Even as scientific evidence demonstrates increasing threats to lives and livelihoods across the world, the global impetus for action is becoming more fragile.

In the run up to COP30 in Brazil, the Exeter Climate Forum will give a strong voice to the scientists whose work drives our understanding of the changing systems of our planet.

Held from June 30 to July 4, the forum’s events include the Exeter Climate Conference, the second Global Tipping Points Conference, meetings of global universities and dedicated events for policymakers and business leaders.

“Exeter is a global hub of climate expertise – with world-leading researchers at both the University of Exeter and the Met Office,” said Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter.

“The Exeter Climate Forum is a wonderful opportunity to harness this collective power to share the latest climate science and inspire bold ideas for the solutions needed in the months and years ahead.”

Met Office Chief Executive Professor Penny Endersby CBE, FREng, Hon FInstP, said: “During my six years at the Met Office, the UK has recorded three of its four hottest years on record. I have seen two national temperature records fall, including the first ever temperature to exceed 40°C, in 2022. Globally, four of the five hottest years have also been since 2018. These aren’t coincidences.

“The UK and the rest of the world are increasingly experiencing events linked to climate change and therefore the case for developing understanding of the events we might face and adapting to them is becoming ever more urgent. We trust the Exeter Climate Forum will play a vital role helping to deliver the necessary change.”

Stuart Brocklehurst, Chair of the Organising Committee and the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Innovation, added: “The urgency of addressing climate change, through both decarbonisation and adaptation, grows ever greater.

“The Exeter Climate Forum will provide a key opportunity to put scientific evidence to the fore, and to support decision makers through deep understanding of the challenges we must together face ahead.”

The forum will be held at the University’s Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Tickets for the Exeter Climate Conference are available at Exeter Climate Forum | Prices and Booking. Tickets for the Global Tipping Points Conference are available at Conference 2025 – Global Tipping Points.

Media Contact

Louise Vennells
University of Exeter
pressoffice@exeter.ac.uk
Office: 0044-139-272-2062

Source: EurekAlert!

The post UK Set to Host Major Climate Gathering This Year appeared first on Innovations Report.

“Patrick Heighway deserves the prestigious prize for his pivotal role in measuring X-ray diffraction at extreme pressures and temperatures at the HED-HiBEF Instrument”, says Emma McBride from Queen’s University, Belfast and chairperson of the User Organization Executive Committee (UOEC).

His work combines experimental data with molecular dynamics simulations to provide critical insight into the nature of release pathways of shock compressed materials, kinematics of plasticity, and the fundamental interaction of grains in compressed polycrystalline materials. This work is important for many different fields, including geophysics, fundamental material science, shock and plasma physics, the search for novel materials, and understanding pathways to fusion energy.

The European XFEL Young Scientist Award recognises young researchers who are at the beginning of their career but are already making outstanding contributions to research at the European XFEL.

The winner will receive a monetary award of 2,000 Euro and was invited to give a talk as part of the plenary session of the European XFEL User Meeting on 21 January 2025 in Hamburg.
For the first time, the European XFEL User Organization Executive Committee awards as well prizes to posters presented this year at the European XFEL Users’ Meeting about exciting research performed with radiation from European XFEL. Poster prizes were awarded to Daniele Rocchetti (CFEL), Calum Prestwood and Carolina Camarda (both European XFEL).

Their topics were “Elastic scattering enhancement via transient resonances” (Rocchetti), “Tracking atomic populations and transitions in x-ray heated mid-Z transition metals” (Prestwood), and “Electronic properties of Ferropericlase (Mg,Fe)O obtained from dynamic compression experiments using DiPOLE100-X at European XFEL” (Camarda).

About European XFEL
European XFEL is an international research facility of superlatives in the Hamburg metropolitan region: 27,000 X-ray laser flashes per second and a luminosity that is a billion times higher than the best conventional X-ray radiation sources offer completely new research opportunities. Research groups from all over the world can use the European X-ray laser to decipher atomic details of viruses or cells, take three-dimensional images of the nanocosmos, film chemical reactions and investigate processes that occur inside planets.

More information
https://indico.desy.de/e/um2025 (For details of the Photon Science Users’ Meeting 2025)
https://www.xfel.eu/users/user_events/users__meetings/2025_users__meeting/satellite_meetings/index_eng.html (For details of the satellite meetings)

Media Contact
Gerhard Samulat
Phone Number: 040 8998-6871
Email ID: gerhardsamulat@web.de

Source: IDW

The post European XFEL Award Felicitates Oxford’s Patrick Heighway appeared first on Innovations Report.

