Students from the University of Stuttgart are launching a Ferrofluid experiment on the REXUS research rocket. The goal is to investigate how Ferrofluid-based technologies behave in microgravity and under extreme forces and temperatures. The technology could improve maintenance and sustainability of space vehicles.

The FINIX experiment tests a Ferrofluid-based pump and switch system. The students aim to demonstrate that these technologies can withstand space conditions through optimized magnetic field geometries and manufacturing processes.

The rocket is set to launch from the European Space Center in Sweden between March 10th and 15th, 2025, reaching an altitude of approximately 90 kilometers for a brief three-minute test period in zero gravity.

The University of Kiel leads an international team of researchers in creating a network of millions of synthetic 'cells'.

This breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, involves the development of a synthetic tissue that is both stable and fluid, mimicking the properties of living biological tissues.

The researchers have replicated the behavior of living cells by using a molecular machine inspired by the flagellum of swimming bacteria, studying the mechanical properties of the tissue network.

➀ Fraunhofer researchers have developed sensor systems and measuring equipment to detect leaks in hydrogen lines and tanks;

➁ The systems are designed for continuous monitoring of hydrogen shipments and facilities in the chemical industry;

➂ Multiple sensor technologies are used to provide safety equipment for various scenarios of the future hydrogen economy.

➀ The Technical University of Darmstadt has introduced a state-of-the-art humanoid robot, TALOS, to its research portfolio, marking the launch of the new Laboratory for Humanoid Robotics.

➁ TALOS, from Pal Robotics, is a versatile robot capable of handling heavy objects, climbing stairs, and interacting with humans and mechanical colleagues.

➂ The robot is equipped with advanced sensors and computing power, including an AI accelerator, to perform complex tasks and movements.

➀ The Baelz Foundation has for the 22nd time awarded outstanding Bachelor's and Master's theses;

➁ Johannes Spangler, a graduate of HBC, received the second prize in the Master's category;

➂ Spangler's thesis focused on the analysis and evaluation of refrigeration systems using new software tools.

➀ Scientists in South Korea have developed a conductive-bridge interlayer contact, overcoming efficiency limitations in 2D semiconductor-based photodiodes.

➁ This interlayer, comprising an insulating oxide material embedded with gold nanoclusters, enhances charge transport and mitigates Fermi level pinning.

➂ The technology was implemented in a tungsten disulfide photodiode, achieving improved photoresponsivity, dynamic range, and power conversion efficiency.

➀ The HEAD-Genuit-Stiftung supports the establishment of the new graduate college 'MOSAIC' at RWTH Aachen, involving the UKA and TU Berlin.

➁ The graduate college focuses on researching acoustic well-being in various indoor and outdoor spaces, with a special emphasis on the new research direction 'Soundscape'.

➂ The interdisciplinary research group considers numerous factors influencing acoustic experience, including interactions with temperature, light conditions, air quality, room height, and geometry.

➀ Swansea University has hosted a course on semiconductor cleanroom skills at its Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM).

➁ The course aims to equip students with the expertise to become semiconductor scientists and engineers.

➂ The facility houses an ultra-clean advanced processing environment for semiconductor processing.

➀ The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has decided to abandon the current program of experiments into controlled thermo-nuclear fusion using ICSE (Intermediate Current Stability Experiment).

➁ The authority has concluded that it is not the best time to construct the large apparatus due to the extensive effort and resources required.

➂ ICSE was initially announced in the 1959/60 Annual Report for UKAEA, intended for fundamental studies without power-producing potential.

➀ Leonardo highlighted increased employment at its UK sites, with 1,400 new hires in 2024, including 450 in early careers schemes.

➁ The company reported significant growth in orders, revenues, and EBITA over the last 12 months.

➂ Leonardo emphasized its role in the global Aerospace, Defense, and Security industry, with a focus on sustainability and young talent attraction.

➀ Researchers at IIT Dharwad have developed bifacial perovskite solar cells with enhanced efficiency and durability.

