Action day: exciting vehicles and research projects

On Saturday, 14 September, H-BRS presented exciting mobility projects at the town of Sankt Augustin’s action day. Participants included the BRS Motorsport Team, the TREE project eTa, GreenOffice and CitizenLab from the Campus to World project.

Besides marvelling at the BRS racing car, visitors were able to test their driving skills in a simulator. The team also answered automobile-related questions. At the neighbouring booth, students of the GreenOffice set up a wheel of fortune, where guests could test their mobility knowledge and learn interesting facts. CitizenLab were especially interested in how people in the region move throughout the day.

Among the things Professor Alexander Asteroth and his team of the project Efficient Transportation Alternatives (eTa) showed was how they use a hexacopter to measure the aerodynamic behaviour of their research velomobile under real conditions.

Innovation Project at H-BRS

The event format ITK Innovativ (slogan: “An expedition for companies. A forum for IT.”) is organized by the Chamber of Trade and Commerce Bonn/Rhein-Sieg and invites regional companies to exchange experiences. On 9 September, participants visited the newly opened visualization showroom at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS).

After an introduction and a talk by Dr. André Hinkenjann (H-BRS), three parallel workshops presented the latest systems and R&D trends in visual computing, business use cases and chances for collaborations. Individual questions were answered by the experts Philipp Löschner (H-BRS), Timon Vielhaber (World of VR GmbH, Cologne) and Dr. Leif Oppermann (Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology - FIT). After an open final discussion, participants had the chance to get together and discuss ideas in detail.

H-BRS at Seelscheid Summer festival

The municipality of Neunkirchen-Seelscheid invited our university to share a booth at the summer event of the local marketing association, which was attended by around 60 retail, trade and service businesses. Despite the weather, several citizens visited the summer festival, took some flyers of the H-BRS Study Guidance Service and learned about projects by Campus to World. Isabelle Hirsch of CitizenLab told young and old visitors about her soil analysis device, while entrepreneurs and interested citizens talked to CENTIM about collaboration opportunities. Building on this year’s Neunkirchen Spring Festival, the Seelscheid Summer Festival was another great occasion to build bridges between H-BRS and its partner municipality.

VCP Expo: Driving the Discussion on Mobility

On 21 August, mobility enthusiasts of H-BRS, representatives of the Ecological Traffic Association (VCD) and other stakeholders discussed sustainable mobility solutions. Prior to the event, they visited the VCD’s travelling exhibition at the library in Sankt Augustin. 

Following the visit, Regina Eich-Brod of the Jülich Research Centre (FZJ) shared insights into their sustainable mobility activities, ushering a lively conversation. Prof. Dr. Iris Groß, vice-president for learning, teaching and professional development, and Prof. Dr. Alexander Asteroth, head of the department for efficient mobility at the TREE Institute, added info about current activities at H-BRS. The VCD added some insights, which were then discussed. A welcome addition were the students of the H-BRS GreenOffice, who are working towards a more sustainable university. This effort includes a focus on mobilty. 

2nd CitizenLab workshop on soil

The 2nd CitizenLab workshop on 9 July was titled “Climate protection and biodiversity - what can my garden contribute?” Citizens brought soil samples from their gardens too look at with our researchers. The focus this time was on water retention.

Innovation breakfast in Neunkirchen-Seelscheid on digitization

The CENTIM and the town of Neunkirchen-Seelscheid organized an innovation breakfast on digitization on 27 June 2019. Representatives of local businesses, the municipality and H-BRS met up at the town hall. After keynotes by entrepreneur Dieter Helm, Dennis Mita of Digital Hub Bonn and Dr. Udo Scheuer, vice president for transfer and regional development at H-BRS, participants shared their ideas over a relaxed breakfast.

“Every Breath You Take” - data traces on the Internet

On 14 June 2019, two conversation series, “Zu Gast auf dem Sofa” and “Talk im Forum Verantwortung”, came together in Rheinbach. David Kriesel, computer scientist and machine learning expert, discussed with Gert Scobel, adjunct professor at the Centre for Ethics and Responsibility, Prof. Gunnar Stevens, department head for IT security and consumer IT at the University of Siegen, and our guests about the risks, use cases and ethical challenges of data.

CitizenLab workshop on soil

The CitizenLab workshop on 23 May was titled “Climate protection and biodiversity - what can my garden contribute?” Citizens brought soil samples from their gardens to examine with our researchers.

Energy systems of the future: sector coupling for the energy transition

The innovation breakfast at the BusinessCampus in Sakt Augustin took place on 16 May. Prof. Dr. Tanja Clees gave a keynote on the “gas network 4.0” and current research projects. The Jülich Research Centre (FZJ) and Shell contributed another talk each, presenting interesting research and use cases. The event was followed by a lively exchange at the cafeteria of the BusinessCampus.

Research day in Rheinbach

On research day, Rheinbach Campus opened its doors for visitors. Researchers presented their projects at booths showing many interesting exhibits. Visitors went on guided tours of the labs on campus to learn about our research projects.

A smaller round continued into the evening. After a welcome by Prof. Dr. Margit Geissler and presentations by Dr. Udo Scheuer, head of the Centre for Science and Technology Transfer, and Dirk Schulz, CEO of Innovatec GmbH, visitors had plenty of opportunities for personal conversations. Info tables were set up for regional business representatives and researchers to converse. The evening ushered in the innovation offensive, which is part of the Campus to World project and aims to highlight transfer efforts at H-BRS.

Campus to World at Hanover Messe 2019

Aided by a virtual tour produced by students of the Technical Journalism programme, H-BRS presented Sankt Augustin Campus and the facilities of the Department for Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Technical Journalism (EMT) to visitors at this trade show.

