Prof. Pinna works on the development of nanostructured materials. In his current research, he focuses on the synthesis of novel multifunctional materials, their characterization and the study of their physical properties. Together with his team, he works towards several objectives. The first is the synthesis of crystalline metal oxide nanoparticles, heterostructures, hybrid materials and thin films by novel nonaqueous sol-gel routes. In a following step, he assembles the obtained materials. Furthermore, the team carries out their chemical and structural characterisation. This also includes the study of their physical properties, which are among others of optical, electrical, electrochemical, magnetic, catalytic or gas sensing type.
Expertise
Scientific Services
- transmission electron microscopy, Model type CM200LaB6: bright/dark field, electron diffraction, EDX
- X-ray diffractometer: Cu and Mo radiation, transmission, Bragg-Brentano and reflectometry configuration
Expertise
Expertise
Expertise
Our daily life more and more depends on computational systems embedded in common appliances. Just think of advanced driver assistance systems in cars, medical devices, or indsutrial supervisory control and data acquisition systems. Since such systems also realise safety-critical tasks, it is all the more important to provide effective and efficient quality assurance for them. The specification, verification and testing theory group researches methods for model-based development and model checking, logical verification, and automated testing of safety-critical software. Prog. Schlingloff is chief scientist of the system quality center at Fraunhofer FOKUS, Berlin, and chairman of the boards of GFaI e.V. and ZeSys e.V.
Testimonials
- Major German company for communication and sensors: Student semester project for the design and implementation of a system for distributed control of indoor air quality.
G.F. Schreinzer Positronik, Steinbeis GmbH & Co. KG, Steinbeis GmbH & Co. KG, Pronova Analysentechnik GmbH & Co. KG, newtec Umwelttechnik GmbH
Expertise
Biosystems engineering works at the interface between engineering and biological production processes. Prof. Schmidt and his team develop engineering solutions for a sustainable agricultural production of crops and other environmental friendly technologies. Prof. Schmidt’s research thus leads to innovative plant farming methods in greenhouses, outdoors and other intensive crop farming systems. Alternative energy supply systems (low energy greenhouses) and closed material cycles for intensive crop farming (water hygiene, sensor systems and algorithms for fully automated nutrient solution supply in closed cycles) are Prof. Schmidt’s research area. His main activity herein is the development of sensors for gas analyses, climate measurement technology and that of software supporting decision making in automation systems. Moreover, the team also provides energetic assessments in complete production systems and parts thereof as well as process analyses.
Scientific Services
- Experimental greenhouses with energy and material flow analytics, CO2 enrichment, artificial lights and fog systems
- Plant monitors for continuous measurement of photosynthesis, transpiration, tissue temperature, stomatal conductance, climate measurement, gas analyses (Co2, ethylene), soil moisture sensors
- Freely programmable automation system for climate and process control in greenhouses
Testimonials
- G.F. Schreinzer Positronik, Steinbeis GmbH & Co. KG: Development of an automation system for greenhouses based on measurement details of plants (Phytocontrol)
- Steinbeis GmbH & Co. KG: National collaborative research project „The Low Energy Greenhouse“ („Zukunftsinitiative Niederigenergiegewächshaus“, ZINEG)
- Pronova Analysentechnik GmbH & Co. KG: Development of ionselective sensors for continuous recording of ion proportion in circulating nutrient solution systems; Development of measuring device to analyse phytometric reactions in plants
- newtec Umwelttechnik GmbH: Development of re-circulating irrigation system with reduced phytosanitary risk in greenhouses
German Association of Skiing Clubs, City of Aachen
Expertise
The team of Christoph Schneider works on the impacts of climate and climate change in the field of urban climates and in the field of cryospheric sciences (anything related to snow and ice). His expertise comprises the downscaling of meteorological respectively climatological data for applications in high spatial resolution, for example for urban planning and construction schemes and also for the analysis of potential impacts of climate change on the level of city quarters and cities. Furthermore, such numerical and empirical-statistical procedures are applied to the projection of future water resources in glaciated catchments in high alpine environments worldwide. This also leads to applications regarding the future state of snow covers in mountain ranges which is especially important for questions of future prospects of snow sport tourism. In both fields of applications, the urban climatology and the cryospheric research, measurement strategies and data acquisition of relevant atmospheric variables for the projects are used besides theoretical modelling approaches and downscaling as outlined above.
