Long Night of Science 2023
The Long Night of Sciences is one of the largest scientific communication events and the largest Long Night of its kind in Germany. It promises to be an exploration of the fascinating worlds of science, research, and innovation, with a staggering array of around 1,000 program offerings spread across the cities of Nuremberg, Erlangen, and Fürth. Large scientific institutions like the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg hold lectures and demonstrations for the general public in order to present themselves and to give a general overview of their research topics.
On October 21, 2023 it took place for the 11th time with 27.000 visitors. From 5 to 12 pm FAU was open for the curious and interested public. The department for Material Sciences presented “Sweet Experiments with Materials”. Under that theme, our International Research Training Group „Energy Conversion Systems“ also presented its research topics and made them accessible to the visitors.
We compared layers from Solar Cells with the German layered wafer candy bar Knoppers, and showed how marshmallows are similar to a piezo crystal which can be compressed, creating electrical energy, but returns to its original form. Our connection to Japan was depicted through our green tea station where we mixed matcha tea with a traditional bamboo whisk. We also had the visitors do a short quiz, where they could prove their energy knowledge. Those who answered correctly received a “green” Matcha Kit Kat. Further, we demonstrated our energy harvesting kit which converts mechanical vibrations into electrical energy using the piezoelectric effect. Its frequency and amplitude can be varied and so the amount of energy tuned.