Prof. Dr. Tomoo Katsura and his international research team at the Bavarian Research Institute of Experimental Geochemistry and Geophysics, University of Bayreuth, have discovered why rocks in the Earth’s interior suddenly become more viscous at depths of 800 to 1,200 kilometres.

The restoration of artworks often involves solvents which have toxic properties. Now researchers have succeeded for the first time in creating a non-toxic and sustainable cleaning agent for paintings. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) investigated the structure of the agent, referred to as an organogel.

Dr. Axel Pichlmaier is the new head of the International Group of Research Reactors IGORR, which represents research reactor interests worldwide. The FRM II Technical Director and his new leadership team were elected at a meeting at the University of Maryland, USA. They aim to continue the work of predecessor Gilles Bignan and recruit more members, especially from Africa.