Young researchers in focus: Bundeswehr University as a new talent factory!

Young researchers in focus: Bundeswehr University as a new talent factory!

On April 18, 2025, the federal “Jugend forscht” competition will face its next major edition, which will take place in Hamburg from May 29 to June 1, 2025. This competition is considered Germany's best-known young talent competition and represents the highlight of the current competition round. Participants are young researchers who won first prize in one of the state competitions. The event is organized by the Jugend forscht Foundation. V. and the Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Bundeswehr Hamburg and offers not only exciting competition, but also an attractive supporting program for the participants.

A crucial element of the competition is the special prize, which is donated annually by the Federal Minister of Defense. This award promotes particularly outstanding projects and supports the award winners in their studies at one of the two Bundeswehr universities. What is particularly noteworthy is that the Helmut Schmidt University is acting as a federal sponsoring institution for the first time and is therefore becoming the center of events.

An example of successful offspring

A look at Felix Haag, a former winner of the special prize, illustrates the impact of the competition. The 26-year-old research assistant at Helmut Schmidt University won the special prize in 2017, which was donated by Ursula von der Leyen. Haag studied electrical engineering and specialized in renewable energies and intelligent grids. Together with his research partner Fabian Albrecht, he developed an innovative project for adaptive propeller de-icing for multicopters. This project was presented at “Jugend forscht” with an eight-rotor drone and deals with the serious dangers that can arise from ice formation on the wings of aircraft.

Haag's solution involved developing a heated rotor coated with a conductive silver paint. Temperature sensors monitor the heating output of the rotor in order to detect the risk of icing at an early stage. This innovative technology not only represents technological progress, but also shows how the federal competition promotes talent and supports young researchers on their path.

Scientific training and personal development

Haag decided to study at the Helmut Schmidt University, motivated by the scholarship and the support of Prof. Klaus Hoffmann. He describes his experiences during his studies as exciting, particularly the ETP (Energy Engineering Project) lecture. He emphasizes the extracurricular and social interaction: In his opinion, learning groups and contacts with fellow students are essential for success in studying electrical engineering.

Although the propeller de-icing project was promising, it was not developed further because the time commitment was too high for Haag and Albrecht. Nevertheless, Haag advises future students to have discipline and perseverance in order to be successful in their field of study.

Looking at the developments within the national competition and the inspiring stories of participants like Felix Haag encourages numerous young talents to join the competition and contribute their ideas. The coming months will be crucial as the best young researchers prepare for the competition in June.

How Youth research reports, the competitive conditions have been created to provide a platform for scientific creativity and innovation, and so it is to be hoped that many impressive projects and ideas will see the light of day this year too.

The national competition “Jugend forscht” will continue to promote talent and ignite a cross-generational passion for science and technology, as will the HSU Hamburg emphasized.