Dresden's Helmholtz Center celebrates anniversary and presents HZDR awards
On March 15, 2012, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special Museum Afternoon for all employees in the Technische Sammlungen Dresden (Dresden Technology Collections). During this event, the HZDR's outstanding scientific achievements of the last year were honored in the presence of Prof. Hans Müller-Steinhagen, Rector of the TU Dresden [Dresden University of Technology], and Museum Director Roland Schwarz.
The recent history of today's Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, which has been bearing this name since becoming a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres on January 1, 2011, began on January 1, 1992. Back then, the research center, like many other scientific institutions in East Germany, was reestablished. The history of the scientific venue actually dates all the way back to 1956.
The HZDR celebrated this anniversary on March 15 with a Helmholtz Afternoon in cooperation with the Technische Sammlungen Dresden. The museum opened its doors exclusively for the HZDR employees and their relatives. On display were, for example, the Helmholtz Association's traveling exhibition "Wunderkammer Wissenschaft" with several hundred captivating images from research. The HZDR is also be represented with an exhibition module.
At this event, the HZDR Awards were bestowed in the presence of Prof. Hans Müller-Steinhagen, Rector of the TU Dresden, and Roland Schwarz, Director of the Technische Sammlungen. The awards are presented once a year in the categories Research, Technology, and Scientific Communication for outstanding achievements in these sectors as well as for the best doctoral dissertation.
Research Award
The Research Award honors the following HZDR scientists: Prof. Peter Brust, Dr. Winnie Deuther-Conrad, Dr. Steffen Fischer, and Dr. Achim Hiller. They are working at the Institute of Radiopharmacy at the HZDR Research Site Leipzig. They will be honored for their development of the radio tracer [Fluor-18]Flubatine which accelerates the early detection of Alzheimer's dementia. This radioactively labeled substance, which is based on a compound found in South American poison arrow frogs, substantially shortens the examination period for Alzheimer's.
Technology Award
The Technology Award was presented to Dr. Sven Eckert and Klaus Timmel from the Institute of Fluid Dynamics. For the first time ever, they conducted flow measurements to investigate the use of magnetic brakes. These brakes are used in industrial steel castings to improve product quality. However, not as expected, the liquid metal flow does not settle down, but is actually agitated. The results foster a better understanding of the impact exerted by the magnetic fields and, thus, contribute towards improving and optimizing their industrial application.
Award for Doctoral Candidates
The Award for Doctoral Candidates was bestowed on Dr. Norbert Martin for his doctoral dissertation which was completed at the Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research and the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW). He developed an innovative procedure for the production and characterization of magnetic layers and elements which can be applied in the magnetic storage technology sector.
Recognition Awards were presented to Dr. Anne Heller (Institute of Resource Ecology) and Dr. Christophe Vallée (Institute of Fluid Dynamics) for their doctoral dissertations.
Award for Scientific Communication
The Award for Scientific Communication went to Dr. Sören Kliem, Dr. Frank Schäfer, Lars Holt, and Polina Tusheva from the Institute of Resource Ecology. They are working in the field of nuclear safety engineering and will be honored for their effective public relations work in the aftermath of the reactor accident in Fukushima. Back then, they had been very important contact persons for the media.
Provided by Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
