Newsletter September | Issue 4/15 Page 1

EDITORIAL CONTENT Dear Alumni of the University of Bremen, we are back from summer break and present to our next general meeting takes place on October 8, you the fourth newsletter of the year. 2015. You can find more information about the events | News p.1-3 We look back onto a wonderful summer that on page 3. began with our summer fête and the OPEN I hope you enjoy reading our newsletter. | Events p.3 CAMPUS of the University of Bremen. In the upcoming quarter, our members are given the With best wishes from campus | Awards p.4 opportunity to participate in interesting events of our series “Networking of, for and with alum- | International p.5 ni.” In November we will, for example, visit the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. Furthermore, Derk Schönfeld

Successful First Alumni Summer Fête Well-attended n July 10, 2015 at 6 p.m. at Bremen University in the 1980s. We would like to thank all alumni, Osharp, the Café Unique Alumni, faculty and staff, as well who were central to making the ce- Second opened its doors for our first Alumni as friends and supporters of the lebration such a wonderful expe- OPEN CAMPUS Summer Fête. Guests entered the university spent the festive evening rience, and team neusta, a full-ser- café on a carmine red carpet and together in a relaxed atmosphere. vice provider from Bremen, whose n July 11, 2015, the day fol- were warmly welcomed. Approxi- The music was provided by the sponsorship supported the event. Olowing the first Alumni Sum- mately fifty guests filled the festively local band “Blauer Montag” whose We are already looking forward to mer Fête, the second OPEN CAM- decorated tent of the Café Unique member Bernd Hesse is one of our our summer fête next year! PUS of the University of Bremen on the university’s campus a short executive board members. You can find pictures of the ce- took place, which turned out to be while later. Among them were Rec- Guest star of the night was our lebration on our website. Additi- very popular with visitors: Approxi- tor Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Scholz-Rei- alumni bear, who was on the Most onally, the university’s YouTube mately 18,000 visitors found their ter and Bremen’s new mayor, Dr. Wanted list within the framework of channel offers a look back on the way to campus at some point in Carsten Sieling, who was a student our raffle. event in moving images. the afternoon. The different depart- ments of the university presented their respective research projects in forty pagoda marquees. The Alumni Network of Bremen Univer- sity presented itself in one of these pagodas as well. The visitors’ highlights of the OPEN CAMPUS were the different offers for children, the Sci- ence Slam, and a science show. Another great success was the The guests celebrated in a relaxed atmosphere. accompanying program. The celebration on campus continued un- The community bremen e.V.-office team. til midnight and with many different musical acts. “We were able to present the achievements of our University of Excellence in an impressive and entertaining manner. We are thril- led that the people from Bremen and surroundings showed such a great interest in us,” stated the rector of the university, Professor Dr.-Ing. Bernd Scholz-Reiter, with Even the rector of the University of Bremen Bernd Scholz- A part of the community bremen e.V. Board (from left): Reinhard satisfaction. Reiter (l.) And Bremen‘s new Bügermeister Carsten Sieling (r.) Ahlers, Michael Wolff, Bernd Hesse, Katerina Vatsella and Christoph were among the guests. Sodemann. © community bremen e.V. NEWSLETTER | News Page 2 6 QUESTIONS FOR... Refugee Aid on Campus In every newsletter, we ask a member six questions about his or her time in Bremen. For this issue, we interviewed Rabindra Puri. If you would also like to appear in this section, please ince July, the University of Bre- contact Jacqueline Sprindt at the office at [email protected]. Smen has been providing two open spaces, at Biologischer Garten e was probably the first and at Otto-Hahn-Allee, as temporary HNepalese to come to the shelter for refugees. HERE you can University of Bremen. During find information on how to help. his time in Bremen from 1993 to 1996, Rabindra Puri studied development policy. Ever since, Energy Savings in he has stayed in touch with his Cold-storage Facilities contacts in Bremen, be it with his host father Geerd Hildebrandt or due to Flow Sensors the former director of the Interna- from Bremen tional Office, Erika Harjes-Bada- wi; contacts that are valuable to aving access to fresh fruit in eve- him to this day and which have Hry season has basically become shaped his life. © Rabindra Puri the default in Germany. To allow for After returning to Nepal, he star- that, some types of fruit and vegeta- ted working for the Gesellschaft für Technische either for international students coming to Germa- bles are kept in cold-storage facilities Zusammenarbeit (which is now part of the GIZ, ny or for German students going abroad. At a later for up to eight months. Yet, the en- the “German Corporation for International Co- point, at a celebration, one of the other students ergy consumption resulting from this operation”), before founding the Rabindra Puri gave me more than 4,000 German marks. I was should not be underestimated. Foundation for Conversation. Its goal is to pre- moved to tears because all of the other students, The new cooperation project “Flow serve traditional architecture and construction as well as my professors and lecturers, had each sensor based air management in fruit methods. People laughed at him in the begin- given 200 German marks so that I could do my and vegetable storage (COOL)” has ning but, at a later point (in 2004), he was the internship abroad as well. That was the greatest been launched in July. It is its goal to first Nepalese to receive a UNESCO award. The scholarship I have ever received, and I always re- enable energy conservation in cold importance of his work is visible not least since call this memory fondly. stores. Eight partners from industry the devastating earthquake in Nepal and research, among them the Insti- as most of the buildings that 3. Who or what has in- tute for Microsensors, -actuators and had been constructed „The University fluenced your ca- -systems at the University of Bremen, according to tradition reer the most? work closely together under the ma- survived the quake. of Bremen is my good My work in Nepal. It nagement of the Leibniz Institute for Rabindra Puri is now in fortune“ is not only a means Agricultural Engineering Potsdam- demand. He is advisor to of earning a living. Bornim. constructors from all over the When I see how much my Energy in cold-storage facilities is country, takes action to reconstruct schools work has achieved, it truly fascinates me and not only required for cooling itself. and private homes, and tirelessly tries to per- fills me with such satisfaction. That is what drives About 40% of all energy consumption suade decision-makers of his efforts. me to do even more. is needed for oversized air circulation systems in order to ensure an even 1. What were your reasons to study at the Uni- 4. What advice would you like to give to the stu- flow of air in the gaps between the versity of Bremen? dents of the University of Bremen? crates. It is the declared aim of COOL My contacts to Bremen brought me there, and the Do what you enjoy doing, and when it fills you with to find a new intelligent approach for graduate program must have been the first of its satisfaction, you’re on vacation all year long. the measuring of actual airflow achie- kind in Germany. I wanted to learn something in ved in and between the crates. When Germany and then go back to Nepal. As the entire 5. What do you associate with the University of there is sufficient cooling, the cooling course of studies was geared to developing coun- Bremen? Please finish the following sentence: fan for the respective section is shut tries, it was the perfect degree for me. „The University of Bremen… down; when it is not enough, fan …is my good fortune.“ speed is increased. If cooling fans use 2. What is your most important memory of the less energy, the entire cooling system University of Bremen? 6. What does community bremen e.V. stand for has to discharge less heat from the During the third semester, we were required to do in your eyes? Please finish the following sen- storage. an internship in a developing country. I was the only tence: „In my eyes, community bremen e.V. The Federal Ministry for Economic foreign student, and all of my fellow classmates re- is… Affairs and Energy funds these efforts ceived scholarships. For me that wasn’t possible … a source of information and the bridge that con- for a time frame of two and a half years because the only scholarships that existed were nects me to Bremen University.” with approximately 1.2 million euros. NEWSLETTER | News & Events Page 3

