TUM and Munich Fire Department join forces for sustainable fire protection

"The 'Munich Fire Science Partnership' combines scientific excellence in fire protection with real operational practice. As a result, we can reflect on the relevance of research projects. Our shared goal is to make fire protection more sustainable and resource-efficient at the intersection between firefighting and preventive fire safety," says Prof. Claudius Hammann from the Chair of Fire Science and Engineering. "Firefighting largely relies on experience gained from individual situations. It is now important to link this with scientific methods to derive general rules that apply to all situations," emphasizes Wolfgang Schäuble, Chief Fire Officer and Head of the Munich Fire Department.

Maintaining Excellence and Relevance

In his speech, President Hofmann emphasized: “With a clear vision for the future, we are facing the great challenges of our time in order to maintain excellence and relevance.” The world is confronted with technological advances at an unprecedented speed, structural economic changes, completely changed requirements for future workers, a progressive erosion of trust within society, and new geopolitical realities.

Are phages the future of medicine?

Strengthening Social Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Melis Güler and Jonas Süß of Talente Spenden e.V.

Ms. Güler, you’ve said that you want your future career to contribute to society or the environment. That’s why you chose to study Environmental Engineering at TUM. Since your second semester, you’ve been actively involved with Talente Spenden, already contributing to the common good. What motivates your volunteer work? Melis Güler: What excites me most about Talente Spenden is collaborating with so many dedicated and motivated people who all pursue the same goal. I’m convinced that we can only make real change as a society if we work together. My involvement is my personal contribution to that. I view it as a privilege to be able to study, and I believe it is essential to give back. Mr. Süß, you are also actively involved with Talente Spenden. What drives your engagement? Jonas Süß: I’ve always wanted to work on something that creates real social value. I enjoy using my skills for something meaningful. Talente Spenden gives me exactly that opportunity. And I find it fascinating how much impact an organization with 2,000 alumni and 300 active members can generate.

All the world's buildings available as 3D models for the first time

How many buildings are there on Earth – and what do they look like in 3D? The research team led by Prof. Xiaoxiang Zhu, holder of the Chair of Data Science in Earth Observation at TUM, has answered these fundamental questions in this project funded by an 91��ɫ Starting Grant. The GlobalBuildingAtlas comprises 2.75 billion building models, covering all structures captured in satellite imagery from the year 2019. This makes it the most comprehensive collection of its kind. For comparison: the largest previous global dataset contained about 1.7 billion buildings. The 3D models with a resolution of 3×3 meters are 30 times finer than data from comparable databases. In addition, 97 percent (2.68 billion) of the buildings are provided as LoD1 3D models (Level of Detail 1). These are simplified three-dimensional representations that capture the basic shape and height of each building. While less detailed than higher LoD levels, they can be integrated at scale into computational models, forming a precise basis for analyses of urban structures, volume calculations, and infrastructure planning. Unlike previous datasets, GlobalBuildingAtlas includes buildings from regions often missing in global maps – such as Africa, South America, and rural areas.