Scientific Services
- automatic weather stations
- turbulence stations
- devices for particulate matter and ultrafine particles
- mobile sensoring techniques for meteorological parameters
- measurement van as platform of mentioned instrumentation
Testimonials
- Study of the potential and feasibility for large solar power plants on the Iberian Peninsula and in Northern Africa for a large German solar power panel manufacturer (2005)
- Study of the projections of impacts of climate change on snow sport in German low moutain ranges for the German Association of Skiing Clubs and the German Federal Secretary of Research and Education (2008)
- Urban climate analysis for construction schemes for the City of Aachen (2006-2012)
- Climate change adaptation plans for cities in North Rhine-Westphalia (2014, 2015)
H. Lorberg Baumschulerzeugnisse GmbH & Co. KG, Bein GmbH, Bayer Crop Science, XEROFLOR
Expertise
Prof. Ulrichs is an expert in the field of ecophysiology of plants with a special focus on plants in urban spaces. His team studies processes, which determine plant growth, e.g. stress exposure in an urban environment. The emphasis of his research lies on the analysis of the secondary metabolite balance (incl. its nutritional function), substance allocation, competition and plant-insect interaction. Prof. Ulrichs other major field of expertise is the quality assurance in food supply chains of horticultural products, especially for perishable foodstuffs like fruits and vegetables in temperate zones as well as in tropical/subtropical regions.
Scientific Services
- molecular methods
- in-vitro propagation
- HPLC
- GC/MS
- electroantennogram studies
- trace gas analysis using photoacoustic spectroscopy
Testimonials
- German specialty chemicals group: development of nanostructured plant protection agents
- H. Lorberg Baumschulerzeugnisse GmbH & Co. KG (tree nursery): selection of climate-tolerant boulevard trees (Alleebaum)
- Bein GmbH: development of electrostatic application processes of nanostructured elements
- Bayer Crop Science: biosensors to prove the existence of plant viruses
- XEROFLOR: development of vegetation carriers to prevent soil erosion in the Alps
Professional School of Education (PSE), Interdisciplinary Centre for Educational Research (Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Bildungsforschung, IZBF), Humboldt-ProMINT-Kolleg
Expertise
The research-based didactics of biology – the science of teaching and learning of biological contents and methods – is essential for the education and training of biology teacher students. One focus area of Prof. Upmeier zu Belzen’s work is the modelling and measuring of competencies in scientific methods for acquiring and consolidating knowledge of pupils, students and teachers. Her team applies qualitative and quantitative methods of empirical social research. Prof. Upmeier zu Belzen conducts experimental intervention studies to test the effectiveness of support frameworks regarding diagnostic capabilities and the ability to convey knowledge of (prospective) teachers as well as the effectiveness of different educational activities offered to pupils. The transfer of the results into academic practice is supported by relevant publications as well as by trainings for teachers and school administrations.
Scientific Services
- Substantial collection of didactical media for teaching and learning biology of the Department of Biology
- Hard- and software for video studies
- Eye tracker
- Assessment of teachers’ (school and university) competencies to acquire knowledge
Testimonials
- Professional School of Education (PSE): as a central institute the PSE is a cross-faculty liaison of education, school and teaching research. The PSE is both a teaching and research unit. Its main focus lies on the education of teachers under the conditions of heterogeneity, and on issues relating to the promotion of the gifted and talented.
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Educational Research (Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Bildungsforschung, IZBF): the centre’s main function is to examine questions of research on education, theoretically and empirically, and to present and transfer the results to improve educational systems, processes and activities in Germany as well as internationally.
