Falling Walls Lab Berlin 2012 - Competition

Falling Walls Lab finalist Quirin introduces his project and discusses his experience of the Falling Walls Lab competition and the Falling Walls Conference where the three finalists were invited to present their work again to an esteemed audience of scientists and policy-makers.

Name: Quirin Kainz

Date: 8th November 2012

Location: Radialsystem, Berlin, Germany

Website: http://falling-walls.com/lab/

Hi everyone, my name is Quirin Kainz and currently I'm in the 3^rd year of my PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Regensburg, Germany. My research topics are based around highly magnetic nanoparticles as versatile tools for organic synthesis. I attend about five conferences a year and the "Falling Walls Lab & Conference" I recently visited was a very special one in every aspect. This conference not only gathered people with a much more diverse background than you find on the usually specialized scientific conferences but the innovative three minute time limit and the contest format with 100 young scientists from 38 countries added to the "wow, this is different" atmosphere. I entered the competition with my three minute talk about "Breaking the wall of contamination". I was lucky to be the 5^th to present everybody was still alert and ready to listen.

My project

The research subject I presented focuses on tethering catalysts, reagents and scavengers commonly used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry to highly magnetic nanobeads to allow quick and convenient purification of chemical reaction mixtures using magnets. Catalysts, which are used to accelerate reactions, are of particular interest as they are mostly very expensive or highly toxic and, therefore, have to be removed from the products and are ideally recycled. However, common purification techniques like chromatography, filtration and extraction have some serious drawbacks, e.g. high solvent and energy demand. Also, the materials involved cannot always be recycled easily.

We address these problems with our novel nano-scale supports. Our nanoparticles consist of a highly magnetic iron or cobalt core, which is protected from oxidation or leaching by several layers of carbon. On the surface we can attach various linkers. The relevant catalysts and chemicals can then be attached to these linkers. The nanobeads are then simply added to chemical reactions and can easily be pulled out again afterwards using a magnet. The pure product solution can then be decanted, the particles washed, and reused for the next run. Even more exciting, our technology could be used to remove pollution from the environment, particularly water streams. Choosing the right ligands on the nanoparticles, heavy metal ions like mercury or lead can be efficiently removed using a magnetic flow reactor, which results in a cleaner and safer environment.

My experience

Having finished the talk, I realised that my subject and performance on stage really had an impact on the audience. I was greeted with much approval and received many congratulations. Even still, I never dreamed of finishing in one of the top three! Leaving behind the prize money, the chance to present again at the main conference was the real award for the three winners.

The Falling Walls Conference took place on the next day at the Event Center "Radialsystem" which, appropriately enough, is a former water pumping station on the banks of the river Spree. Fifteen well-established researchers from around the world presented their breakthroughs in 15 minutes and when they didn't stick to the time a loud cough came from the sound system followed by a mime artist interrupting the speaker with funny sketches.

Again, the topics were widely spread from architecture to fusion power. Similarly diverse was the audience, consisting of leaders from industry as well as academia, politicians, consultants, head-hunters, investors and a lot of press. Unfortunately, due to the high ticket prices (200 - 1800€) not many young scientists could afford to visit this fascinating conference apart from the one hundred Falling Walls Lab participants who received video room tickets. Despite the live internet stream, which also is quite unique for a conference, this seemed to me, more like building walls than tearing them down. Luckily, they let all Lab participants into the main conference hall despite the video-room-only tickets so we were able to more directly follow the talks, enjoy the atmosphere and get to meet more of the preeminent paying delegates.

For the three winners of the Falling Walls Lab a press conference was held, which was a completely new and exciting experience. For me personally it felt somehow uncomfortable since as a scientist I'm not used to such media attention, as politicians or sports stars are. The highlight of our day was the opportunity to give our three-minute speech again on the main stage in front of this very distinguished crowd. Although, there was no contest pressure this time the huge stage as well as the many cameras, spotlights and high profile audience members really ensured that we all broke a sweat again. After we got our makeup and wireless microphone, a speaker on tape introduced us. I found it particularly difficult to stand on stage without a lectern to hold onto. I think all three of us did a great job since we got a lot of applause and the reactions in the break after our talks were all positive, some people even saying they liked our short and clear talks better than the sometimes foggy speeches of the main speakers.

All in all, these were two really fascinating days. The Lab on the first day was a great opportunity to meet other young talented scientists from around the world, to compete with them in a novel format, to discuss ideas and to make new friends. The second day, however, was quite different, with a high-society audience, fascinating talks, and a good chance to receive some business cards and to set course for our future career. I would highly recommend applying for the Falling Walls Lab, since this will be two days you never forget about.

(Images of Quirin giving his presentation and of the winners press conference are copyright of the Falling Walls Foundation)