Vacation with materials 2022
Last week, the DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials hosted the laboratory practicals as part of this year's "Vacation with Materials". During the nationwide vacation internships, 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. Working with high-tech equipment, the young scientists with a thirst for knowledge learn about the background of the development of innovative solutions for key issues of the future using new materials.
Maximilian took the long way from Rügen to Aachen to participate in this year's materials vacations at the DWI. Tim, on the other hand, had a short journey and comes from near Düsseldorf. What the two have in common is their fascination with natural sciences, especially with (inter)active materials such as those being developed at the DWI. At the start of their joint laboratory internship, they were welcomed by chemical laboratory technician and instructor Claudia Formen. After the safety briefing and a guided tour of the institute, it was time to get to the lab benches. Equipped with lab coats and protective 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 swell in water, for example, 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. Applications for these versatile materials include medicine, organic agriculture and process engineering.
Supported by their supervisors, the students conducted various experiments with these "smart" materials: from the synthesis of the microgels, to their dialysis (purification and their sterilization), i.e. microbial purification by UV light, it was all part of the programme. "They did a really great job," sums up Claudia Formen at the end - and Tim and Maximilian 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 students. 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!