Young researchers at RPTU impress at the first Falling Walls Lab Rhineland-Palatinate

In late April 2026, the Falling Walls Lab Rhineland-Palatinate took place for the first time at 42Kaiserslautern. The international pitch event brought together doctoral candidates, students, and early-career researchers from various disciplines. In three-minute presentations, they showcased their innovative projects to an interdisciplinary jury drawn from academia, industry, and the startup scene.

The Department of Physics at RPTU made a strong impression at the competition, securing two podium finishes: Under the motto “Breaking the Wall of Free Radical Detection,” second-place winner Emma Herbst presented her research on the detection of free radicals using quantum sensors. Her presentation focused on developing new approaches to make highly reactive, short-lived intermediates directly visible and measurable under realistic conditions. The goal of the research is to better understand photocatalytic processes at the molecular level and thereby contribute to the development of more sustainable technologies, such as green hydrogen synthesis. In addition, Emma Herbst was honored as a “Local Hero.”

Kawa Noman, who took third place, presented the prototype of his startup TennaSonic under the title “Breaking the Wall of 6G Thermal Limits.” The focus was on a novel solution for stabilizing antenna performance in smartphones, vehicles, and IoT systems under extreme thermal conditions. The technology aims to ensure reliable data transmission even at high temperatures, reduce temperature-related failures, and sustainably extend the service life of modern wireless electronic systems.

The Falling Walls Lab is part of the global Falling Walls initiative, which is dedicated to the exchange of scientific ideas and the promotion of innovations with societal relevance. Its goal is to connect young talents and make their research accessible to a broad public.