“With laser technology we can meet the challenges of the hydrogen sector in a sustainable and efficient way,” explained Dr. Alexander Olowinsky, head of the Joining and Cutting Department at Fraunhofer ILT and host of the event. “Laser technology can play a key role in developing innovative solutions for the industrial production of fuel cells and electrolyzers.”

The 17 presentations at this year’s LKH2 covered various aspects of the industrial production of fuel cells and the laser technologies used along the entire process chain. In his presentation, Tobias Keller from Fraunhofer ILT explained the advantages of laser technology in the processing and structuring of bipolar plates to maximize the efficiency and durability of these components. “The structuring and optimization of bipolar plates are decisive steps towards more powerful and cost-efficient fuel cells.” Keller highlighted the importance of roll-to-roll production, which allows materials to be processed more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Prof. Dr. Eike Hübner from the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute HHI demonstrated how laser-induced nanostructures can significantly improve the surfaces of fuel cells, for example as nanofoams. These nanoforms have a high porosity and a large surface enlargement, both of which make them interesting for various applications. “Laser-induced nanoforms significantly enlarge the surface area by a factor of 3000 compared to conventional structures.” said the professor.

Laser-based processes as a driver for hydrogen technology

Ultrashort pulse lasers (USP), with which such nanostructures can be produced, offer further considerable opportunities. Stoyan Stoyanov from Fraunhofer ILT explained how USP lasers can be used to generate complex cutting contours in bipolar plates (BPP), such as gas and cooling water inlets and outlets. Dr. Steffen Berger from Schaeffler AG also focused on the laser processing of metallic BPPs with USP lasers in his presentation. They enable precise processing of filigree structures in the µm range with minimal material change and high repeat accuracy.

Dr. Martin Müller from Forschungszentrum Jülich emphasized the importance of electrolysis in the hydrogen production process and pointed out that the key to increasing efficiency lies in improving the materials used. He explained the development of new electrode structures and their catalysts, which are used in electrolysis and in fuel cells.

The presentation by Dr. Simon Britten from Laserline showed how diode lasers can be used more efficiently and precisely for various industrial processes, particularly in electrolysis and in the production of fuel cells. “When laser technology is used in the drying process, we can save about 20 to 30 percent in operating costs.”

Cross-border networks for the hydrogen sector

An important part of the conference was the exchange on international cooperation, which is essential for developing hydrogen technology further. In her presentation, Dr. Dina Barbian from the eco2050 Institute for Sustainability emphasized the need for global cooperation to overcome the challenges of sustainable hydrogen production. She emphasized the importance of cooperation between countries with different resources to make both hydrogen production and transport infrastructures more efficient.

Robert McConville from Hysata Pty Ltd in Unanderra, Australia, presented a good example of international cooperation. He was connected live from down under: Hysata wants to use its capillary electrolyzers to supply the world’s cheapest green hydrogen in the future. “This project demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in overcoming major technological challenges,” emphasized McConville. Such collaborations not only promote technological innovation, but also drive the development of infrastructure for the production, transportation and storage of hydrogen worldwide.

Innovations for industrial fuel cell production

Heiko Baumann from the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT explained the progress made in the transportation and, above all, storage of hydrogen. Dr. Michael Rhode from the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, also spoke about the challenges involved in manufacturing electrolyzers, fuel cells, storage and distribution systems. “Hydrogen has very specific requirements for materials, particularly in terms of corrosion resistance and temperature changes.”

Dr. Benjamin Hertweck from Hugo Kern und Liebers spoke about laser welding and punching techniques to increase efficiency in the production of fuel cells. In his presentation, Richard Steinbrecht from Lessmüller Lasertechnik in Munich emphasized the importance of continuously monitoring laser processes to detect defects in production at an early stage. “At the end of the day, it all comes down to the precision of the bipolar plate,” emphasized Stefan Kaiser from ANDRITZ Kaiser GmbH.

Precise and efficient laser welding techniques can improve the quality and consistency of joints, which is particularly important for the delicate structures of BPPs. Even the smallest errors in production can significantly reduce performance. “Defects such as melt accumulation along the weld seam are more common at high speeds – process monitoring allows us to detect and rectify these at an early stage,” explained Elie Haddad from Fraunhofer ILT.

