News

“Jugend forscht” award winner completes research internship at IKZ
Internship was granted as a special prize at one of the regional competitions:
This summer, the IKZ was pleased to welcome Antonia Linke, a “Jugend forscht” award winner, for a two-week research internship. The internship was granted as a special prize at one of the state-level “Jugend forscht”…

FBH showcases latest R&D results at Photonics Days
Conference focusing on laser technology, microsystems technology and quantum technologies on 8 and 9 October in Adlershof:
For two days, experts from research and industry will meet in Berlin-Adlershof to exchange views on the latest trends in laser technology, heterogeneous integration, microsystems technology, and more. Once again,…

Markus Krutzik and Tim Schröder among the 100 most important minds in science 2025
Quantum researchers from the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut honoured by Tagesspiegel newspaper:
Markus Krutzik and Tim Schröder have been named among the 100 most important figures in the Berlin science community for 2025. Through their work in quantum sensing and quantum photonics, they make crucial…

Pushing boundaries in ultrafast magnetization switching
Switching process does not proceed homogeneously but along a moving domain:
A single ultrashort laser pulse can change the magnetization of a suitable material. But even within a magnetic film of just a few nanometer thickness, this process is not homogeneous, but proceeds with a speed of…

Diodes for Fusion Power Plants
The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut is accelerating the development of a key component:
As part of the “Fusion 2040 – Research on the Way to a Fusion Power Plant” programme, the German government is investing around 1.2 billion euros over the next five years into the development of this climate-neutral,…

A dynamic seating area for brainstorming
Peter Sandhaus builds a bridge between science, art, and communication in front of BESSY II:
Science doesn’t only happen behind closed lab doors; flashes of inspiration can strike anywhere. With his “Neuron Accelerator”, Peter Sandhaus has created a new space for fast-moving thoughts to unfold. While…

Fully charged
The newly founded Berlin Battery Lab (BBL) combines the expertise of three research institutions:
The newly founded Berlin Battery Lab (BBL) combines the expertise of the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the Humboldt University of Berlin (HU)…

The Solar Consultant
Niklas Albinius shares his knowledge about building with photovoltaics:
Who knows what his career path would have looked like if he hadn’t asked the question? Niklas Albinius’ curiosity was piqued after a lecture on ‘Solar Construction’ at the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin,…

DLR reveals ways to overcome transport poverty
Institute of Transport Research is investigating developments in transport poverty in Hesse:
Achieving climate goals and avoiding transport poverty at the same time—a challenging task for policymakers. A study by the DLR Institute of Transport Research, commissioned by the Hessian Scientific Climate Council,…

From laboratory to everyday life: UVC LEDs for disinfection on the way to widespread use
International research team publishes overview of the state of the art of commercial UVC LEDs:
An international team of researchers has, for the first time, comprehensively assessed the state of the art of commercial UVC LEDs and summarized the findings in an open-access review. These compact, efficient, and…

The Startup Factory
More than 50 partners from the fields of science, business, politics, and society have formed the UNITE alliance to increase the number of start-ups in Berlin and Brandenburg:
An ecosystem for science-based startups has recently been created with UNITE, an alliance of over 50 partners from the fields of science, business, politics, and society in Berlin-Brandenburg. Laura Möller, CEO of…

Porous Radical Organic framework improves lithium-sulphur batteries
Research team develops new COF material that can significantly increase battery performance and durability:
A team led by Prof. Yan Lu, HZB, and Prof. Arne Thomas, Technical University of Berlin, has developed a material that enhances the capacity and stability of lithium-sulphur batteries. The material is based on polymers…

FBH joins IFE-STARFIRE Hub to advance inertial fusion energy
Diode laser systems are intended to enable real-world fusion power deployment:
The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) is proud to announce its participation in the newly expanded Diode Technology Working Group of the IFE-STARFIRE Hub. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and led by Lawrence…

A Blueprint for Climate-Resilient Technology Districts
A master plan for climate resilience is intended to prepare Adlershof, as well as other locations, for the future:
Climate change is very much here and so it’s high time to prepare the technology park for the future. How exactly this will be done is currently being worked out with the support of WISTA, with a master plan being…

BAM develops innovative measurement methods for safe rechargeable batteries
EU project on sustainable batteries combines several independent measurement methods for analysis under realistic operating conditions:
The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is participating in a major European project to develop new measurement methods for sustainable battery materials. The aim is to fundamentally improve the…

Saskia Vormfelde appointed new Administrative Director at HZB
She is moving from Freiburg ISE to Berlin:
Saskia Vormfelde begins her term of office as Administrative Director at HZB on 1 September. The successful science manager succeeds Thomas Frederking, who retired after 32 years of service at HZB, including 13 years…

DLR researchers publish open-source tool for assessing urban transport connections
Improved access to public transport is one of the United Nations’ sustainable urban development goals:
The United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. These goals are to be implemented globally in order to promote sustainable peace, prosperity and protection of our planet by 2030. One of…

BR50 and BUA strengthen Berlin as a center of knowledge and innovation
Strategic partnership agreed between Berlin Research 50 (BR50) and Berlin University Alliance (BUA):
On August 18, 2025, Berlin Research 50 (BR50), represented by its chairwoman Prof. Dr. Jutta Allmendinger and deputy chairman Prof. Dr. Thomas Sommer, and the Berlin University Alliance (BUA), represented by its…

IKZ launched four start-up companies in current evaluation period
The start-ups focus on advanced materials, precision instrumentation, and AI-supported data management:
During the evaluation period from 2019 to 2025, the Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ) has initiated four spin-offs. These spin-offs are a crucial part of technology transfer, as they translate research…

HZB team investigates lithium-sulphur batteries in real-time
Findings are helpful to design compact Li-S batteries with a high energy density:
Using a non-destructive method, a team at HZB investigated practical lithium-sulphur pouch cells with lean electrolyte for the first time. With operando neutron tomography, they could visualise in real-time how the…