Diverse perspectives enrich research. In the five research areas of livMatS, scientists from biomimetics, chemistry, materials science, microsystems technology, sustainability, and social acceptance studies need to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. To help early career researchers facilitate this collaboration, livMatS experts give regular lectures on core aspects of research in these different disciplines. Lectures are listed below:
Lecture 1 - 17 May 2023
...and there was light: The making of itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny structures by photolithography
Prof. Jürgen Rühe
In the lecture we will introduce some of the basic concepts of photolithography at an undergraduate level and show how this concept is relevant for the livMatS research vision. In the end we will highlight some current research on this topic in our Cluster. After the lecture, you should be able to understand some of the basics of the interaction of light with matter and know how photopatterning can be performed in our livMatS labs.
Lecture 2 - 14 June 2023
Metamaterials: from static structures to life-like behavior
Prof. Chris Eberl and Dr. Viacheslav Slesarenko
During this lecture, we will talk about the progress in the field of metamaterials, present cutting-edge designs and concepts and discuss the possible applications of metamaterials and programmable materials. You will get a broad overview of the recent advances in this field and will understand how metamaterials are intertwined with the long-term vision of the Cluster.
Lecture 3 - 12 July 2023
Acceptance of emerging technologies - assessment strategies including cognitive affective maps (CAMs)
Prof. Andrea Kiesel
The lecture overviews state-of-the art methods to assess technology acceptance based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) of Venkatesh and colleagues and own research in the field of driver assistance systems. we will explore the problems when aiming to predict acceptance for not-yet existing technologies, like future livMatS technologies. We will also look at data acquisition based on interviews, questionnaires and cognitive affective maps (CAM) as a novel tool for mixed-method research. Finally, there will be examples of how CAMs enriched our research to predict acceptance for future climate engineering technologies.
Lecture 4 - 25 October 2023
How do batteries work? - From the basics to the livmatS context
Prof. Ingo Krossing
The lecture will briefly describe the battery chemistry in simple words, address the components of a cell, review classical systems and describe the eternal struggle for better, e.g. more sustainable and/or resilient battery systems. In addition, the ideas and basics for future „post-lithium“ battery systems are given and a few systems explained explicitly. Moreover, the ecological footprint and demand for critical raw materials will be addressed in each section to raise sensibility for the concers and eventually find work-arounds…
Lecture 5 - 22 November 2023
The principle of photovoltaic energy conversion
Dr. Uli Würfel
The lecture will introduce the basic concept of photovoltaic energy conversion using semiconductor materials. This includes:
• photon absorption and the generation, transport and recombination of charge carriers
• how a typical current-voltage characteristic of a solar cell looks like (and why!).
• What are the fundamental factors limiting device performance?
The second part will be more specifically on perovskite and organic solar cells as these are mostly used for research and development within Area A of livMatS.
Lecture 6 - 21 February 2024
Supercapacitors and Photosupercapacitors for electrochemical energy storage
Prof. Anna Fischer
The Solstore projects focus on the development of multifunctional energy harvesting and storage devices. While previous livMatS core lectures covered the principles of photovoltaic solar cells for energy harvesting and conversion and batteries for electrochemical energy storage, we will look in detail at supercapacitors and their working principles and go through some examples of integrated photosupercapacitors.
Lecture 7 - 08 May 2024
Precision Macromolecules and Polymers
Prof. Laura Hartmann
In this session, we will focus on the different forms of molecular definition for polymers, macromolecules and polymeric materials. Most synthetic polymers and materials are far away from the molecular precision known in Nature and it has been a task in polymer and material research within the last 15 years to enable higher levels of molecular control also for such non-biological systems. It is envisioned that this will allow access to materials with improved or even completely new functions, including material adaptivity and longevity. By the end of this session you should have a clearer understanding of different forms of molecular definition and strategies on how to control molecular definition in the synthesis of such systems. Plus you will recognize how molecular definition can be used to realize specific functions and applications e.g., in data storage or biomedicine.
Lecture 8 - 12 June 2024
Biomimetics, bioinspiration, biomimicry, life-likeness. What do they have in common and how do they differ?
Dr. Olga Speck
In recent decades, the systematic transfer of knowledge from biological models to technical applications has received increasing attention. This also applies to the vision of livMatS, which aims to combine the best of two worlds — nature and technology. In this context, terms such as biomimetics, bio-inspiration, biomimicry and life-likeness have been coined. All of these terms describe the flow of ideas from biology to technology and sound similar, but differ considerably in detail. By the end of this interactive lecture , you will be able to understand the body plans of plants as models for technical applications and to get to know the two systematic biomimetic approaches (ISO guidelines). Together we will look for characteristics to distinguish between biomimetics, bioinspiration, biomimicry and life-likeness.
Lecture 9 - 17 July 2024
Elastic Inflatable Actuators: Design, Fabrication, Applications
Jr. Prof. Edoardo Milana
This lecture focusses on the design, fabrication, and applications of soft robotic components that utilize soft materials and inflation for movement. Inflatable actuators are deformable structures that can elongate, contract, bend and twist when their cavities are pressurized by a fluid (e.g. air or water). Participants will gain insight into the principles of the design process as well as simple analytical models, explore various fabrication techniques from 3D printing to molding, and examine the behavior and performance of these actuators. Through real-world examples and case studies, we will see the wide-ranging applications of elastic inflatable actuators in the fields of soft robotics and rehabilitation robotics. The lecture will also address current challenges and future directions in the field, providing an overview for those interested in soft robotics and related disciplines.