Software architecture for future cars

To ensure that the cars of the future can travel safely and reliably on roads regardless of environmental conditions, vast amounts of data must be processed. The data are collected in real time from sensors in the vehicle while driving and from databases and/or simulations on test benches during vehicle development. “For autonomous driving, the data recorded by the vehicle itself is combined with data from permanently installed cameras, lidars or radar sensors on sign bridges or from other nearby vehicles. That would be the maximum amount of information you could get,” says Knoll, head of the TUM Chair of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Real-Time Systems. Ad-hoc data analysis Over the past three years, researchers at TUM and various partners from the automotive and chip industries have developed a suitable vehicle architecture that evaluates and uses the data on an ad-hoc basis – as part of the ‘Central Car Server’ (CeCaS) research project funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). A centralized and entirely software-based architecture of this kind will be required for vehicle generations from 2033 onwards. The advantages in detail: (1.) Scenarios can be tested realistically in simulations In reality, vehicles are not yet fully capable of handling many traffic and weather conditions that they encounter. To address this, researchers have created a simulation environment in which a wide range of scenarios can be generated with the aid of powerful graphics chips. After training, the vehicle has the knowledge to cope with the given situation ‘on board’. The scenarios can also be made available to users from the automotive industry and research via open source access. (2.) Drastic cost savings through centralized and standardized data processing Conventional vehicles often use more than a hundred individual control units. Versatile, programmable high-performance computers such as those used in the CeCaS concept will largely replace them in the future. This will eliminate the need for many connecting cables between control units, make installation easier and reduce costs. Above all, however, it will be possible to add new functionality purely through software upgrades. And, as with mobile phones, the software development can be customized by customers. (3.) A digital twin allows all functions to be assessed on the test bench The TUM test bench allows vehicles to be securely clamped in place with all axles and wheels for testing. This means that not only driver assistance systems, anti-lock braking systems and new emergency braking assistants can be tested. “Using a digital twin of the vehicle, we can also import scenarios and perform live testing on the test bench,” explains TUM researcher Alois Knoll. In addition, scenarios from real-world accidents involving autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles can be imported and used for training – without anyone being harmed in the process. Artificial intelligence: software created effortlessly For TUM Professor Knoll, a key advantage of the future vehicle architecture is that it will accelerate development processes and thus innovation as well. As TUM research results within the framework of the CeCaS project show, software can be developed ever more quickly with the help of artificial intelligence and generative language models. Specifications are almost always available in text form. And these reflect the behavior of technical devices. TUM researchers have shown that language models can process specifications as long as they are consistent, complete and free of contradictions, which in turn can be checked by AI. This allows new software code to be created in seconds, virtually by design. However, this requires the entire architecture in the vehicle to be compatible. Knoll: “Understanding cars as software-defined vehicles, i.e. software platforms, is simply necessary in order to remain competitive in the vehicle market in the future.”

TUM IDEAward for biotechnology and nanotechnology teams

Which ideas can be turned into successful products? What start-up team is addressing the challenges facing society? Which start-up will create sustainable value in the future? In the final round of the TUM IDEAward, 10 teams aiming to launch start-up companies presented their ideas to the public. The award for the best ideas is granted by the 91��ɫ (TUM), UnternehmerTUM, the Center for Innovation and Business Creation, and the Zeidler Research Foundation, which provides a total of 37,500 Euros in prize money. The winners also receive individual coaching from TUM Start-up Consulting up to the time of market launch.

First place for TUM team at iCANX in Hong Kong

As third place and then second place are awarded at the iCANX ceremony in Hong Kong, the name Sonovision has still not been called. The three team members — Dragan Rašeta, Paula Ruhwandl, and Daniel Martin — are unsure whether to hope or to doubt. “In that moment, it is clear: either we receive no prize at all, or we get first place,” recalls Dragan Rašeta, who is responsible for Sonovision’s hardware. A few seconds later, the name of their project is announced. First comes relief, then celebration — it is the moment in which months of work turn into international success.

Immune cells turn damage into repair

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a specialized type of immune cells, are usually seen as “peacekeepers” that prevent excessive immune attacks. In a study  published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, researchers from the Department of Radiation Oncology at the TUM University Hospital and the LIT Cooperation Group “Innate Immune Sensing in Cancer and Transplantation” uncovered how the body`s own immune system can be harnessed to repair the intestinal lining and improve survival. 

