Editorial

Change, time and again

Changes shape the history of humankind. Hunters and gatherers became sedentary farmers. We used wood as fuel for centuries, then came coal, gas and oil. We rode horses and had plough horses pull the plough over the fields. Today, we use cars and machines. There were reasons for every change. This is also the case with the coal phase-out. The protection of the climate, the environment and health, as well as limited supplies, are weighty arguments. But what will be phased in when coal is being phased out? An area like the Rhineland region in particular, which is characterized by coal mining, needs new ideas to maintain its economic strength and jobs. Forschungszentrum Jülich wants to drive this structural change forward with innovations from science. Starting with the conversion of the former opencast mining areas, this ranges from sustainable agriculture, energy supply and chemical industry to high-tech industry and a bio-based circular economy. Our cover story invites you to some of the places and beginnings of the change.

In other articles, you can read how solar cells can make vehicles more climate-friendly, how errors in quantum computers can be corrected, and how simulations from Jülich help to get a grip on the phosphate content in waters.

We hope you enjoy this issue,

Your effzett editorial team