Holidays with materials at the DWI - a fascinating insight into the world of materials science
Last week, the DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials hosted laboratory practicals as part of the "Holidays with materials". During the nationwide internship holidays, science-loving high school students have the opportunity to get to know renowned research institutes in the field of materials technologies and their research topics at first hand. Last September, a virtual get-to-know-you event took place in the form of the Virtual Lab Day.
On Monday at 9 a.m., Sophie and Hanne, the two interns at the DWI, started right away! They were welcomed by chemical lab technician and instructor Claudia Formen. After the safety briefing and a guided tour of the institute, it was time to get to work at the lab benches. Equipped with lab coats and safety goggles, the students learned about exciting laboratory activities in the days that followed. One of the main topics was microgels. These are cross-linked polymer particles that for example swell in water and are smaller than a few micrometers. These "microsponges" adapt size and shape to environmental conditions, are structurable and biocompatible, and can be equipped with a wide variety of physical, chemical and biological functions. Supported by their supervisors, the students conducted various experiments with these "smart" materials: from the synthesis of the microgels, to their dialysis, i.e. purification and their sterilization, i.e. microbial purification by UV light, it was all part of the programme. In addition, work in the cell culture area was also made possible. "They did a really great job," sums up Claudia Formen at the end - and Sophie and Hanne are also enthusiastic. "It was a lot of fun," they both agree. On Friday afternoon, however, it was time to say goodbye. A thrilling and eventful week at the DWI lies behind the inquisitive schoolgirls. We hope to see them again at the DWI in the future and wish them all the best for the future.
Besides the DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, the Helmholtz Center Hereon, the Leibniz Institute for Materials Oriented Technologies (IWT), the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials (IVW), the Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM), the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT) and the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research (IPF) were also part of the project. The DWI thanks all involved, the participants and the organizers – we look forward to equally exciting and successful material holidays in the upcoming years!
