‘Om mani padme hum’

Scrolls from Buddhist shrine virtually unrolled at BESSY II

Using 3D X-ray tomography, a team at HZB was able to create a digital copy of one of the scrolls.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie

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The roll is analysed at BESSY II and can be virtually unrolled.  ‘Om mani padme hum’ appears on the unrolled strip.

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Credit: © DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.009

The Mongolian collection of the Ethnological Museum of the National Museums in Berlin contains a unique Gungervaa shrine. Among the objects found inside were three tiny scrolls, wrapped in silk. Using 3D X-ray tomography, a team at HZB was able to create a digital copy of one of the scrolls. With a mathematical method the scroll could be virtually unrolled to reveal the scripture on the strip. This method is also used in battery research.

 

Buddhism in Mongolia has developed its own traditions that are linked to nomadic culture. Many families had a small portable shrine that they took with them wherever they went. As well as statues, images and decorative objects, these shrines sometimes contained relics and small, tightly rolled scrolls inscribed with prayers, known as ‘dharanis’. During the revolutionary period from 1921 to 1930, this cultural practice was almost completely eradicated with many shrines being destroyed.

However, one of these shrines ended up in Germany, where it was stored in the Ethnological Museum's archives. Little was known about its origins. When Birgit Kantzenbach, a restorer at the Ethnological Museum, began researching the shrine a few years ago, she found that nothing was in its place; fabric flowers, relics, small statues and three small scrolls lay in a jumble. She first travelled to Mongolia. ‘An object always means only what people see in it; that's what's important,’ she says. She then turned to HZB physicist Tobias Arlt to examine the small scrolls wrapped in silk.

Non destructive investigation at BESSY II

Until a few years ago, such scrolls would simply have been unwrapped and unrolled to check for inscriptions However, this carries the risk of damaging the material and causing irreversible changes. Tobias Arlt examined the Dharani scrolls at the tomography station of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) at BESSY II. ‘The high-resolution 3D images show that there are around 50 windings in each scroll, with strips measuring over 80 centimetres that are wound tightly and carefully,’ says Arlt.

Virtual unrolling

Using a mathematical method developed at the Konrad Zuse Institute and the corresponding Amira software, he was able to virtually unroll the strip from the 3D data of the rolled sample. Originally, this process took a long time to complete, but with the help of artificial intelligence, it is now considerably faster. ‘We are continuing to optimise this complex process of virtual unrolling,’ says Arlt. ‘We also use this method in our own research, for example to analyse changes in tightly wound or folded batteries.’

Mantra of universal compassion

In fact, traces of ink were visible on the virtually unrolled strips. ‘This is interesting because Chinese ink traditionally consists of a mixture of soot and animal glue, but in this case, ink containing metal particles was apparently used,’ says Kantzenbach. The characters are Tibetan, but the language is Sanskrit, a combination that came as a surprise. The well-known Tibetan Buddhist mantra for universal compassion appeared: ‘Om mani padme hum’.

 

Exhibition at Humboldt Forum Berlin:

The Mongolian Gungervaa shrine can be admired until 1 June 2026 in the exhibition ‘Restoration in Dialogue’ at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin. Admission to the exhibition at the Humboldt Forum is free. There are plans to display the shrine in Mongolia afterwards.

Audio tip:

How can the museum display this Buddhist shrine in a most adequate way? Restorer and ethnologist Birgit Kantzenbach travelled to Mongolia, where she consulted with many people for whom the shrine holds special significance. Mongolian art historian Dulamjav (Duka) Amarsaikan accompanied her as a translator. As part of the podcast ‘Gegen die Gewohnheit’ (Going Against the Grain) by the ‘Collaborative Museum’ initiative of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, an episode about the shrine, its origins, its journey and its restoration has been produced. You can listen to it here:

https://www.smb.museum/en/online-offers/detail/gegen-die-gewohnheit-going-against-the-grain-the-gungervaa-a-mongolian-shrine/

Three tiny scrolls between 3 and 5 centimetres long were found inside the shrine. They are wrapped in silk and glued together.

Credit

© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ethnologisches Museum / Martin Franken

Journal

Journal of Cultural Heritage

DOI

10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.009 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Revealing the history of a Mongolian shrine by virtually unrolling Buddhist Dharanis

Long-term test shows: Efficiency of perovskite cells varies with the season

Standard perovskite solar cells perform very well during the summer months, even over several years, but decline in efficiency during the darker months.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie

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The team has set up a unique measuring station on the roof of a research building at HZB to investigate different solar cells under real weather conditions, including standard perovskite solar cells.

