Empowering Tomorrow: International Symposium on Advanced Battery Power – “Kraftwerk” Battery
© Katharina Uhlig
The international symposium ‘Advanced Battery Power – Kraftwerk Batterie’ will take place on 10th and 11th April 2024 at the MCC in Münster. The event will provide valuable insights into the current state of the art and the future of battery technology. Advanced Battery Power is a collaborative effort between HDT (Haus der Technik), Germany’s oldest technical training institute, the Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA) at RWTH Aachen University, the MEET Battery Research Centre at the University of Münster, and the Helmholtz Institute Münster at Forschungszentrum Jülich.
The conference in Münster will discuss the trends that will shape battery research, production, and use in the world of today and tomorrow. The topics covered will include sustainability, circular economy, recycling, and next-generation battery systems. These systems will rely on data-based solutions and artificial intelligence to improve their performance.
In an expert interview, Prof. Dr Dirk Uwe Sauer, Professor of Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, explains where we stand in terms of vehicle battery technology and what manufacturers and researchers are currently working on (Only available in German).
The event will be a hybrid conference, allowing for both in-person and online participation. In 2024, Advanced Battery Power will be included in the HDT Battery Conference, providing valuable battery expertise. Additionally, there will be the German-language Battery Day NRW on 9 April 2024 and ten accompanying online seminars. The Vehicle to Grid conference will also take place in Münster from 10 to 11 April 2024.
Additional programme details and registration information can be found here.
Max Lemme receives RWTH Fellow award
Vice Rector Sabine Brück (left) and Vice Rector Matthias Wessling (right) honour Professor Max Lemme as RWTH Fellow. Photo: Andreas Schmitter
Professor Max Lemme, head of the Department of Electronic Devices, and Professor Harald Müller, head of the Department of Medieval History, are new RWTH Fellows. With this title, the RWTH Aachen University honours professors who have distinguished themselves in research and have rendered outstanding services to the RWTH Aachen University.
Professor Max Lemme is a highly respected expert in the field of devices based on 2D materials and enjoys international recognition. One of his major achievements is a study on a graphene-based field-effect transistor, which has been cited 1353 times to date. He has successfully obtained research funding, including an ERC Starting Grant in 2012 and a Proof of Concept Grant from the European Research Council in 2018. He was also awarded a prestigious Heisenberg Professorship by the German Research Foundation in 2012. Max Lemme was instrumental in the establishment of the NeuroSys Cluster of Excellence and is its spokesperson. He is also an expert reviewer for the European Community and regularly participates in major conferences in the field of semiconductor devices, including IEDM, ESSDERC, DRC and ULIS.
The award he holds was introduced as part of the Excellence Initiative in 2013 and is based on nominations from the Deans of the Faculties.
Click here to go to the website of the Chair of Electronic Components.
Dr Jan Moritz Joseph admitted to the “Junges Kolleg”
© Nordrhein-Westfälische Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Künste | Bettina Engel-Albustin 2022 (NRW AWK| Engel-Albustin)
The dedicated researcher Dr Jan Moritz Joseph from the Institute for Communication Technologies and Embedded Systems at RWTH Aachen University has secured a coveted place in the prestigious “Junges Kolleg” of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts. This admission is considered one of the highest academic honours that can be achieved in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). Congratulations!
In addition to Dr Jan Moritz Joseph, Junior Professor Lisa Spantig, Dr Maike Dohrn and Dr Julia Exarchos – all from RWTH Aachen University – were also accepted into the Young Academy of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts. The Academy has accepted a total of 19 new scholarship holders into its Young Academy. The RWTH has the most new members. Admission to the “Junges Kolleg” is one of the most important honours for young academics in North Rhine-Westphalia. They receive an annual grant of 10,000 euros and take part in academy events.
Dr Jan Moritz Joseph from the Institute for Communication Technologies and Embedded Systems (ICE) at RWTH Aachen University is researching energy-efficient methods for the design and use of AI in embedded systems. The focus is on neuromorphic hardware. Traditionally, AI is executed on systems in which computing and memory units are separate, which limits performance. Neuromorphic systems combine both units in a new component and are therefore more energy-efficient. Dr Jan Moritz Joseph and his team are designing an integrated system in which hardware and software are developed together. He and his team received the RWTH’s Innovation Award 2022 for the best transfer project for their hardware and software development systems. He studied computer science and medical technology and received his doctorate in electrical engineering and information technology in 2019.
The academy has been supporting young talent in NRW with the “Junges Kolleg” since 2006 and now has around 170 active, associated and former scholarship holders. In addition to a doctorate, membership requires outstanding academic achievements at a university or research institution in North Rhine-Westphalia. Members must not be older than 36 at the time of admission. RWTH Aachen University currently has seven researchers in the “Junges Kolleg”.
