The Emmy Noether program from the DFG gives exceptionally qualified early career researchers the chance to qualify for appointment as a professor at a university by leading an independent research group over a period of six years.
The DeMOTUS project investigates how the central nervous system controls motor units comprising a motor neuron and its muscle fibers during human movement. These units are the only nerve cells in humans that can be measured directly using minimally invasive methods. The aim is to record hundreds of synergetic motor units in real time with the help of novel intramuscular electromyography and digital twins, a bionic hand and an exoskeleton. This will allow the creation of a closed feedback loop that will enable muscle activities to be selectively separated and to open up new forms of neurorehabilitation.
The central hypothesis is that humans can learn to selectively activate groups of motor units using precise neurofeedback, even with joint cortical control. The results should not only explain the fundamental principles of movement control, but also help to detect the intention of movement in patients with paralysis. This would enable targeted rehabilitation to contribute to the restoration of motor functions, for example in stroke or paraplegia patients.
This research project focuses on the major impact of climate change on the glaciers in the Tropical Andes. These glaciers are a vital source of water for the people and the economy in the area. Various methods are being combined in order to improve the data and prognoses for the future. These include satellite images, historical and current aerial images, field measurements taken directly at the glaciers and improved computer models.
The aim is to better understand the development of glaciers in the past, present, and future. Long-term trends, expected ice loss and the consequences for the water supply and potential dangers due to glacial lakes bursting are being investigated.
The results should help to improve water management and protection against natural disasters in this region.
The material class of nitride semiconductors is extremely promising for applications in electronic components, such as those required for the energy transition. The Emmy Noether junior research group’s focus lies on producing nitride monocrystals of a high structural quality using ammonothermal processes on the one hand, and on the other, on evaluating fundamental material properties in view of applications in electronic components.
In addition to some semiconductors that have not yet been researched in detail (ternary nitrides II-Si-N2, II = Mg, Mn, Zn), another important goal of the research project is to develop conductive aluminum nitride, which has disruptive potential for power electronics components. The above mentioned nitrides can be integrated with each other using heteroepitaxy thus facilitating novel combinations of material properties in electronic components.
The research group has a variety of unique methods at its disposal for observing chemical-physical processes in situ in high-pressure containers with which it hopes to gain a more in-depth understanding of ammonothermal crystal growth.
Technological change and digitization (TC&D) are responsible for some of the most crucial changes in modern societies, as they are revolutionizing the way we learn and work at an unprecedented rate. The rapid changes have the potential to alleviate long-standing gender inequalities: Early in school, girls outperform boys in their ability to engage with information and communication technologies (ICT).
Even though gender equality has been improving for many years, this process is slowing down. GenDiT is investigating the question as to what effect TC&D has on the success of men and women in education and the labor market. Drawing on relational inequality theory, the project analyzes how local pre-existing inequalities and social structures shape the impact of TC&D on gender inequality in various fields.
The project is organized into three pillars:
- The development of male and female students’ ICT skills and their choices for fields of study with varying ICT content
- Employees’ evaluation of ICT-related positions and employers’ evaluation of men and women who apply to such positions
- Power relationships within workplaces and households.
Longitudinal studies and experimental data acquisition will be used for this purpose.
Dr. Alison Mitchell’s research focuses on the origins of galactic cosmic rays, charged particles that are accelerated to high energies in extreme cosmic environments and reach Earth after traveling through space.
Her research group investigates gamma rays from a variety of natural particle accelerators such as supernova remnants or pulsars. The group hopes to gain fundamental insights into the origins of high-energy particles through data analysis, developments in ground-based gamma-ray telescopes, and a combination of theoretical modeling and observations across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
Core aspects of their research are the sources of these particles in various systems, their release from the accelerator region and determining the maximum energy that can be achieved.
The research project is investigating the neural networks in the spinal cord that are responsible for the perception of and interaction with the environment. During embryonic development, spatial signals shape the various classes of neurons, but the full complexity of their cellular identities unfolds through molecular and functional subtyping.
Current findings have shown a temporal dimension in the specification of neuronal subtypes that is based on specific transcription factors. It has been hypothesized that these temporal factors are decisive for establishing neuronal diversity and connectivity.
In-vitro stem cell differentiation, genomic assays and in-vivo cell marking experiments are used to verify these hypotheses.
The main goals of the project are to understand the molecular signals that control the neuronal pattern formation, the characterization of the combined activity of transcription factors and the determination of the role of transcription factors in neuronal diversity. In the long term, the aim is for the project to facilitate the development of new stem cell based models and therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and injuries to the spinal cord.