2021 - Fraunhofer ITWM

Radio Interview / 28.12.2021

Streuspanne Interview at Antenne Kaiserslautern

[only available in German]

The team behind the blog and podcast Streuspanne was allowed to present our podcast at Antenne Kaiserslautern. As always, it's about »statistics and other curiosities« and currently about the probability of a white Christmas.

Interview

RND-Interview / 23.12.2021

RND-Interview on the Omikron Wave

[Only available in German]

No sooner have we almost made Delta than we are confronted with the Corona variant Omikron. Our institute director, Prof. Dr. Anita Schoebel, explains what this could mean in an interview with Editorial Network Germany (RND).

RND-Interview

Press Release / 16.12.2021

Fraunhofer ITWM Helps to Establish National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI)

Research data should be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. So far, however, they are often decentralized, project-related or only available for a limited period of time. The NFDI initiative aims to combat this with a permanent digital repository of knowledge With the Mathematical Research Data Initiative (MaRDI), we are involved.

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Podcast »Im Hier und Morgen« / 16.12.2021

Understanding AI with Dr. Henrike Stephani

Our researcher Dr. Henrike Stephani was a guest on the German science podcast »Im Hier und Morgen« (In the Here and Tomorrow), where she reports on how mathematics contributes to automation, what machine vision can create, how this all has to do with mobility and on top of that, it's also about quantum computing. »Anyone can understand how AI works,« she promises.

Press Release Ministry / 8.12.2021

Skilled Workers and Qualification Initiative Healthcare 2.0

Securing skilled workers in the care sector is and remains one of the greatest challenges. Our colleague Dr. Alexander Scherrer was at the sixth Skilled Nursing Summit 2021 and reported on how mathematics and Artificial Intelligence can support nursing.

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TV report / 1.12.2021

Expertise of the Fraunhofer ITWM on TV

With Mathematics against Covid19 – our researchers continue to use their expertise in the fight against the virus. In the TV program 3sat NANO ran a report on the topic »How big is the booster effect really?« with statements from our institute director Dr. Anita Schöbel and scientist Dr. Jochen Fiedler. You can watch it here: [only available in German]:

Press Release / 1.12.2021

IT Solutions for Stable Supply Chains

Global supply chains comprise complex networks, making them particularly vulnerable. The UK is a prime example of this, where logistics problems are currently resulting in empty supermarket shelves and closed gas stations. We provide IT solutions that counteract supply bottlenecks in international goods traffic and maintain robust supply chains.

More

Fraunhofer Magazine / 26.11.2021

Math for Any Emergency

The new Fraunhofer magazine is out! Among other things, we are represented with the article »Math for any emergency« on page 48/49. Here, research around the team of our colleague Heiner Ackermann from the division »Optimization« is presented. How are supply chains made more stable and how does mathematics help?

Article in the Fraunhofer Magazine (fraunhofer.de)
Division »Optimization«

Interview Deutschlandfunk / 24.11.2021

High Incidences Among Students

What is the current situation in schools and daycare centers? Can the facilities stay open this winter? Our colleague Dr. Jan Mohring answered these and other questions yesterday in the »Forschung aktuell« on Deutschlandfunk radio. You can listen to and read the interview.

Press Release / 24.11.2021

Funding for Project the BATCH2KONTI

[only available in German] Together with Fraunhofer IMM, our division »Optimization« wants to improve production processes in biotechnology. Their goal, the conversion into a continuous process. The state is funding the »BATCH2KONTI« project with almost one million euros. Daniel Stich, Ministerial Director at the Ministry of Science and Health, handed over the funding notice to the institute directors.

Review / 24.11.2021

Young Mathematicians Get to Know the Professional World

[only available in German] Every year we offer mathematics-enthusiastic young people the chance to gain insights into applied mathematics. What does a mathematics degree look like? And what is applied mathematics anyway? At the end of November, 20 young talents were able to immerse themselves digitally in the professional world of mathematicians and work in teams on tricky mathematical tasks.

Math Talent School 2021 Review

Article Fraunhofer InnoVisions / 18.11.2021

Data Trailer

[only available in German] Autonomously driving vehicles will change our street scene. Commercial vehicles pose special challenges, because an autonomously driving 40-tonne semitrailer tractor entails risks that must be well controlled. For this, computers need to know how the condition and load of the trailer influence the driving situation. We are researching this in the project »IdenT«. Dr. Michael Burger in an interview:

Article RND / 12.11.2021

Interview: How to Behave in the Corona Winter?

