Following the success of last year’s outreach activity, SynTrac once again hosted the event “Wunderwelt der Tropfen” in February 2026 as part of the Try Science initiative at the University of Stuttgart. For a second year in a row, the Institute of Aerospace Thermodynamics at University of Stuttgart welcomed 11 motivated students aged 16 and above from various schools, offering them insight into the fundamental science behind innovative and sustainable aviation technologies.

The event began with an introduction to SynTrac’s research mission and objectives. Participants learned how the project tackles complex engineering challenges, particularly in advancing greener aviation concepts to reduce the environmental impact of air travel.

The scientific focus of this year’s event was again droplet dynamics, a research topic within the Research Area C of SynTrac. David Gösele from sub-project C02 introduced students to experimental and numerical methods used to investigate droplet behavior.

Understanding droplet dynamics is crucial for analyzing condensation processes in aircraft engines and the transport of excess water in exhaust gases. Within SynTrac, reducing excess water plays an important role in mitigating contrail formation. Beyond CO₂ emissions, contrails (ice clouds formed from aircraft exhaust) significantly contribute to aviation’s climate impact. Addressing their formation is therefore a dedicated research focus of the project.

In sub-projects B04 and C02, researchers investigate advanced approaches such as optimizing exhaust gas treatment and water recovery using porous media to reduce contrail formation at its source.

As in the previous edition, students toured the laboratories where the research takes place and were shown various testing facilities. Interactive discussions with doctoral researchers provided valuable insights into academic career paths, daily research work, and the broader societal relevance of engineering research.

A highlight of the event was once again the opportunity for participants to conduct their own droplet experiments, translating theoretical knowledge into practical experience and fostering curiosity through hands-on discovery. This year we further expanded on the scope of the hands-on part by introducing new engaging ways of experiencing science such as a floating droplet experiment and the use of thermal imaging as a research method.

With the second edition of “Wunderwelt der Tropfen,” SynTrac continues to strengthen its commitment to science outreach, inspiring young talent and promoting enthusiasm for STEM and sustainable aviation research.