TUM will save 30,000 tons of CO2 per year in the future

The key to this is the intelligent use of what is already available: waste heat. In future, most of the heating will come from the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre, a facility of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities on the research campus. Its high-performance computers generate considerable heat and require complex cooling systems. In the future, this energy will be fed into the campus’ local heating network. Additional heat will be obtained via geothermal energy, i.e., hot thermal water from underground in Garching. Heat pumps and – for peak load requirements – electric boilers will also be used. Only for the absolutely necessary purpose of ensuring security of supply in the event of a power failure will there be a new, particularly efficient gas boiler. TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann said: "We are serious about our commitment to greater sustainability and are continuing to implement our TUM Sustainable Futures Strategy 2030. In addition to research into innovative and efficient technologies, this also includes the day-to-day operation of our university. For us, this is a question of responsibility for future generations and credibility. I would like to thank the TUM Sustainability Office and the Vice President for Sustainable Transformation, Prof. Werner Lang, for their support, as well as our real estate management team for planning and implementing this innovative step. Everything should be ready in just three years." TUM Executive Vice President Human Resources, Administration and Finance, Albert Berger, added: "In GETEC, our TUM real estate department has found an internationally experienced partner for the implementation of such large-scale projects. These specialists will take over the complete operation and service of the new campus-wide heat supply. And they are installing extensive new pipelines and other necessary infrastructure for this purpose. These are absolutely sensible investments in the future of our university operations." Henning Lustermann, Managing Director of GETEC Wärme und Effizienz GmbH, emphasizes: "We are proud to be able to accompany the 91��ɫ in this flagship project of the heat transition. Our energy concept proves that security of supply, economic efficiency, and climate protection are not mutually exclusive. By intelligently networking various local heat sources, such as waste heat from the supercomputer and geothermal energy, we are creating a sustainable system that meets the high demands of a campus of excellence."

Entrepreneur Martin Herrenknecht promotes climate research at TUM

In view of increasingly frequent climate extremes and an increasingly disturbed water balance, it is crucial to better understand the effectiveness and scalability of possible countermeasures. The fellowship will investigate concrete approaches to stabilizing the landscape water balance in order to mitigate the consequences of flooding and drought in southern Germany. The research goal is to model and evaluate decentralized forestry and agricultural retention measures as well as storage reservoirs, taking into account the effects of climate change in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The fellowship is based at the Chair of Hydrology and River Basin Management held by Prof. Markus Disse. Dr.-Ing E.h. Martin Herrenknecht, whose company Herrenknecht AG is a Partner of Excellence at TUM, emphasizes: "Changes in the climate mean that we often have too little water, drought, or too much water, flooding. As an entrepreneur, I am used to finding solutions to problems; as an engineer, I believe in the power of science. That is why I support the research at the Chair of Hydrology and River Basin Management at TUM." TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann expresses his gratitude on behalf of the University Foundation for the generous donation: "The consequences of man-made climate change will become increasingly apparent in people's everyday lives in the future. In addition to efforts to slow down global warming, we must also address concrete protective measures against extreme weather conditions. Dr. Herrenknecht's support is a sign of responsible and forward-thinking."

The winners of the TUM Future Learning Initiative 2025

Five years ago, TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann launched the TUM Future Learning Initiative to create a forum for the entire community to not only develop ideas for improving teaching and learning but also put them into practice. In 2025, the competition entered its third round. A distinguished jury of representatives from teaching, administration, and TUM’s Student Representation has selected the winners of the TUM Future Learning Initiative 2025. Thanks to Freunde der TUM – Association of Alumni and Friends, these projects can now be implemented.

Global Technology Forum Promotes International AI Research Collaboration

The agenda included:  Identification of relevant fields of application and competence profiles  Promotion of international scientific cooperation  Networking of research institutions with industry partners 

Second school student research center under the direction of TUM

From racing car to rocket tank

As is so often the case in engineering, a small detail determines technological progress. In the case of rockets, it is the high-pressure tanks that are specially designed for the fuel systems. As rockets are designed to be as light as possible, they lose structural stability when the fuel tanks, known as primary tanks, are emptied. A trick is used to counteract this: alongside fuel combustion, noble gases are released from internal high-pressure tanks, known as secondary tanks. These gases fill the resulting empty space, maintaining structural integrity. "It’s like a can of soda – the ratio of wall thickness to diameter is actually quite similar in aerospace. As long as the can is filled with liquid and CO₂, I can stand on it without worry. But once it’s empty, it immediately loses its structural integrity," explains Bastian Behrens, founder of Blackwave and TUM alumnus.

AI helps cancer patients better understand CT reports

To simplify the original documents, the researchers used an open-source large language model operated in compliance with data protection regulations on the TUM University Hospital’s computers. An example: "The cardiomediastinal silhouette is midline. The cardiac chambers are normally opacified. [...] A small pericardial effusion is noted" was simplified by the AI as follows: "Heart: The report notes a small amount of fluid around your heart. This is a common finding, and your doctor will determine if it needs any attention."

