Kategorie: ‘Veranstaltungen’
The future of hearing: Public lecture series at the “NeuroSensEar” workshop
What will the hearing aid of the future look like? And how can the human brain help us build more efficient computers? From March 3 to 5, 2026, as part of the workshop “NeuroSensEar – Neuromorphic Acoustic Sensors for Tomorrow’s High-Performance Hearing Aids”, the Institute of Communications Engineering at RWTH Aachen University invites you to three high-profile public lectures in Lecture Hall FT (Melatener Str. 23, 52074 Aachen).
The “NeuroSensEar” project is dedicated to one of the most exciting challenges in current technology: the development of neuromorphic acoustic sensor technology. The goal is to create powerful hearing aids that not only amplify sound better, but also act intelligently and energy-efficiently, just like our brains.
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Accompanying the workshop, three renowned professors from our faculty will provide exclusive insights into their research.
Neuromorphic Computing: Energy Efficiency Through Biologically Inspired Hardware – Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 5:00 p.m.
Prof. (ret.) Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Rainer Waser
Information technology is facing a paradigm shift: classic, algorithmic data processing is increasingly being replaced by AI-based approaches. This is accompanied by a massive increase in energy consumption. To reduce this, institutes in Faculty 6 are researching neuromorphic systems that work much more efficiently than conventional architectures.
In the upcoming lecture, Prof. Waser will present the physical fundamentals of redox-based memristive components. The focus is on an interdisciplinary approach between materials science, electrical engineering, and computer science that uses the functioning of the human brain as a technical model.
In addition to hardware development, specific AI applications and their social opportunities and risks will be discussed. The lecture will conclude with a reflection on the question of whether future AI systems could develop consciousness.
Real hearing in the laboratory: Hearing research in interactive VR environments – Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.
Prof. Janina Fels
Until now, research into auditory perception and cognitive processes has often relied on controlled but unrealistically simplified laboratory scenarios. The Institute of Hearing Technology and Acoustics (IHTA) at RWTH Aachen University is now using modern audiovisual virtual reality (VR) to simulate complex everyday situations in a realistic and interactive way.
This technology allows test subjects to interact with acoustic scenes in real time. This enables the precise investigation of hearing and attention in acoustically challenging environments such as open-plan offices or busy outdoor areas. A current research focus of the IHTA is the analysis of noise pollution, attention, and listening effort in elementary school classrooms.
The presentation highlights how VR methods bridge the gap between classical hearing psychology and real-life environments. It also discusses how interdisciplinary approaches from audiology and virtual reality are shaping the future of hearing research.
Glasses for the ears: Intelligent communication systems of the future – Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Jax
Smart hearables are increasingly evolving from simple headphones to intelligent microcomputers with integrated AI. As “glasses for the ears,” these systems act as personal assistants in the areas of consumer audio, health, and professional communication.
One key potential of this technology lies in 3D telephony. Spatial audio reproduction enables intuitive differentiation between speakers, which greatly enhances immersion and the sense of presence in digital meetings. The goal is communication that achieves the naturalness of a face-to-face conversation despite physical distance.
The presentation highlights current developments in research and industry and discusses the acoustic and technical challenges that must be overcome in the design of such innovative platforms.
At the Interface of Medicine and Engineering: New Technologies for Implantation Biology
© Martin Braun
In an online seminar, Dr Madhuri Salker will discuss her current research, which centres on the study of human implantation and pregnancy loss. To this end, she employs reconstructed assemblages, multimodal single-cell sequencing, and nanosensor development.
Dr Madhuri Salker is investigating the molecular and immunological processes of early pregnancy. The Tübingen University Hospital researcher and University of British Columbia assistant professor was recently awarded a highly endowed project grant in the form of a European Research Council Consolidator Grant. In her project babyRADAR, she intends to use cutting-edge technologies to improve our understanding of the endometrium’s decision-making processes during implantation. The interaction of steroid hormones, immune cells and tissue dynamics will be a particular focus, as these processes can now be quantified in real time using nanoscale sensor systems for the first time.
In her presentation, she will focus on reconstructed endometrial tissue models, multimodal single-cell sequencing, and the development of highly sensitive nanosensors. These approaches enable the precise analysis of communication between maternal tissue and the embryo, and the identification of molecular dysregulations that can lead to implantation failure or miscarriage.
‘Understanding why implantation fails could allow us to develop new diagnostic procedures, improve fertility treatments, and offer hope to affected families,’ explains Madhuri Salker.