- Humboldt-ProMINT-Kolleg: structural unit comprising the so-called MINT subjects (mathematics, informatics, science and technology, comparable to STEM) in all German types of schools and the related transitions, established to develop new techniques of teaching and learning. The unit is sponsored by Deutsche Telekom Stiftung and collaborates with PSE and IZBF. Participating teachers and students complete an internship in companies or institutions in Adlershof in order to learn about value added chains from basic research to high-tech production.
- Humboldt Bayer Mobil: joint project with the Bayer Science & Education Foundation to promote academic education and to ignite curiosity and enthusiasm for science and research in pupils in grades 5 through 8. This project provides insights in research practices at universities and the private sector, which also supports career prospects in the areas of science and technology.
Expertise
Professor Voelkle is an expert in Quantitative Psychology. He and his team work on the development and adaptation of new assessment procedures, the statistical and mathematical modeling of psychological processes, the design of studies as well as the analysis and interpretation of empirical-psychological data. Special emphasis of the research conducted at professor Voelkle’s lab lies on the analysis of longitudinal data and evaluation research. Professor Voelkle and his team are often involved as consultants in research and development projects in the education and health sector. To improve applied empirical research in the social and life sciences, they have founded the Berlin Methods Group in 2017.
Scientific Services
Powerful computers and access to all common statistical programs
Testimonials
- Health: Evaluation and statistical advice for psychological-medical research facilities and health insurance companies
- Education: Evaluation and statistical consulting for private and public project executing organisations
University of Zurich, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer, DIHK)
Expertise
Prof. von Hippel and her team researches adult education and further training, and especially lifelong learning processes in adult education. In this context, they investigate institutions of general and professional further education and vocational training. The team has three special research interests. The first focuses on target groups and participant research. Prof. Hippel investigates why people take part in further education and what motivates them. Furthermore, she studies how people participate in further education. A second field of interest is on organisational research. The team investigates, for example, how different providers of further education develop their organisational structure over time and what kinds of trainings they offer for special target groups. Programme research is the third area of Prof. Hippel’s research. In this unit, the team explores the mechanisms that determine the setting of topics and how professional planning in organisations of further education is enacted. Unlike in schools, further education is not restricted by a set curriculum, but nevertheless content has to be negotiated and agreed on by different players. Existing programmes of further education reflect the demand to date, different interests and anticipated needs and are thus of interest for Prof. von Hippel’s research. For the last 20 years, the department has built up its own archive of further education programmes of Berlin-Brandenburg (Weiterbildungsprogrammarchiv Berlin-Brandenburg). It contains the further education programmes of over 500 institutions, accessible to scientific research and teaching.
Scientific Services
- group discussions, focus groups and product clinics in the adult and further education sector (innovative method of market analysis for a target group oriented planning of training programmes)
- contract research in the area of further education (group discussions, surveys based on questionnaires and interviews, programme analyses)
- training for those employed in adult and further education (e.g. lecturers, programme planners, HR)
Testimonials
- several institutions of further education, amongst others for the unit for academic further education of the University of Zurich, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer, DIHK) and public institutions of further education: implementation of product clinics with the aim of target group oriented planning of training programmes for further education
- direction of a German Research Foundation Project (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) on the subject of planning of continuing vocational training: realisation of case studies in big companies
- several projects funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research(Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) related to social milieus and further education: training of further education providers
- in co-operation with large companies and further education providers: supervision of academic theses
Expertise
Prof. Weidlich chairs a research group on "Databases and Information Systems" at the Department of Computer Science. Earlier, he held positions at Imperial College London and the Technion - Isreal Institute of Technology. The group focuses on data-driven analysis of process-oriented systems (process mining), approaches for efficient processing of continuous data streams, as well as methods for the design of workflows for exploratory data analysis. The algorithms and systems developed by the group have been successfully applied in diverse domains, reaching from health care through logistics to e-commerce.
