Research up close! The Long Night of Science at HZB
Before entering the experimental hall and the tunnel, guests explore the BESSY II light source model. © Bildschön / Tom Maelsa
On 28 June, it's that time again: the Long Night of Science will take place from 5 pm to midnight in Berlin and also in Adlershof! Come around and take a look behind the scenes of our exciting research.
We will open the doors of our laboratories and BESSY II light source to you, your families and friends. Meet scientists who will tell you about the latest breakthroughs in energy and materials research: batteries, solar cells and catalysts are the focus of our work at HZB!
Children of all ages will also have lots to discover. An extra programme with experiments in our school laboratory awaits you.
> Please find here the programme (BESSY II light source and Kekuléstraße)
And last but not least, some great news: the Long Night of Science is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark the occasion, there is a special gift: all tickets cost just 5 euros this year! Info Tickets
We cannot wait to see you at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin!
- Key technology for a future without fossil fuelsIn June and July 2025, catalyst researcher Nico Fischer spent some time at HZB. It was his sabbatical, he was relieved of his duties as Director of the Catalysis Institute in Cape Town for several months and was able to focus on research only. His institute is collaborating with HZB on two projects that aim to develop environmentally friendly alternatives using innovative catalyst technologies. The questions were asked by Antonia Rötger, HZB.
- Scrolls from Buddhist shrine virtually unrolled at BESSY IIThe Mongolian collection of the Ethnological Museum of the National Museums in Berlin contains a unique Gungervaa shrine. Among the objects found inside were three tiny scrolls, wrapped in silk. Using 3D X-ray tomography, a team at HZB was able to create a digital copy of one of the scrolls. With a mathematical method the scroll could be virtually unrolled to reveal the scripture on the strip. This method is also used in battery research.
- Helmholtz Doctoral Award for Hanna TrzesniowskiDuring her doctoral studies at the Helmholtz Centre Berlin, Hanna Trzesniowski conducted research on nickel-based electrocatalysts for water splitting. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of alkaline water electrolysis and paves the way for the development of more efficient and stable catalysts. On 8 July 2025, she received the Helmholtz Doctoral Prize, which honours the best and most original doctoral theses in the Helmholtz Association.