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Training the next generation of scientists

A high school student wearing blue laboratory gloves closely examines a sample under an optical microscope in a physics laboratory. The student carefully adjusts the microscope while observing the sample on the stage.

In January 2026, the Institute of Applied Physics welcomed high school students and physics enthusiasts. As part of its commitment to fostering young talent in physics, particularly in the field of magnetism, the 3DNano Group opened its doors to provide Valentin Wittinger with firsthand insight into academic research.

Under the supervision of PhD student Dominik Schramm, Valentin gained hands-on experience with both the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the optical microscope. He also participated in the fabrication of a multilayer sample together with Sabri Koraltan and carried out measurements using several characterization techniques available in the laboratory with the help of other group members.

In addition to the practical work, Valentin developed a conceptual understanding of the fundamentals of nanomagnetism, which is an impressive achievement within such a short period of time.

We warmly congratulate Valentin on his accomplishments and hope that this experience will serve as the first spark for a future career in science. Through initiatives like this, the Institute of Applied Physics reaffirms its commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists by providing early exposure to cutting-edge research and hands-on scientific training.

A student and a researcher stand next to a magnetron sputtering deposition system in a laboratory. The researcher explains the equipment while the student observes the setup used for thin-film fabrication.
A student operates a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in a laboratory, using the control panel while observing the sample image on a computer monitor.
A student wearing laboratory gloves operates an optical microscope in a physics laboratory while a monitor displays a magnified image of a patterned sample.
A computer monitor in a laboratory displays a colorful microscope image of a sample. In the foreground, two hands wearing blue laboratory gloves give a thumbs-up gesture, suggesting a successful measurement or experiment.