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KIT Engineering









New Mechanism Causes Float to Rotate in a Fixed Direction Solely Through Flows at Water Surface. Directed rotational motion is widespread in nature and technology. At small scales, however, it is difficult to generate. . Researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and partners in China are now presenting a mechanism in which flows at a water surface alone can cause a floating object to rotate controllably in a single direction.Using this mechanism, they assembled ultrathin fibers into structured bundles – for example to produce low-loss high-frequency transmission lines or surgical suture. The findings were published in Science Advances. (DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed5495)

Buildings today typically rely on separate systems to provide electricity, heating and cooling. A research team at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has now developed a hybrid energy system that delivers all three simultaneously from the same surface by combining solar energy with the coldness of outer space. At the heart of the system is a transparent cooling layer that radiates heat into outer space as infrared radiation while allowing sunlight to pass through. The researchers successfully demonstrated the concept with a prototype under outdoor conditions and see it as a potential building block for multifunctional building envelopes. Results in Cell Reports Physical Science. (DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2026.103492)

The German federal government is relying on KIT’s expertise in the development of a fusion reactor. The federal government is establishing new research institutions for the planned construction of a fusion reactor in Germany. KIT is playing a central role in this effort: Researchers here are developing key technologies for the fuel cycle, high-performance materials, and critical reactor components. In doing so, KIT is contributing its expertise to the implementation of fusion technology and playing a key role in shaping the path from basic research to practical application.

The IEEE PELS Outstanding Achievement Award for Contributions in Power Electronics Grid Technology recognizes innovators and researchers who have made outstanding technical contributions to allow power electronics to take a managerial role in the future electronic grid. Current Honoree 2026 is Prof. Dr.-Ing. Giovanni De Carne from the KIT-Institute ITEP Real Time Systems for Energy Technologies.

The Institute of Technical Physics (ITEP) is one of the first scientific institutions in Germany and Europe to have its occupational safety management system successfully certified. The official presentation of the certificate by the VBG and UKBW marks the successful completion of a systematic process to ensure the highest safety standards in research and operations.

Priv. Doz. Dr.-Ing. habil. Xufei Fang has been awarded the 2026 Masing Memorial Prize from DGM (German Society for Materials Science), for his independent and pioneering scientific research work on “dislocations in ceramics”. The prize can be awarded only once a year, and is considered the highest achievement for young DGM members with the doctoral disputations less than10 years at the time of nomination. The prize is named after the long-time DGM chairman and honorary chairman Georg Masing.

