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» Published on 31. August 2015

Hot electrons point the way to perfect light absorption

Physicists study how to achieve perfect absorption of light with the help of rough ultrathin films

Light-absorbing films can be found in many everyday applications such as solar cells or sensors. They are used to convert light into electrical current or heat. The films literally trap the light. Although such absorber films are applied widely, scientists still do not know which mechanism permits the most efficient absorption of light. A team of physicists at Bielefeld University, the University of Kaiserslautern, and the University of Würzburg have now proved that the very efficient scattering of light in ultrathin rough films traps light until it is absorbed completely. The researchers are now publishing their findings in the journal Nature Photonics. This research can help to make thin absorber films even more efficient and thereby save energy.

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» Published on 25. August 2015

Researchers at CITEC Develop Design Optimization Software

An algorithm controls motor vehicle shape in virtual wind tunnel 

Automotive manufacturers use wind tunnels to test the aerodynamics – and thus the gas efficiency – of their new vehicle models. Engineers today also use virtual wind tunnels during the early stages of design conception. With a virtual wind tunnel, computer software calculates how the components on the vehicle must be changed in order to make it more aerodynamic. The software, however, often takes the goal of improving the aerodynamics of a vehicle to such an extreme that it becomes so misshapen that a normal engine no longer fits inside the car. Researchers at the Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University have developed an algorithm to prevent this from happening. Their research findings are now appearing in the respected journal Computer Aided Design.

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» Published on 18. August 2015

Programming Assembly Robots Made Easy

With the SARAFun project, users learn to intuitively operate assembly robot  

Until now, programming assembly robots was something reserved for experts. This is beginning to change with the project SARAFun, the Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) is contributing to. Researchers want to enable assembly workers to be able to re-programme a robot within a single day – without having expert knowledge.  SARAFun stands for “Smart Assembly Robots with Advanced Functionalities.” The project will run through February 2018 and is funded by the EU programme Horizon 2020 with approximately 4 million Euro.

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» Published on 11. August 2015

Scent matters to fur seals

Antarctic fur seals have unique ‘scent profile’ to recognise their pups

Researchers studying Antarctic fur seals have discovered their scent has a unique ‘profile’ which enables them to recognise their offspring and family members. Until now researchers thought voice recognition was mostly important for finding their young, but now it is proven that scent also plays a crucial part. The results are published this week (Monday 10 August) in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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