11 August 2026
How can we calculate fire? What does the brain reveal about a person? And why can a garden hose sound like a trombone? At the 6th Düsseldorf Night of Science on Friday, September 11, 2026, Forschungszentrum Jülich will present five hands-on activities and three lectures.
From 5:00 p.m. to midnight, visitors can experience science firsthand at Schadowplatz and in the Haus der Universität. Admission is free.
More than 60 presentations are organized under the theme "Hands-On Research." Scientists from Jülich will provide insights into brain research and artificial intelligence, sustainable energy supply, fire dynamics, and future computer technologies.
The Brain and Artificial Intelligence
Like a high-resolution map, the "Jülich Brain Atlas" visualizes the structure of the human brain. For the first time, this three-dimensional atlas also depicts differences in the microscopic structure of various brains. It is an important tool for brain research and the centerpiece of the European research platform EBRAINS.
On the terrace of the Haus der Universität, guests can also explore what data reveals about a person. The Jülich brain researchers combine neuropsychological tests and questionnaires with a smartphone-based activity course. They then demonstrate how artificial intelligence can use this data to draw conclusions about personality, cognitive abilities, or disease risks, for example. This also raises ethical and societal questions.
Understanding and Modeling Fire
In a fire, the greatest danger often comes from toxic smoke gases. At the "Fire Dynamics" booth, researchers demonstrate smoke propagation through experiments and interactive computer simulations. Such models help evaluate smoke extraction measures and improve safety in buildings.
The lecture "The (Un)predictable Fire" shows how researchers develop mathematical and physical models based on experiments and run them on supercomputers. This allows the seemingly chaotic spread of fire to be scientifically described.
Energy for the Future
How can agriculture and solar energy be combined on the same land? A science talk introduces the principle of agri-photovoltaics. Crops can grow under or between solar panels; at the same time, the panels can protect against hail, storms, or extreme heat and reduce crop losses.
At the booth titled "Hydrogen as a Pillar of the Energy System of the Future," guests will learn how hydrogen and its derivatives store energy and make it transportable. Using so-called green hydrogen can help replace climate-damaging energy sources in industry and other energy-intensive applications.
New Computers and the Sound of Physics
"Future Computing made in Jülich" offers insights into the development of quantum computers and neuromorphic systems. To achieve this, researchers at Jülich combine various disciplines-from novel materials and nanostructures to experimental and theoretical methods. Potential applications include artificial intelligence, optimization tasks, and complex simulations.
The lecture "Physics and Music-From a Garden Hose to a Trombone" explains why only certain pitches are produced in a garden hose and what that has to do with a trombone. This vivid example also demonstrates how physics uses simple models to make complex processes understandable.
Website Night of Science, with the full programme
The Night of Science is organized by Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. Other participating institutions include Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, the German Diabetes Center, the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials, and Forschungszentrum Jülich.
Date: Friday, September 11, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to midnight
Locations: Schadowplatz and Haus der Universität, downtown Düsseldorf
Admission: free
