The Institute of Materials Science took part in this year’s Girls’Day. On the morning of 23 April, we welcomed 15 schoolgirls. Following a brief introduction to materials science by the Dean of Studies, Prof. Donner, the participants set off on a four-part tour of the laboratories.

• Using contact angle measurement, the girls, together with Leonie Frohnapfel (PhM group), were able to investigate the different wetting behaviour of polished and textured metal surfaces. They discovered that a specific, regular surface texture causes the so-called lotus effect, whereby liquids roll off the material.

• Together with Petra Neuhäusel (PhM group), the pupils explored the structure of different coins. Using a light microscope, they discovered that copper coins are not made entirely of copper, but have a coated steel core.

• Christopher Hofferberth (FM group) carried out a more in-depth analysis of the samples from the two previous stages. The composition of the different coin materials was determined using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In addition, the regular structure of the metal surface exhibiting the lotus effect was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

• Under the guidance of Christian Dietz and Marivn Hoffer (PoS group), the students used the Scotch tape method to produce their own samples of the supermaterial graphene and then determined both the layer thickness and microstructure using an atomic force microscope.

After lunch in the canteen, the day concluded with a ride on the superconducting hoverboard, accompanied by Philipp Komissinskiy and Jürgen Schreeck of the “Advanced Thin Film Technology” group. The girls had the opportunity to chat with researchers and students and get answers to any questions they still had.

We would like to thank all the participants, as well as everyone at the Institute who lent a helping hand, for contributing to this fantastic day. We are already looking forward to Girls’Day 2027!

This year, the “SekretariaNet” network organized its first event as part of Boys' Day. Eight curious young men gained exclusive insights into an area at the university that has traditionally been dominated by women – and discovered that grant management, controlling, human resources administration, event organization, website design, and much more are definitely not a matter of gender.

An interactive quiz provided interesting facts about the university: With around 114 degree programs and 20 vocational training programs, it was demonstrated that TU Darmstadt is far more than “just” a place to study. The presence of male colleagues from the administrative department was particularly important. Through their personal experiences, they showed that these comprehensive roles are equally attractive and challenging for all genders.

The students were spread across the departments of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Geosciences, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, and the “PMP – From Materials to Product Innovation” specialization.

Throughout the entire event, open dialogue was paramount: questions were always welcome, and existing prejudices against the profession were addressed and dispelled.

Following this successful premiere, SekretariaNet is already planning for the future: the Boys' Day program will be further expanded and developed to introduce even more students to this career path. Many thanks to everyone involved!