Viewpoint
Scientists driven by pure curiosity create the basis for new techno logies – with convincing results, in both material and non-material terms. They are the ones who explain what holds the world together at its core.
Physics & Astronomy
Personal portrait: Stefan Hell
Biology & Medicine
Effective and safe – This is what distinguishes the new class of vaccines based on an invention from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry.
The development process from a candidate agent identified by basic research to the final pharmaceutical product requires painstaking and expensive research. The Lead Discovery Center develops potential drugs to the point at which industry can take over.
The company metanomics systematically influences plant characteristics through their genes, for example to increase yields.
Material & Technology
An autopilot for river boats needs to be especially cautious – Ernst Dieter Gilles tailored it to be just so.
Steel used for vehicles should make them light and economical, offer protection in accidents and impose as few limits on designers as possible. Scientists working with Georg Frommeyer create alloys to meet these requirements.
Rechargeable lithium batteries have a big future as energy storage. Discoveries by Joachim Maier and his co-workers in the field of nanoionics help boost their performance.
Pattern recognition aids in analyzing structures in the universe, music, melanomas and brain waves.
Culture & Society
The staff at Max Planck Innovation help turn bold ideas into applications. They assist researchers with licensing negotiations and establishing spin-offs.
