Latest news with #TUM
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Lightning Kills Way More Trees Than Anyone Thought, New Research Suggests
We've all seen dramatic footage of lightning striking a mighty tree, its branches going up in flames. But how often does this actually happen? Researchers didn't know how much lightning impacted forests—until now. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a computer model to provide what they claim to be the first estimate of lightning's impact on forest ecosystems around the world. According to their study, lightning affects forests more than previously thought. Specifically, they suggest that around 320 million trees die each year from lightning strikes, not including the trees that die in lightning-induced wildfires. 'Lightning is an important yet often overlooked disturbance agent in forest ecosystems,' the researchers explained in the study, published last month in the journal Global Change Biology. To make their estimate, they integrated observational data and global lightning patterns into a well-known global vegetation simulation. The computer model indicates that trees killed by lightning represent 2.1% to 2.9% of all plant biomass loss annually. While plants and trees absorb CO2 through photosynthesis during their lifetimes, they release a significant amount of it back into the atmosphere when they die and decay. As such, these figures are crucial to better understanding Earth's carbon cycling. With the combined model, 'we're now able not only to estimate how many trees die from lightning strikes annually, but also to identify the regions most affected and assess the implications for global carbon storage and forest structure,' Andreas Krause, lead author of the study and researcher at the Chair of Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions, explained in a TUM statement. The biomass decay caused by the lightning-killed trees is estimated to emit between 770 million and 1.09 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually. According to the researchers, this is surprisingly high. For comparison, living plants burned in wildfires release around 1.26 billion tons of CO2 every year. Both of these figures, however, are dwarfed by the total wildfires CO2 emissions (including the combustion of deadwood and soil material), which is approximately 5.85 billion tons per year. 'Most climate models project an increase in lightning frequency in the coming decades, so it's worth paying closer attention to this largely overlooked disturbance,' said Krause. 'Currently, lightning-induced tree mortality is highest in tropical regions. However, models suggest that lightning frequency will increase primarily in middle- and high-latitude regions, meaning that lightning mortality could also become more relevant in temperate and boreal forests.' The researchers argue that ecosystem models need to account for lightning mortality in order to better predict vegetation dynamics. Interestingly, though, not all trees die after getting struck by lightning—in fact, some kinda like it.
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Top Public German Universities With Zero Tuition Fees For All Students
Study In Germany: Germany offers tuition-free education through its public universities to students irrespective of their nationality. Both domestic and international students can study Undergraduate (UG) programs for free while only covering a minimal semester fee. While for tuition-free Postgraduate (PG) programs, students can choose a selective of German public universities to pursue their career in. Here is a list of Public German Universities providing education with zero tuition-fees to both domestic and international students. 1. Technical University of Munich (TUM) The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is known for providing Bachelor's and Master's courses in Science and Engineering, along with close ties to Business programs. It is ranked 22nd among the top universities in the world, according to the " QS World University Rankings 2026". The Employer Reputation (ER) score of TUM, which reflects how highly recruiters worldwide regard its graduates, stands at an impressive 99.7. The number of international students studying at TUM in Germany is recorded at 15,078. 2. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) has a strong foundation in Life Sciences, Medicine (with 11 programs), and Natural Sciences (with 8 programs). It also offers various courses in Arts and Humanities, as well as Business Management. LMU Munich is ranked 58th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with an Employer Reputation score of 95.5. It offers a total of 32 Master programs. 3. Humboldt University of Berlin Humboldt University of Berlin provides programs in Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science, and International Relations, with both Bachelor's and Master's degrees available and is ranked 130th among the top universities of the world and has 6,154 students studying as of 2025. 4. University of Bonn The University of Bonn offers a wide range of degree programs across various fields, including Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, Medicine, Humanities, and Social Sciences. It has 4,629 international students studying in 2025 and is ranked 207 among the top universities of the world. 5. University of Freiburg The University of Freiburg offers a wide range of Bachelor's programs, including those leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science ( or a combined B.A./ in Liberal Arts and Sciences. The University provides numerous Master's programs across various disciplines, including the humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. Ranked 207th among the top global universities has 4,629 students enrolled as of 2025. 6. University of Hamburg Popular areas of studies taught in the University of Hamburg include Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science, and Psychology with 30 programs for Arts and Humanities. Ranked 193, has 14 per cent of its students from international boundaries. Students enrolling for studying in public German universities must know German language as it is used as the main language for teaching in all universities.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erdene Resource Development to acquire up to 80% in Tereg Uul, Kazakhstan
