Three theses from the fields of artificial intelligence, renewable energies and space technology have been awarded the Karl-Heinz Lust Innovation Prize of the Foundation for Research, Innovation and Transfer (fit) of the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM): Dominic Eckerle, Jonas Grajetzki and Sarah Pappert each received 1000 euros in prize money for their very well-rated theses at the award ceremony in the Hotel Heyligenstaedt.
In his address, THMPresident Prof. Dr. Matthias Willems not only praised the outstanding work but also thanked the Lust family of entrepreneurs for their commitment in memory of the entrepreneur and innovator Karl-Heinz Lust, who passed away in 2009. "Everyone here can be proud – especially the award winners, who will continue to spread enthusiasm for STEM subjects."
The president began by highlighting the long-standing commitment of Prof. Heinz Kraus, who headed the Research and Transfer department and served on the board of the foundation until his 75th birthday. Vice President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Frey then moderated the evening, introducing the award recipients and emphasizing that the Karl-Heinz Lust Prize, named after the entrepreneur, inventor, and visionary, symbolizes innovative strength. The reviewers then presented the award-winning works and the recipients in their laudatory speeches.
Dominic Eckerle studied Business Information Systems at the Department of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Data Processing and developed an AI-based system for his master's thesis to analyze ECG and pulse wave time series in order to predict a rapid increase in blood pressure under stress. Presenter Prof. Dr. Jennifer Hannig also praised his commitment to developing a playful AI learning platform for children and young people, with which he aims to inspire young girls in particular to pursue studies and careers in STEM fields. The prize was sponsored by Volksbank Mittelhessen.
Jonas Grajetzki studied at the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering and impressed the judges with the development of an LED-based measurement system to ensure the quality of solar cells during manufacturing, as his supervisor Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uwe Probst, explained. Since 2015, Grajetzki has won numerous prizes in regional and state competitions of "Schüler experimentieren" (Students Experiment) and "Jugend forscht" (Young Researchers). Grajetzki is also the founder of his own event technology studio, is involved with the Jena Repair Café, and is a trained lifeguard. The prize was sponsored by PMS W. Pulverich GmbH.
Sarah Pappert studied "Physics and Technology for Space Applications" in the joint degree program of THM and Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU). In her master's thesis, she analyzed the radiation resistance under space conditions for artificial intelligence algorithms, as her supervisor Prof. Dr. Kai-Thomas Brinkmann (JLU), explained. Prof. Dr. Mike Schwarz (Competence Center for Nanotechnology and Photonics) supervised the work on behalf of THM . She was also awarded a special prize from the Rotary Club Wetzlar for her social and volunteer work. In 2024, Pappert was accepted into the ProTHM talent development program and this year received the ZONTA STEM Award for young women in science. Her fascination with astronomy, gravitational waves, and black holes will lead her to begin her doctoral studies at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Munich in November. “For Sarah Pappert, it is a matter close to her heart to strengthen the visibility of women in STEM subjects and to promote talent,” said Frey at the presentation.
In addition, the foundation awarded two scholarships of €6,000 each to Max Marius Graf from the Goethe School in Wetzlar and Paul Kämmerer from the Liebig School in Giessen . Besides their excellent academic performance, the two A-levels students impressed the jury with their enthusiasm for STEM subjects and their social commitment.