Laboratory for practice-oriented research and industry cooperation

After guided laboratory tours of the Fraunhofer ILT on Tuesday morning, the participants explored the HydrogenLab in the afternoon. The laser institute has created optimal conditions there to develop the fuel cell from the basics to series production. The environment of the HydrogenLab not only is oriented to conduct practical research, but also designed for interdisciplinary collaboration and offers optimal conditions for public projects and industrial cooperation.

“Once again, this year’s LKH2 has shown that cooperation between institutes and companies is essential for mapping the entire production and process chain in hydrogen technology,” summarizes Alexander Olowinsky. “The laser processes from tool technology to cutting and welding to surface functionalization also play a decisive role, especially in terms of energy consumption, I am already looking forward to reports on progress and new applications in the coming year.”

Wissenschaftliche Ansprechpartner:

Dr.-Ing. Alexander Olowinsky
Head of Joining and Cutting Department
Tel +49 241 8906-491
alexander.olowinsky@ilt.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
Steinbachstrasse 15
52074 Aachen
www.ilt.fraunhofer.de

Weitere Informationen:

https://www.ilt.fraunhofer.de/en.html

The post Laser Innovations Shaping the Future of Hydrogen Sector appeared first on Innovations Report.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and Automatic-Systeme Dreher GmbH are presenting a groundbreaking innovation in the field of sheet metal processing at Euroblech 2024 from October 22 to 25 in Hanover, Germany: a demonstrator system for laser blanking that significantly increases process reliability and efficiency in production through the use of artificial intelligence.

In modern production, especially in the automotive industry, blanks from coils have to be cut both precisely and efficiently, and the requirements are becoming more and more demanding. Traditional methods, such as punching, are reaching their limits, especially when it comes to flexibility and resource conservation in production. In addition, industry needs to reliably and safely monitor continuous production processes to avoid expensive system downtimes and production losses. Malfunctions caused by cutting interruptions, for example, can be detected and avoided at an early stage with additional sensors and control mechanisms.

DIPOOL project manager Dr. Frank Schneider (right): “MILM detects and corrects errors in real time before they lead to quality defects or production downtime. This increases production quality and speed.” ©Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany

As part of the joint project DIPOOL (Digital Process Online Optimizer for Intelligent Laser Machines), the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and its project partners are developing solutions to improve the efficiency and safety of laser cutting and welding processes. DIPOOL is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and combines the expertise of leading industry and research partners to develop pioneering solutions for Industry 4.0.

“The project aims to use artificial intelligence and minimally invasive laser modulation to optimize process monitoring and control in sheet metal processing, with a particular focus on thin sheet metal and laser blanking,” says Dr. Frank Schneider, DIPOOL project manager and cutting group leader at Fraunhofer ILT. “These technologies make it possible to detect process deviations in real time and make immediate adjustments to sustainably increase production reliability and speed. With the DIPOOL project, we really are setting new standards in sheet metal processing.”

The functional principle of the monitoring system is based on a “minimally invasive” laser modulation pattern (MILM). Minimal disturbances are imposed on the machining process, to which the process continuously responds with particularly characteristic, condition-dependent signals. Artificial intelligence (AI) can analyze these patterns particularly well.

Cooperation between Fraunhofer ILT and Dreher Automation

Automatic-Systeme Dreher, Fraunhofer ILT and the pilot customer have cooperated on building an industrial-scale laser blanking demonstrator system and integrating system monitoring with AI and MILM. For this pilot customer, the Aachen-based institute has been developing the process over many years.

Dreher Automation is an experienced specialist for automation systems in the field of forming processes and contributes its expertise in the development of high-precision machine solutions. “By combining a new type of system design, the high-speed cutting process developed by Fraunhofer ILT and innovative process monitoring, we are now able to machine blanks dynamically with extremely short cycle times,” explains Schneider.

Fraunhofer ILT and Dreher Automation will be presenting the demonstrator system at booth 27-H82 at EuroBLECH 2024. The system, which will be used to process cold-rolled strip products, among other things, is specially designed to maximize process reliability when processing coils. The AI-based systems analyze the process signals in real time and detect even the smallest deviations before they lead to problems. MILM ensures that the cutting process remains continuously stable, an advantage that minimizes scrap rates and significantly increases the overall productivity of the system.

“The new concept of overlapping work areas of two processing heads with continuous belt transport in the system enables maximum flexibility and resource-efficient production,” explains Hasan Sarac, managing director of Automatic-Systeme Dreher. “This means that each laser can process exactly what is required. This way, we can optimize nesting and process large components. This is a decisive advantage that makes manufacturing in automotive production more cost-effective.”

