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Prof. Harald Fuchs is the founding director of the Center for NanoTechnology in Münster and a pioneer in the field of Sino-German research in the nanosciences. The end of April 2026 will see his last working day as a Senior Professor. A portrait of the Münster University scientist.

An orchestra performing symphonies which have been lying dormant in an archive for over 200 years; and using the knowledge which many people have to combat climate change: these two projects have been awarded prizes by the Münster University Foundation in its Citizen Science competition. The projects are outlined in two portraits.

The new Topical Programme entitled “Artificial Intelligence and Complex Systems” brings together research on machine learning and the theory of complex systems. The aim is a systematic integration of data-driven methods in the fields of experiment, simulation and theory. The Programme is located in the Center for Data Science and Complexity (CDSC).

In this interview, biologist Prof Franz Goller explains how and why birds produce their distinctive songs, and which ecological and evolutionary factors play a role in this.

Professor Oren Tal and Professor Achim Lichtenberger have known each other for more than twenty years and have worked closely together for the past seven. This successful collaboration will soon deepen further. Achim Lichtenberger, who holds the Chair of Classical Archaeology, has successfully nominated his long-time colleague for the Alexander von Humboldt Research Award.

Teams of physicists and computer scientists around Tobias Heindel from the Department of Quantum Technology use single photons to solve a "coin toss problem" in the quantum realm that is unsolvable by classical means.

Researchers used AI-supported patent analysis to show how strongly battery technologies build upon one another. The findings suggest that industrial and innovation strategies must account for these technological dependencies far more rigorously.

A team led by Frank Glorius from the Institute of Organic Chemistry has developed a photocatalytic method for producing small, high-quality ring molecules. The method could be of interest for drug development.

At the New Year’s reception held at the Schloss in Münster, around 400 guests attended the presentation of the Rectorate Awards which recognised outstanding teaching, exemplary equality initiatives and exceptional student engagement. In the following, we introduce you to the award winners.

Translational research takes place worldwide in several sequential phases. Nuclear medicine specialist Professor Philipp Backhaus is primarily involved in the early phases of translation, specialising in the imaging and therapy of tumours and inflammation. For months, his team has been contributing to the development of the drug “OncoACP3”, which aims to improve the examination of prostate cancer.

More than 20 years after the last European lunar mission, the University of Münster is participating in a new ESA lunar orbiter. As part of the Twardowski mission, the team at the Institute of Planetology is optimising the observation of resource-relevant rocks and minerals on the lunar surface. The mission to the Moon is scheduled to launch in 2029.

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, not only have the Ukrainians suffered from the daily attacks, but science in general has been adversely affected by the war. Professors Christina Clasmeier, Regina Elsner and Ricarda Vulpius, all experts on Eastern Europe, discuss the consequences for their work, the changes in their fields, and internal and external lines of conflict.