Physicists from Bremen Investigate Use of Intelligent Electricity Meters

n order to reduce fluctu- simulated the market that west price. As, of course, pre-programed washing pected overload cannot be Iation in the power supply would arise from massive everybody wants to do machines will then wait to ruled out,” said the physi- system, it became manda- use of intelligent electrici- their laundry when electri- begin their cycle, the more cist from Bremen. It would tory in Germany in 2010 to ty meters and came to the city is cheapest,” said Pro- potential demand will rise: be necessary to call atten- install intelligent electricity conclusion that it – like all fessor Stefan Bornholdt of a demand bubble forms,” tion to the fact that such meters in all buildings that other markets – can also the Institute for Theoretical Professor Bornholdt exp- scenarios could indeed are built new or are being produce bubbles and even Physics at the University of lained. Once the electricity take place. fully renovated. This ena- crashes. Bremen. “If the price is high price drops a little, the bub- The physicists have now bles consumers to program The price for electricity due to little electricity in the ble bursts and countless published their research their appliances in such a is regulated by supply and network, people will post- washing machines start at findings in the most im- way that they use the lo- demand. “Yet, the stan- pone doing their laundry. the same time. “This sets portant scientific journal west price for electricity. dard theory of supply and However, one cannot wait off a collective avalanche for Physics, the “Physical Scientists of the Institute demand is insufficient if for a very long time as mechanism burdening the Review” of the American for Theoretical Physics at a large number of consu- clean clothes constitute power supply systems, Physical Society. the University of Bremen mers compete for the lo- a basic need. The more and blackouts due to unex-

community bremen e.V. Holds General Meeting on October 8, 2015

2015 has so far been a very successful and In order to discuss the further development of the University of Bremen on October 8, 2015 at exciting year for community bremen e.V. and the association, the executive board of com- 4 p.m. (Fahrenheitstraße 1, 28359 Bremen). our now 2,300 members. munity bremen e.V. invites its members to a general meeting in the „BITZ - Bremer Innova- An official invitation was sent to all regi- tions- und Technologiezentrum“ on campus of stered members via email.

