News

New Membrane Process: Geesthacht Researchers provide the desired polymer
Dr. Sofia Rangou, polymer scientist in Geesthacht, has succeeded in synthesizing the required starting product for a new process which has been developed by the University of Yale (USA) for the production of ultrathin membrane films from block copolymers. The highly-respected journal ACS-Nano recently published these results, which were achieved in cooperation with the University of Ioannina, Greece. more

An opening for molecules: Polymer research scientists develop double switchable membrane
Pharmaceutical residues in water can pose a danger to humans. Due to the fact that these molecules are soluble in water, there has been increasing evidence of their presence in groundwater for some years. Filtration is often very difficult as these trace substances are so minute. Such trace substances could be removed from the water with the use of new membranes developed by polymer researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG). more

New center for neutron research in Germany:TUM and Helmholtz Centers establish the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum
The German neutron research, concentrated at the Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) in Garching, received its own name: Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum. Thus, the successful cooperation between the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM), the Forschungszentrum Juelich and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht – Center for Materials and Coastal Research (HZG) enters a new stage. Today, the inaugural ceremony was held in Garching. more

A new generation of aircraft: Materials research scientists in Geesthacht are engaged in original scale research on joints
Joining technology specialists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG) are carrying out research on laser beam welding of a new aluminium-lithium alloy, within the research project LAWENDEL, which is part of the European Aeronautical Research Programme, Clean Sky. The long-term objective of the Clean Sky project is to build lighter and thus more environmentally friendly aircraft.
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Ferries now ten years in the service of science: How FerryBoxes explore the oceans
The idea is a stroke of genius: ships that operate on fixed routes are equipped with measuring systems to investigate the marine environment. Scientists from the Institute of Coastal Research at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht have put this idea into practice. Measuring systems are installed in boxes - so-called FerryBoxes. A marketable product has been developed in cooperation with the company 4H JENA. Meanwhile 33 of these FerryBoxes are in operation worldwide – from Spitsbergen to the Antarctic. The most recent purchase of one of these measuring systems was by the Brazilian oil firm Petrobras, in order to monitor the quality of water around its oil platforms. more

Sieve holds nanoparticles and acts as solar absorber
A membrane consisting of polymer fibres and proteins makes a novel filter for tiny, nano-scaled particles in aqueous solutions. The result of such a research, which was done by Professor Mady Elbahri and his team from the Institute of Material Science at the Christian Albrecht University University in Kiel (CAU) and the Institue of Polymer Research at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), has recently been published as the cover article in the current issue (21.11.2012) of “Advanced Functional Materials”. more

The Wadden Sea as ”Heimat”
The Institute for Coastal Research at the Helmholtz Centre Geesthacht would like to understand what the people who live on the Wadden Sea coast think about their region. Professor Dr. Beate Ratter, head of department at the Institute for Coastal Research, has initiated the survey and carries it out together with the Dutch foundation WaddenArt. The survey takes place in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. Until 30 December inhabitants of the Wadden Sea coast are invited to take part. more

Coastal research on a big screen – Event “13. Lüneburger Umweltfilmtage“
Ferry boats in the service of science: On Sunday, 25/11/2012 you can watch a new video about the FerryBox in the cinema “Lüneburger Scala-Programmkino” for the first time. more

Polymer workshop in Geesthacht: New forum for polymer experts
The Institute of Polymer Research at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht organises a workshop for scientists in industry and at universities on November 13th and 14th. An introduction into the mechanical and rheological properties of polymer materials and an extensive insight into the application methods of the rheology and mechanics of polymers in practice will be presented by experts from industry and research. more

Special Award in "Idea Competition 2012" for Polymer researcher in Geesthacht
Innovative ideas "made in Schleswig-Holstein" were awarded on Thursday, 1st of November in the German National Library of Economics (ZBW) in Kiel. The 1000 Euro special award "nanotechnology" was received to the Geesthacht polymer researcher Prof. Dr.-Ing. Mady Elbahri. more

Targeted dissolution: the new generation of implants
Is a paradigm shift imminent in the field of implant materials? Scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum Geesthacht are engaged in research on biodegradable magnesium biomaterials which can be used as bone replacements in medical applications. They will present their research results from the 1st to 3rd November at the annual congress of the DGBM (German society for Biomaterials) in Hamburg. more

Virtual Institute Becomes Real: Partners Attend First Meeting on Magnesium-Based Implants
On 10 October 2012, about thirty participants in the Helmholtz Virtual Institute’s “In vivo studies of biodegradable magnesium-based implant materials” came to Geesthacht to attend their first meeting. The aim of the research association – known as MetBioMat – is to develop biocompatible implants out of the metal magnesium that will dissolve inside the body as required. more

Geesthacht Coastal and Material Researchers welcomed the “Alex II” to the “City of Science”
Last weekend approximately 2,500 guests visited the science exhibition of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht at the cruise ship terminal in Travemünde where Geesthacht scientists presented their research activities and innovations. The reason for this event was the visit of the sail training vessel “Alexander von Humboldt II”. This was a great occasion for Lübeck, as this year’s City of Science, and was accompanied by a supporting programme of scientific events. more

Schools Lab Quantensprung: For ten years the facility has been filling the pupils with enthusiasm for science and technology
Honourable guest at the research centre: The birthday party of the Schools Laboratory Quantensprung in Geesthacht was visited by Dirk Loßack, State Secretary of Schleswig-Holstein. At the event, the development of the schools laboratories in Germany was discussed and the answer was given to the question, how scientific teaching can benefit from the schools laboratories. more

EU-Project completed: With SELFMEM to intelligent membranes
The project “Self-assembled Polymer Membranes”, in short SELFMEM, which was funded by the European Union with the sum of 3.6 million euro, has now been completed with a final meeting held at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht. The twelve partners of the SELFMEM group carried out research on self-organising isoporous membranes. The three year project was coordinated by the Institute of Polymer research. more