[only available in German]

The RKI recommends reducing social contacts again, and intensive care physicians are asking for this. RND RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland asked experts what they recommend for ten everyday situations in this corona winter. Our institute director Prof. Dr. Anita Schöbel answered.

Zeit-Article / 11.11.2021

Fourth Corona Wave

[only available in German]

What awaits us all in winter? ZEIT Online has published an article on the current developments surrounding the fourth wave of the corona pandemic. Our institute director Prof. Dr. Anita Schöbel is one of the authors of the statement by leading scientists referred to in the article.

Blog Post / 11.11.2021

From Practice to Research and Back

[only available in German] Normally, research follows a roadmap: Investigation of theoretical foundations, experiments, studies and then practical application. Our colleague Helene Krieg is doing research in the opposite direction in her dissertation. Among other things, she is researching optimisation in water supply. In the KlarText blog of Spektrum der Wissenschaft, she explains what that means:

Interview Franhofer InnoVisions / 10.11.2021

Digitization Under Construction

[only available in German]

No other industry stands for an analog approach as much as the construction industry. In this interview, our expert Dr. Sebastian Velten provides information about projects that could noticeably advance digitization in the skilled trades.

Interview FACTORY Magazine / 8.11.2021

Each Benefits From the Knowledge of the Other

[only available in German]

Together we are always smarter. Logically, AI models in industry can also be trained better if they also use the learning of other machines. The principle of federated learning is that intelligent machines learn from each other, not about each other. How it works and what it can bring to Industry 4.0 is explained by our colleague Nico Weber in an interview with FACTORY Magazine.

Blog Entry / 4.11.2021

How Do I Get From Data to Information?

In every application in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used, the data is the starting point. In the next step, an algorithm is applied from this data to develop an AI application. We have taken a closer look at this process in the latest blog post using the example of an email inbox in an administration.

More

Press Release Bauhaus Mobility Lab / 3.11.2021

»Algorithms Are, at Their Core, Something Very Creative«

[Only available in German]

In this interview, our colleague Stefanie Grimm talks about what creativity and algorithms have in common and how Thomas Brenner's exhibition »Interactive Installation« deals with this topic.

Bauhaus Mobility Lab Interview

Article / 2.11.2021

Digitally Assisted Laboratory Diagnostics

[only available in German]

Modern laboratory medicine plays an important role in the early detection of diseases. It is also of particular importance in infectious diseases such as Covid-19. Artificial intelligence, mathematics and decision support are helping to make processes more efficient in the CODECT project. Our colleague Dr. Alexander Scherrer reports on this in detail:

Press Release / 29.10.2021

4D printing: Heat Shrinks Printed Objects

Printed polymers that change their shape once in a predefined way when heated? This is now possible thanks to a 4D printing technology developed in the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Programmable Materials CPM. 4D manufacturing technologies can be used where workpieces are only to fulfil their task after forming, e.g. in the fields of medical technology, mechanical engineering, automotive or aviation industries. We are part of the Fraunhofer Cluster CPM and provide mathematical simulations for the design of the demonstrator.

Press Release Fraunhofer IAP (iap.fraunhofer.de)
Cluster Fraunhofer CPM

Press Release / 28.10.2021

Minister of Science hands over funding announcement at Fraunhofer ITWM

[Only available in German]

In 2020, our Competence Center Quantum Computing was launched. The state of Rhineland-Palatinate supports its further expansion with a funding decision in the amount of 1.2 million euros.

More

Press Release TU Kaiserslautern / 25.10.2021

National High Performance Computing South-West Network

[Only available in German]

The National High Performance Computing (NHR) network has gained a new member: NHR Southwest, consisting of the universities of Frankfurt am Main, Kaiserslautern, Mainz and Saarbrücken, is now part of it. Since both the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence DFKI and the Fraunhofer ITWM cooperate closely with the TUK in the field of High Performance Computing, they are also involved in the NHR. Above all, they will contribute their research expertise and methodological skills in the fields of artificial intelligence, parallel programming and quantum computing to the NHR network.

German Press Release TUK

Press Release Conference

KLAIM 2021

Our institute experienced three days of intensive exchange: More than sixty international scientists accepted the invitation. The goal was to provide a forum for applied mathematicians from universities, research laboratories, and industry, to exchange ideas, and to present the latest research results. Speakers report on why they came to Kaiserslautern and what they expect from KLAIM:

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Press Release / 6.10.2021

Indoor Air: How to Eliminate Viruses Effectively?