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Credit: HZB/ Industriefotografie Steinbach

Scientists at HZB run a long-term experiment on the roof of a building at the Adlershof campus. They expose a wide variety of solar cells to the weather conditions, recording their performance over a period of years. These include perovskite solar cells, a new photovoltaic material offering high efficiency and low manufacturing costs. Dr Carolin Ulbrich and Dr Mark Khenkin evaluated four years of data and presented their findings in Advanced Energy Materials. This is the longest series of measurements on perovskite cells in outdoor use to date. The scientists found that standard perovskite solar cells perform very well during the summer months, even over several years, but decline in efficiency during the darker months.

 

Small perovskite solar cells on a laboratory scale can now achieve an efficiency of up to 26.95% under standard testing conditions. They are inexpensive and easy to manufacture and first solar cells, based on perovskites are being sold already. However, it is important to understand the long-term behaviour of perovskite solar cells when used outdoors in order to better predict energy yields and service life.

At HZB, Dr Carolin Ulbrich and her team, supported by the HZB-funded TAPAS project with the University of Ljubljana, have set up a large outdoor test station: racks equipped with solar cells and measurement technology are installed on the roof. They are exposed to wind and weather all year round. Measurement data from the past four years from small perovskite solar cells encapsulated in glass are now available. The cells were manufactured at HZB by Eva Unger's team (details on the structure: ITO | 2PACz | Cs0.15FA0.85PbI2.55Br0.45 (band gap of 1.65 eV) | C60 | SnO2 | Cu. ).

The results are encouraging: the peak power remained almost the same in the first two summers, and decreased by only about 2% in absolute terms between the first and fourth summers. However, efficiency dropped by around 30% during the winter months.

The team identified several reasons for this. At higher latitudes, such as at the Berlin site, the spectral distribution of sunlight changes, with a greater proportion of ‘blue’ components in summer and a greater proportion of ‘red’ components in winter. However, perovskite solar cells are primarily capable of converting blue light into electrical energy. In locations closer to the equator, these spectral shifts are less pronounced, meaning perovskite solar cells are likely to deliver a more consistent yield throughout the year. ‘What distinguishes perovskite solar cells from more mature PV technologies is that they often change their efficiency reversibly during the day-night cycle. This property significantly contributes to the large seasonal fluctuations observed,’ says Mark Khenkin.

The evaluation of the data was performed by doctoral student Marko Remec. Together, the team has made an important contribution to understanding the ‘real-world behaviour’ of perovskite solar cells and how it is affected by external conditions.

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Journal

Advanced Energy Materials

DOI

10.1002/aenm.202501906 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Seasonality in Perovskite Solar Cells: Insights from 4 Years of Outdoor Data

Article Publication Date

26-Jul-2025

HKUST partners with top us and swiss universities to propose innovative strategy reshaping stability and sustainability of perovskite solar cells

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

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Corresponding author Prof. Zhou Yuanyuan (left), holding a crystal model of perovskite, and first author Dr. Duan Tianwei (right) standing in front of solar panels.

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Credit: HKUST

A research team from the School of Engineering (SENG) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has introduced comprehensive bio-inspired multiscale design strategies to address key challenges in the commercialization of perovskite solar cells: long-term operational stability. Drawing inspiration from natural systems, these strategies aim to enhance the efficiency, resilience, and adaptability of solar technologies. The approaches focus on leveraging insights from biological structures to create solar cells that can better withstand environmental stressors and prolonged use.

 

Perovskite solar cells are advantageous due to their low-temperature, solution-based manufacturing process, which has the potential to lower solar energy costs. However, their commercial viability is hindered by several operational issues, including inadequate interfacial adhesion, mechanical fragility, and susceptibility to environmental stressors (e.g., heat, moisture, and UV light). These degradation processes occur across various length scales, from picometers to centimeters, and multiscale structural factors can significantly affect the stability and performance of the final perovskite solar cells.

 

Rethinking solar cell design through the lens of nature

 

To tackle the challenges faced by perovskite solar cells, Prof. ZHOU Yuanyuan, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) and Associate Director of the Energy Institute at HKUST, along with his research group and collaborators from top institutions in the US and Switzerland, propose leveraging insights from biological systems. They suggest that the hierarchically functional structures found in nature, such as those in leaves, can inspire the development of solar technologies that are efficient, low-cost, resilient, and adaptable to environmental changes.

