MINTdigital: online STEM subject series for school pupils

Particles That Pass Through Walls: The Amazing World of Quantum Physics
Prof. Alexey Chernikov (Würzburg-Dresden cluster of excellence ctd.qmat, TUD)

Particles that can pass through walls or be in two places at once: In quantum physics, rules apply that contradict our everyday experience, yet are incredibly important for understanding matter and modern technologies. This lecture introduces quantum phenomena, provides a historical overview of their discovery, and offers insights into modern research at TU Dresden. Here, researchers are investigating the extraordinary properties that quantum materials exhibit under extreme conditions, how to observe the motion of the tiniest particles in real time, and what potential they hold for future applications. Dive into the fascinating world of quantum physics!

The Quantum Pendulum: What Music Orchestras Have to Do with the Mass of Neutrinos
Prof. Michael Kobel (Chair of Particle Physics, TUD)

Particles that travel multiple paths simultaneously or exist in different places at the same time are a common occurrence in quantum mechanics. Even more peculiar are objects that are multiple different particles at the same time, or that even regularly transform back and forth between them.
In the case of neutrinos—electrically neutral relatives of electrons that are barely detectable—we have been able to observe this phenomenon for several decades. Sometimes they are produced as “muon neutrinos” in the Earth’s atmosphere, travel 12,000 km through the Earth, and reappear on the other side as “electron neutrinos.” In this lecture, you’ll learn how this is detected using giant underground water tanks, and what it has to do with mechanical pendulums or the tuning of instruments in orchestras.

All About College Life
Antonia Zacharias-Weihs (Central Student Information and Counseling Service at TU Dresden) and students from TU Dresden

This event is dedicated to the topic of college life. The Central Student Information and Counseling Service will offer insights to help you navigate your own decision-making process through an interactive presentation. In addition, the academic programs available at TU Dresden will be presented. Following the presentation, students will share honest insights into their experiences, daily college life, and the differences between high school and college.

When Chance Becomes Reality: Quantum Computers and Random Numbers
Siddharth Das (Deutsche Telekom Chair of Communication Networks, TUD)

Lecture in English with subtitles

When Chance Becomes Reality: Quantum Computers and Random Numbers
What do quantum computers and random numbers have in common? Both are based on some of the most fascinating properties of quantum mechanics and are becoming increasingly important for future technologies. This lecture introduces the fundamental ideas behind quantum computing and explores why randomness is indispensable for secure communication, scientific simulations, and many everyday digital applications. It will also discuss how quantum systems can generate truly random numbers and how researchers are working to make these phenomena useful in practice.

Quantum-Based Materials Research: Using Computers to Design the Technologies of Tomorrow
Dr. Leonardo Medrano Sandosas (Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR))

Lecture in English with subtitles

Quantum-Based Materials Research: Designing Tomorrow’s Technologies with Computers
How can we discover new materials and medicines without relying solely on costly laboratory experiments?
This talk introduces the fascinating world of quantum-based computer simulations, where the behavior of atoms and molecules is predicted using the fundamental laws of physics. By combining quantum mechanics with artificial intelligence, researchers can rapidly explore vast chemical spaces, identify promising candidates, and accelerate the development of advanced materials and molecular technologies. Using examples from ongoing research at TU Dresden, the presentation highlights how these computational approaches are shaping innovations in energy, electronics, sensing, and healthcare.