Integrated micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices play a special role in this context. These miniature, sensor-integrated microsystems enable precise control of microfluidic environments and real-time monitoring of biochemical and mechanical processes at the cellular level. This enables cellular forces, dynamic signals and metabolic processes to be recorded continuously and in high resolution.
There are clear links here to research at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, specifically the Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1 (IWE1). Headed by Professor Sven Ingebrandt, the institute places a special focus on developing micro- and nanosystems for biotechnology and biomedical diagnostics. The institute’s core competencies include coupling biological systems, such as living cells, membranes, and proteins, with technical systems to create novel sensors, microfluidic systems, and intelligent implants.
This technological expertise is directly relevant to Madhuri Salker’s research. She uses integrated MEMS components in her studies of implant biology. Combining basic research in reproductive medicine with the development of micro- and nanosystem technologies thus opens up new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine and engineering. Against this backdrop, the lecture will explore potential technological collaborations between Professor Sven Ingebrandt and Dr Madhuri Salker. It will focus on how micro- and nanosystem technology developments can support biomedical research.
Participation: The event will be held entirely online on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 644 5259 3117
Access code: 985261
From Aachen to Singapore and back: Perspectives of a computer scientist
Dr Achim Lindt in front of the Merlion statue in Singapore © Achim Lindt
Dr Achim Lindt will talk about his personal and professional experiences during his five years working in Singapore as part of the RIA lecture series on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
From 2018 to 2023, Dr. Lindt, the Business Development Manager at mgm technology partners GmbH’s Aachen branch, lived in Singapore. Based there, he was responsible for developing the business of a software platform that automates document-based business processes across much of Asia, including India, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Australia. During his lecture, Dr Lindt will discuss his encounters with various cultures, value systems and communication styles, and the experiences that have influenced his perspective on social norms, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
‘Many of our graduates are drawn to the wider world. What are the differences in terms of society, private life and especially the working world? It is only once you are back that you realise many things,’ as stated in the invitation from the Faculty of Computer Science at RWTH.
The lecture will focus particularly on the effects of the pandemic, which Dr Lindt experienced in Singapore, also known as the ‘Red Dot’. Dr Lindt also reflects on his return to Germany and the skills, attitudes and perspectives he has brought back with him from his time in Asia.
The lecture will take place online via Zoom and is free to attend. A video of the lecture and subsequent discussion will be available in the YouTube playlist shortly after the event.
This event is organised in collaboration with the Faculty of Computer Science at RWTH Aachen University, Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Regional Group of the German Informatics Society (RIA), the Regional Industry Club for Computer Science Aachen (REGINA), the FH Aachen and the Aachen Group of the German University Association.
Preview: On Wednesday, 29 April 2026, Professor Johannes Erdmann from the Physics Institute A at RWTH Aachen University will give the next RIA lecture from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The title of the lecture is ‘Good particles, bad particles: Deep Learning as a Tool in Particle Physics’. The lecture will be available via Zoom free of charge, and a video will be made available afterwards.
To receive information about future RIA lectures, please email vortrag@i3.informatik.rwth-aachen.de.
Coffee, pizza and the elixir of the undead
A packed auditorium and lots of curious students: the first MINT Science Slam at RWTH Aachen University was a resounding success. Over 30 schools from the region brought their upper school classes to the MINT Science Slam to gain an entertaining insight into the diversity of MINT degree programmes.
Daphne Heil und Melih Dal
The concept behind Science Slam is simple and effective: young scientists present their research topics in a clear, creative and enthusiastic manner in a maximum of ten minutes. The school pupils then evaluate the presentations themselves. This provides a lively insight into the diversity of STEM subjects, from mechanical engineering and biotechnology to medicine and electrical engineering.
Felix Walger was also there. In his slam, ‘Tailor-made medicine (technology) for everyone’, he impressively demonstrated how engineering research enables concrete social and medical applications. His presentation highlighted the central role that electrical engineering plays in the development of modern, personalised medical technology, a topic that met with great interest among the school pupils.
Alongside Walger, other young researchers took to the stage, including Rosario Othen, who won the slam with his presentation on coffee, paper and science, as well as contributions on topics such as cancer research, biotechnology, mathematics and sustainable energy. Knowledge transfer met entertainment.
