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.
- Battery research with the HZB X-ray microscopeNew cathode materials are being developed to further increase the capacity of lithium batteries. Multilayer lithium-rich transition metal oxides (LRTMOs) offer particularly high energy density. However, their capacity decreases with each charging cycle due to structural and chemical changes. Using X-ray methods at BESSY II, teams from several Chinese research institutions have now investigated these changes for the first time with highest precision: at the unique X-ray microscope, they were able to observe morphological and structural developments on the nanometre scale and also clarify chemical changes.
- Hydrogen: Breakthrough in alkaline membrane electrolysersA team from the Technical University of Berlin, HZB, IMTEK (University of Freiburg) and Siemens Energy has developed a highly efficient alkaline membrane electrolyser that approaches the performance of established PEM electrolysers. What makes this achievement remarkable is the use of inexpensive nickel compounds for the anode catalyst, replacing costly and rare iridium. At BESSY II, the team was able to elucidate the catalytic processes in detail using operando measurements, and a theory team (USA, Singapore) provided a consistent molecular description. In Freiburg, prototype cells were built using a new coating process and tested in operation. The results have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Catalysis.
- Rutger Schlatmann re-elected as ETIP PV ChairThe European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV) was created by the European Commission in order to promote photovoltaic technologies and industries in Europe. Now, the ETIP PV Steering Committee elected a new Chair, as well as two Vice-Chairs for the term 2024 – 2026. Rutger Schlatmann, head of the division Solar Energy at the HZB, and professor at HTW Berlin, was re-elected as the ETIP PV Chair.