Research

The FAU Collection of Prints and Drawings is highly regarded in artistic circles throughout the world. The collection has remained unchanged since the 18th century, its inventory of drawings from Old Masters from certain periods is unique. Thanks to a donation from the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung, the scientific re-examination and restoration of the collection can be concluded.

Dr. Sunghwan Shin was born in South Korea. In 2017, he completed his PhD at the Department of Chemistry at Seoul National University. Dr. Shin's research interests include the development of a nanocapacitor, which is a new experimental method for applying a strong electric field, electric field-induced dissociation of acid and phase transition of solid acetone films among others. Since January 2018, he conducts research at FAU´s Chair for Physical Chemistry II as a Humboldt Research Fellow.

Approximately 500 million years ago, the evolution of a mineralised vertebrate skeleton had a knock-on effect, causing many new species to emerge, which in turn conquered new habitats. But how exactly did the skeleton develop? This is the question being investigated by a palaeontologist from FAU.

Prof. Gardini, Chair of International Business and Society Relations with Focus on Latin America, is a proven expert on the partnership between the EU and Latin America. Since 2018, he has been a member of an international consortium which aims to investigate and analyse the relationship between the two regions and make recommendations for future policy.

The increased deposition of connective tissue is a problem in chronic diseases of many organs. In spite of this, there are currently very few effective treatments available. FAU-Scientists have now decrypted a molecular network that controls these processes and could in future provide a new way to treat organ scarring.

Graphene is a promising material for use in nanoelectronics. Its electronic properties depend greatly, however, on how the edges of the carbon layer are formed. Zigzag patterns are particularly interesting in this respect, but until now it has been virtually impossible to create edges with a pattern like this. Chemists and physicists at FAU have now succeeded in producing stable nanographene with a zigzag edge.

In spite of tremendous advances in treating the chronic inflammatory bowel diseases Morbus Crohn or ulcerative colitis with medication, the chronic inflammation still cannot be kept sufficiently in check for a number of patients. Researchers at FAU have now proven that certain cells in the intestines have a key role to play in inducing acute inflammatory episodes.

A network of very fine blood vessels that connects bone marrow directly with the blood supply of the periosteum that was previously overlooked has now been discovered by a team of scientists including members of FAU.

If weekly working hours are increased by as little as one hour, this can have a negative impact on workers. Even a slight increase such as this is enough for workers to take a poorer view of their own health and go to the doctor considerably more often.