Events

Pupils from the Klarenthal campus and the Diltheyschule in Wiesbaden visited the Polymer Path. Prof. Katharina Landfester began with a presentation on the ‘Sustainability of plastics’. This was followed by a quiz on the path and a final challenge: who can best wrap the egg so that it can be thrown out of the window!

This was the title of the evening event organised by the MPI-P together with biomindz. The focus was on nanotechnology in the field of plant medicine and its potential to protect plants from diseases or to cure them. This research project was launched at the MPI-P and was specifically aimed at combating a fungus that attacks and destroys grapevines. In the meantime, a start-up has been founded and research is being conducted into further areas of application. Prof. Katharina Landfester and Alexander Throm presented the basic research and explained how a spin-off start-up can be established. Many guests from the biotechnology sector and science were present and used the walk along the Polymer Path and the subsequent networking to exchange ideas.

Around 250 visitors came to the family day and took advantage of the wide range of activities including a children's university, guided tours, speed dating and a pupils' photo competition. Prof. Katharina Landfester explained in the lecture hall how megaplastics become microplastics and three researchers were available to answer questions at the speed dating event. The guided tours to various theme worlds were also gratefully received to learn more about polymers.

On 9 July 2023, the two Max Planck Institutes for Polymer Research and Chemistry opened their doors. More than 1,000 visitors took a look at the laboratories, participated in numerous chemical experiments and listened to many lectures. The Polymer Path was also open to the public. Even the Mayor Nino Haase took a tour together with Prof. Katharina Landfester who explained the exhibits to him.

The last stations have been completed – this had to be celebrated properly. More than 80 guests came to the celebration and followed the small stage program with the science show “Forschperspektive”, who welcomed the guests with a walk act and introduced the “Nano Earworm” on stage. Prof. Tim Henning from the Philosophical Seminar Mainz discussed nanomedicine with Prof. Katharina Landfester on the “Red Couch”. Prof. Henning looked at the topic from an ethical point of view, which could mean great progress for people's health, but could also harbor dangers. 

In cooperation with the Science Alliance Mainz, a discussion took place between Prof. Katharina Landfester, MPI for Polymer Research, and Prof. Sebastian Seiffert, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. The topic: “Has the end of the plastics age arrived?”. The two scientists discussed in a 15-minute talk in the old town of Mainz what opportunities lie in plastics or polymers for the future. 

Most of the exhibits were ceremonially inaugurated and numerous guests were able to attend the award ceremony for students from Mainz University of Applied Sciences. In the course of an architectural competition, the winning project “wowood” was chosen, which was erected in the fall of 2021 and is part of the path. Furthermore, “special polymers” were presented by PhD students and two dancers from the Staatstheater Mainz performed on the topic of “amorphous polymer structure”.