On Thursday, at the invitation of Saxony⁵, university staff and corporate partners from the companies involved in the KIA degree programs gathered at the Peter-Dierich-Building gallery (Z IV). The second installment of the “Cheese & Wine” event series was a resounding success: Over 70 participants enjoyed white and red wine, delicious cheese, and homemade non-alcoholic cocktails while engaging in conversations with new and current university staff members to the sounds of Caribbean music. In particular, the participants in the AMiCE, LaNDER³, and Saxony⁵ projects at the university answered curious questions about the status of their networking activities and research.
The Institute for Process Engineering, Process Automation, and Measurement Technology (IPM) was represented and brought high-tech equipment for attendees to try out. Among other things, two virtual reality (VR) headsets were set up for visitors to explore and try out. This sparked lively conversations about the university’s research and equipment. Together with students and entrepreneurs, new project ideas were brainstormed. For example, the VR headsets brought along could be used to visualize not only tools and components but also complex molecules, such as enzymes and their conversion of substrates.
An artificial neural network running on a laptop also served as a source of inspiration. It visually recognizes 80 different objects—from apples to buses—via a webcam and names them through the speaker. In addition, visitors were able to use a simulation to experience in a playful way just how difficult it is to stabilize a power grid and what challenges will arise in the soon-to-be-opened CELSIUZ Transfer Laboratory on the topic of supply infrastructure.
Contact the Saxony⁵ team if you’d like to demonstrate something from your faculty or institute at the next edition of Cheese & Wine.