“Networking of, for and with alumni” at the Mercedes-Benz Plant in Bremen

n November 24, 2015, we Location: Participants: Ocontinue our series “Networ- Mercedes-Benz Plant Bremen Limited to a maximum of 30 king of, for and with alumni” at the Time: Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. 6 p.m. Please register for the event via At 6 p.m. we will be welcomed on email ([email protected]) site, and are then given the op- or phone (0421 /21869777). portunity to take part in a tour of two sections of the plant: shell construction and final assembly. Subsequently, a get-together with refreshments is held in the plant’s media room at 8:30 p.m., at which participants can engage in conversation and enjoy the evening. The event ends at about 10 p.m. team neusta, a full-service provi- The Bremen Mercedes- Benz plant from the air. der from Bremen, sponsors the © Daimler event so that participation is free of charge. NEWSLETTER | Awards Page 4

Students Win First Prize at iCAN‘15 in Alaska

t the “International Contest of Applica- Director of ZARM Elected as Ations in Nano-micro Technology 2015“, Corresponding Member of in short iCAN‘15, five students of Electrical the “International Academy of and Information Engineering were awar- Astronautics” ded first prize. Their project “Scipio” was second to none among eighteen other rofessor Dr. Claus Lämmerzahl, executi- young research teams at the competition Pve director of the Center of Applied Space in Anchorage, Alaska. Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) of the “Scipio”, the “Scientific Purification Indi- University of Bremen, has been elected as cator”, is an instrument used for measuring corresponding member of the “International water quality in developing countries. It Academy of Astronautics” (IAA) for his achieve- looks like a small stick and fits into a PET The team (from left): Konstantin Cherkashin, David Horch, Theo- ments in space science. On October 11, 2015, dor Hillebrand, Maike Taddiken and Yannik Auth. bottle. The idea was brought forward by the ceremonial presentation of the certificate of Theodor Hillebrand, who is pursuing a Master’s the intensity of UV radiation, and calculates the membership will take place in Jerusalem within degree in Electrical Engineering at the Univer- optimal time of exposure. the framework of the “International Astronauti- sity of Bremen. Hillebrand and his team, i.e. The team is now very excited to actually see cal Congress” (IAC). fellow students Yannick Auth, David Horch, the ten-dollar-device in operation. “We did not The IAA’s goal is to foster the development Maike Taddiken and Konstantin Tscherkaschin, want to develop a technical gadget, but a useful of astronautics for peaceful purposes. It is the did their research for almost a year mainly in tool that may truly help people,” said Yannick only organization in the field of space science their free time until the necessary parts for the Auth. and space travel that only consists of elected measuring device fit into a small tube and, thus, In 2014, the group of students already won members. through the neck of a bottle. the first prize at COSIMA (Competition of Stu- “I feel deeply honored to have been elected Contaminated water is filled into transparent dents in Microsystems Applications), and in the into this highly respected academy,” said Läm- PET bottles and exposed to direct sunlight for spring of 2015, they were awarded the advan- merzahl. “That was only possible because the at least six hours. This is the approximate time it cement award of Germany’s foremost enginee- accomplishments of our staff members, with takes for ultraviolet radiation to kill germs. “Sci- ring service provider Ferchau. They have fur- the support of the University of Bremen, have pio” then indicates when the water in the bottle thermore been able to secure various sponsors helped the ZARM to its globally recognized sci- is free of germs. It measures the temperature, and supporters. entific reputation.”

