From 1 to 4 September, Malte attended the Deep Learning School "Advanced Concepts" organised by the ErUM-Data-Hub at the Seeburg in Kiel. The lectures and hands-on sessions covered graph neural networks, transformer architectures, normalizing flows and the application of machine learning to X-ray and neutron scattering, directly relevant to the group's research. On the third day, participants applied what they had learned in a group challenge on a practical task, where Malte's team got first place. Beyond the programme, the week offered valuable opportunities to connect with doctoral researchers and scientists from high-energy physics, materials science and neutron scattering, including a joint sailing trip on the Kiel Fjord.

The research consortium “Initiative for Digital Implant Research” (IDIR) was awarded the Norddeutschen Wissenschaftspreis 2026. Through her chair, Berit represents the University of Rostock in the consortium. Together with the Helmholtz Center Hereon, the UKSH, Kiel University (CAU), and the Technical University of Hamburg, IDIR develops digital twins of implants to realistically simulate the interaction between the material, the implant and the body. The award recognizes this interdisciplinary combination of medicine, basic research and new methods. Three collaborations were selected from 35 applications and will share 250,000 euros in prize money. We are delighted about this well-deserved recognition and the visibility it brings to the research landscape in northern Germany!

Inspiring discussions and valuable exchanges at the BlueMat Retreat in Schneverdingen: from June 29 – July 1, Berit, Dinah, Fabian, Malte, and Wiebke attended the first meeting of all researchers in the Cluster of Excellence "BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials". The overall goal of the cluster is to develop sustainable and interactive material systems deriving their functionality from their interaction with water. Berit is leading the Cross Area Imaging in BlueMat as part of her position at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon. She presented the current vision of the CA Imaging team and the unique imaging capabilities available at the partner institutions. As PhD students Dinah, Fabian, Malte, and Wiebke presented and discussed their individual research projects with their peers. Overall, it was a great opportunity to get to know each other and establish new connections.