Many cultural treasures around the world are at risk and need to be protected against wanton destruction, unauthorised archaeological digging, abuse or wear and tear. After all, they epitomise the history of a country or culture and attract tourists in their droves. So how can such cultural assets be protected before it is too late? How can innovative digitisation techniques help us to save our cultural heritage? How can manuscripts be preserved virtually? Researchers in Germany are exploring these questions with exciting ideas and projects. You can also read why Germany offers very good opportunities for research in niche subjects, learn about current funding programmes, discover our number of the month and find out how long it will be until we can print out replacement organs.
IN FOCUS: Research for the sake of our cultural memory
Cultural treasures under protection
Wanton destruction, theft, vandalism, environmental factors: all over the world, cultural treasures are exposed to a whole host of risks. German research institutions offer a great wealth of expertise and commitment in the area of cultural preservation. It is not only the cultural assets themselves that can profit from this, but also preservationists in other countries.
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High tech for the sake of our cultural memory
Researchers in Germany employ the very latest technologies to preserve and reconstruct cultural treasures. Besides innovative 3D techniques, algorithms and chemistry are also used.
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A career in exotic fields of research
Business studies, mechanical engineering, medicine – these are fields of study with which we are all familiar. You can also pursue research in Germany in lesser known niche disciplines, however, focusing on more exotic and extremely fascinating subjects. In many cases the support provided to researchers is first-class, in small departments with outstanding international ties.
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85,000 international academics
That is the number of researchers with an international background at German universities and research institutions in 2014. The reasons for this include the country’s attractive research system and the international links cultivated by many institutions.
MoreJUST ASKING...
Mr Popp, can replacement organs be printed out?
Around 12,000 patients in Germany are currently waiting for a donor organ, yet the statistics say that only one in three or four of them will actually receive the organ they need. If the organs could simply be printed out, many lives would be saved. Among those working on this kind of 3D printing is the start-up company Indmatec, in close cooperation with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Materials scientist Uwe Popp heads its research and development department.
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