Corporate Development (UE)

Bridging science and society

Bridging science and society

As experts, scientists bear a significant responsibility in disseminating knowledge to society. Their research findings not only offer fresh perspectives but also empower the practical application of these insights across various domains, including the daily lives of every individual.

The partnership between science and society fosters an environment where acquired knowledge can be effectively utilized to instigate positive transformations and shape the future.

Forschungszentrum Jülich actively engages in research both with and for society

The water monitor, an outcome of climate and energy research, allows for immediate integration of research outcomes into everyday life.

The profound connection between science and society, working towards the betterment of society, is exemplified in the large-scale experiment "CroMa".

Water Monitor

Well-cared of

Persistent dry phases occur again and again in Germany - a challenge especially for farmers. Such droughts could become more frequent in the future, climate experts say.

It is all the more important to know when things are getting critical for plants in the field. This is exactly what the water monitor at Forschungszentrum Jülich shows. The interactive map provides an overview of the water balance in the soil, accurate to about 600 meters. Farmers, but also hobby gardeners, can find out whether they should water in the coming days.

Color scale of the water monitor — The color scale depicts the proportion of plant-available water in the soil down to a depth of 30 cm, easily absorbable by plants. A reading of 100% signifies ample water supply, while a 0% reading points to extremely parched soil with wilting plants. The displayed map presents the daily average values.

Promoting Resilient Agriculture

In the pursuit of resilient agriculture, it is essential to recognize that not all soil water is readily accessible to plants. To address this, the map illustrates the concept of "plant-available water," where a value of 100 percent indicates easy water accessibility for plants, while lower values signify increasing difficulty. These values are derived through intricate simulations based on regional soil properties and weather forecasts, a task efficiently handled by computers at the Jülich Supercomputing Center due to their complexity. The ADAPTER project incorporates this water monitor as part of its mission to disseminate knowledge and bolster agricultural resilience against extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change.

Determining optimal watering times

To determine when to water your plants, it's essential to consider their root systems. For instance, lettuce faces challenges when the plant-available water reaches 60 to 70 percent, indicating a need for irrigation. On the other hand, potatoes, with their deeper root structures, exhibit greater tolerance to drought, necessitating watering only when the water availability drops to 50 percent. By following these recommendations, you can efficiently manage water usage in your region and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Water Monitor: Discover recommendations for your region

Wissenschaft für die Gesellschaft — Using the water monitor allows you to authentically observe the soil's water balance.

CroMa: a large-scale Experiment

Mover over!

"Railway stations in Germany aren't quite prepared for the increasing number of passengers we anticipate in the future. Spikes can occur in particular situations, such as concerts, football games, or unfavorable weather conditions.

Through the CroMa project, we're actively devising strategies to adapt train stations in advance, ensuring they can handle higher capacity. Our focus is on optimizing available space, enhancing passenger comfort, and, above all, bolstering platform safety.""

Prof. Armin Seyfried
Project Coordinator and Security Researcher

People with green hats — With green hats and pink dots, a battalion of 1,500 volunteers roamed the halls of Mitsubishi Electric Hall in Düsseldorf, closely observed by an array of cameras and sensors for the ambitious project.

Crowd Management

The term "CroMa" represents "Crowd Management in Transport Infrastructures." FZ Jülich's team of scientists aims to enhance the resilience, safety, and efficiency of train stations during peak loads through their project findings.

The successful completion of the project marks a significant milestone in achieving these goals.

CroMa: A closer look at the project's reviews

Außenansicht Magazin Endeavours des FZ Jülich

Explore the realm of innovation and knowledge transfer at Forschungszentrum Jülich

Embark on a journey to witness the pioneering efforts of visionary scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich, as they actively contribute to shaping societal transformation through groundbreaking innovation and knowledge transfer.

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