This question is now becoming more important as fall approaches. Efficient indoor air purification is essential, especially in schools. Fraunhofer researchers are investigating and optimizing various filter and air purification techniques in the AVATOR project. We are in the project consortium.

Press Release 06.10.2021: Indoor Air (ibp.fraunhofer.de)
Press Release 26.07.2021: Tracking Down Aerosols (itwm.fraunhofer.de)

Article in InnoVisions / 5.10.2021

25 Years Fraunhofer Itwm: Four Employees Give Insights Behind the Scenes

[Only available in German]

»Mathematics is more multifaceted than one might imagine and it is great to see where mathematical methods are used« – and this for 25 years already. Four of our employees, including head of the institute, give us a glimpse behind the scenes.

zum Artikel in der InnoVisions

Press Release / 1.10.2021

Using Artificial Intelligence to Combat Billing Fraud in the Care Sector

Together with the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office and the Leipzig Police Department, researchers at Fraunhofer ITWM are taking action against billing fraud in nursing care. In the BMBF project »PflegeForensik« (Care Forensics), we are developing AI software that supports criminal prosecution.

More

Deutschandfunk Interview / 27.9.2021

Interview on Incidences and School Tests

Why have the incidences dropped so much recently? What effect do the comprehensive school tests have? Our colleague Dr. Jan Mohring provides answers via mathematical modelling and simulation in an interview with the German radio station Deutschlandfunk.

Press Release / 24.9.2021

Art Installation BRAINPALACE

[only available in German]

Can neuroscientific research and art conceive new approaches to promote empathy and togetherness? The interdisciplinary artistic research project BRAINPALACE – BRAINPATTERNS investigates this big question. A possible answer is formulated by the light installation, which can be seen at the Fraunhofer ITWM in Kaiserslautern until September 28, 2021.

More

Press Release / 20.9.2021

Improve Infection Control Clothing

Nonwoven production received more attention than ever before from the general public in Corona times, because the technical textile is crucial for infection protection. The ultra-fine nonwoven products are manufactured in so-called meltblown processes. A cross-departmental team is optimizing the entire production chain in the »ProQuIV« project.

More

Streuspanne Blogpost / 13.9.2021

Vaccine Effectiveness: An Update

In our podcast, we already talked about how vaccine effectiveness is calculated. Millions of people have now been vaccinated, and there is new data. Shouldn't we know better now how effective vaccination is?

Streuspanne Podcast / 8.9.2021

How Do Election Forecasts Work?

[only available in German]

How do forecasts and trends emerge before elections? How are the results of the so-called Sunday poll to be interpreted statistically? How are they collected? Do polls influence the outcome of elections or even voter turnout? If so, what effects can be observed? We explore all these important questions surrounding election forecasts in the new Streuspanne episode.

More

Press Release and Podcast / 20.8.2021

Targeted Aid in the Event of a Disaster

In a disaster every second counts in providing humanitarian aid to those in need. The teams of aid organisations are under immense pressure to find their way in devastated areas. A team from our institute is developing software that will get humanitarian aid to the right destination faster. To do this, they use drone images that are evaluated in real time with Artificial Intelligence (AI).

More

Blog Entry / Streuspanne / 2.8.2021

Do Statisticians Win More Often in Gambling?

The calculus of probability was invented in the 16th century in the first place only so that noblemen could do better at gambling. What is left of it today? Do statisticians have an advantage in lotto, roulette and the like and win more often? A blog post on the last podcast episode.

Press Release / Research News / 2.8.2021

Energy-Efficient AI Chips for Atrial Fibrillation Detection

AI systems can improve healthcare, increase recovery chances and assist physicians in their diagnoses. The challenge is that AI consumes an enormous amount of power. Fraunhofer IIS and ITWM have developed solutions for energy-saving AI chips that help with early stage detection of atrial fibrillation. For their ideas, the two institutes were awarded in a pilot innovation contest.

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Press Release / 26.7.2021

Tracking Down Aerosols

How do infectious aerosols spread in supermarkets, airplanes, and other indoor areas where large numbers of people congregate? Researchers from 15 Fraunhofer institutes are investigating this in the »AVATOR« project. We are on board and developing a multiscale simulator.

Press Release / 22.7.2021

Anita Schöbel Becomes President of the European OR Societies

New Position for the Director of the Fraunhofer ITWM

More

Press Release eBusiness Competence Center / 21.7.2021

Automated Planning Revolutionizes the Construction Industry

[Only available in German]

A smart planning tool and voice control will support the digitalization of construction sites in the future. The software optimally plans, manages and evaluates all resources. In cooperation with ambigus GmbH, the eBusiness Competence Center in Construction and Finishing Trades (eBZ) and within the framework of the Mittelstand 4.0 Competence Center Planning and Construction, we are jointly developing the algorithms.