We at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology would like to congratulate Dr Jan Moritz Joseph on joining the Academy.
Prof Leonhardt elected to the German Academy of Science and Engineering
© Andreas Endermann
The German Academy of Science and Engineering, a prestigious private not-for-profit scientific academy, has recently welcomed 39 new members. Among them is Professor Leonhardt, Chair of Medical Informatics. This expansion of the Academy’s expertise strengthens its ability to provide valuable science-based advice to policymakers and society as a whole. Congratulations!
Established in 2002, the German Academy of Science and Engineering plays a crucial role in advising policymakers on science and technology policy. It operates under the umbrella term acatech, a combination of ‘academy’ and ‘technology’, and has a significant impact beyond national borders, representing the interests of German technological sciences at both national and international levels.
In June 2017, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier became the patron of the German Academy of Science and Engineering, highlighting the institution’s dedication to promoting scientific and technological excellence.
We, at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, are proud to congratulate Prof. Steffen Leonhardt on his election to the Academy.
Review of the RWTH Science Night “5 to 12”
Plasma sphere with characteristic glow due to impulse stimulation © Katharina Uhlig
A look behind the scenes at the university for the 19th time: Visitors of all ages experienced the world of research from an impressive close-up.
On November 10, 2023, RWTH Aachen University opened the doors of its lecture hall center C.A.R.L. from 7 p.m. to midnight to encourage guests of all ages to get involved in the spirit of science, live out their curiosity and be inspired. What began as a modest idea over 19 years ago has developed into a mega-event that not only attracts thousands of guests, but also delights the participating and presenting university members in equal measure.
“It started out unspectacularly with around 500 visitors,” recalls project manager Thomas von Salzen from the Department of Press and Communication at RWTH Aachen University.
The idea of presenting science at an unusual time, entertaining and free of charge for all who are interested, preceded the event. The concept has since been successfully developed so that it now offers an extensive program in which researchers from numerous disciplines passionately participate. True to the motto “from the labs to the people”, the Science Night represents a unique platform that enables the direct transfer of knowledge in a social and cultural context. The focus is on the joy of experiencing research and progress together and in this way makes a valuable contribution to strengthening the links between science and society.
Children put together circuits themselves and thus recreate various experiments © Katharina Uhlig
The annual event is also a special highlight for the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. Faculty members shared their own enthusiasm for their department with the youngest guests at the Science Night. Numerous children settled down at their station with the construction kits and playfully put together electric circuits or explored the question of magnetism in the case of a rally. Also impressive was a plasma ball on display, which invited visitors to explore this fascinating phenomenon.
” Supporting the children in this was my personal highlight. Between all the light effects, the children’s eyes shone the brightest,” concludes Katharina Uhlig from the team of public relations of the deanery.
This year’s Science Night program was particularly focused on the topics of energy, artificial intelligence and mathematics. In addition, various fields of research were presented in their usual manner: impressive and comprehensible in the form of lectures, breathtaking experiments and eye-catching exhibits. In total, the program included around 30 lectures and 60 exhibits from research and teaching.
Station of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, equipped with electronics construction kits © Katharina Uhlig
Young and older guests experienced special moments on the journey of discovery through “The fascinating world of science and technology”, which extended through Eric Siemes’ “Colorful experiment show”.
The show “Making music with light – experiencing music-synchronized laser shows” by the Chair of Optical Systems Technology and MHL²-Laser&Lights also left a lasting impression. Here, laser light images “danced” amazingly synchronized to the music through the room; while the guests in the immediate vicinity “literally had their hair standing on end”. There they took part in an interactive high-voltage show by the physics department.
The traditional physics fair also once again showcased all kinds of physical phenomena and invited visitors to try out many experiments for themselves.
Finally, the annual RWTH Science Slam in the main lecture hall of the Audimax was once again attended by numerous guests: Several science slammers competed against each other in an entertaining “contest of knowledge”.
Further information on the program, as well as impressions and experiences of both the organizers – Department of Press and Communication, Division 3.2 – and the participants can be accessed via the links.
Otto Junker Prize Award 2023
In front, from left: Prizewinners Lina Fischer, Alba Clemente Sánchez and Kathrina Theisen. At the back, from left: Wolfgang Bleck, Udo von Berg and Ulrich Rüdiger.
Lina Fischer, a doctoral student at the Chair of Transmission Networks and Energy Economics at the IAEW, is one of three winners of the Otto Junker Prize for excellent academic performance.
The Otto Junker Prizes were recently awarded to three impressive graduates of RWTH Aachen University in a festive ceremony. Lina Fischer, Alba Clemente Sánchez and Kathrina Theisen were honored for their outstanding academic achievements.
