Archive: News of Technische Universität Darmstadt
We apologize for not being able to present all of our news in English. Please find a selection of the most important news below. To see all news, please visit our German website.
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Picture: Sandra JunkerPicture: Sandra Junker
Molecular Rings with Drug-like Properties
2025/02/04
Chemistry team of the TU publishes new drug discovery approaches
Ring-shaped molecules often have better pharmacological properties, but the development of these active substances is difficult. Now the working group led by Professor Felix Hausch at the Clemens Schöpf Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry at TU Darmstadt has shown in three publications how molecular rings can be built using a modular assembly and how this translates to better properties. This opens up new approaches, for example for the treatment of depression, obesity or chronic pain.
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Unite! Seed Fund 2025
2025/02/03
Call for Applications
The Unite! Alliance is pleased to announce the opening of the call for the Unite! Seed Fund 2025, a fund designed to support innovative and collaborative projects among the alliance's member universities. This fund offers financial support to students, researchers, and professors who wish to initiate joint initiatives between at least three Unite! universities (and at least two for student proposals), encouraging collaboration and excellence in education, research, and innovation. The deadline for all submissions is March 20, 2025, with various matchmaking events scheduled to help participants find partners for their projects
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Picture: MMollaretti - stock.adobe.comPicture: MMollaretti - stock.adobe.com
X-replacement with benefits
2025/01/28
TU researchers present first comprehensive study on the social media platform Bluesky
The booming short messaging service Bluesky with its logo of a blue butterfly is not only a suitable alternative to X, but offers tangible advantages to users, conclude a team of researchers with leading involvement from TU Darmstadt in a study on the novel platform.
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Picture: Kilian SchäferPicture: Kilian Schäfer
Robotics taking wings thanks to butterflies
2025/01/24
Study develops method for movement without electronics and batteries
Researchers at the Technical University of Darmstadt and the Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf have developed a revolutionary technology: flexible robot wings that are moved by magnetic fields. Inspired by the efficiency and adaptability of the wings of the monarch butterfly, they enable precise movements without electronics or batteries. This bio-inspired development could fundamentally change environmental monitoring, rescue operations and biomedical applications.
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Picture: Unite!Picture: Unite!
Doctoral research grant opportunities at ULisboa
2025/01/17
The fourth call for 5 PhD Fellowships Unite! priority areas is now open until 28 February 2025.
Together with our Alliance, the University of Lisbon, in collaboration with Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) will award 5 PhD Fellowships in 4 Unite! key areas Artificial intelligence , Energy – Batteries, Hydrogen and Smart Cities and Industry 4.0. Applications can be submitted until 28 February 2025.
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Picture: Merck KGaA/Bernd RoseliebPicture: Merck KGaA/Bernd Roselieb
“My studies were very interdisciplinary”
2025/01/16
The expertise that computer science alumnus Kai Beckmann acquired and the people he met at TU Darmstadt provided him with important stimulus and inspiration for his professional career at Merck
Kai Beckmann studied computer science at TU Darmstadt in the 1980s and completed his doctorate in economics at the university ten years later part-time while working. Beckmann began his career at the science and technology company Merck as an IT system consultant. Today, the alumnus is a Member of the Executive Board of Merck responsible for the Electronics business sector (semiconductors and specialty chemicals), the Darmstadt site, patents and inhouse consulting.
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Picture: pexels-judit-peterPicture: pexels-judit-peter
Explore Unite! Languages!
2025/01/14
First Unite! Online Language Café starts January 15
If you want to learn a new language, you also have to speak it. Language learning theories argue that language learning takes place unconsciously and by chance through exchanges with native speakers or through contact with authentic language use outside the classroom. The Unite! Online Language Café (UOLC) aims to do just that and invites students from all Unite! universities for the first time on 15 January 2025
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Reimagining Education for AI-ready Graduates
2025/01/13
Submit your ideas for the 2nd Unite!-Ed Future Conference
The 2nd Unite!-Ed Future Conference – Reimagining Education for AI ready graduates – will be a showcase for Seed Funding Projects and a matchmaking event for those interested in joint teaching and joint programmes. The conference offers an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas with focus on, for example, interaction in digital and hybrid learning environments, student-centered learning and various aspects of sustainable development. The conference will be online via Zoom, on March 13.
