Max Planck Society Yearbook Highlights
Each year, the Max Planck Society submits a scientific research report in the form of a yearbook to render account of the scientific research performed at its Institutes to the public and its funding providers. The central questions addressed are: where do we stand, and where do we want to go? The Max Planck Institutes are asked to select a work or project from their scientific activities that is suitable for presentation in the yearbook, as far as these have reached a certain degree of completion. The yearbook contributions of all Max Planck Institutes are published on the website.
For this printed collection, 15 articles were selected and edited in a journalistic manner, which seemed particularly suited for publication from a science communication perspective and especially interesting also for non-experts. The highlights of the 2023 Yearbook showcase the wide range of scientific endeavours pursued by the Max Planck Society, covering fields such as materials science, biochemistry, and automated decision-making.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods tested an innovative training programme aimed at enhancing workplace atmosphere and reducing staff turnover. Their findings highlighted the importance of improved relationships between managers and team members.
A team at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems demonstrated in a pilot study that virtual reality body simulations could be a useful addition to existing treatments for anorexia nervosa, helping those with a distorted body image and fear of weight gain.
At the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, researchers are developing catalysts and production processes to create fuels for heavy road transport and shipping using green electricity from water, CO2, and biological waste. Sustainable fuels are essential for these transport modes that can't transition away from internal combustion engines.
Happy reading!