The awards, named after the founder of the Otto Junker Foundation, Dr. Otto Junker, are presented annually to exceptional graduates of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and the Materials Science and Engineering Group in the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering. The foundation, established in 1970, is dedicated to promoting young scientists and supports numerous individual projects.
The award ceremony took place during a festive event at which Udo vom Berg, Chairman of the Otto Junker Foundation, and RWTH Rector Ulrich Rüdiger personally presented the awards. Professor emeritus Wolfgang Bleck, Chairman of the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, joined in the congratulations.
Lina Fischer, born in Bruchsal in 1998, enrolled for a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management with a specialization in Electrical Power Engineering at RWTH Aachen University after graduating from high school. She completed her Master’s degree with a thesis on “The impact of flexible consumers on market pricing in a renewable electricity supply system” at the Chair of Transmission Networks and Energy Economics under the supervision of Professor Albert Moser. Since the beginning of 2023, Fischer has been working on his doctorate at the RWTH Institute for Electrical Systems and Grids, Digitization and Energy Economics.
Alba Clemente Sánchez impressed the jury with her master’s thesis on the development of a digital twin for the optimization and online control of a continuous steel casting process. Kathrina Theisen was honored for her master’s thesis entitled: “Design investigations for glass tank simulation”.
The impressive achievements of these three graduates not only underline their individual excellence, but also honor RWTH Aachen University as an educational institution for brilliant personalities. We congratulate Lina Fischer, Alba Clemente Sánchez and Kathrina Theisen on this well-deserved recognition and wish them continued success on their promising career paths.
Delegation visits IIT Madras
Professor Leonhardt and colleagues © MedIT
The Institute of Medical Information Technology (MedIT) on the road in Chennai, India.
Professor Leonhardt and his colleagues from MedIT and other RWTH institutes visited India in late September, specifically the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in Chennai. The aim of this visit was to finalise the proposal for an Indo-German Graduate College.
IIT Madras is a premier university for engineering sciences in India, established in 1959 with assistance from the former West German government. The plans for this were arranged in 1956 during a meeting between Jawaharlal Nehru and Konrad Adenauer. The IIT Madras campus spans 2.5 sq km and has a dense forest. Previously, it belonged to the Guindy National Park. Conservation measures are in place for the campus where most students and staff also reside. A variety of wildlife, such as deer, antelope, axi deer, monkeys, snakes, and scorpions, can be found inhabiting the area.
© MedIT
© MedIT
© MedIT
© MedIT
For more news, visit the MedIT website.
“Accure” and “Cylib” win the NRW Innovation Award 2023
Professor Dirk Uwe Sauer © Heike Lachmann
Innovative technologies and sustainable solutions in focus: RWTH start-ups make their mark in the fight against climate change.
The NRW 2023 Innovation Award has put the spotlight on two outstanding RWTH spin-offs: “Accure” and “Cylib”. These two start-ups not only have their roots at RWTH Aachen University, but also share a common mission – to fight rising temperatures and the associated challenges of climate change.
“Accure” was founded in 2020 by Dr. Kai-Philipp Kairies, Dr. Georg Angenendt and Dr. Johannes Palmerist and emerged from the Chair of Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems Technology headed by Professor Dirk Uwe Sauer. Dirk Uwe Sauer and co-founder Kai-Philipp Kairies accepted the NRW 2023 Innovation Award in the “innovation2business” category in Düsseldorf. This award recognizes individuals who have developed successful business models from outstanding ideas.
The start-up specializes in monitoring the performance, safety and lifetime of batteries based on big data and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Such an innovative approach is crucial for the introduction of sustainable energy storage solutions. Dirk Uwe Sauer emphasizes the need to transfer scientific findings to the business world in order to have a positive impact on society. This is exactly what “Accure” has successfully achieved.
“This honor means a lot to us,” says Sauer, “because we are standing up for changing things with our research.”
The award in the “innovation2business” category comes with prize money of 50,000 euros, which will be earmarked for further research purposes.
The founders of “Cylib”, Paul Sabarny, Lilian Schwich, Dr. Gideon Schwich from left © Anna Wawra
The evening was even more exciting than for “Accure” for Lilian Schwich, one of the three founders of “Cylib”. While “Accure” had already been determined as the award winner before the event, Lilian Schwich had to compete against two other nominees in the “innovation4transformation” category on Monday evening.
The start-up, which she founded together with her husband Dr. Gideon Schwich and Paul Sabarny, has spent years developing a process at RWTH Aachen University to recycle all the components of a lithium-ion battery. The goal is to recover all components and thus close the gap in the circular economy. This approach is not only more effective, but also more environmentally friendly compared to the current state of the art.