“Silver Medal” for Physics Professor Marine Researcher Antje Boetius Elected as from Bremen Member of the DFG Senate he „Silver Medal“ of the In- General Assembly in Prague. rof. Dr. Antje Boetius, a Bre- Planck Institute for Marine Micro- Tternational Union of Geodesy Burrows has been teaching Pmen-based marine resear- biology in Bremen. In addition to and Geophysics (IUGG) was “Physics and Chemistry of the At- cher, was elected as member of that, she is head of the Helmholtz awarded to John Philip Burrows, mosphere” at the department of the senate of the Ger- Max Planck Joint physics professor in Bremen for Physics and Electrical Engineering man Research Foun- Research Group for his outstanding achievements in at the University of Bremen since dation (DFG). The DFG Deep-Sea Ecology science and his leading role in sup- 1992. He has built an excellent is the largest research and Technology at porting international partnerships. team of researchers and has been funding organization in the Alfred Wegener The president of the IUGG, Harsh an influence for an entire genera- Europe, and its senate is Institute for Polar and Gupta, presented Burrows with the tion of European scientists in his its most important com- Marine Research medal together with a certificate of field. mittee. It represents the in Bremerhaven. In honorary membership at the ope- His pioneer work with satellite interests and concerns January 2014, Antje ning ceremony of the 26th IUGG sensors is particularly outstanding, of research, and advises Boetius was appoin- as it provides valuable contribu- governments, parlia- Prof. Dr. Antje Boetius ted chair of the Sci- tions to better understanding the ments, and authorities © MPI entific Commission development of the ozone layer, on scientific grounds. of the Council of Science and Hu- changes in air quality, and in distri- Next to the computer scientist manities. bution of greenhouse gases. Prof. Dr. Kerstin Schill, Antje Boeti- For the next four years, she will Professor Burrows is a member us is now the second senate mem- be one of the 39 members of the of numerous scientific associations ber from Bremen. DFG senate and represent the and commissions. He is also the Antje Boetius has been a pro- field of atmospheric science and current president of the Internati- fessor for Geomicrobiology at the oceanography. The Bremen pre- onal Commission on Atmospheric University of Bremen since 2009 sence in the senate strengthens IUGG President Harsh Gupta (right) pre- sents the award to John Burrows. Chemistry and Global Pollution and is now head of the research the importance of Bremen as a lo- © IUGG/C-IN (ICACGP). group Microbial Habitat at the Max cation for science nationwide. NEWSLETTER | International Page 5

Bremen University Deepens China-Alumni Become More Active Cooperation with the Ocean ur alumni in Beijing are al- also provide them with a basis to leading positions in businesses or Oready thinking of the next exchange personal experiences universities. Thus, we are happy University of China generation. When to announce that Dr. Regine Moll, Prof. YAO Yazhen n mid-July 2015, the University China consultant has recently been Iof Bremen and the Ocean Uni- of the University named vice presi- versity of China (OUC) signed a of Bremen, visi- dent of the Shang- renewed cooperation agreement. ted Beijing, the hai University of With that purpose, a delegation alumni brought Finance and Eco- from the Chinese university visited several potential nomics (SHUFE). the University of Bremen under new members. As In several other the direction of the president of the an early prepara- cases, alumni OUC, Professor Yu Zhigang. tion for Bremen who work at uni- The partnership between the University, the versities have led OUC, which is among the best appropriate gear to the initiation institutions for marine research in had already been of new partner- East Asia, and Bremen University provided. ships or have has been active for over ten years The group in Alumni in Beijing with the next generation. contributed to the © International Office Universität Bremen now. Students of the marine sci- Beijing organizes development of ence study programs do not only regular meetings and even training from their time in Bremen, which is current ones. The cooperation with have the possibility to study ab- sessions, for which they have suc- the common denominator. Shanghai University has also been road at the respective partner in- cessfully been granted funds from Similar to Beijing, an active par- initiated by an alumna, and colla- stitution for one year but are even the DAAD (German Academic ticipation in alumni life has develo- boration with Tongji University now able to earn a double-degree, one Exchange Service). Yet, meetings ped in Shanghai. Often, alumni hold unites numerous alumni. at each university. The cooperation is now expan- ded to include several universities IN-Touch Mentors and research institutes in Northern Germany, with the University of ast year, we already reported pated in the project in Bremen du- free-time activities with them. Bremen at the center of the net- Lon the commitment of the Uni- ring its first year. The success of the project would work. Its major focus will be the versity of Bremen to aid refugees Nevertheless, project coordinator not be possible without these stu- joint involvement in current pro- with an academic background. Jens Kemper from the International dent volunteers. The same notion grams and the joint supervision of Since summer semester 2014, Office said that “continuous studies can be witnessed among many doctoral candidates. One intention the University of Bremen invites aren’t so easy for refugees; many citizens of Bremen, who demons- of this is to increase the number of refugees with an academic back- struggle with posttraumatic stress; trate extraordinary readiness to students and doctoral candidates ground to participate in all regular others try to find their relatives.” In help in order to support those as well as to send guest lecturers courses. As a pilot project unique order to improve the quality of the who have fled war and hardship. to the respective partner university. to Germany, it has set an exam- assistance for participants, student Hence, they contribute to making The next step will be to collectively ple and has since been copied by mentors provide help to refugees. Bremen an open and welcoming determine funding opportunities by many other German universities. They give advice concerning the city, providing for the needs of re- German and Chinese organiza- More than seventy people partici- selection of suitable classes or are fugees. tions. available for a chat or to engage in

All of the used About: You want to be up to date anytime? pictures in the Alumni network of the University of Bremen Newsletter are taken community bremen e.V. Visit our Website! from the University Managing Director: Derk H. Schönfeld Join us on Facebook! of Bremen‘s press Enrique-Schmidt-Str. 7 Check our YouTube-Channel! office, if not marked 28359 Bremen differently. Germany [email protected]