The MINT Science Slam was first held as a joint project between the RWTH Knowledge Hub and the Central Student Advisory Service at RWTH Aachen University. In his welcoming speech, Professor Joost-Pieter Katoen, Vice-Rector for Teaching at RWTH, emphasised the importance of STEM subjects as key technologies for understanding our world. The slam was entertainingly moderated by Elena and Martin Lichtenthaler, supported by the Campus Dance Crew, who added to the excitement.
The STEM Science Slam impressively demonstrated how important low-threshold, inspiring formats are for study orientation and how diverse, relevant and exciting STEM research at RWTH is. For the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Felix Walger’s participation was a successful example of how research, teaching and the promotion of young talent can be effectively combined.
Picture Coding Symposium 2025: Global Video Coding Experts at RWTH Aachen
Aachen became the global hub for image and video coding this December. For the first time, the renowned Picture Coding Symposium (PCS) was held at RWTH Aachen. Led by Professor Mathias Wien and Professor Jörn Ostermann, 162 participants from 19 countries gathered at the SuperC to share cutting-edge research.
Foto: Mirco Seidler
A Tribute to Professor Jens-Rainer Ohm A major highlight was the honoring of Professor Jens-Rainer Ohm, former head of the Institute for Communications Engineering. His work on global standards like AVC, HEVC, and VVC is the foundation for video transmission on nearly every modern television and mobile phone.
The interactive atmosphere promoted the exchange of knowledge and ideas between international researchers from both academia and industry. The organizers were pleased with the positive feedback and emphasized the importance of such events for scientific progress and international cooperation.
The Science of Sound and Well-Being – Inside RWTH’s MOSAIC Project
Traffic noise, birdsong, or the hum of a computer – sounds are part of everyday life. But when do they start to affect our well-being?
That’s the question behind MOSAIC (Acoustic Well-Being in a Multi-Domain and Contextual Spatial Approach), a new graduate research group coordinated by RWTH Aachen University.
Foto: Andreas Schmitter
A key partner is the Institute of Hearing Technology and Acoustics (IHTA), led by Prof. Janina Fels, where engineers explore how sound and human perception interact.
Together with Prof. Marcel Schweiker from the Chair of Healthy Living Spaces, she investigates how acoustic comfort can be measured and improved.
As Prof. Schweiker notes: “Construction noise is usually perceived as more disturbing than birdsong – but at a certain level, even birdsong becomes tiring.”
Beyond volume, the team looks at how light, temperature, and room geometry influence how we experience sound – using methods and instruments deeply rooted in electrical engineering.
At the Kick-off Meeting on October 15, researchers and representatives of the HEAD Genuit Foundation gathered to launch the four-year program.
Foundation founder Prof. Klaus Genuit, a graduate of RWTH’s electrical engineering program and an honorary professor at the university, emphasized the importance of supporting young researchers in acoustic science.
“In a football stadium, I expect a certain level of noise – I’d be surprised if it were quiet,” Schweiker added.
MOSAIC aims to capture exactly this context dependency through modern sensing and signal-analysis techniques – many of which stem from ETIT’s research tradition.
Software-defined vehicles and automated driving – last call in Europe for new alliances and architectures
Professor Lutz Eckstein © IKA
Lecture by Professor Lutz Eckstein, Head of the Institute for Automotive Engineering at RWTH Aachen University and President of the VDI, on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. The lecture/discussion will take place via Zoom and will be available as a video recording afterwards.
The automotive industry is facing major challenges. As well as electrification and automated driving, these mainly relate to the underlying hardware and software architecture that defines the functionality of modern motor vehicles. As with smartphones, it is now possible to update the infotainment system with apps and updates. However, established vehicle manufacturers are reluctant to implement a service-oriented software architecture and provide frequent updates and upgrades for safety-related functions.
Emerging competition in the field of automated driving, however, makes this necessary. From both a social and customer perspective, it would be unacceptable to respond to critical situations or even accidents only after months with a software update. While new vehicle manufacturers with an IT background are already addressing this capability with suitable architectures, established manufacturers have so far attempted to develop expensive proprietary solutions with mixed results. Consequently, there is a growing willingness within the European automotive industry to collaborate on the development and use of open-source software, beginning with the S-CORE middleware. In his presentation, Professor Eckstein will highlight the challenges involved and the further cooperation required to achieve this.
The lecture series is being held in cooperation with the RWTH Computer Science Department, Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Regional Group of the German Informatics Society (RIA), the Regional Industry Club for Computer Science Aachen (Regina) and the Aachen Group of the German University Association.
