➀ The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Niederwerrn, Institute for Energy and High Voltage Technology (IEHT), and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) conducted a joint experiment to test the distance rules for fire department operations near electrical equipment. ➁ An experiment was set up on a secured parking lot with a high-voltage wire under 70 kilovolts, simulating a 110 kV overhead power line. ➂ The experiment demonstrated that the fire department's distance rules can be considered safe for a distance of ten meters from the wire at this voltage.

➀ The Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation invites applications from young researchers in mathematics and computer science worldwide to participate in the 12th HLF. The forum offers a unique opportunity to interact with laureates of prestigious prizes in their fields. Applications are open from November 11, 2024, to February 11, 2025. The event will take place from September 14 to 19, 2025. ➁ The HLF promotes scientific dialogue, networking, and collaboration among young researchers. It is supported by renowned institutions and is known for its engaging lectures, discussions, and interactive programs. ➂ The application process is reviewed by an international committee to select the most qualified candidates.

➀ The Daimler and Benz Foundation will once again award the Bertha-Benz Prize, recognizing a young engineer for an outstanding dissertation. The prize, worth 15,000 euros, is open to female engineers who have contributed to social value with their dissertation results.➁ The nomination deadline is Saturday, March 1, 2025.➂ The foundation aims to support women in engineering disciplines and their career development.

➀ A research project at the Universities of Jena and Karlsruhe (KIT) and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) will receive €14 million from the ERC for six years of interdisciplinary research on combining electronics and photonics. ➁ The goal is to overcome the bottleneck of the electro-optical modulator to significantly increase data transmission speed. ➂ The project will involve optimizing and miniaturizing electro-optical components and incorporating new non-linear optical materials into photonic integrated circuits (PICs).

➀ Alex Bronstein, known for groundbreaking innovations, starts his professorship at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) with a focus on Machine Learning in biowissenschaften. ➁ Bronstein has a background in both academic research at the Technion, Israel, and industry at Intel, where he developed 3D sensing technology. ➂ He aims to expand the boundaries of machine learning for applications in biowissenschaften and contribute to strategic directions in structural and cell biology, as well as single-cell analyses.

➀ The 'Microtec Academy' is established to address the growing demand for skilled workers in microelectronics and microsystem technology. ➁ The project is coordinated by the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) and is part of the 'skills4chips' initiative, which aims to strengthen Germany's position in microelectronics. ➂ The project focuses on providing tailored training programs and new digital solutions to support flexible learning and attract skilled workers.

➀ Professor Martin Braun will become the new director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE in Kassel on November 1, 2024; ➁ The IEE focuses on developing solutions for secure, affordable, and efficient renewable energy supply; ➂ Braun has contributed significantly to the IEE since 2005 and has been recognized for his scientific contributions.

➀ Prof. Martin Braun will take over the leadership of Fraunhofer IEE in Kassel on November 1, 2024. He is also a professor at the University of Kassel. ➁ Fraunhofer IEE focuses on research and development of sustainable electrical energy systems and energy system technology. ➂ Since 1988, the institute has been developing solutions to advance the energy transition and digitalization in the energy sector.

➀ The FORSocialRobots research project, led by Prof. Dr. Jörg Franke, aims to enhance the social skills of robots for efficient human-robot interaction in various applications. ➁ The project focuses on scenarios such as logistics, production, service, elderly care, and dementia centers. ➂ Challenges include natural communication, understanding human emotions, and adapting to diverse environments.

➀ The Saarbrücken conference focuses on smart materials and their applications in various industries. ➁ It highlights the collaboration between universities and industry to develop new products. ➂ It showcases innovative research in materials science and technology transfer.

➀ A German-Chinese research team led by Prof. Dr. Francesco Ciucci from the University of Bayreuth has developed a new electrochemical water splitting method. ➁ This method not only accelerates hydrogen production for technology and industry but also makes it more sustainable. ➂ The research, published in Nature Nanotechnology, shows a significant improvement in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and efficiency.

➀ Perplexity AI is confident it can revolutionize financial market research with its latest AI-enhanced toolset; ➁ The company's new tool, Internal Knowledge Search, allows users to search through their provided data and enhance it with internet data; ➂ Perplexity is also introducing Spaces for team collaboration, allowing secure file sharing and AI customization.

➀ The whitepaper by Learning Systems explores successful AI deployment in businesses that create value for companies, employees, and customers. ➁ It highlights practical examples from various industries on how AI can address both economic and social goals. ➂ The report emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation-friendly environments for AI adoption, while acknowledging challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in implementing AI technologies.

➀ Dr. Thomas Flisgen has been appointed as a professor at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg; ➁ He will focus on electromagnetic field computation and high-frequency technology; ➂ The appointment strengthens the partnership between BTU and Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH).

➀ The Fraunhofer ICT in Pfinztal researches renewable energy power generation. The campus is powered by wind turbines and photovoltaic systems. After six years, the institute presents a positive balance and outlines future expansion plans. ➁ A 2-MW wind turbine and a 6 MWh redox-flow battery have been in operation since mid-2018. A 690 kWp photovoltaic system was added in summer 2023. ➂ The combination of wind, solar energy, and large-scale batteries provides insights for micro-grid design and operation. The research aims to reduce costs and ensure technical safety and resilience for a cost-effective and secure energy transition.

➀ FH Aachen's Institute of Microwave and Plasma Technology (IMP) has achieved a breakthrough in plasma generation by creating a stand-alone plasma with high energy density. This research aims to mimic the fusion processes occurring in the sun for energy production on Earth. The plasma is produced in a small laboratory-scale setup, demonstrating the potential for large-scale applications. ➁ Professor Dr. Holger Heuermann leads the research, emphasizing the significance of the development for understanding and replicating the fusion processes. ➂ The research team is working on precise measurement and large-scale implementation of the technology, seeking collaboration with industry and research partners.

➀ Researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed 3D-printed lattice-like composites that can detect their own strain, load, and damage. ➁ The material, made from a PEI polymer mixed with carbon nanotubes, is designed to monitor its own performance without additional hardware. ➂ The team has created a complete theoretical model of the substance's piezo resistivity, allowing for accurate prediction of the material's response to stress and strain.

➀ The UKRI has allocated £25m for sustainable electronics design and manufacturing through its Accelerating the Green Economy programme. ➁ Glasgow University will lead a four-year project in collaboration with other institutions to tackle sustainability challenges in the electronics industry. ➂ The focus will be on reducing electronic waste, minimising reliance on critical raw materials, and reducing carbon footprints.

➀ Researchers at the University of Ottawa have discovered that achiral (symmetric) materials can absorb light differently based on the handedness of the light wavefront. This challenges long-held beliefs about their optical properties. ➁ The team found ways to precisely control this absorption, which could be beneficial for technologies like optical switches. ➂ The study could lead to improved efficiency in optical devices and provides new insights into light-material interactions.

➀ Stanford University scientists have used a specialized electron microscope to explore the microstructure of promising soft semiconductors. The research focuses on organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) with potential applications in next-generation batteries and electronics. The study reveals the internal structure and electron transport mechanisms of OMIECs. ➁ The research technique, cryo 4D-STEM, allows for the observation of the material's microstructure in action, providing insights into how the material performs under stress. ➂ The findings could have significant implications for future research on OMIEC polymers and their electronic applications.