CRC 1411 at the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften 2025

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28. October 2025

Once again, the Collaborative Research Center CRC 1411 “Design of Particulate Products” joined the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften, opening its doors to the public for an evening full of science, curiosity, and discovery. Researchers from several CRC 1411 groups presented their work through interactive exhibits, live experiments, and hands-on demonstrations that attracted hundreds of visitors of all ages.

Throughout the night, guests had the chance to experience firsthand how scientists design, produce and characterize tiny particles with extraordinary properties — from pigments that shimmer like butterfly wings, to smart materials that respond to light and heat, to systems to precisely separate particles with different characteristics. The presentations showcased how CRC 1411’s interdisciplinary research connects fundamental chemistry and physics with applications in materials science and engineering.

Several groups contributed to the evening’s success with creative exhibits and experiments:

  • We offered a glimpse into how nanoparticles can self-assemble into ordered structures that create structural colors.

  • We demonstrated the role of modeling and simulation in predicting material properties.

  • We presented new visualization tools that make complex data more accessible — both to scientists and the public.

Visitors were invited to ask questions, perform experiments themselves, and learn how research at CRC 1411 contributes to more sustainable materials and processes. Many young visitors were particularly fascinated by the colorful optical effects and the possibility of “creating color without dyes.”

We thank all participating groups and volunteers for their enthusiastic engagement and all visitors for their curiosity and inspiring questions.

Impressions from the event
  • Visitors exploring structural color in nature and how colorless materials can originate color at one of the booths.

  • Nabi Traoré explaining particle design to families and curious adults.
  • Lab visits to the microscopy facilities of IMN/CENEM

  • Benjamin Apeleo Zubiri explaining the “Building blocks of the universe” and how to see them with microscopes to the visitors

  • We showed how to synthesize nanoparticles with magnetic properties in one of our booths