Cheerfully building bridges from neuroscience to computer technology to AI
On 18 June 2025, as part of the RIA lectures, Senior Professor Rainer Waser will present research on interfaces in the fields of neuroscience, computer technology and AI.
In his online lecture, which will be followed by a panel discussion, Professor Rainer Waser from the Institute of Materials of Electrical Engineering 2 at RWTH Aachen University and the Electronic Materials division of the Peter Grünberg Institute 7 at Forschungszentrum Jülich, will discuss the current concepts, solutions, consequences and perspectives of research collaboration between different faculties. This free, one-and-a-half-hour event can be attended via Zoom and starts at 5 pm.
Professor Rainer Waser was awarded the prestigious Leibniz Prize in 2014 in recognition of his exceptional contributions to research in the field. The researcher’s interdisciplinary approach proved to be a pivotal element in this endeavour. At the beginning of 2025, he was awarded an honorary senior professorship at RWTH Aachen University. He continues to dedicate himself to researching memristive phenomena, neuromorphic computing and the relationship between functional oxides and their defect chemistry.
‘Not just immersing myself in one discipline, but building bridges – that’s what has driven me my whole life,’ says the researcher, talking about what motivates him.
The Regional Informatics Group Aachen (RIA) is part of Gesellschaft für Informatik, the German professional organisation for computer scientists. Members of the group work together to facilitate the exchange of information, discuss relevant topics, and represent common interests in computer science and IT in the region. RIA works closely with REGINA e.V., the Regional Computer Science Industry Club of RWTH Aachen University and Aachen University of Applied Sciences.
The Gesellschaft für Informatik is a local and international organisation that opens doors to the professional and scientific worlds. It enables computer scientists to engage in continuous dialogue with the scientific community. The Gesellschaft für Informatik acts as an intermediary body, bringing together scientists, industry professionals, and administrators, and representing their interests in politics.
You can participate in the event via this Zoom link. A video of the lecture and discussion will be made available on the YouTube channel of the Chair of Software Engineering shortly after the event ends.
If you would like to receive information about future RIA lectures, please e-mail vortrag@i3.informatik.rwth-aachen.de.
Neuromorphic Hardware: Kick-off event in January
The NeuroSys future cluster at RWTH enters its second phase
At the beginning of this year, the Cluster4Future NeuroSys (Neuromorphic Hardware for Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Systems) is entering its second phase.
The Clusters4Future initiative is part of the German government’s High-Tech Strategy 2025 and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
At the kick-off event at the end of January, more than 90 participants discussed their ideas and technologies for the development of neuromorphic hardware in the Super C at RWTH Aachen University.
Neuromorphic systems are modelled on the basic building blocks of the brain, neurons and synapses. Neuromorphic hardware is a resource-saving but powerful basis for energy-intensive artificial intelligence research operations. The aim is to create a technology basis for neuromorphic components and alogrithms, building on the basic research carried out at RWTH Aachen University and the Jülich Research Centre. The coordinator of the future cluster is Professor Max Lemme, Head of the Chair of Electronic Components at RWTH Aachen University.
Learning neuromorphic AI chips could soon enable energy-efficient on-site data processing and thus offer promising prospects for future working methods, smart city concepts and the Internet of Things. Various contributions from autonomous driving to learning systems and personalised medicine will also be delivered.
The second phase of the project is planned for three years and will see RWTH collaborating with a wide range of experts from research and industry.
Further information on the project can be found here
Invitation to the 31st Energy Technology Evening
© Nikolai Wolff
In cooperation with the VDE Aachen University Group, VDE Regio Aachen e.V. is organising the 31st Energy Technology Evening on Tuesday, 21 January 2025.
This evening’s guest speaker, Dr Christoph Schneiders, who occupies the position of Head of Grid Management and System Control at Amprion GmbH and who is a former student of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at RWTH Aachen University, will deliver a presentation on the current challenges, opportunities and news from the areas of grid expansion, grid stability and the energy transition.
„This is certainly a highly topical social issue in view of the forthcoming general election“, comments Can Özmaden, training officer at VDE Regio Aachen e. V..
The presentation will be followed by a get-together where the technical discussions can be continued in a more relaxed atmosphere. Participation in the event is free of charge, drinks and snacks will be provided free of charge.
The event will take place at 18:30 in the EA lecture hall, Schinkelstraße 6, 52062 Aachen. Informal registration is requested by e-mail to: info@vde-aachen.de