 

Multiscale bio-inspired strategy

 

Their comprehensive strategy spans multiple levels:

• Molecular level: Utilizing bio-inspired molecular interactions for crystallization control and degradation mitigation
• Microscale level: Implementing self-healing and strength-enhancing strategies using dynamic bonds and interfacial reinforcement
• Device level: Adopting functional structures inspired by nature, such as moth eyes, leaf transpiration, and beetle cuticles, to improve light management, heat dissipation, and environmental protection

 

“Nature provides an abundant reservoir of design solutions to help us build solar materials that can thrive in real-world conditions,” said Prof. Zhou. “We’ve already translated some of these strategies into synthetic energy devices.”

 

Landmark advances: chiral and laminated interfaces

 

This vision builds on recent breakthroughs in bio-mimicking interfacial design:

1. Chiral-structured heterointerface: Prof. Zhou’s team created a chiral interface using R-/S-methylbenzylammonium, where the helically packed benzene rings mimic biological springs, significantly enhancing the mechanical durability of perovskite solar cells. This work was published in Science.
2. Laminate-inspired interface: Prof. Zhou’s team developed a cell-surface-like multi-layer surface microstructure comprising a molecular passivation layer, a fullerene derivative layer, and a 2D perovskite capping layer, which effectively suppresses defects and enhances energy level alignment, resulting in improved efficiency and damp-heat stability. This work was published in Nature Synthesis.

 

These studies highlight the potential of bio-inspired and hierarchical engineering to address fundamental limitations of perovskite solar cells, including adhesion, fatigue, and interface degradation.

 

Toward sustainable and scalable solar technologies

 

The multiscale design framework emphasizes sustainability, prioritizing low-toxicity materials compatible with a circular economy. Prof. Zhou’s team proposes that future research will focus on screening bio-inspired molecules for optimal film crystallization and stability, developing self-healing mechanisms activated by operational stress, designing cost-efficient biomicrostructures, and integrating multifunctional encapsulation to enhance the efficiency and lifespan of perovskite solar cells.

 

Dr. DUAN Tianwei, the first author and Research Assistant Professor at HKUST’s CBE Department, stated, “This is not just about new materials; it represents a novel approach to solar technology, inspired by nature itself. By integrating bio-inspired structures, functions, and sustainability, we are excited about the new chapter unfolding in solar energy.”

 

The team’s research work, titled “Bio-Inspired Multiscale Design for Perovskite Solar Cells”, has been published in the prestigious journal Nature Reviews Clean Technology, in collaboration with Yale University, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

 

Comparison of conventional perovskite solar cells and leaves from a multiscale perspective

Credit

HKUST

Journal

Nature Reviews Clean Technology

DOI

10.1038/s44359-025-00086-6 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Bio-inspired multiscale design for perovskite solar cells

Article Publication Date

25-Jul-2025

POSTMODERN CAPITALI$M

The secret to success for a unicorn: simple technologies and private funding at an early stage

A new international study led by Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania reveals that digital mental health start-ups reaching unicorn status tend to secure private funding early, prioritise simple, scalable services, and use subscription models.

Kaunas University of Technology

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Prof. Asta Pundzienė, Head of the Digital Healthcare Innovation Research Group at KTU

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Credit: KTU

A new study by researchers from Kaunas University of Technology in Lithuania and their partners reveals that digital mental health platform start-ups that have become unicorns often received funding in the early stages, developed necessary services rather than advanced technologies, and used subscriptions as a revenue model. However, according to the researchers, state funding can have the opposite effect, hindering a start-up’s development rather than encouraging it to become a unicorn.

In venture capital terminology, a “unicorn” is a start-up company valued at over 1 billion US dollars. Digital platforms have the potential to become unicorns more quickly than other types of ventures due to their business model. However, according to Asta Pundzienė, a professor at the School of Economics and Business at KTU, fewer than 10% of digital service start-ups achieve such exceptional success.

“In Lithuania and Europe in general, investors tend to prioritise start-ups that develop deep tech,” says Pundzienė, Head of the Digital Healthcare Innovation Research Group at KTU. “However, our research has shown that not only deep tech companies, but also those developing simpler technologies (known as shallow tech) can also achieve exceptional success.”

According to her, the results of the KTU study provide grounds for considering more targeted funding criteria for start-ups, and the insights could be useful for all digital service developers, not only in the health sector.

Success is determined by a combination of factors

A team of researchers from KTU School of Economics and Business, together with colleagues from universities in France and Spain, examined 125 mental health platform ventures, including 12 unicorns, to identify the success factors. According to the researchers, the demand for digital platforms offering mental health services the number of such solutions has grown significantly in the post-COVID period.