TUM ranked 13th worldwide for interdisciplinary research

Interdisciplinarity at TUM is a mindset rooted in autonomy, curiosity and agility, emphasize the British magazine Times Higher Education and the US research promoter Schmidt Science Fellows in their white paper “Interdisciplinary Futures,” in which they analyze the ranking. Collaboration arises in TUM's research culture through flexible funding, shared facilities and recognition systems.  TUM has a range of subjects that is unique in the European Union, covering engineering, computer science, natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, economics and social sciences – and it makes intensive use of this potential. THE and Schmidt Science Fellows particularly highlight the TUM Innovation Networks, in which interdisciplinary teams can come together with their own initiatives for new research questions, cross-disciplinary institutes such as the Center for Organoid Systems and the integration of the social sciences.  THE and Schmidt Science Fellows also emphasize the intensive collaboration with partners, particularly with companies based on campus such as SAP and Siemens, as well as with society, politics and administration, for example in the TUM Think Tank and the Munich Cluster for the Future of Mobility in Metropolitan Regions (MCube).  TUM also teaches its students to think outside the box through project weeks, plug-in modules and numerous student clubs, in which members from different disciplines pursue research projects together.

Uniform reference system for lightweight construction methods

Lightweight components are generally designed with computer-based methods before being manufactured. There are various common methodologies. Because they use different physical and mathematical descriptions, however, direct comparisons are difficult. Moreover, the highly complex computation methods limit them to low spatial resolutions. With their Stress-Guided Lightweight 3D Designs (SGLDBench) benchmark, the researchers have succeeded in overcoming these serious obstacles.

How plants search for nutrients

TUM in the top 25 for five subjects

In the Shanghai Rankings, TUM is among the top 50 in the following subjects: Agricultural Sciences: 6 (1st in Germany) Remote Sensing: 7 (1st in Germany) Medical Technology: 14 (2nd in Germany) Ecology: 23 (2nd in Germany) Robotic Science & Engineering: 25 (1st in Germany) Aerospace Engineering: 36 (1st in Germany) Biotechnology: 37 (1st in Germany)  Transportation Sciences & Technology: 37 (1st in Germany) Management: 48 (1st in Germany) Developed at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, key criteria for the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects are the number and citation rates of papers published, especially in leading journals in the respective fields. It also assesses the degree of international cooperation in the related research. In some areas, the number of major prizes awarded to scientists is also taken into account. These indicators are weighted according to the prevailing culture in the various subject areas.

Using AI tools to shape the future of higher education teaching

The aim of OneTutor is to support students during lectures by answering questions and offering individually tailored quizzes to review the material. The idea originated during a student internship. Building on this, Alexander Pretschner, Professor of Software & Systems Engineering at TUM, continued to research and refine the AI tutor, testing it together with four students - until the team founded their own company in May of this year. Today, the AI tutor has over 21,000 active users and is being used in more than 620 lectures at 30 universities across Germany and Austria. During his visit, Bavaria's Minister of Science Markus Blume said: “When it comes to innovative teaching, AI is not just a 'nice-to-have', it's a 'must-do'. AI is here to stay. In fact, it will develop explosively. Our universities are the perfect places to experiment with new ideas and evaluate them simultaneously. We must use AI to develop our human talents even further. The same applies to teaching and learning formats. The greatest danger with AI is not getting involved. From AltaVista to Google to ChatGPT, the key has been to use technology as a support system and actively set guidelines. This also includes adapting examination culture. With the amendment to our Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act, we will ensure that a general ban on AI in examination regulations is unnecessary.” Alexander Pretschner said: “AI has the potential to make teaching and learning personalized through continuous feedback between lecturers, students, and the new tools. We now need to understand which factors lead to measurably better learning success - because if AI tools take over thinking, it doesn't help anyone, especially in higher education. Our initial experiences with OneTutor make us very confident!”

