The first stop on the visit focused on the constantly growing AI ecosystem around TU Darmstadt. Kristian Kersting (Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and Co-Director of the Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence, hessian.AI) outlined its dynamic development. Scientists are working on AI solutions and systems of the future in a large number of projects and institutions such as hessian.AI, the Robotics Institute Germany (RIG) and the DFKI. hessian.AI's participation in the JUPITER AI Factory (JAIF), one of two AI factories in Germany, will expand access to AI infrastructure and services for science, SMEs and the public sector around the exascale supercomputer JUPITER.

A new generation of AI systems is to be developed in the planned Cluster of Excellence “Reasonable Artificial Intelligence” (RAI) under the leadership of TU Darmstadt. Systems that have the ability to abstract should be able to continuously adapt to new situations and learn with a reasonable amount of resources. The support and promotion of start-ups, for example through AI Start-up Rising, is also an integral part of the AI ecosystem. The presentation of the TU start-up dianovi showed that success is possible in this way. Founder Nils Bergmann explained how the company's products support doctors throughout the diagnostic process and thus improve patient care in a data-driven way.

Head of the State Chancellery Kuhn praised TU Darmstadt's research in the field of AI. “TU Darmstadt has established itself as a leading institution in AI research. With a large number of excellent researchers and a lively ecosystem of research facilities and active start-up support, the university offers an ideal environment for scientists and companies. Projects such as the Robotics Institute Germany and hessian.AI demonstrate the international visibility and influence of TU Darmstadt in AI-supported robotics and applied research,” said the State Secretary, adding: ‘The ’Reasonable Artificial Intelligence' project is an outstanding example of how the university is advancing visions and methods of AI research. By integrating 'thinking' and 'learning' in modular, decentralized systems and developing AI systems with 'common sense', TU Darmstadt is setting standards for future AI research.”

With demonstrations in several laboratories, in which scientists are working on the (further) development of CO2-free energy sources, the visitors were able to experience TU Darmstadt's contributions to the energy supply of the future at first hand. Professor Christian Hasse (Head of the Simulation of Reactive Thermo-Fluid Systems department) outlined the iron cycle developed in the “Clean Circles” project. Energy generation and use are independent of location and time and are possible in existing infrastructures adapted for this cycle: energy generated from renewable sources is stored in iron powder, which can be burned completely CO2-free and used to generate electricity, hydrogen and heat. The resulting iron oxide is in turn reduced to iron powder using renewable energies – an energy store that can be recharged at any time.

The “A-STEAM” project funded by the European Research Council (ERC) is expanding the research portfolio on metals as carbon-free chemical energy storage systems to include aluminum. Research is also being carried out at the TU on hydrogen as an energy source – for example in the ERC project “HYROPE – Hydrogen under pressure”: the next-generation gas turbines developed here are not powered by natural gas, but by hydrogen or ammonia from renewable sources. In power generation, gas turbines are particularly suitable for compensating for the unavoidable fluctuations that occur with wind and solar energy.

During his visitor, State Secretary Kuhn pointed out that TU Darmstadt conducts excellent research in the renewable energy sector. “TU Darmstadt is a leader in the development of innovative energy systems that contribute to the energy transition,” he said. “Its research into intelligent energy systems that combine electricity, heat and mobility is an important step towards ensuring a sustainable energy supply.”

ENTEGA CEO Wolff, who is also Chairwoman of the University Council of TU Darmstadt, added: “With the Technical University in the science city of Darmstadt, Hesse has a unique jewel in the German scientific landscape in the field of outstanding, excellent research. Today's presentation of scientific achievements proves once again why so many national and international students, as well as renowned scientists, choose TU Darmstadt: The diverse and special quality of research and teaching is the decisive attraction. Promoting this and further expanding it in terms of quality and quantity must be the goal of us all.”