), high-tech platforms enable realistic investigations of nerve cells – without animal testing and with a view to more effective therapies.
► Greater efficiency for liquid hydrogen
With the presentation of a symbolic cheque, Science Minister Falko Mohrs gave the starting signal for the ERDF-funded innovation network TOWEWA. The project, run by TU Braunschweig and Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, aims to make value chains for liquid hydrogen more efficient and significantly reduce energy losses.
► Autonomous e-shuttle for public transport unveiled
The presentation on 11 February marked the successful completion of the ‘Self-Driving Urban E-Shuttle’ (SUE) project: the autonomous, fully electric shuttle was developed entirely in Germany – under the headship of the Institute for Vehicle Technology (IfF) – and is designed for real-world use in local public transport.
► Between innovation and the protection of fundamental rights
Prof. Sarah Rachut from the Institute of Law is investigating how digital technologies can be used responsibly in the public sector. Her research focuses both on the opportunities for more efficient procedures in administration, justice and education, and on the risks to fundamental rights and democratic processes. She recently received the Female Excellence Award from KIT in recognition of her dissertation, “Realisation of fundamental rights in digital context”’. Congratulations!
► Ten years of GradTUBS – the journey to a doctoral degree
Since 2015, the GradTUBS Graduate Academy has been supporting doctoral students with a wide range of soft skills and career-relevant know-how – in German and English. GradTUBS is constantly evolving and accompanies doctoral students on their journey to a doctoral degree.
► Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Network Meeting
The renowned Alexander von Humboldt Foundation invited its fellows to a three-day network meeting on our Campus. More than 100 junior researchers from all over the world came to visit.
► Parking Space Management
Winter weather has slowed down preparations somewhat, but attentive observers may have already noticed one or two cameras in TU Braunschweig car parks. However, these are not yet in operation. The date on which parking space management will begin and when cars can be registered will be announced shortly.
► Research Services intensifies support for EU projects
For all Horizon Europe projects starting in January 2026, the Research Services’ EU Support Office will take over the centralised preparation of financial reports. This will significantly reduce the administrative burden on the institutes.
► That was Impact Week 2026
During Impact Week 2026, researchers reported on their PhD impact projects. In addition, the student project “Gemeinsam Digital” (Together Digital) was awarded first place in the competition. In Braunschweig’s city centre, the TU demonstrated how it is making a concrete social impact through its studies, teaching and research.
► Our darling of the week
…is the “Sustainable Working” workshop, where research and administrative staff learn how to put new approaches directly into practice. This free offering from the Chair of Industrial/Organisational and Social Psychology is part of the KREIS project. Find out more now and take part as a team!
► Events
There is always something going on at TU Braunschweig. Discussions, information events, concerts and much more. Take a look at our calendar of events and get inspired.