Erdene Resource Development has entered an option agreement to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Tereg Uul copper-gold porphyry prospect in Kazakhstan. The prospect is strategically located 10km southwest of the significant Oyu Tolgoi deposit in the South Gobi province and spans 6,694 hectares. The exploration licence for Tereg Uul, currently held by Tereg Uul Mines (TUM), was issued on 5 April 2023 and is in the third year of a 12-year term. It can be converted to a mining licence by fulfilling the requirements of the Minerals Law of Mongolia. Erdene president and CEO Peter Akerley stated: 'We are excited to explore for copper and gold along trend of Oyu Tolgoi, soon to become a top-four global copper producer. With the high-grade Bayan Khundii gold project on track for first gold production this quarter, and exploration continuing in the Khundii minerals district, we are in a position to take advantage of new opportunities to create additional value for shareholders.' Erdene's initial commitment includes investing $300,000 in exploration within 12 months and making a $200,000 payment to the option grantor. Up to 2028, Erdene is required to make escalating payments totalling $1.8m to the option grantor and commit a further $3m in exploration expenditures. Between the third and fourth anniversaries of the option agreement, Erdene has the option to acquire a 51% equity stake in TUM with a $5m payment. Erdene will oversee all exploration activities during the option term and can terminate the agreement without penalty. To reach an 80% equity ownership stake, Erdene is required to invest an additional $10m in exploration and make an $8m payment by the eighth anniversary. 'The Tereg Uul property is located within a corridor of copper-gold porphyry-related deposits and prospects that extend over 50 kilometres along trend of the Oyu Tolgoi deposits. This option agreement provides Erdene a low-risk opportunity to explore proximal to one of the largest copper-gold systems globally,' added Akerley. Erdene began full construction at the Bayan Khundii gold project in southwestern Mongolia in January 2024, following a strategic alliance agreement with MMC, which now holds a 50% equity stake in Erdene's subsidiary, Erdene Mongol. "Erdene Resource Development to acquire up to 80% in Tereg Uul, Kazakhstan" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers make record-breaking discovery in quest for 'holy grail' of energy: 'A significant advance'
Solid-state batteries are a highly anticipated form of green tech for myriad reasons, and a team of German researchers just developed a novel material with incredible implications for this emerging technology. SSBs have been dubbed a "holy grail" of clean energy. They hold tremendous promise for cleaner, cheaper energy, and — as the name suggests — they employ solid materials rather than liquid electrolytes, as in lithium-ion batteries. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich recently published their SSB-related findings in the journal Advanced Energy Materials. According to Tech Xplore, what they discovered broke a "world record for ion conductivity." In a press release announcing the findings, TUM explained that a team of researchers working under professor Thomas Fässler "partially replaced lithium in a lithium antimonide compound with the metal scandium" and were stunned to discover that the novel material conducts ions "more than 30% faster than any previously known material." Partly replacing the lithium with scandium created gaps called "vacancies" in the material's lattice structure, which enabled ions to move and conduct energy far more efficiently. That's how researchers broke the previous record for lithium-ion conductivity in solid-state materials, which TUM said was a "critical metric for enabling faster charging and more efficient energy storage." Fässler remarked that his team's "result currently represents a significant advance in basic research" into solid-state batteries. SSBs are safer than their lithium-ion counterparts, charge much faster, are more eco-friendly, and can withstand far more charge/discharge cycles in their lifespan than batteries powered by liquid electrolytes. Moreover, their higher energy density means they can pack more power into less space, which is groundbreaking with respect to electric vehicle range. Their potential to extend EV ranges is perhaps the most prominent aspect of SSB development, but the technology has applications far beyond faster charging and longer drives. Solid-state batteries could be scaled up for industrial use — and, eventually, they might even power passenger planes. Fässler noted that "many tests are still needed before the material can be used" in SSBs, adding that researchers were "optimistic" about the impact of their discovery. He said the team had already filed a patent for their record-breaking discovery. Study co-author Jingwen Jiang focused on how their findings could inform bigger breakthroughs. "We believe that our discovery could have broader implications for enhancing conductivity in a wide range of other materials," he said. Should the U.S. invest more in battery innovations? Absolutely Depends on the project We're investing enough We should invest less Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
DW
07-06-2025
- Business
- DW
How Munich became Europe's tech startup capital – DW – 06/04/2025
