Visit from the Czech Republic regarding Apprenticeship
Our guests from the Czech Republic visited the apprentices' workshop at HZB thanks to a tour by Christian Remus. © HZB / F. Krawatzek
Thanks to Karel Prokes, a Czech researcher, our guests could learn more about research at HZB in their mother tounge. © HZB / F. Krawatzek
Group picture arount the statue of Lise Meitner at HZB in Wannsee. © HZB / F. Krawatzek
End of March, a delegation from the Czech Republic visited HZB at the Wannsee campus. The programme included a visit to the apprentices’ workshop and exchanges regarding opportunities for apprenticeships and upskilling at HZB.
On 30 March, the conference room in Wannsee was well attended; with guests from the Czech Republic and many colleagues from HZB who joined as contact persons.
It was a great pleasure to welcome the delegation of 30 people from apprenticeship schools and training institutes from the Czech Republic during their stay in Berlin and Dresden. This two-day information trip was organised by the German-Czech Chamber of Industry and Commerce on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and professionally accompanied by iMoVE (international Marketing of Vocational Education), a working area of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).
Getting to know the HZB: research, institution and exchange
The programme in Wannsee included an introduction to the major research topics at HZB and its profile as an employer. Beyond the facts and figures, the focus here was on HZB's commitment to diversity, sustainability, and the comprehensive support of its employees. In another part, Christina Herold, responsible for apprenticeships at HZB, presented the various training opportunities at the centre (more on this below).
In the second part of the programme, the guests either experienced a guided tour of the apprentice workshop for fine-precision mechanics, organized by Christian Remus or gained impressions of the research area Quantum Phenomena in New Materials, thanks to a guided tour by Karel Prokes in Czech. The guests enjoyed these concrete presentations, asked questions and got many inputs. Special thanks go to the trainers Manuela Eckert, Christian Remus, Katja Wiggert and Nicholas Coon, the trainees Matthias Skubida and Felix Ludwig as well as the Czech colleague Karel Prokes, who ensured a lively and informative exchange.
The HZB - a place of education
The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin offers apprenticeships in ten professions. Seven chamber professions (office management assistants, precision mechanics, IT specialists...) and three dual study programmes. The international environment and the proximity to excellent science at the research centre are something very special. The instructors and training specialists impart sound knowledge and skills in the individual specialist areas.
In addition to HZB's social responsibility, engaging in apprenticeship enables one to find the best-fitting talents at an early stage and to bind new specialists to HZB already during their educational phase.
More details about apprenticeships and training at HZB can be found here.
- Bright prospects for tin perovskite solar cellsPerovskite solar cells are widely regarded as the next generation photovoltaic technology. However, they are not yet stable enough in the long term for widespread commercial use. One reason for this is migrating ions, which cause degradation of the semiconducting material over time. A team from HZB and the University of Potsdam has now investigated the ion density in four different, widely used perovskite compounds and discovered significant differences. Tin perovskite semiconductors produced with an alternative solvent had a particular low ion density — only one tenth that of lead perovskite semiconductors. This suggests that tin-based perovskites could be used to make solar cells that are not only really environmentally friendly but also very stable.
- Synchrotron radiation sources: toolboxes for quantum technologiesSynchrotron radiation sources generate highly brilliant light pulses, ranging from infrared to hard X-rays, which can be used to gain deep insights into complex materials. An international team has now published an overview on synchrotron methods for the further development of quantum materials and technologies in the journal Advanced Functional Materials: Using concrete examples, they show how these unique tools can help to unlock the potential of quantum technologies such as quantum computing, overcome production barriers and pave the way for future breakthroughs.
- How carbonates influence CO2-to-fuel conversionResearchers from the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society (FHI) have uncovered how carbonate molecules affect the conversion of CO2 into valuable fuels on gold electrocatalysts. Their findings reveal key molecular mechanisms in CO2 electrocatalysis and hydrogen evolution, pointing to new strategies for improving energy efficiency and reaction selectivity.