With more than 100 members from diverse fields of physics, we took on the ambitious challenge of uncovering the origin of heavy elements in the universe. Our collaborative efforts brought together expertise from astrophysics, nuclear and particle physics, as well as theoretical and experimental approaches, pushing the boundaries of our understanding.

Beyond research, ELEMENTS has been deeply committed to outreach and science communication. Engaging with society and inspiring future generations of scientists has been a key part of our mission – and this impact will continue beyond the project’s official end.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our funders and partners, most notably the Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and the Arts, as well as our host institutions: Goethe University Frankfurt, Technical University Darmstadt, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy-Ion Research, and Justus-Liebig-University Gießen. Their support has been instrumental in making this research possible.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to our Principal Investigators, Work Area Leaders, administrative team, and above all, the Early Career Researchers who have been at the core of ELEMENTS, driving innovation and collaboration.

While our funding period is coming to an end, the scientific questions that brought us together remain as compelling as ever. The discoveries, collaborations, and expertise built within ELEMENTS will continue to shape the field, and we look forward to seeing how our community carries this research into the future.

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Rezzolla’s work focuses on the formation and behavior of black holes, where matter becomes infinitely condensed, creating a paradox of presence and absence. The exhibition invites visitors to ponder fundamental questions about the origins of the universe, the nature of matter, and what it means to recognize black holes at the center of our galaxy. By showcasing his scientific insights alongside artistic interpretations, the exhibition creates a compelling dialogue between the physical and metaphysical.

The exhibition is on display until March 2025. On 10 November 2024, you can join Luciano Rezzolla and Franziska Nori, Director of the Frankfurter Kunstverein, on a tour of the exhibition (in English).

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Professor Matthias Oechsner, Vice President for Research at TU Darmstadt, highlighted the accelerator’s significance for both the university and international nuclear physics. Research Minister Timon Gremmels praised its long-term contribution to technological innovations in fields like medicine and the automotive industry.

After the ceremony, a public open house allowed visitors to explore the accelerator’s history and technology. The event featured guided tours, exhibits of historical photos and original parts, and opportunities to speak directly with scientists. The interactive sessions, especially popular with younger visitors, sparked interest in physics.

Read more about the celebrations here (in German).

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Two researchers, a moderator, (a bar counter), and live music: In this unconventional science talk by Goethe University Frankfurt, the conversation revolves around scientific breakthroughs and flops, triumphs and frustrations, and most importantly, what drives people to expand the foundations of our knowledge.

Zu Gast sind die Astrophysikerin Camilla Juul Hansen und der Politikwissenschaftler Cord Schmelzle. Sie erzählen, was sie an ihrer Forschung bewegt. Ihre Themen sind „Vom Urknall bis zur Gegenwart: Wie die Milchstraße entstanden ist“ und „Wieviel Moral die Demokratie erträgt“.

Mehr Informationen gibt es hier.

Wo? Young Professionals Day, Stage 4.0 (Standnummer H104), Frankfurter Buchmesse, Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1, 60327 Frankfurt am Main
Wann? 19 October 2024, 5 to 6 pm
Eintritt: €15 – €28

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Wir feiern 60 Jahre Elektronenbeschleunigung (zusammen mit 70 Jahre CERN) in Darmstadt mit einem Tag der offenen Tür am Institut für Kernphysik. Es wird Führungen, eine Ausstellung und vieles mehr geben, um in die Welt der Teilchen- und Beschleunigerphysik abzutauchen!

Weitere Informationen und Anmeldung: 60 Jahre (S-)DALINAC

Wo? Institut für Kernphysik, TU Darmstadt
Wann? 01. Oktober 2024, 15 bis 18 Uhr

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Die Frankfurter Kinder Uni ist für einen Tag zu Gast im Einkaufszentrum "NordWestZentrum" und unser Neutronenstern zum Anfassen ist mit dabei! Es gibt eine Menge Dinge auszuprobieren und sogar einen Zauberer.

Weitere Informationen: Frankfurter Kinder-Uni zu Gast im Nordwestzentrum

Wo? NordWestZentrum, Limescorso 8, 60439 Frankfurt am Main
Wann? 14. September 2024, 13 bis 17 Uhr

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Dr. Enikő Baga was the Equality Officer of ELEMENTS from January 2023 until August 2024. Her work focused on integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into the structures and daily practices within ELEMENTS as well as on support for Early Career Researchers. In parallel to ELEMENTS, she worked as a scientific coordinator for the research training group “Fixing Futures“ at the Sociology Department of Goethe University.

In August 2024, she accepted a position as deputy manager of GRADE, the Goethe University’s graduate academy, where she will continue to design and implement measures for the support of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers.

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The team, led by ELEMENTS’ Principal Investigator Achim Schwenk, focused on the interactions between protons, neutrons, and nucleons in the star’s crust. Their calculations demonstrated that protons, mixed with neutrons, help maintain the strange shapes of nuclear matter, refining the understanding of neutron stars’ composition.

This discovery helps improve theoretical models and allows for better comparisons with astrophysical observations, offering new insights into the mysterious nature of neutron stars.

Read more about the findings here.

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