Scientific Services
Consulting and knowledge transfer in
- Process Mining, data-driven analysis of processes
- Scalable infrastructures for data stream processing
- Design of data analysis workflows
Testimonials
- for a leading US cancer clinic: analysis and improvement of clinical processes based on the data of a real-time-locating-system
- for an international oil and gas group: development of techniques for detecting irregularities in streams of sensor data
- for a manufacturer of enterprise software: design of algorithms for efficient analysis of business process executions
Expertise
Prof. Winter’s research is focused on animal behaviour, especially cognitive performance, e.g. learning ability, memory and their neurobiological foundation for foraging. He carries out behavioural assessments for mice and rats, mostly for preclinical research, to investigate decision-making processes in animals. Lab space is available, inter alia at the Berlin Mouse Clinic for Neurology and Psychiatry (BMC), one of the leading diagnostic institutions within the NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence. Prof. Winter and his team also advise on experimental design and develop automated equipment and systems for behavioural studies on rodents for external laboratories. Another area of his expertise is virtual reality for humans. Here Prof. Winter focuses on the development of a compact, mobile, and immersive virtual reality environment for a wide range of uses.
Scientific Services
Behavioural analysis:
- Computer controlled sensor and actuator systems for manipulation and measuring of behaviour
- Modular software system for automated measuring of behaviour
- RFID technology
Virtual reality:
- Immersive 3D-virtual reality system with closed monitoring (octagon)
- Software for rapid implementation of specific VR-applications and interaction scenarios
Testimonials
- Planning and development of a system for automated diagnostics of parameters for motor skills after clinical surgery for a large international pharmaceutical group. 24h recording and measurement as operator independent system.
Accor Hotels Germany
SHS VIVEON realisation of training for interviewers
International executive headhunting company: development of customised personality test
Expertise
Prof. Ziegler's expertise and that of his team lies in the field of psychological diagnostics and deals with all topics of personnel diagnostics in the HR life cycle. They focus on personality, intelligence and situational awareness. Ziegler and his team develop solutions to measure these in relation to requirements and to use them for performance or learning prediction. Therefore they use the full range of qualitative (e.g. interviews) and quantitative methods (e.g. tests, questionnaires, machine learning).
Prof. Ziegler has already carried out several successful projects with well-known companies in this area, involving the creation of competency models, employee surveys, annual appraisals or job aptitude diagnostics. Prof. Ziegler's working group also trains individuals or teams on topics of personnel diagnostics (e.g. assessment centers or interviews). In addition, Prof. Ziegler develops customized diagnostic processes or evaluates them.
Scientific Services
- PC lab with 10 workstations and various performance and personality tests
- Online surveys
- Data analysis
- Consulting
- Trainings - wide range of topics
Testimonials
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Competence model development - Prof. Ziegler and his team have developed competence models for different professions for various clients and made them measurable
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Accor Hotellerie Deutschland GmbH: Development of competence models
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SHS VIVEON AG: Implementation of interviewer trainings
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International headhunting company for executives: Development of a customized personality test
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Evaluation and optimization - In these projects Prof. Ziegler looks at existing personnel processes, evaluates their quality from a psychological point of view and develops optimizations.
Expertise
Expertise
Expertise
The Logic in Computer Science group focuses on theoretical computer science, with emphasis on logic, database theory, and complexity theory. Particular attention is paid to the relations between these areas. For example, logics serve as a basis for database query languages and specification languages used for automatic verification, and many aspects of complex systems can be modeled by logical structures. Thus, properties of complex systems can be specified by logical formulas. The overall aim of our group is to gain better understanding of the complexity inherent in a problem or a system. Here, we are interested in various measures of complexity, including the computational complexity ("How difficult is it to algorithmically solve the problem?") and the descriptive complexity ("How difficult is it to describe the problem in a suitable formalism?"). Particular attention is paid to the connection between logical description of problems and efficient algorithmic solutions.
Expertise
The research of Prof. Greifeneder and her team at the Chair of Information Behavior focuses on user research. She is particularly concerned with people’s search and user behavior when dealing with information or metadata both while using a traditional library as well as in fields such as digital libraries or research data. Key aspects of her work include the use of online survey methods and natural habitat research as well as securing the validity of data in a laboratory setting and in natural environments. Additionally, users’ private information sharing behavior and context research are central issues in Prof. Greifeneder’s research.