“While researching the digital health technologies field, we were intrigued – as to why so often, the ventures which are developing health services, essential for people, are unsuccessful. This question led to another: What are the successful ventures doing differently? The mental health platform sector was chosen as it provided us a sufficiently broad sample for investigating these questions,” says Rima Sermontytė-Baniulė, one of the co-authors of the study.

Summarising the results of the study, Sermontytė-Baniulė states that exceptional success is not determined by a single factor, but by their combination and complementary solutions. After analysing the digital mental health platform unicorns, the team of researchers identified several potentially successful combinations of managerial choices.

“Our research shows that obtaining funding at an early stage of business development is one of the key factors for success. Successful business decisions include the development of deep technologies in the business-to-business segment, not opting for state funding, and the development of services based on shallow tech in the business-to-customer segment, as well as choosing a subscription as a revenue model,” explains the KTU researcher.

According to Prof. Pundzienė, although the study focuses on digital health services, its results could be applied in other similar areas, such as education. The subscription revenue model is also used by digital service companies in other sectors, such as media, finance and information technology.

State funding turns out to be a double-edged sword

One of the most interesting findings of the study is the insight that government funding does not help and, in many cases, even hinders a venture from achieving a unicorn status.

“Governmental institutions that manage venture funds often have different objectives than private investors. For example, the state-managed institutions often pursue social goals, such as employing more researchers, set very high standards for scientific research, and prioritise the development of advanced technologies,” says Pundzienė.

According to her, these goals do not necessarily coincide with the principles of rapid business development. Sermontytė-Baniulė adds that accountability for state funding is based on formal criteria set by state institutions. The state-funded ventures need to focus on meeting these criteria, which are often not compatible with business logic.

Although the study conducted by the KTU Digital Healthcare Innovation Research Group was global in scope, the vast majority of the 125 mental health platforms analysed and all 12 unicorns were based in the US. According to Prof. Pundzienė, these results are not surprising, as 6 of the 10 most valuable unicorns in the world are from the United States.

“The innovation ecosystem in the US is highly developed, with a huge network of private investors. Private businesses invest rationally, funding the ventures that bring value to customers, that develop services customers are willing to pay for. Often, these ventures develop deep tech only when the company is already up and running. Of course, deep tech can provide a competitive advantage in an innovation-saturated market,” says Pundzienė.

According to her, when a start-up is forced to survive from grant to grant and in the innovation ecosystem, there are few private investors, the pace of innovation slows down.

Call to investors: Focus on market needs rather than deep tech

KTU researchers are convinced that the criteria used by the European investment funds should be reviewed. According to Pundzienė, similar issues were highlighted in the Draghi report, recently published by the European Commission.

“Europe is asking why, having an exceptionally high level of fundamental research, we are slower to bring innovations to market than the United States or China. On one hand, Europe has a different social structure, a different work ethic, and different market regulations – that is understandable and perfectly fine. On the other hand, when introducing innovations to the market, Americans first look at what consumers and businesses need, rather than prioritising the scientific novelty of a venture. We could learn from this,” says Prof. Pundzienė.

She believes that when financing ventures, especially those creating innovations in such an important field as healthcare, priority should be given not to how much the idea meets the criteria for evaluating scientific innovation activities set out in the Frascati Manual (2015), but to how relevant the technological service is, i.e. what benefits it brings to the user.

“In Lithuania, we already have e-health, which allows health data to be collected and shared nationwide. However, there are many digital health services that are underdeveloped, such as telehealth, digital therapy, clinical decision support, health service management systems and others. If such services do not exist, then this is an innovation that is worth supporting,” says Pundzienė.

The KTU researchers point out that, according to their research, early-stage funding is a particularly important factor in a venture becoming a unicorn. Therefore, they urge the expansion of the state funding model to include more criteria, such as assessing the benefits a company creates for consumers, the stage of development of the start-up, and the growth needs that the financial injection will serve.

“First, we should see whether the venture meets market demand and, if so, support it to develop its innovation. It is not necessary to start with complicated technology, especially when it requires large and long-term investments. The innovation will enable the company to generate revenue, which will allow it to further develop its innovation by implementing deep tech, which will benefit both the healthcare sector and patients,” says Pundzienė.

This paper is part of a project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement. Grant Number: 952012

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Journal

Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal

DOI

10.1002/sej.1543 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

What entrepreneurial decisions enable the breeding of digital platform unicorns?