This Place Saves Lives: An award for a serious game that looks closer

One project, one week, and a highly sensitive topic: For Anie and Rai, it quickly became clear that they wanted to spend their project week “A Different Kind of Game Jam” exploring a space the public barely notices — and the people who find safety within it. Both study Informatics and are interested in intersectionality, meaning the ways in which different forms of discrimination intersect and reinforce one another.

TUM honors its alumni on their anniversary

“Our alumni are the living foundation of our university,” emphasized President Hofmann in his speech. “They carry the values, curiosity, and excellence of TUM out into the world – and at the same time remain closely connected to it. Their life paths impressively demonstrate how education, research, and social engagement can work together.” About half of those honored this year celebrated their silver anniversary – alumni who are still in the midst of their professional lives and now hold leadership positions in industry, business, science, and politics. They shape technological innovations, drive sustainability issues forward, or lead international teams and companies. Their commitment shows how strongly TUM is anchored in key future fields and how actively its graduates are shaping progress.

New network for digital sovereignty

Europe relies largely on the US, China and other countries for products and services with important digital technologies, ranging from artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure to semiconductors. That is why European governments and the EU have focused on the goal of becoming more independent in key technologies. But how can the numerous initiatives, different approaches and varying political strategies be turned into a successful path to Europe’s digital sovereignty? Representatives from science, politics and industry want to pave this path in the European Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty. The network has three core objectives: First, it wants to promote exchange between sectors and states and enable ways of cooperation. Second, it aims to create a profound evidence basis on existing technological dependencies and interactions in order to derive possible measures. Third, the network wants to help shape the necessary political frameworks. “Europe needs a common strategy to take steps that will really make a difference,” says Dr. Markus Siewert, Managing Director of the TUM Think Tank. "To date, a large number of billion-euro projects have been set up with the aim of increasing independence. However, their impact has often been limited because they were uncoordinated or not focused enough. In the European Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty, we want to contribute to more evidence-based decision-making so that we can proceed more efficiently and continuously analyze measures in terms of their progress. We urgently need a better understanding of where the actual risks and challenges are, which measures will improve our ability to act in the short, medium and long term and what costs are associated with them." The TUM Think Tank brings together academia, civil society, politics and business to develop tools for the responsible and democratic use of technology. One of the central questions is how digital European sovereignty can be achieved. In addition to the TUM Think Tank, around a dozen partners have joined the network so far. It is led by the Bertelsmann Foundation, the Belgian Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), the French AI & Society Institute and the Polish Economic Institute (PEI). “Europe has heard the wake-up call, but greater coordination, research, and evidence-based policymaking are needed, a true knowledge engine”, says Martin Hullin, Director Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty at Europe’s Future Program, Bertelsmann Stiftung. “At the same time, this is about more than technology or economics. It affects us all and the question of what kind of society we want to live in. With this initiative we want to inspire hope and support fresh ideas that strengthen Europe’s capacity to act with confidence in the digital age.”

TUM successfully defends title at the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League

The A2RL is considered the most advanced autonomous racing format in the world. Eleven teams from four nations competed to test the limits of AI and vehicle technology. With top speeds of up to 250 km/h and AI performance on a par with a professional racing driver for the first time, the event marked a milestone in the development of autonomous systems. As part of the event, the TUM team competed against former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat as last year's winner. In the end, the autonomous TUM racer, with a lap time of 59.13 seconds, was only about 1.6 seconds behind its human rival, who clocked in at 57.5 seconds. Simon Sagmeister, Team Principal TUM Autonomous Motorsport: "The overtaking maneuvers and the performance at the limit were the result of years of research and countless test kilometers. We are proud that we are not only keeping up, but actively shaping the future of motorsport." Prof. Markus Lienkamp, Head of the Chair of Automotive Engineering: "This victory shows how far we have already taken the technology for autonomous driving. Our algorithms have not only demonstrated speed, but also strategic racing intelligence. This is a decisive step towards the vision of bringing autonomous systems safely and efficiently onto the road." TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann congratulates the team on once again pushing the boundaries of what is possible: "The success of our team underlines the innovative strength of TUM. Autonomous racing is more than just a competition - it is a research laboratory under extreme conditions that will shape the mobility of tomorrow."