Scientific Services
Prof. Greifeneder and her team employ qualitative and quantitative research methods of information science with a focus on user research. This includes survey design and implementation, both online and in the form of natural habitat research, interviews, case studies, experiments, scientific observation, focus groups and eyetracking. The Chair of Information Behavior boasts a modern research laboratory, the iLab:
- The iLab consists of two functionally differentiated rooms, connected with a door made of spyglass, that contain mobile desks (height can be adjusted electronically), swivel chairs, mobile partition walls, magnetic glass boards and a facilitator’s toolbox
- Technical equipment: beamer, cameras, microphones, mobile sound recorders, tablets, notebooks, smart watches and eye-trackers
several medium-sized and DAX companies
Expertise
Mendling's research focuses on the question how business processes can be efficiently and effectively supported by information systems. To this end, Mendling and his team address questions of the information technology as well as of managerial questions.
Within the framework of business process management they developed a series of technical solutions for process mining and also management tools like the BPM Billboard.
The expertise of Mendling and his team is summarized in the seminal textbook "Fundamentals of Business Process Management", which is used by over 250 universities in 70 countries.
Scientific Services
- cooperation with businesses from different branches
- design of training concepts for process management
- performance of training courses and projects for process improvement
- development of new analysis software for business processes
Testimonials
In the context of his projects, Mendling worked together with many medium-sized companies and DAX-companies from different branches.
Continuing Education
LL.M. Digitalization and Tax Law
Expertise
The working group, of which Professor Adelhelm is head of, is engaged with the field of applied materials research. Where the main research focus lies on materials, which are suited for power storage in batteries. Therefore especially lithium-ion- and sodium-ion batteries, as well as alternative cell designs (metal-, sulphur- and all-solit-batteries) are being explored. However, the working groups goal has always been explorative research and the complete clarification of physico-chemical correlations.
Scientific Services
- material synthesis: ball mills, wet chemistry laboratory, stoves, calcination (grams scale)
- techniques of characterization: Powder X-Ray Diffraction (P-XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman Spectroscopy, Infrared Spectroscopy
- Electrochemistry: multiple glove-boxes (Ar, N2), preparation of battery cells, battery test station (cycling of a battery), Potentiostat/Galvanostat with 2 and 3 electrode arrangement, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, (in situ/operando) special analyses like Dilatometer, or Mass Spectrometry during cell performance
Testimonials
- various joint projects with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
- direct cooperations with companies (measurement orders)
The World Economic Forum (WEF)
Berlin SME
Chemspeed Technologies Ltd
Expertise
Professor Bojdys research focuses on the design of covalent organic polymers with applications as organic transistor devices and on light-reactive polymers (e.g., Nat. Commun. 2019. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11264-z). He and his team cooperate with established battery and coating companies and with a Berlin SME.
Since 2018, Professor Bojdys has been a member of the "Young Scientists" at the World Economic Forum (WEF) and further serves on their advisory board since 2019.
Scientific Services
- Gas sorption analysis: Quantachrome Instruments Autosorb IQ (probegases: N2, Ar).
- Robotic synthesis & formulation: ChemSpeed ASW 2000
- X-ray diffractometers (Cu and Mo radiation, transmittance, Bragg-Brentano and reflectonomy configuration).
Testimonials
- groupwork focusing on flexible batteries with a Berlin SME
- cooperation on robot-assisted synthesis with Chemspeed Technologies Ltd.
- collaboration with The World Economic Forum (WEF)
- council member at "Young Scientists"
Patents
- WO/2020/216408 - RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY ANODE, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY ANODE
- WO/2016/027042 - TWO-DIMENSIONAL CARBON NITRIDE MATERIAL AND METHOD OF PREPARATION
Funding
- ERC Proof of Concept Grant (Ultra-high energy storage Li-anode materials - LiAnMAT)
- ERC Starting Grant (Beyond Graphene Materials - BEGMAT)