Micro Tsunamis and Nano Quakes
Discover the world of acoustic microsystems. Demonstrators and exhibits provide insights into acoustic microsystems and SAW applications, while offering the opportunity to talk with our scientists.
House A, Ground Floor | 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
PhaseLab – The New Student Experimental Laboratory
We introduce our new student laboratory PhaseLab and invite visitors to try out selected quantum physics experiments themselves. At 6:00 p.m., we will present an overview of the project (approx. 30 minutes, especially aimed at interested teachers).
PhaseLab is a collaboration between IFW Dresden and the Chair of Physics Education at TU Dresden. It was developed for teaching quantum physics in upper secondary education. During the Long Night of Science, we provide insights into our educational concepts and experiments.
Children’s Microscopy Lab – Tiny Insects Magnified
Take a close look at small insects under different magnifications and discover fascinating details. The Children’s Microscopy Lab is open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Outside the lab, a creative station invites children to redesign microscopy images with their own imagination. You are welcome to display your artwork for us or take it home.
House D, 1st Floor | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Our Specialised Library at IFW Dresden
Specialised research requires specialised knowledge. What makes a research library different from other libraries? What challenges do these knowledge repositories face today?
You will find the entrance to our library in the atrium.
Open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
“WeiterWissen” Expedition in the Atrium
Tonight, you can observe many exciting experiments in our atrium. This is also where our specialised library is located, collecting knowledge from materials research. Register at the entrance to the library and receive your tasks for the small expedition “WeiterWissen in the Atrium”. Solve the tasks and return your completed participation card to the library. If all answers are correct, you will receive a small reward.
Atrium | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. / The expedition was designed for children aged 6 to 10 years.
Light, Colours and Solar Energy – A Colourful Family Science Program
Exciting experiments on light, colours and solar energy await you and your family! From balloon-powered car races and solar vehicles to colourful experiments, there is something for everyone. Complete all activities successfully and receive a small surprise.
House D, 2nd Floor, Room D2E.27 | 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Build Your Own Lava Lamp
Experiment and create your own mini lava lamp using common household materials.
House D, 2nd Floor | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Fascination of Superconductivity – Floating on Magnetic Fields
High-temperature superconductors possess fascinating properties. At low temperatures, they can transport electric current without losses and store magnetic fields. This enables objects to levitate without contact. Learn how this works and what applications it has with our superconducting railway demonstration.
Atrium | 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
The Fascination of Vacuum
What is a vacuum and what effects does it have? Through various experiments, we explore the phenomenon of vacuum and explain why vacuum technology is so important for materials research.
Atrium | 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Experience Plasma – Energy, Light and Spectra
By adding energy, gases can reach the plasma state. Our experimental setup generates plasma through inductive coupling. Using helium, argon and nitrogen, different plasma colours are created. The visible light spectrum is displayed live with a spectrometer.
Atrium, Behind the Lecture Hall | 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Fullerenes – Build Your Own Football Molecule
Fullerenes are spherical molecules shaped like footballs. During the Dresden Long Night of Science, you can build and take home your own fullerene model (while supplies last).
Atrium
Virtual Science – Experience Research with VR and AI
Immerse yourself in virtual worlds with VR headsets, where scientific instruments and molecular objects can be explored interactively – accompanied by an AI assistant based on a highly precise model.
House D, 2nd Floor (“VR-Lab”) | 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Fascinating Rings – The Interplay of Quantum Mechanics and Topology
The foundations of modern physics were established more than 100 years ago. Topology, a fundamental branch of mathematics, plays a major role in quantum physics. It studies the properties of structures that remain unchanged under continuous deformation and reveals many surprising insights.
Atrium
Nanolithography and Atomic Force Microscopy
Learn about this special type of microscopy and its applications on the nanoscale. On request, you can write your name onto a small silicon substrate using nanolithography.
The laboratory is open from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and can be reached via the staircase from House D to the basement level. The route is signposted.
Research Technology Workshop – Build Your Own Cube Puzzle
Visit our research engineering workshops, an indispensable part of the institute that enables state-of-the-art experimental materials research. Under guidance, you can assemble your own spherical cube puzzle.
Basement, House D | 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
SpinBike
Create spin art with the SpinBike! While we use spin coating in the laboratory to produce ultra-thin layers, you can use our SpinBike and a little muscle power to create your own colourful works of art.
Outside Area, Nöthnitzer Straße Entrance | 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Laboratory Tours
We offer guided laboratory tours on two research topics. In small groups, visitors can explore the topics in greater depth and ask our scientists questions directly. Each tour lasts approximately 30 minutes and has limited capacity.
Meeting point: next to the main entrance, House A, Ground Floor (sofa area).
Tour 1: Superfluid Helium – More Fluid than Water
Near absolute zero, helium gas not only becomes liquid but also displays astonishing properties. It can creep through the tiniest pores without friction and even flow uphill against gravity! During the demonstration, you will experience temperatures more than 300 °C below zero.
Start times: 5:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:15 p.m. (English-language tour), 9:15 p.m., 10:15 p.m.
Tour 2: How Chemistry Becomes Computer Chips
Join us on a journey from chemical raw materials to finished computer chips. In our ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) laboratories, we demonstrate how atomically thin layers create modern microstructures – the building blocks of modern electronics. Experience how research at the intersection of chemistry, physics and engineering forms the basis for powerful chips used in smartphones, computers and much more.
Tour times: 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Cooling – Heating – Generating Electricity with Thermoelectrics
Thermoelectrics involves converting heat into electrical energy and vice versa. Through presentations and experiments, we demonstrate how modern thermoelectric materials can be used for heating, cooling and power generation. Presentations take place at scheduled times, while experiments can be explored individually throughout the evening.
Presentation schedule: 5:15 – 6:00 p.m. | 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. | 8:15 – 9:00 p.m. | 9:45 – 10:30 p.m.
House A, 1st Floor, Room A1E.27
IFW Science Cinema
Short films provide fascinating insights into our research activities.
Lecture Hall | 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Photo Wall
Discover the scientist within you!
Barbecue and Bar
Enjoy the summer evening in our courtyard with food, drinks and a relaxed atmosphere.
Job Wall
Discover IFW Dresden as an employer.
Atrium
You can find all of these program items, as well as the complete program of the Dresden Science Night, at: www.wissenschaftsnacht-dresden.de