Understanding the origins of life

TUM drives energy transition in South Africa

Young scientists from Africa will work with researchers at TUM to develop practical solutions for an environmentally and socially compatible energy transition. The focus will be on the integration of renewable energies, the creation of new labor markets, and the energy supply in rural regions, among other things. The center will be run in collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology, and the University of Venda. It aims to contribute to the transfer of research results into practice in business, politics, and civil society in southern Africa. The DAAD grant of four million euros for an initial period of five years is financed by the German Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. The aim of the project is to provide high-quality, interdisciplinary student training, build institutional capacity, and develop postdoctoral and doctoral programs. In addition, living labs are being created – from rural and urban mini-grids to political and entrepreneurial ecosystems. These offer practical learning spaces where research is directly linked to social benefits.

17 TUM scientists among the most cited worldwide

When scientists write research papers, they cite the most important papers that have already been published on the topic. Therefore, the total number of times a paper is cited is a good indicator of the quality of the research. To identify the most highly cited researchers, the US company Clarivate annually analyzes its Web of Science database, which covers scientific publications in a broad range of disciplines. The latest evaluation lists the scientists who were cited most frequently in their subject areas in the period from 2014 to 2024. Researchers who are frequently cited in multiple fields are listed in the Cross-Field category. The list contains the names of about 7,100 persons in no specific order, including the following TUM researchers: Cross-Field: Prof. Dr. Hubert Gasteiger, Chair of Technical Electrochemistry Prof. Dr. Dirk Haller, Chair of Nutrition and Immunology Prof. Dr. Bernhard Küster, Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics Prof. Dr. Peter Müller-Buschbaum, Chair of Functional Materials Prof. Dr. Anja Rammig, Professorship of Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions Prof. Dr. Daniel Rückert, Chair of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Medicine Prof. Dr. Melanie Schirmer, Professorship of Translational Microbiome Data Integration Prof. Dr. Mikael Simons, Chair of Molecular Neurobiology Prof. Dr. Bärbel Stecher-Letsch, Chair of Intestinal Microbiome  Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Weisser, Chair of Terrestrial Ecology Agricultural Sciences: Prof. Dr. Ingrid Kögel-Knabner, Chair of Soil Science Biology und Biochemistry: Prof. Dr. Dr. Fabian Theis, Chair of Mathematical Modelling of Biological Systems Clinical Medicine: Prof. Dr. Matthias Eiber, Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, TUM University Hospital Environment and Ecology: Prof. Dr. Rupert Seidl, Chair of Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management in Mountain Landscapes Immunology: Prof. Dr. Dietmar Zehn, Chair of Animal Physiology and Immunology Molecular Biology and Genetics: Prof. Dr. Marcus Conrad, Chair of Translational Redox Biology Psychiatry and Psychology: Prof. Dr. Stefan Leucht, Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, TUM University Hospital

New milestone towards personalized prevention of type 1 diabetes

POInT is the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to test whether daily oral insulin treatment could delay or prevent the development of islet autoantibodies — which are associated with the development of type 1 diabetes — in children at increased genetic risk of the condition. Conducted across five European countries beginning in 2017, this unprecedented collaboration conducted by the Global Platform for the Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes (GPPAD) involved 1,050 children in five European countries. The trial unites more than 30 years of genetic and immunological research and stands as one of the largest early prevention efforts in autoimmunity to date. The findings are published in The Lancet.

Pancreatic cancer forms "synapses"

It has been known for some time that the nervous system can affect cancer development. For example, nerve cells from healthy tissue can grow into tumors, a phenomenon known as “neural invasion,” which is typically linked to a poor prognosis. About six years ago, a US research group discovered a new mechanism in the brain: tumors can form their own synapses, co-opting neuronal communication for their benefit. Professor Ekin Demir, a clinician scientist at the Department of Surgery at the TUM University Hospital, and his team built on this finding to investigate whether tumors outside the brain might form similar structures.