New HZB magazine "Lichtblick" has been published
In the new issue, we introduce our new commercial managing director. We also show how important exchange is to us: science thrives on fruitful exchange with others. But dialogue with the public is also very important to us. Art can also create enriching access to science and build bridges. All these topics are covered in the new issue of Lichtblick.
Click here for the online edition
Topics at a glance
A portrait of our Administrative director
The new Administrative Director, Saskia Vormfelde, took up her work in September – and brings more than just a knack for balance sheets to the table. You can read about what she has done so far and why she is looking forward to working at HZB in the cover story. > Portrait on the internet
What remains of the Helmholtz reviews in May?
Many colleagues were busy preparing for the programme-oriented research (PoF) reviews in the first half of 2025. In an interview, the two coordinators, Olaf Schwarzkopf and Tobias Sontheimer, talk about how the presentation was received by the reviewers. > Interview to read
The neuron accelerator brings art and research together
A place that invites brainstorming: artist Peter Sandhaus' neuron accelerator is designed to strengthen exchange and stimulate new ideas. The artwork has recently been installed in front of the entrance to the BESSY II building. > More about the artwork
Further topics
Good advice in the service of science: Sebastian Fiechter is a long-standing ombudsperson for good scientific practice and talks about the problems that can arise.
Why we are becoming more public: Dialogue and exchange on an equal footing help to build trust in science. That's why we approach people at many festivals.
The internationality of our employees: How international are we really?
- The Enabler - portrait of Saskia VormfeldeSaskia Vormfelde takes on her new role as Administrative Director in September – and she is bringing more to the table than just a knack for accounting.
- Porous Radical Organic framework improves lithium-sulphur batteriesA team led by Prof. Yan Lu, HZB, and Prof. Arne Thomas, Technical University of Berlin, has developed a material that enhances the capacity and stability of lithium-sulphur batteries. The material is based on polymers that form a framework with open pores (known as radical-cationic covalent organic frameworks or COFs). Catalytically accelerated reactions take place in these pores, firmly trapping polysulphides, which would shorten the battery life. Some of the experimental analyses were conducted at the BAMline at BESSY II.
- KlarText Prize for Hanna TrzesniowskiThe chemist has been awarded the prestigious KlarText Prize for Science Communication by the Klaus Tschira Foundation.