Short News / 7.7.2021

Kickoff for the BMBF Project QuSAA

On June 1, the QuSAA project was launched. The abbreviation stands for Quantum Algorithms for Strategic Asset Allocation. In the project, we are developing quantum algorithms for the optimization of investment decisions together with JoS QUANTUM and R + V Lebensversicherung.

For complex optimization problems, quantum computers promise completely new possibilities in the future. QuSAA investigates the extent to which quantum computers can help to better manage the complexity of the problem.

to the message on quantentechnologien.de [Only available in German]

Streuspanne Podcast / 28.6.2021

Do Statisticians Win More Often in Gambling?

Today our podcast is all about gambling. What is the expected value and how can we calculate the probability of winning the lottery or roulette? And can we now cheat with our newfound knowledge or have advantages in gambling? [Only available in German]

More

Press Release / 23.6.2021

Third Wave: Strong Effect of Rapid Testing in Schools

The third wave of the Corona pandemic is considered to be broken. Researchers at Fraunhofer ITWM have used the EpideMSE software to mathematically analyze the effects that different measures had in combating the pandemic.

More

Press Release / 9.6.2021

Two Honors for Financial Mathematics

Franziska Diez is honored for her dissertation, Prof. Dr. Ralf Korn is elected DGVFM Chairman.

More

Blog Entry / 8.6.2021

AI Jungle: Categories of Algorithms

How do different algorithms actually work? In the blog of our EP-KI Team (Decision Support for Business Management Processes with the Help of New AI Methods), author Axel Preis and co-author Dr Stefanie Schwaar guide us through the categories in the AI jungle and thus provide more clarity.

more

Blog Entry / Streuspanne / 7.6.2021

Comparing Regional Incidences

In the Streuspanne Blog, the authors address the question: How comparable are incidences from different regions?

more

Press Release / 1.6.2021

Award for Many Years of Extraordinary Commitment

On 31 May, the board of the International Society for Porous Media (InterPore) will award the »InterPore Meritorious Service Medal« for the first time. The award winner is Prof. Dr. Oleg Iliev from the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM. The award honours his many years of extraordinary commitment to the InterPore society.

more

Press Release / 14.5.2021

Technical Textiles simulated realistically

The »TexMath« software program simulates high-performance textiles, compression or sports clothing.

More

Blog / Streuspanne / 11.5.2021

Incidence Value Decreases While Mean Case Numbers Increase?

[Only available in German]

During the Corona pandemic, all sorts of statistical measures emerge to map the development. Sometimes the R-value is the measure of all things, then the 7-day incidence. It happens that measures that are supposed to mean the same thing show different trends. How can this be?

More

News / 5.5.2021

Optimizing Medical Care – Even More In Times Of Corona

Together with other scientific institutions, the Fraunhofer ITWM has investigated how medical care in rural areas can be ensured and improved, especially during the Corona pandemic. Mathematically based optimization and decision systems support the planning of ambulance transports, emergency pharmacy services and the establishment of vaccination centers.

More

News / 5.5.2021

Position Paper Process Simulation with ITWM Expertise

[Only available in German]

Process simulation is an important tool in many industries. With the position paper »Process Simulation – Fit for the Future?«, researchers have addressed the present and future of the topic. Michael Bortz has also contributed his ITWM expertise on modelling, simulation and optimization (MSO).

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Press Release / 4.5.2021

Corrosion Protection Through Digitization

Fraunhofer ITWM is involved in EU project VIPCOAT for innovative corrosion protection technologies.

More

Blog Entry / 28.4.2021

AI and Business Processes? How Do They Fit Together?

We at Fraunhofer ITWM are mostly mathematicians. Two major methods are »Artificial Intelligence« (AI) and »Machine Learning« (ML). They are also used in business management processes. In the new blog, the EP-KI team now reports on their work and activities around these topics.

Podcast Streuspanne / 27.4.2021

How Reliable Are Corona Rapid Tests?

[Only available in German]

From gargle to spit to lollipop tests, in this episode our podcast »Streuspanne« is dedicated to numbers and statistics around the topic of Corona self-tests. How reliable are they? Are there any studies on the subject? How should they be interpreted?

