Young talent competitionNational winner of 'Jugend forscht 2019' chosen
Germany's best young researchers in the 54th national 'Jugend forscht' competition have been chosen. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in the young talents' projects. The winners from the specialist areas and the special prize winners in a picture gallery.
2019 national victory in the 'Technology' category for Felix Sewing (18) and Alex Korocencev (18):
In the science fiction classic "Back to the Future II", film actor Michael J. Fox whizzes through the streets on a skateboard that floats above the ground like a hovercraft. Felix Sewing and Alex Korocencev also worked on this technological vision. Their vehicle is based on four rotating disks that can generate a powerful, repulsive magnetic field on a metal plate underneath. The load-bearing capacity of the board is impressive: the prototype can lift a weight of around 40 kg. It is also possible to tilt the rotor disks individually, allowing the board to be steered in a targeted manner. The technology now works so well that the two young researchers have even been able to apply for a patent for it.