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Picture: Tübingen AI Center / Elia SchmidPicture: Tübingen AI Center / Elia Schmid
Human thinking as a model for Artificial Intelligence
2025/01/13
New LOEWE start professorship: Charley Wu strengthens cognitive sciences at TU
The cognitive scientist Dr Charley Wu has been awarded a LOEWE start professorship at TU Darmstadt. His work focuses on the question of how artificial intelligence (AI) can use human learning strategies to become more flexible, efficient and social. Approximately two million euros of LOEWE funding will be provided for his research over a total of six years. The state is thus also supporting the full proposal of the research networks ‘The Adaptive Mind’ and ‘Resonable AI’ in the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments, in which TU Darmstadt is significantly involved.
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Picture: © Prostock-studio – stock.adobe.comPicture: © Prostock-studio – stock.adobe.com
Learning languages outside the classroom
2025/01/13
Unite! Seed Fund Initiative: Unite! Online Language Café
Unite!’s multilingual and multicultural environment provides an excellent setting for informal language learning which, based on language learning theories, can occur unconsciously and incidentally outside the classroom setting through interaction with native speakers or exposure to authentic language. The Unite! Online Language Café (UOLC) is designed to do just that – easily accessible and voluntary. It fosters informal interactions to promote and encourage students to use and learn all Unite! languages. A virtual space, where meetings are planned, the UOLC will be run by students for students starting on 15th January 2025.
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Picture: Mercedes-Benz GroupPicture: Mercedes-Benz Group
“I learnt to work hard at an early age”
2025/01/07
Mechanical engineering alumnus Markus Schäfer is now Chief Technology Officer on the Mercedes-Benz Group’s Board of Management
Markus Schäfer graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at TU Darmstadt over 30 years ago. His first job after university was with Mercedes-Benz, where he has since enjoyed a stellar career. Today, he is the automotive group's Chief Technology Officer and responsible for development and procurement. This also includes the transition to electric mobility. The fundamental knowledge and practical relevance imparted at the TU “were extremely relevant later on in my professional life,” says the 59-year-old CTO.
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Unite! students: our soul, our core
2024/12/20
Save the date for the XI Unite! Dialogue at UPC in Barcelona!
We are excited to announce that the 11th Unite! Dialogue will take place from February 25-28, 2025, at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-Barcelona Tech (UPC). This Dialogue will bring together the vibrant Unite! community to deepen collaboration among the nine partner universities of the Alliance, fostering innovation and collective growth.
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Picture: DHLPicture: DHL
Lord of the parcels
2024/12/18
TU alumnus Dr. Tobias Meyer is CEO of the DHL Group and head of almost 600,000 employees worldwide
Ever since he was a teenager, Tobias Meyer has loved gliding. So he studied industrial engineering at TU Darmstadt, specialising in aeronautical engineering, and later obtained a doctorate in mechanical engineering. He had originally planned to work on the development of the A 380 wide-bodied aircraft after graduating, but things turned out differently. Today, the TU alumnus is CEO of the DHL Group, the global logistics provider.
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RAI researchers recognised by renowned ELLIS network
2024/12/17
Four scientists honoured as Scholars and Fellows
The European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) has accepted four researchers from the “Reasonable Artificial Intelligence” (RAI) cluster project as ELLIS Scholars and Fellow of its network. RAI is one of three projects involving TU Darmstadt that are in the running for a Cluster of Excellence.
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A U!Train Manifesto for Sustainable Mobility
2024/12/13
Unite! students call for Improvement of the European rail systems
Europe is at a decisive crossroads in its pursuit of sustainability, with rail transport poised to reclaim its position as a cornerstone of mobility. The U!Train initiative brought together students from nine European universities to confront the challenges and unlock the potential of rail travel. During a collaborative mapathon last september, 28 students identified over 200 points of interest across the European rail network, highlighting areas that urgently need improvement. The culmination of these efforts is the U! Train Manifesto, a set of actionable recommendations aimed at transforming rail transport for a more sustainable and connected Europe.