Young researchers from RPTU impress at first Rhineland-Palatinate Falling Walls Lab
In late April 2026, the first Rhineland-Palatinate Falling Walls Lab was held at 42Kaiserslautern. The international pitch event brought together PhD students, undergraduats, and early-career researchers from various disciplines. In three-minute presentations, they showcased their innovative projects to an interdisciplinary jury comprising representatives from academia, industry, and the startup scene.
The RPTU Department of Physics performed impressively in the competition, securing two podium spots: Under the motto “Breaking the Wall of Free Radical Detection,” second-place winner Emma Herbst from Prof. Dr. Elke Neu-Ruffing’s OPTIMAS research group presented her research on the detection of free radicals using quantum sensor technology. The focus of her presentation was the development of new approaches to make highly reactive, short-lived intermediates directly visible and measurable under realistic conditions. The goal of the research is to better understand photocatalytic processes at the molecular level and thereby contribute to the development of more sustainable technologies such as green hydrogen synthesis. Additionally, Emma Herbst was honored as a “Local Hero.”
Kawa Noman, a PhD student in Prof. Dr. Mathias Weiler’s OPTIMAS research group, who took third place, presented the prototype of his startup TennaSonic under the title “Breaking the Wall of 6G Thermal Limits.” The focus was on a novel solution for stabilizing antenna performance in smartphones, vehicles, and IoT systems under extreme thermal conditions. The goal of the technology is to ensure reliable data transmission even at high temperatures, reduce temperature-related failures, and sustainably increase the service life of modern wireless electronic systems.
The Falling Walls Lab is part of the global Falling Walls initiative, which is dedicated to the exchange of scientific ideas and the promotion of innovations with societal relevance. The goal is to connect young talents and make their research accessible to a broad public.