“The award is also a recognition for the long hard time of research,” said Lilian Schwich, “with research we spent many hours, days, weeks, weekends.”
The audience award “innovation4transformation” is given to personalities whose innovative products, solutions or business models contribute in an outstanding way to solving transformation challenges. This category is endowed with 25,000 euros and recognizes the contribution of “Cylib” to the circular economy and environmental protection.
Both awards underscore the important role of RWTH spin-offs in developing innovative solutions to the pressing challenges of the 21st century, particularly in the fight against climate change. With their groundbreaking technologies and sustainable approaches, they are pioneers on the path to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable society.
For more insights, watch the interview and video with Professor Dirk Uwe Sauer and the interview with Lilian Schwich.
ITG Conference on Speech Communication
© Katharina Uhlig
The fifteenth symposium in a successful series of events on the topics of speech processing, audio and spoken language processing took place from September 20 to 22, 2023 in the SuperC building of RWTH Aachen University.
Central and in the heart of university life, a lively scientific exchange took place with a focus on theory, algorithms, and application relevance of the topic composition. Conference participants exchanged ideas in workshops and benefited from both professional and personal networking. Alternating blocks of lectures and poster presentations, as well as a show & tell session formed elements of the three-day conference.
© Katharina Uhlig
Other highlights included three keynote presentations from renowned individuals with expertise:
For Team Viewer, Dr. Hendrik Witt presented real-life use cases for augmented reality solutions for process optimization in the working world and explained the extent to which wearables and sensors are driving the industrial metaverse. The goal, he said, is digitization far from desks, for example in logistics, manufacturing or field service. Team Viewer sees the metaverse as an interface between the real world, the Internet and technology. Its AR platform Frontline offers augemnted reality, mixed reality and artificial intelligence on smart glasses, smartphones, tablets and other wearables. Empowered so-called frontline workers through this could usher in the next industrial revolution.
Professor Nilesh Madhu of Ghent University vividly explored the evolution of communication technology in his talk; from the use of tedious, hand-made, stochastic models to a plethora of impressive state-of-the-art data-driven approaches. His remarks also allowed a glimpse into the future and opened the discussion on whether the knowledge and experiences of the past are suitable to pave the way there.
Focusing on practical experience and the application of research results, Professor Frank Kurth from the Frauenhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics presented concrete safety application scenarios that use various approaches, including Deep Learning, for information extraction. Especially with respect to voice communication, the extraction of information from sensor signals is a significant aspect of safety-critical applications. This requires reliable methods, while complying with applicable law. The challenge here is often the poor quality of audio signals combined with the need to process large amounts of data in real time.
In addition to the exciting scientific content shared at the conference, a rich cultural offer was also opened to the participants. The city of Charlemagne showed its best side during the various guided tours and allows many insights into its historical heritage.
The conference was organized by the Informationstechnische Gesellschaft (ITG) in VDE, in cooperation with the Technical Committee Speech Communication AT3, as well as the Technical Program Committee and the Institute for Communication Systems at RWTH Aachen University.
Extensive information can be found on the homepage of the ITG conference.
Biosensors for health: Team AixSense receives multiple awards at Sensus 2023
© Erdenebat Battseren
With the development of an innovative blood-based biosensor for the detection of traumatic brain injuries, the AixSense team stood out in an impressive field of competitors.
Once again this year, 15 student teams from all over the world took up the challenge of creating a biomarker prototype for detection and thus advancing sensor technology for improved healthcare.
RWTH Aachen’s AixSense team excelled in the competition, which was hosted by Eindhoven University. Their biosensor chip, which was manufactured with extreme precision in the cleanroom laboratory, caught the attention and recognition of the jury. This led to an award of the coveted Translation Potential prize. In addition, AixSense secured the Public Inspire Award by cleverly using social media platforms and collecting 1000 votes within 24 hours. The Aachen team’s outstanding engagement culminated in a first place in the vlog competition, which earned them the prestigious SensUs Gold Medal.
© SensUs
After the previous topics on antibiotic resistance, rheumatism, epilepsy, influenza A and sepsis, the teams from universities around the world explored a new pathology: Traumatic Brain Injury, defined as sudden external injury resulting in brain damage. Every year, around 27 to 69 million people worldwide are affected by this. The challenge here is the range of injury severity, which makes accurate detection all the more relevant.
„We are honored to have participated in such competition representing the university on an international level. We are also proud that all our team efforts were awarded with several prizes for RWTH Aachen University,”concludes the team leader of AixSense.
The Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University deserves special credit for putting together this exceptional team, led by Dr Vivek Pachauri and Professor Sven Ingebrandt, with Dibyendu Khan and Aidin Nikookhesal supervising.
Check out the SensUs page for more up-to-date information on this year’s competition.
