A Night of Spectacular Science
On Friday, November 8, the popular RWTH Science Night will open its doors for the 17th time.
The RWTH Science Night, taking place for the third time In the C.A.R.L. lecture hall center in the immediate vicinity of Aachen's Westbahnhof station, will again offer a colorful mix of scientific presentations in the form of lectures, experiments, and exhibits.
Between 7pm and midnight, attendees can discover exciting topics and findings at RWTH in lectures and experiment stations and look over the shoulders of researchers. The program provides answers to everyday questions and offers insights into top-level research. In addition, there will be musical and theater performances, the spectacular Mira laser show, and night tours through many University facilities.
Since its inception in 2003, the program has steadily grown in popularity, the number of visitors long surpassing the 6,000 threshold. RWTH Rector Ulrich Rüdiger is delighted about the University’s popular large-scale event: „I am looking forward to experiencing many ‘aha!‘ moments during an eventful, exciting and entertaining evening.“ The success of the event is ensured by RWTH’s Press and Communications team, which organizes the event and which can count on the support of many other committed groups and individuals from the University community.
In his interactive show, “Chemistry is what bangs and stinks – and physics is what never works,” Eric Siemes will take you on a journey of discovery into the world of science. Starting with a loud bang, the show features floating cakes, glowing cucumbers, and the strange behavior of a bar of soap in the microwave. Then there will be the traditional physics fair, presenting phenomena such as floating superconductors and visible cosmic particles and inviting you to try your hand at many experiments.
At the close of the evening, various RWTH professors will be demonstrating their musical and multitasking skills at the DJ desk in the C.A.R.L. foyer until three o'clock in the morning and play a set of dance floor fillers.
The multi-storey car park in Prof.-Pirlet-Straße will be open all evening for attendees of the Science Night.
Selected Highlights
eLab Electromobility Laboratory
The Electromobility Laboratory eLab is active in technology development, testing and the production of prototypes. During Science Night, eLab representatives will explain important processes of battery production. Starting 7:15pm every half hour, shuttle departure at C.A.R.L.
Sustainable Use of Biological Resources
How can the growing world population be supplied with high-quality food? How can the harmful influence of humans on the earth's climate be minimized? Professor Andreas Jupke, Chair of Fluid Process Engineering, reports on bioeconomics as a possible answer to the environmental challenges of our time. 7:45 to 8.30pm, H08, C.A.R.L.
Fake News in the Middle Ages
Professor Max Kerner takes you into the world of medieval fake news: Beginning with the Donation of Constantine as perhaps the most famous medieval document forgery through the countless forgeries of relics to the legends of Mary Magdalene, and much more. 7:45 to 9pm, H04, C.A.R.L.
Exploring the Big Bang
We will pay an interactive, virtual visit to the world machine at CERN in Geneva – a live broadcast offers an exclusive opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of the CMS experiment and its particle detector at the Large Hadron Collider LHC. 7:45 to 8:30pm, H01, C.A.R.L.
Ring of Fire
Professor Thomas R. Rüde will talk about living with the Ring of Fire – an area associated with a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – and take visitors on a geoscientific journey to Java. 7:45 to 8:30pm, H08, C.A.R.L.
RWTH Student Labs
The Robo Scope will shocase humanoid NAO robots, the InfoSphere organize a mini rallye, and at the Waterlab you can use the computer mouse to fight against floods and protect the city of Cologne from floods. Furthermore, Heureka will introduce the discipline of electrical engineering and information technology, the SciphyLAB will make it possible for you to build a pocket warmer, and at goAIX! you can see virtual churches using VR glasses. 7pm to 12midnight, C.A.R.L., lobby.
Knowledge Competition
At the Science Slam, the lecture is only allowed to last five instead of 45 minutes – students, employees and lecturers will participate in this battle of the wits moderated by RWTH professor Simone Paganini. Dabei ist alles erlaubt, was die Hausordnung hergibt. Moderiert wird der Slam von RWTH-Professor Simone Paganini. 8pm, Audimax, Großer Hörsaal