H-BRS spring reception

President Prof. Dr. Hartmut Ihne opened the H-BRS spring reception in 2019, which was attended by numerous distinguished and cheerful guests. After an impressive welcome speech, guests were taken on a tour of four different Campus to World projects, followed by a get-together. One of these projects showcased some of the creatures that populate our soil.

Traffic association VCD visits H-BRS

Representatives of VCD and researchers at H-BRS came together to discuss sustainable traffic concepts and joint projects.

Cooperation Offensive 2019

The Cooperation Offensive of the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Rhine-Sieg district and the city of Bonn presented current issues and challenges in regional cooperations and tried to outline solutions. In a workshop on traffic, mobility and public transportation, sustainability innovation manager Christoph Hermann gave a keynote titled “Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University as a regional partner and actor in the area of mobility”.

Aerial view of Sankt Augustin Campus

As part of the production of info clips about institutes at H-BRS, the campus was filmed with a drone.

Rheinbach Campus from up high

Rheinbach Campus was also shot for the info clips about our research institutes. Here’s a bird’s eye view of Rheinbach Campus.

Filming at Campus to World

Prof. Dr. Katharina Seuser interviewed on her research on the acceptance of sustainability concepts. The shooting was for info clips on the research institutes at H-BRS.

How can data transparency make your own company sustainable?

Questions on this topic were discussed at the info workshop organised by the Sankt Augustin business development agency WFG, the NRW state Efficiency Agency and the International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE).

Prof. Stefanie Meilinger schooled the attending entrepreneurs on their role as global actors of sustainable development and how data transparency about products and processes supports this effort. Data transparency is central to the sustainable development of businesses, because processed and well-structured business data (life cycle assessment) offers numerous chances. Hence, Meilinger invited the participants to reach out with any  related questions.

Science as a cooking show?

Participants from all over Germany joined the workshop “Science as a cooking show?” to develop creative concepts in science communication. Natascha Buhl and Argang Ghadiri of H-BRS presented the idea and method behind their show “Wissen schmeckt” (“Tasty knowledge”).

Innovation breakfast on the future of mobility

The innovation breakfast took place in September 2018. After brief keynotes from researchers and professionals, participants exchanged ideas on innovative mobility concepts with our experts and other business representatives in order to develop answers to current and future challenges.

Workshop in the partner town of Neukirchen-Seelscheid

As part of the kick-off week for the Campus to World project, the sub-project “Kommunale Innnovationspartnerschaft” (Municipal Innovation Partnership) held a workshop in the partner town of Neukirchen-Seelscheid.

Centre of Applied Research (ZAF)

The Centre of Applied Research (ZAF) in an extension building of H-BRS offers space for cooperative research projects with businesses. Device manufacturer Innovatec made the first move at Rheinbach Campus. It’s a win-win for everyone. Prof. Dr. Hartmut Ihne, Prof. Dr. Peter Kaul and Dr. Udo Scheuer of H-BRS joined Dirk Schulze of Innovatec as the company moved into the laboratories.

Sustainability Makeathon

How do we want to live in our region, in rural and urban areas, in the future? What can we do to advance our vision of a more sustainable society? Researchers and citizens came together for the Sustainability Make-a-Thon to find smart solutions to social challenges. A Make-a-Thon is an interactive format for people who want to get things moving. Participants join teams and workshops to come up with ideas, work together and get creative. The event focuses on finding solutions and working together.

The Sustainability Makeathon learned featured exciting insights into the ablities and possibilities of 3D printing. 

Presentation of the new Biometrics Evaluation Centre during the kick-off week.

We teamed up with our partner BSI to test and evaluate current and new biometric systems. The BEZ also researches and develops new technologies. In addition to a talk by Professor Norbert Jung of the ISF (Institute for Safety and Security Research) that outlined actors and activities, visitors got a look into the new centre’s work in practice. At a photo session, volunteers could use a special camera setup to take biometric photos and save them to a USB stick.

Panel discussion of the Responsibility Forum: “Algorithms into the abyss? Why we need to talk about ethics in artificial intelligence.”

The Campus to World kick-off week began with a panel discussion on ethical questions raised by the fundamental changes to the relationship between humans and technology. Experts led a contentious discussion about chances and risks that new technologies pose to society.

Return visit from Sweden

Colleagues from the LTU Business Group (Luleå University) exchanged views on “Challenges and Strategies in University Industry Collaboration” with the Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (ZWT) and our Vice-President for Internationalisation and Diversity.

Visit to Luleå University

Greta Mittweg-Grapentin, network manager of the Campus to World project, and Christoph Hermann, innovation manager for sustainability, visited the University in Luleå, where they spoke to Swedish colleagues of the LTU Business Group about strategies for cooperation between business and social actors.

Open day at Villa Hammerschmidt

On 24 June 2018, the H-BRS CitizenLab was presented to about 14,000 visitors at the open day at the Villa Hammerschmidt, the Bonn residence of the Federal President. Located at the tent of the Bonn Alliance for Sustainability, the Campus to World sub-project engaged visitors on the issue of bio-economics.

Hannover Messe 2018

Applied research is a strength of the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. At the Hannover Messe 2018 trade show, H-BRS presented findings in security research, especially on the critical infrastructure topic of traffic (Institute for Safety and Security Research) and its new project Campus to World for the development of transfer activities (Centre for Science and Technology Transfer). Sharing a booth, H-BRS presented two different projects: RE(H)STRAIN showcasing research findings, while Campus to World presented our efforts in the knowledge transfer sector.