Dr. Optendrenk and Rector Hoch then went over to Poppelsdorf Campus to view the climate chambers.
Precise simulation of climatic conditions
Professor Heiko Schoof, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences welcomed the pair of visitors at the climate chamber greenhouse. Faculty Manager Dr. Birgit Hoegen then gave a tour of the facility, elucidating its importance for research, as the climate chambers enable simulation of different environmental conditions This allows researchers to study for example how plants react to changing temperatures, drought and variation in other environmental factors. Professor Cyrill Stachniss, spokesperson of the PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence, then talked about the work being done within the PhenoRob cluster—which is where plant science meets robotics, artificial intelligence and other disciplines to make agriculture more productive, resource-efficient and sustainable.
Renewable resources for construction
Ralf Pude, Professor of Renewable Resources, then discussed the role renewable raw materials can play in making the construction industry more climate-friendly, presenting research methods of bioeconomy and sustainable building. The principal idea discussed was how plant-based materials can replace fossil and other highly energy-intensive materials, creating new value chains. Overseen by the Ministry of Finance, BLB NRW is responsible for construction and renovation on Poppelsdorf Campus, being the owner of buildings used by the University. BLB NRW recently finished a modular laboratory and seminar building on the campus to serve as a rotational temporary space for institutes whose buildings are undergoing renovation.
The Minister later said he had a productive visit in Bonn, commenting: “Walking through the labs and climate chambers on Poppelsdorf Campus, it is immediately apparent how every euro invested in this infrastructure is worth it.” The University of Bonn has been the most successful institution in Germany’s University of Excellence contest, landing eight Clusters of Excellence. And it will take more than bright minds to hold on to this lead—it takes high-performing, modern building facilities as well. And that is where the state agency BLB comes into play, whose role is to manage construction and renovation here on Poppelsdorf Campus.”
Emphasizing the importance of close cooperation with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rector Michael Hoch commented: “It was such a pleasure to welcome Minister Optendrenk to the University of Bonn today and show him how funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is going to specific investments in research, teaching and high-performance infrastructure. The visit was an opportunity to show how we are working emphatically on innovative solutions for the major challenges of our time and the future ahead of us, focusing on basic research of excellence as a necessary prerequisite. I am very grateful for the reliable support we receive from the state government and the good working relationship that we have. This partnership will be essential for the success of the University of Bonn and our further growth in stature to be a world-leading institution.”
