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Tension member made from carbon fiber polymer composite subject to static and fatigue loads – first results from joint research project NeZuCa For high availability of bridge infrastructure, solutions are needed that can withstand high traffic loads reliably and contribute to climate protection through resource savings. The principle of the network arch bridge allows for efficient and low‐deformation bridge structures with spans of over 300 m, using slender primarily axially loaded main members. The use of high‐performance carbon materials (unidirectional carbon‐fibre‐reinforced polymers, UD‐CFRP) allows for an extremely efficient lightweight solution for highly stressed tension members and offers potential savings in the primary structure. Carbon tension members are currently not regulated by building authorities. For the basis of an individual approval (ZiE), project‐specific component tests financed by the respective client were used for initial applications. Within the framework of the joint research project NeZuCa (Network Arch Bridges with Carbon Tension Members), component tests under static and non‐static loading conditions, as well as additional investigations, are conducted to establish the basis for a standardized and simplified application of the technology. This article presents the initial results reported by the project consortium. NeZuCa is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as part of the Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Program (TTP‐LB) and is supervised by the Project Management Agency Jülich (PTJ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union has updated its industrial policy strategy to strengthen the resilience of the internal market and improve the competitiveness of the Union and its companies. The strategy also aims to reduce dependencies on critical raw material imports and achieve climate protection goals. However, there are various challenges such as national differences in the implementation of EU regulations, climate change, demographic change, and the increasing digital divide with other countries. The European industry is also affected by trade relations with China, particularly in terms of fair trade and technology transfer. The EU has introduced two instruments to overcome China's market access restrictions: an investment agreement and the "International Procurement Instrument". The investment agreement was agreed upon between the EU and China in 2020 but is currently on hold due to criticism from the US and questions regarding events in Xinjiang and sanctions against China. The International Procurement Instrument aims to address the disadvantage of EU companies in public procurement markets. The EU has also presented a draft EU chip law to strengthen technological sovereignty and secure supply chains. [Extracted from the article]

The actual information society has a complex corporate structure based on information and communication. Universities and their central information infrastructure institutions (libraries and computing centres) have a special function and have to change at least partially their self-conception. Since 2005, the Technical University Darmstadt has the possibility, within the limits of its budget, to establish autonomously companies serving the knowledge and technology transfer. In order to ensure and develop further the quality of research and study, universities have to accomplish specific tasks comprising the continuous and innovative supply with information and information technology, High-performance communication networks, obligatory usage rights and multilingual communication offers are part of these tasks. DINI and its partner associations contribute to ensure that German Universities master the increasing global competition within the academic education market and the resulting pressure of action and innovation with high competence in information technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]