Outlook and next steps

The demonstrator system implements the findings and results of the DIPOOL project. The design of the system is primarily aimed at automotive production, in particular the cutting of structural components and other sheet metal parts from coils. This saves immense costs: Because laser blanking does not require expensive tools, it saves costs there as well as makes both storage and maintenance unnecessary. And downtimes due to tool changes are also a thing of the past.

The test runs demonstrate the advantages of the new system design and continuous production from the coil, which optimizes nesting and saves on material, one of the key levers for the system’s resource efficiency. Higher productivity, reduced scrap rates and flexible adjustment of the cutting contour in tryout production – all decisive advantages.

“Our collaboration with Fraunhofer ILT as part of the DIPOOL project impressively demonstrates how mechanical engineering and innovative technology can go hand in hand to create a new benchmark for the industry,” summarizes Hasan Sarac.

After the presentation at the Euroblech trade fair, the results of the DIPOOL project will flow into the first industrial implementation. In cooperation with the pilot user, optimizations and extensions will then follow that are necessary for use in series production.

Visit us from October 22 to 25 in Hanover at the booth of Automatic-Systeme Dreher GmbH, booth number 27-H82, to learn more about the demonstrator system and DIPOOL. The Fraunhofer ILT will also be demonstrating the laser processing of bipolar plates for hydrogen technology.

Wissenschaftliche Ansprechpartner:

Dr. Frank Schneider
Group Manager Laser Cutting
Phone +49 241 8906-426
frank.schneider@ilt.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
Steinbachstrasse 15
52074 Aachen

Weitere Informationen:

https://www.ilt.fraunhofer.de
https://www.dreher.de/en-de

The post Laser Blanking System Unveiled at Euroblech 2024 appeared first on Innovations Report.

A growing and worrying antibiotics crisis is threatening people worldwide. Antibiotic resistance is on the rise globally and costing millions of human lives. Research groups around the world are searching for new antibiotics. Some such research is being carried out by the Department of Bioresources for Bioeconomy and Health Research headed by Prof Dr Yvonne Mast at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH in Braunschweig.

The WHO is not alone in recognising antibiotic resistance as a global threat to human health. At least 1.3 million people worldwide die every year because antibiotics are not (or no longer) effective against their infection. Science is facing up to one of the greatest challenges for health research: counteracting the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), developing new active substances (especially antibiotics) and advancing bacteriophage research. The Leibniz Institute DSMZ is the world’s most comprehensive collection of bioresources and supports researchers in the life sciences worldwide – not only in antibiotics and bacteriophage research.

Since the subject area of antibiotics, resistance and infections is highly complex, on the 14th of November 2024, the scientists at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ are offering journalists the opportunity to take part in a journalists’ seminar in Braunschweig and gain important insights into modern drug research. Schedule of the journalists’ seminar “On the hunt for new antibiotics and active substances from bacteria: New antibiotics for the world!” on the 14th of November 2024, 10.00 to 17.00, Leibniz Institute DSMZ, Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd, Building B2:

Presentation of the most diverse collection of bioresources in the world and its research focus News from drug research – the search for new antibiotics from actinomycetes etc.,
Prof Dr Yvonne Mast

Genetics and biology of streptomycetes as antibiotic producers, Dr Juan-Pablo Gomez Escribano

The diversity of actinomycetes and its significance, Dr Imen Nouioui

Guided tour of the actinomycetes laboratory, opportunity for photos and discussion with the researchers involved Activation of silent antibiotic synthesis gene clusters for finding new active substances, Dr Roman Makitrynskyy

Screening for new phosphonate antibiotics from actinomycetes of the DSMZ, Alina Zimmermann

Antibiotic producers from the Antarctic, Ulrike Tarazona

Phages and their efficacy against pathogenic actinomycetes, Dr Clara Rolland/Dr Johannes Wittmann

Guided tour of the main building of the Leibniz Institute DSMZ (Departments of Plant Viruses, Human and Animal Cell Cultures, and Microorganisms)

Participation, including lunch, drinks and snacks, is free of charge. Travelling expenses cannot be covered. Registration until the 7th of November 2024, 10.00 am.

http://www.dsmz.de

The post Explore New Antibiotics: Join Our Seminar in Germany appeared first on Innovations Report.

