New research results or upcoming events: Stay up-to-date on what is happening at TUM.
Having a memory of past events enables us to take smarter decisions about the future. Researchers at the Max-Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now identified how the slime mold Physarum polycephalum saves memories – although it has no nervous system.
How safe are multi-story timber buildings in case of fire? This question is addressed by the "TIMpuls" research project, led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The scientists' objective is to establish valid basic principles for uniform regulations for the construction of multi-story timber buildings. Realistic full size fire tests confirmed that when certain construction methods are followed, tall timber buildings could even safely withstand a fully developed compartment fire.
With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) a German-American team of scientists deciphered some of the more elusive instructions encoded in DNA. Their neural network trained on high-resolution maps of protein-DNA interactions uncovers subtle DNA sequence patterns throughout the genome, thus providing a deeper understanding of how these sequences are organized to regulate genes.
Cataracts are the most common eye ailment in humans. However, the exact processes leading to this condition are not fully understood. A team of researchers headed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now discovered that the composition of the protein solution plays a decisive role. Their conclusions are contrary to prevailing opinion in the field.
Atherosclerosis, a lipid-triggered chronic inflammatory disease of our arteries, is the main cause of strokes and heart attacks. An international team of researchers led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the LMU University Hospital has developed novel synthetic peptides that can help to prevent atherosclerosis in vitro, that is in the test tube, as well as in animal models.
Immunomodulatory drugs, including the Contergan derivatives lenalidomide and pomalidomide, have significantly improved the therapy of hematologic malignancies such as multiple myeloma. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now further decoded the mode of action in this class of medications. At the same time, they identified new innovative targeted cancer therapies.
In our smartphones, our computers and in our electric cars: We use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries everywhere. But their capacity drops after a while. Now a German-American research team has investigated the structure and functionality of these batteries using neutron diffraction: They discovered that the electrolyte fluid's decomposition products capture mobile lithium in the battery and that the distribution of lithium within the cell is surprisingly uneven.
Successful start-ups emerging from the world of academic research are a rarity in Germany. A research project has now conducted the first-ever investigation into the psychological factors impacting the processes when scientists launch companies. It shows that they often struggle to make the transition from a researcher’s outlook to an entrepreneurial mindset. In addition, many start-up teams are unable to utilize their members’ expertise through clear working processes. This can be remedied with makeathons or similar game-like activities and psychological coaching – for the teams and for start-up advisers.
Graduates from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) will be able to gain valuable professional experience as trainees at the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The Offices and the TUM agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding to that effect.
Is hydrogen the energy carrier of tomorrow? In their report, Caroline du Bled and Gunnar Mergener show examples of how the hydrogen economy of the future could look like. They visited the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry at the Technical University of Munich, which researches the further development of fuel cells. The film shows, among other things, how iron can be produced by reduction with hydrogen and how a fuel cell is built.