panOPTICUM and Ways of Light exhibition initiated by FAU alumnus
The FAU Innovation Influencer 2025 is awarded to Dr. rer. nat. Max Gmelch, formerly Director of Administration and Outreach at the Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT) at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), for his leading role in establishing the panOPTICUM. He accepted the award from Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Hornegger, President of FAU, Prof. Dr. Kathrin Möslein, Vice President Outreach at FAU, and Dr. Christian Forster, managing director of Leistungszentrum Elektroniksysteme GmbH (LZE GmbH).
“We at FAU would like to name Dr. Max Gmelch FAU Innovation Influencer in recognition of his achievements, setting new standards for science communication and driving innovation and networking within the FAU ecosystem with panOPTICUM,” the jury explained in its decision to award the LZE Prize to Max Gmelch. Each year, LZE e.V. presents this award to recognize outstanding achievements in innovation and technology transfer, thereby enhancing the visibility of its supporting institutions: FAU, Fraunhofer IIS, and Fraunhofer IISB. The non-profit organization LZE e.V. is the administrative body of LZE GmbH.
panOPTICUM was opened in 2023 as an organizational unit of SAOT at FAU. At the Science Center for Light, Optics, and Photonics, interactive exhibits allow visitors to experience physical phenomena, such as laser interference, phosphorescent shadow plays, or the visualization of respiration or thermal radiation. It is open to school classes, groups, and individual visitors. Entry is free of charge. In addition to the exhibition, panOPTICUM also offers outreach and educational programs.
The special exhibition initiated by Dr. Max Gmelch “Ways of Light – Light and Shadow in Optical Technologies,” is currently fascinating visitors. The exhibition was jointly organized by FAU and the Deutsches Museum Nuremberg – The Museum of the Future. Until November 8, anyone interested has the chance to learn how optical technologies are shaping our future.