➁ The cells incorporate a hybrid three-layer transparent electrode (NiO/Ag/NiO) that allows for high power conversion efficiencies from both sides.

➂ These solar cells exhibit strong near-infrared transparency and maintain 80% of their initial efficiency after over 1,000 hours of operation without encapsulation.

➀ Despite concerns over AI-generated science, Google is confident in AI's role in scientific research and has unveiled an 'AI co-scientist' tool built on Gemini 2.0.

➁ The tool aims to address time constraints in scientific discoveries and work alongside human scientists, not as a substitute.

➂ The AI has shown promising results in solving antibiotic-resistant pathogens and identifying new drug uses for myeloid leukemia.

➀ The Fraunhofer FEP is developing optically effective surface structures for perovskite solar cells within the EU PERSEUS project to enhance cell efficiency and reduce reflection losses.

➁ The Design-PV project focuses on creating decorative surfaces for integrated photovoltaic modules, combining aesthetically pleasing solutions with PV-active wall areas.

➂ The RzR-NIL technology allows for the production of large-area, continuous film surfaces with various applications, such as Lab-on-Chip structures, biofouling reduction, and window anti-reflective coatings.

➀ The Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) has started the CELTIC-NEXT Flagship Project SUSTAINET aimed at developing sustainable and resilient network technologies.

➁ The project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with 30 million Euros, will run from January 2025 to December 2027.

➂ The focus is on developing future-proof networks that integrate fiber, wireless networks, and modern mobile generations, improving the availability, resilience, and sustainability of the networks.

Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) has initiated the SUSTAINET project, a €30 million research effort to develop sustainable and resilient network technologies. The project, running from January 2025 to December 2027, aims to integrate fiber optics, radio, and mobile networks to improve network availability and sustainability. It is divided into three sub-projects focusing on advanced technologies, intelligent solutions, and sustainable network architectures.

➀ The Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena (EAH Jena) is establishing an endowed professorship for 'Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI)';

➁ The professorship aims to improve the transparency and comprehensibility of decisions made by AI systems through innovative methods and tools;

➂ The professorship will focus on interdisciplinary research and education, involving various fields such as healthcare, social services, and business administration.

➀ The Daimler and Benz Foundation launches the funding format 'Ladenburger Horizonte' to focus on research collaborations between German and African institutions in selected regions.

➁ The new funding measure addresses the growing scientific and political significance of African countries.

➂ Two research projects are selected to address urgent social challenges on the African continent.

Researchers have developed a novel method to track light fields directly within optical resonators. This enables precise measurements at the exact locations where future field-resolved studies of light-matter interactions will take place.

Scientists from the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Fritz-Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have developed a new experimental platform to measure the electric fields of light trapped between two mirrors with precision below a light cycle. These electro-optical Fabry-Pérot resonators allow for precise control and observation of light-matter interactions, particularly in the terahertz (THz) spectral region.

Through the development of a tunable hybrid resonator design and the measurement and modeling of its complex mode spectrum, physicists can now actively switch between nodes and maxima of light waves at relevant resonator locations. This study thus opens new paths for the exploration of quantum electrodynamics and the ultrafast control of material properties.

➀ CEA-Leti's FAMES Pilot Line aims to enhance performance and reduce power consumption for mixed-signal circuits.

➁ The line focuses on five technology sets enabling new chip architectures, including FD-SOI at 10nm and 7nm, eNVM, RF components, 3D integration technologies, and small inductors.

➂ The technologies are expected to create market opportunities for various applications and will be accessible to researchers, SMEs, and industrial companies across Europe and partner countries.

➀ Glasgow researchers have developed diamond transistors that default to off;

➁ Yangtze Memory Technologies is shipping a TLC NAND with 294 layers;

➂ The OECD reports on the retirement crisis facing many countries;

➃ Binder introduces Cat6A data cables with M12 connectors for railways;

➄ Intel adjusts its product roadmap with a 'get real' approach, delaying the 18A processor line.