Advanced Science: researchers investigate movements when leaves reopen

The rapid speed at which the carnivorous Venus flytrap catches its prey is legendary. What is less well known is that Dionaea muscipula is also capable of a variety of other forms of movement. In a study, a team at the Universities of Darmstadt, Freiburg and Stuttgart studied the opening – i.e. the “re-setting” – of the traps. The results are also interesting for technical disciplines such as mechanical engineering or soft robotics, and have just been published in the renowned journal “Advanced Science”.

The internationalisation strategy of Technical University of Darmstadt

Strengthening internationalisation at TU Darmstadt is one of our core objectives. The research at our university reflects our continuous pursuit for finding the best solutions to address global challenges.

DFG verlängert Förderung für CROSSING und zwei weitere SFB-Transregio

Die TU Darmstadt hat in der neuen Förderrunde für Sonderforschungsbereiche (SFB) überzeugt. Drei SFB in Sprecherschaft oder unter Beteiligung der TU werden um eine dritte Laufzeit verlängert und nun erneut für vier Jahre von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) gefördert. Darunter ist auch ein Projekt im Rahmen der Rhein-Main-Universitäten. Das hat die DFG bekannt gegeben.

Researchers at TU Darmstadt are developing an anti-eavesdropping quantum network

While quantum computers offer many novel possibilities, they also pose a threat to internet security since these supercomputers make common encryption methods vulnerable. Based on the so-called quantum key distribution, researchers at TU Darmstadt have developed a new, tap-proof communication network.

EU Research Council funds project by TU Professor Heinz Koeppl with 150,000 euros

TU Professor Heinz Koeppl (Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology) receives a “Proof of Concept” grant of 150,000 euros from the European Research Council (ERC) for the second time. The new grant will fund his project “PLATE – Biophysical Genetic Design Automation Technology”, which deals with algorithms for the computer-aided design of genetic circuits in synthetic biology.

50 years Department of Computer Science: Interview with Emeritus Professor Wolfgang Bibel

He is regarded as one of the top ten personalities in German AI history: Wolfgang Bibel, professor emeritus of TU Darmstadt, was one of the first scientists in Germany to conduct research in the area of Artificial Intelligence, achieving international recognition. As professor for Intellectics and an expert for deduction, he was for two decades a leading figure and formative force of the Department of Computer Science at TU Darmstadt, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022, and he laid the foundation for the department’s leading position in AI research.

“Athene Young Investigator” Martin Adam takes a socio-technical look at the digitalised world

How can modern technology be designed and used to achieve the best possible benefit and well-being for people? Athene Young Investigator Dr. Martin Adam investigates this question. Dr. Adam (30) conducts his research at the interface between social and technical phenomena.

European Union Funds AI Project for Innovative Analysis of Text

Professor Iryna Gurevych wins one of the highly-coveted “ERC Advanced Grants” and receives 2.5 million euros from the European Research Council (ERC) for her project “InterText – Modeling Text as a Living Object in a Cross-Document Context”.

TU Professor Sadeghi awarded ERC Advanced Grant

Ahmad-Reza Sadeghi, Professor of System Security at the Technical University of Darmstadt, has been awarded a prestigious “ERC Advanced Grant” by the European Research Council (ERC). His research project HYDRANOS is being funded with around 2.5 million euros over a period of five years.

Programmable biosensors using synthetic biology: Funding as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action

The international “SYNSENSO” Doctoral Network that is coordinated by TU Darmstadt is developing a new generation of modular biosensors. The European Commission has now awarded the network a total of 2.7 million euros of funding as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action.

Contributions to the safe “electricity highway”: “Athene Young Investigator” Yvonne Späck-Leigsnering

How can the energy transition also succeed technically? Athene Young Investigator Dr Yvonne Späck-Leigsnering is researching the necessary change in energy infrastructure and any possible weak points. The scientist wants to make products and systems more reliable and robust with the help of mathematical modelling and field simulations. One example is cable-based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems that are intended to transport electricity from wind energy over long distances without interference.

Activating X-rays – Signalling Cascade in T-cells

Radiation therapy is a proven approach to destroying tumours. However, it is possible that it might be able to do even more in the future – namely stimulate the immune system at the same time and so fight cancer even more intensively. The foundations for this have been laid by researchers led by TU Darmstadt. They have found that x-rays trigger a calcium signalling cascade in cells of the immune system. The results have now been published in the “Journal of General Physiology”.

New Erasmus+ project IDEM launched

Unite! wants to create a new model of a European virtual and physical campus accessible to all Unite! students. The new Erasmus+ project “IDEM – Inclusion, Diversity, Equity in Mobility”, which was officially launched in a virtual kick-off meeting on February 14, aims to enable in particular students with disabilities, refugee students and first-generation students to fully participate in all mobility programmes between Unite! partner universities. Concrete approaches will be developed for this over the next three years. The project is coordinated by the TU Darmstadt.

Thanks to “Athene Young Investigator” Tobias Meuser, mobile networks are becoming more resilient

How can the future 5G communication network be made more resilient? Dr Tobias Meuser is researching the resilience of the 5G network. Dr Meuser has a doctorate in electrical engineering and works as a project manager in the Collaborative Research Centre MAKI – Multi-Mechanisms Adaptation for the Future Internet.

Unite! wants to pave the way for the excellence in research, innovation and education that is essential to meet the challenges of our time. Our Mission Statement 2030 is the result of a concerted effort by the entire Unite! community.

Unite! University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering aims to reach the next level of development as a European university alliance, creating a wealth of new and unprecedented opportunities for its students, staff and partners in the coming years. Continuing its journey that began in 2019, Unite! aims to develop as a dynamic and inclusive university alliance, committed to long-term sustained collaboration and progressive integration.