Category: Nature and Technology

Projects

Improving fire predictions

Forest fires contribute to biodiversity, and in many regions of the world they are an element of land use. Major and long-lasting fires are a health risk, however, costing lives, resulting in the loss of assets and affecting the global carbon cycle. A team of German and Austrian researchers are investigating the human impact on […] Continue reading “Improving fire predictions”

Interview & Opinion

Searching for infinity

Interview: Alois Pumhösel

Mathematician and START Prize winner Sandra Müller analyses various forms of infinity arising from set theory. In doing so, she is attempting to find a closer link between the theory of large cardinal numbers and the axiom of determinacy, two theoretical approaches that seem to share little in common at first glance. Continue reading “Searching for infinity”

Interview & Opinion

Nanostructures that pretend to be lenses and make ultrafast processes visible

Interview: Reinhard Kleindl

Ultrashort pulses can be generated using light from the extreme ultraviolet spectrum, allowing precise measurements to be taken on atomic time scales. However, no suitable lenses exist yet for this light spectrum. Physicist Marcus Ossiander is looking to remedy that shortcoming by using new nano-optics, such as those used in virtual reality goggles, for example. […] Continue reading “Nanostructures that pretend to be lenses and make ultrafast processes visible”

Projects

When metals become brittle like glass

The materials scientist Lorenz Romaner and his research group are investigating a better way of simulating processes at boundaries of the crystal lattice of metals in order to improve material properties. For this purpose, the Leoben-based researchers are using methods of artificial intelligence to supplement previous physical simulations and correct errors. The technology sector is […] Continue reading “When metals become brittle like glass”