The vision of purely photonic process chains in optics production is becoming a reality. “It is now foreseeable that lasers will develop their potential along the entire process chain, from shaping and polishing to shape correction,” says Dr. Edgar Willenborg, Group Leader of Polishing at Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen. In initial industrial applications, laser-based processes will complement established mechanical processes. The driver of this development is the increasing demand for complex aspheres and free-form optics specifically designed for individual applications. Their production is pushing mechanical manufacturing processes to their limits since these conventional methods are usually optimized for processing spherical – i.e. semi-circular – lenses.

The light scatters on the surface of the polished asphere at the back. The same optics can be seen in the laser-polished state at the front. © Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany

Shaping, polishing and correcting the more complex aspheres mechanically is time-consuming and costly. This is where freely programmable, non-contact laser processes have a distinct advantage. There is no need to use shaping tools or polishing agents. The laser processes also leave chemically clean surfaces. “And thanks to the numerically controlled processes which do not need forming tools, the processing times are no longer dependent on the lens shape,” explains Willenborg.

New specialist conference focuses on laser-based optics production

There are still a number of challenges to overcome before laser-based manufacturing processes can be widely used for optics. In particular, the required dimensional accuracy and the extensive range of materials for glass and polymer optics pose unresolved issues. Fraunhofer ILT is launching a new specialist conference to address these issues in a targeted and timely manner with an international specialist community from research and industry: The “1st Conference on Laser-based Optics Manufacturing LOM” will take place from October 15 to 16, 2024 in combination with the “6th Conference on Laser Polishing LaP” at the Aachen-based institute. In addition to 20 lectures, the combined conference will offer an extensive laboratory tour, a showcase and poster exhibition and various discussion and networking formats. “Because we are expecting a highly specialized international community from research and industry, both conferences will be held in English,” explains Willenborg. As the aim is to transfer know-how to industrial applications, the majority of presentations will be given by researchers.

In technical terms, LOM will focus on photonic process chains whose shaping is based on ablation using ultrashort pulse (USP) lasers and Selective Laser-induced Etching (SLE). CO2 lasers are used for polishing. Their beam melts the surface of the glass or plastic lenses to a depth of 10 µm. In this zone, the material transforms into a honey-like state and then automatically smoothes out as it cools thanks to the surface tension. “As the surface layer remelts and the surface is smoothed by the interfacial tension, outstanding surface qualities result,” emphasizes the Fraunhofer ILT expert. The roughness in the sub-nanometer range sets new standards and predestines the laser processes for applications that require the highest optical performance. Laser processes are already being used to remove micro-roughness, which scatter light and make surfaces appear cloudy, and complement process chains that were previously still mechanically dominated.

Laser polishing as an enabler in the future market of laser inertial confinement fusion

The new specialist conference will focus, among others, on optical surfaces with high damage thresholds. Four presentations will shed light on the potential of laser processes for increasing optical damage thresholds. These include a presentation by the California Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), whose National Ignition Facility (NIF) succeeded in igniting a plasma under laboratory conditions for the first time in human history in December 2022, triggering the fusion of the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium. This released more energy than was required for ignition by laser. The NIF operates the world’s largest, highest-energy laser system with 192 beam paths, over two megajoules of pulse energy and 500 terawatts of peak power. The high-energy UV laser pulses regularly bring optical components to the edge of the destruction threshold, and beyond. Laser polishing is a promising approach to making these components more robust. This is because, unlike mechanical processes, it does not leave any micro-defects in the lens surface.

The “6th Conference on Laser Polishing LaP” will focus on the laser polishing of metals, glass, plastics and other materials. It will look in greater detail on functional and design surfaces as well as the post-treatment of complex additively manufactured components. Here, too, non-contact laser processes have advantages over mechanical processes owing to the often complex component geometries.

“With their respective range of topics, both conferences are unique worldwide,” emphasizes Willenborg. There are no separate specialist conferences for either laser-based optics production or laser polishing. Precisely because these young fields of technology are developing very dynamically, Fraunhofer ILT is focusing on early knowledge transfer. “Companies that are already taking advantage of modern laser polishing processes can gain real competitive advantages,” he says. In addition, networking within the scientific community is also important to identify synergies in research and jointly leverage them in the interests of rapid progress.

Wissenschaftliche Ansprechpartner:

Dr. Edgar Willenborg
Head of Polishing Group
Telephone +49 241 8906-213
edgar.willenborg@ilt.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
Steinbachstraße 15
52074 Aachen, Germany
www.ilt.fraunhofer.de

Weitere Informationen:

http://www.ilt.fraunhofer.de/en

The post Advancing Laser-Based Optics: Insights from Fraunhofer ILT Conference appeared first on Innovations Report.