29. November 2023
Guest article by
Anne Sophie Meincke
Rudolphina Experts: The problem of free will

Free by Nature: The Biological Roots of Free Will

Whether our will is free is a question over which generations of philosophers have racked their brains. In this article, philosopher Anne Sophie Meincke explains the puzzling dilemma of free will and argues how biology can contribute to a solution.
22. November 2023
Presenting… Physicist Sabri Koraltan

Tiny tornados for storing data

Have you ever wondered how your car knows how fast its wheels are turning? Or how your smart watch still saves all your data even when out of battery? This is where magnetic materials come into play, materials researched and developed by the physicist Sabri Koraltan at the University of Vienna.
16. November 2023
Materials of the future

Cell tissue: The complex machinery of life

In the Rudolphina series "Materials of the future", physicist Roberto Cerbino, who is specialising in soft condensed matter, gives insights into cell tissue, a true "material of life".
14. November 2023
Materials for the energy transition

Supercomputer, Schrödinger and the energy revolution

How can we sustainably scale up the production of hydrogen and synthetic fuels for the post-fossil energy world? Advances in materials science could hold the key. Physicist Georg Kresse and his team use computer simulations to enable the necessary breakthroughs.
7. November 2023
Guest article by
Jia Min Chin
Rudolphina Experts: Materials inspired by nature

Where nature shows science new ways

When looking for inspiration for the development of new materials, it is worth taking a look at nature. In her guest article, materials chemist Jia Min Chin reveals the tricks that flora and fauna have in store for the materials of the future.
31. October 2023
Presenting… Zoologist Sophie Greistorfer

Glowing snail mucus: The sticky future of biomaterials

A sticky thing: A small freshwater snail in New Zealand has a very special way of defending itself. It confuses its attackers with glowing green slime. "This mucus is one of the most promising biomaterials," says Sophie Greistorfer. In her PhD project, she is looking for the key to grasping the fundamental principles of this luminescent biopolymer.
25. October 2023
Physics of DNA material

Glue and stacks: The secrets of DNA ring polymers

A research team at the University of Vienna tries to unravel the physical principles behind ring-shaped polymers. These fascinating natural structures have promising properties that could be exploited in future soft and stretchy materials for use in flexible electronics or soft robotics.
24. October 2023
Guest article by
Linda Erker
Rudolphina Experts: History of the University

The University of Vienna in the period of Austrofascism

Historian Linda Erker is a researcher at the Department of Contemporary History of the University of Vienna. Her academic work focuses on the period of Austrofascism. In this guest article, she elaborates on the latest insights into the role of the University of Vienna in this significant stage of Austrian history.
23. October 2023
Materials of the future

Stable, inexpensive and exotic: 2D crystals in a graphene sandwich

Scientists from the University of Vienna present exciting "materials of the future": Physicist Kimmo Mustonen starts by explaining how to grow crystals between sheets of graphene and what makes this "sandwich" so special.
19. October 2023
Electrochromic materials

A chemical signature of authenticity

A new smart ink based on electrochromic materials could not only prevent the forgery of event tickets, but also facilitate the monitoring of sensitive products and resources such as blood reserves. The applications for this innovative material are almost endless, says one of the developers, chemist Laura Maggini.
11. October 2023
New Materials

What the future is made of

New materials are considered very promising for solving the acute challenges of our time, but they also create new problems. We take a closer look at those materials that have shaped us and those that are yet to come.
4. October 2023
Guest article by
Christiane Wendehorst
Rudolphina Experts: Digitalisation

Protect Democracy, Regulate the Internet! But How?

Digital technologies have become integral to everyday life. But what threats does digitalisation pose to democracy? Digital law expert Christiane Wendehorst explains.
3. October 2023
Nobel Prize in Physics

Nobel Prize for Anton Zeilinger and his revolutionary "crazy ideas"

The Nobel Prize awarded to quantum physicist Anton Zeilinger is certainly a highlight of an extraordinary scientific career. Here you can read and watch a compilation of content relating to the Nobel Prize - from videos and photo reports to interviews and background information.
25. September 2023
Guest article by
Thilo Hofmann
Rudolphina Experts: Sustainable Agriculture

Can we feed the world population of 2050 without plastic in agriculture?

In this article, environmental geoscientist Thilo Hofmann from the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science explores the role of plastic in modern agriculture and its potential ramifications on our planet.
20. September 2023
AI ethics

Why we need global governance frameworks for artificial intelligence

An interdisciplinary body of experts, including three academics affiliated with the University of Vienna, supports Austria in the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Rudolphina asked them why AI governance requires a global approach and which possibilities and risks this entails.
14. September 2023
Guest article by
Bernd Lenzner
Rudolphina Experts: Insights from the World Biodiversity Report

Battling biological invasion

Invasive alien species are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. In this article, ecologist Bernd Lenzner explains the whys and hows, and shares his insights into the making of a milestone global report on invasive alien species.
24. May 2023
Presenting… Psychologist Jana Köhler

For a healthier planet: Climate activism must be rewarded

The current discussion around the climate protests show that the social perception of environmental activists is often very negative. With her research, Jana Köhler wants to help promote climate- and environmentally-friendly behaviour among the population.
23. May 2023
Guest article by
Blaž Gasparini
Solar Geoengineering

A planetary sunscreen can probably cool the climate, but not solve the climate crisis

In this guest post, climate physicist Blaž Gasparini explains recent attempts to counteract global warming by giving the planet "sun protection" – via injecting the gas sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere – and why the scientific community broadly criticizes the approach.