technology transfer blog

Scientists from the university Erlangen Nuremberg take part in European network project "ITN-GLACERO" (Glass and Ceramic Composites for High Technology Applications). The goal of the scientists at the chair of material sciences (biomaterials) of Prof. Dr. Aldo R. Boccaccini in Erlangen is, among other things,  the development of biomaterials on glass base, the production and testing of high tech glasses as well as glass ceramics and glass composites. The new materials will be suited e.g. for the use in the medical sector.

Picture: nanostructured biomaterials for medical implants, tissue engineering and drug delivery (source: Biomaterials Erlangen)

According to the World Reputation Ranking compiled by the Times Higher Education Magazine, LMU occupies the top position among universities in Germany. Rated 48th in the world, LMU is regarded as one of the most renowned universities on the European continent – after the ETH Zürich, which is ranked 24th overall. The new ranking, which is appearing for the first time this year, evaluates the standing that universities enjoy among their peers for the quality of their teaching and research. The list is based on the results of a survey of experienced and highly regarded academics from all over the world.

Ludwig-Maximilians-University (source: LMU)

Speed detection of electrons in nanoscale photodetectors: Ultra fast photodetectors out of carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes are promising elements for optoelectronic components. However so far there were no electronic methods to analyze the ultra fast optoelectronic dynamics of the nanotubes. A team of physicists headed by Professor Alexander Holleitner from the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) has now come up with a new method to directly measure the dynamics of photo-excited electrons in nanoscale photodetectors.

Picture: Carbon nanotubes bridging two gold electrodes (Source: TUM)

Renewable Energy: New transmission concept for wind turbines from the Technical University Munich (TUM).
Wind turbines have a problem: Depending on the wind’s force, the rotational speed of the turbine and thus of the generator changes. However, alternating current must be fed into the grid with precisely 50 (or 60) hertz. Typically the generated alternating current is first rectified and then transformed back to alternating current of the required frequency. Scientists at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen have now developed an active transmission that makes this double transformation superfluous.

Picture: Wind Turbine (source: Siemens)

Oxygen is indispensable for most living beings. This is also valid for humans. Only if enough oxygen is available, the respiration and the metabolism are guaranteed in every cell. To better understand both key processes – respiration and metabolism – and their malfunctionings, the research examines the oxygen distribution and the oxygen consumption in the cells. Thus "maps" or pictures of the oxygen distribution would be an important step. Besides, with exisiting measuring methods the researchers reached their limits in the last decades. Therefore research increasingly works with molecular indicators and sensors which change their colour in the presence of oxygen. Such indicators can be observed in the cells with the help of a microscope, however, have the disadvantage that they bind to cell components what complicates the measurement or makes impossible in the worst case.