More

Press Release / 21.4.2021

Thickness Measurement at Top Speed

Together with TOPTICA Photonics, a manufacturer of lasers for research and semiconductor manufacturing, Fraunhofer ITWM has developed an industrial solution for inline coating-thickness measurement for ultra-high speed applications. This system enables 1600 thickness measurements per second for the first time and is thus suitable for use on fast-moving samples during ongoing production.

more

Press Release / 12.4.2021

Fraunhofer ITWM at the HMI 2021

[Only available in German]

The technologies of the future will be presented at the »HANNOVER MESSE Digital Edition« from April 12 to 16, 2021: Fraunhofer ITWM is involved in two topics and contributes expertise in the fields of »quantum computing« and »machine learning«.

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Press Release / 7.4.2021

High Performance Center Goes Into the Next Round

[only available in German]

Five years of successful research and transfer work can be followed by more: the »High Performance Center Simulation and Software Based Innovation« in Kaiserslautern receives further funding until the end of 2021.

more

Blog Entry/ Streuspanne / 1.4.2021

Do the Reporting Numbers Show Vaccination Success Yet?

[only available in German]

In all the back-and-forth around the lockdown, there is always a little positive news. Despite rising numbers, the death toll is falling. Do we only have to thank vaccination for that? Our experts Sascha Feth and Jochen Fiedler took a closer look at the numbers in our statistics blog »Streuspanne«:

more

Press Release / 6.4.2021

Quantum-Inspired Terahertz Spectroscopy With Visible Photons

The researchers of the Fraunhofer ITWM are working on the detection of terahertz waves based on new quantum optical methods. A year ago, the renowned journal »Science Advances« reported on first successes. Now the next milestone has been reached.

More

Press Release / 29.3.2021

Using Rapid Testing to Get Out of Lockdown?

Are tests effective means to reduce the reproduction rate of Covid-19? Researchers at the Fraunhofer ITWM have modelled in a paper how mass rapid tests with tracking have as much leverage as contact restrictions to reduce the reproduction rate. In an interview, Dr Jan Mohring tells us more about the paper:

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Press Release / 22.3.2021

Humboldt Award Winner Oseledets Comes to the ITWM

[Only availalbe in German]

The Humboldt Society promotes worldwide scientific exchange. Ivan Oseledts, professor at the Skolkovo Institute of Technology, has received one of the fellowships – he will conduct his abroad research at the Fraunhofer ITWM.

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Podcast Streuspanne

»What Does Efficacy mean for Corona Vaccines?«

[Only available in German]

Corona Vaccination statistics – a huge topic everywhere! To bring light into the darkness, our blogging statisticians Sascha Feth and Jochen Fiedler discuss this topic with Esther Packullat in the first episode of the new podcast »Streuspanne – Statistik und ihre Kuriositäten«.

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Podcast Datenaffaire / 18.3.2021

»Calculate the Dark Rate of Corona«

[Only available in German]

Our Streuspanne bloggers Sascha Feth and Jochen Fiedler are guests on Dr. Annika Bergbauer's podcast »Datenaffaire«. They talk about questions like: How do you calculate the corona dark figure? Are we at the beginning of the third wave? Mathematical answers can be found here:

Press Release / 16.3.2021

AI Innovation Contest

A team of scientists from Fraunhofer ITWM and TU Kaiserslautern has won the first prize in the pilot innovation competition »Energy-efficient AI systems«. They participated with their project: »Holistic approach to optimize FPGA architectures for deep neural networks via AutoML - automatic machine learning (HALF)«. Congratulations!

more

Press Release / 3.3.2021

ALMA: Thinking Ahead to Electromobility

E-mobility and lightweight construction are two crucial building blocks of modern vehicle development to drive the energy transition. They are the focus of the ALMA project (Advanced Light Materials and Processes for the Eco-Design of Electric Vehicles). We are working together with eight European organizations to develop more sustainable vehicles. The ITWM supports with mathematical simulation expertise.

More

Article in the InnoVisions / 18.2.2021

»Farewell to the coffee break?«

[Only availalbe in German]

The long waiting times at charging stations for electric vehicles are to become a thing of the past. The article by our colleague Jochen Zausch reports on the »structur.e« project, which is researching methods to improve the performance and charging capability of lithium-ion batteries in cars.

InnoVisions Article

Guest Article ZEIT / 17.2.2021

»A Perspective Without Ups and Downs«

How much lockdown will a society tolerate? Together with six other scientists, our institute director Antia Schöbel outlines a plan against pandemic and polarization.

[Only available in German]

Guest Article ZEIT