News
X-ray experiment reveals kinship of 150 million-year-old dinosaur eggs
A team of international research scientists have carried out some very detailed synchrotron radiation examinations on fossils, using two beamlines of the Helmholtz Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG) in Hamburg. The results regarding the evolution of dinosaur eggs were recently published in Nature Scientific Reports. more
First shape-memory plastics able to reverse deformation
Biomaterial researchers in Teltow have developed plastics that can repeatedly change from one shape to another and then back again when temperatures fluctuate within a selected range. The material, dubbed “polymer actuators” by its creators, thus overcomes a major limitation that affects similar materials. Up until now, polymers with temperature-controlled shape memory could only change form once. more
A new research programme to achieve an improved understanding of the Earth system for the Baltic Sea region
On June 10th, 2013, at the 7th Study Conference on BALTEX, a new international and interdisciplinary research programme, Baltic Earth, will be launched. The aim of Baltic Earth is to achieve an improved understanding of the Earth system for the Baltic Sea region, focusing on physical and biogeochemical processes which interact in the atmosphere, in the sea including sea ice, and on land. Human interactions with the environment are recognized as an important part of the regional Earth system. more
Delegation visit to South America: Directors of Materials and Coastal Research intend to expand cooperation
Since several years, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG) has maintained good relations with universities and companies in South America. Therefore, the HZG-Directors Prof. Norbert Huber and Professor Hans von Storch accompanied the Hamburg representatives during the official visit of Hamburg´s governing mayor Olaf Scholz from April 15th to 19th. more
Sustainable use of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea: coastal researchers provide the basis for future protection of the marine environment.
In the next 3 years coastal researchers will closely examine the processes in the sea floors of the German sectors of the North Sea and Baltic Sea to provide a scientific basis for the implementation of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research), is funding five collaborative projects which are now commencing their work. more
Geesthacht scientists reconstruct the climate of the past
Scientists of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht are participating in the most comprehensive reconstruction to date of regional climatic changes over the past 2000 years. A team of 78 scientists from the international research project PAGES (Past Global Changes) has analysed climate data from seven continental regions for the study “Continental-scale temperature variability during the past two millennia”. The results of the study have recently been published in the journal “Nature Geoscience”. more
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