Founders flock to Munich, Germany, to access capital, expertise, and networks that can help turn ideas into thriving businesses. It's like navigating a labyrinth — a journey hundreds of young entrepreneurs across Europe embark on each year in search of opportunity, innovation, funding, and success. They're also looking for the country and city that offers the ideal conditions to launch a business. For an increasing number, that journey leads to Isar Valley, named after the river that runs through Munich, and which provided the informal nickname for the Bavarian capital's technology and artificial intelligence (AI) scene, inspired by the Silicon Valley technology hub in California. Munich's Technical University and its entrepreneurship center are essential for startup founders Image: UnternehmerTUM Munich ranks 17th globally in the latest Global Tech Ecosystem Index compiled by Netherlands-based data provider Dealroom. When measured by high-performance, innovation-driven ecosystems with strong per-capita output, Munich rises to 5th place — just behind US tech hubs San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, New York, and Cambridge. From hackathon enthusiast to startup founder Greek entrepreneurs Nikos Tsiamitros and Georgios Pipelidis also chose to launch their startup in Munich, even though Tsiamitros says there wasn't a "personal reason" to move to the capital of the German southern state of Bavaria. "I didn't know anyone here and had never even visited the city," he told DW, but added that he was well aware of the "excellent reputation" of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Nikos Tsiamitros (left) and Georgios Pipelidis were drawn to Munich because of its excellent startup environment Image: Georgios Pipelidis Tsiamitros arrived from Athens to pursue his master's degree in Munich, while Pipelidis came to TUM via Austria to complete his PhD. "That's where we started working together on navigation software for public transportation," Pipelidis told DW. They joined a hackathon — an event where programmers team up for several days or weeks to develop software, often around the clock — and they won the competition. "From that moment on, we started to believe that our navigation and localization algorithm could become a real startup," said Tsiamitros. Then, in March 2019, they launched their first startup business called Ariadne — derived from the Cretan princess in Greek mythology who gave Theseus a thread to find his way out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. A fitting metaphor for their software, Pipelidis noted with a grin. UnternehmerTUM provides support with substance But having a strong algorithm is one thing. Launching a startup, writing a business plan, and securing capital is another. That's where Munich's startup ecosystem offers a crucial resource — the UnternehmerTUM entrepreneurship center based at TUM. At UnternehmerTUM, the two business founders learned how to start and run a company, Pipelidis said, adding that thanks to that support, Ariadne was generating revenue just a few months after launch. Ariadne's main product has since evolved from a navigation software into an AI-based people-counting and movement analytics tool. Today, it serves airports in Munich, Glasgow, and Los Angeles, as well as the German cities of Leverkusen, Bielefeld, and Regensburg, plus several malls and retailers, including IKEA. Startups like Ariadne also benefit from hands-on mentorship. Barbara Mehner, managing partner of the Xpreneurs incubator at UnternehmerTUM is one of them. "We help early-stage startups enter the market by connecting them with investors, mentors, and potential customers," she told DW. KEWAZO 'liftbot' and the robotic revolution in scaffolding Among the more than 100 tech startups founded annually in Munich is KEWAZO, a company led by Greek founder Eirini Psallida. Eirini Psallida is one of many successful startup founders who have emerged from the Isar Valley tech hub Image: Eirini Psallida KEWAZO's core product is a battery-powered, remote-controlled robotic lifting system called LIFTBOT. This robot facilitates the transport and assembly of scaffolding and other construction materials. "All industries seemed fully automated — except construction," Eirini told DW, explaining the idea behind the company. Psallida named the startup after the Greek word kataskevazo, meaning "to produce." And like Ariadne, this startup was born out of a hackathon at UnternehmerTUM. Today, the company's robotic lift system is in daily use at major industrial and construction sites — from the chemical park of BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany, to oil refineries in the US. KEWAZO's liftbots are seen on many construction sites Image: Flint Hills Resources "I can't imagine how we would have done it without UnternehmerTUM," Psallida told DW, as the incubator gave them access to hardware, software, legal and business advice. "And we got help securing public funding without giving up any equity," she added. One in four German unicorns founded by foreigners The KEWAZO team includes six founders from four different countries, reflecting the diverse nature of Germany's startup landscape. According to the latest Migrant Founders Monitor compiled by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Germany's Startup Association, a significant number of founders in the country have a migration background. "Fourteen percent of startup founders were born abroad," said Vanusch Walk, senior researcher at the Startup Association and lead author of the report. Among the founders of so-called unicorns — startups valued at over a billion dollars — the share is even higher at 23%, he told DW. The survey shows that migrant founders stand out for their "strong entrepreneurial mindset, willingness to take risks, and resilience" — traits that are crucial for startup success. Migrant founders still face higher barriers Despite their strengths, migrant founders also face notable challenges in Germany. "Top of the list is access to networks," said Walk, adding that coping with Germany's infamous bureaucracy is also difficult, as well as gaining access to funding, no matter whether public or private. Germany: More support for migrant entrepreneurs? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Pipelidis from Ariadne experienced this firsthand. One German venture capital firm made its investment conditional on replacing him as CEO with a German national. "They wanted a native speaker as the public face of the company," he recalled. "I understand that customers prefer dealing with someone who speaks fluent German — that's why all our salespeople are native speakers. But replacing me as CEO? That was too much," he said. In the end, Georgios Pipelidis and Nikos Tsiamitros secured support from a Greek VC firm. And despite the setbacks, their enthusiasm for Munich hasn't wavered. At the end of their own Ariadne thread still lies the Bavarian capital. This article was originally written in German.
