University of Duisburg-Essen Hosts ‘ExtraSchicht’
Where the Tesla Coil Crackles
- von Birte Vierjahn
- 27.05.2026
What is life actually like on Mars? And what happens in the world's fastest laboratory? Find out on 27 June when the university hosts ExtraSchicht – The Night of Industrial Culture. From 6 pm to 2 am, visitors to this Ruhr-wide event can explore the laboratories, factory halls and cleanrooms of the Duisburg campus. Here, diamonds are grown, the flame tube organ resounds and the maglev train whizzes by. Tickets are already available.
The ExtraSchicht event at the Duisburg campus celebrates knowledge. Not underground, but in laboratories, workshops and the minds of brilliant minds: open doors and exciting experiments bring science to life. An evening full of discoveries shows how research is shaping the future – in a lively, inspiring and hands-on way. From energy and materials to digitalisation and applied technology. From tiny quantum dots and nanoparticles to vast galaxies.
Atmospheric lighting sets the scene on the Lotharstraße campus, and the BigBandits will perform twice in the Audimax. Those who follow the marked path of knowledge will discover laboratory and technology tours, hands-on exhibits, exciting talks and great interactive activities, including those for aspiring young researchers.
“It’s not our laboratories here at the University of Duisburg-Essen that tell the most fascinating stories, but the people behind the research, teaching and technology,” say the organisers, Dr Miriam Böhm, research coordinator for engineering sciences, and Dr Nicolas Wöhrl, a physicist and science communicator. “Just as other places preserve industrial heritage, we demonstrate how knowledge shapes the future.”
Every June since 2001, the Ruhr region has been hosting ExtraSchicht. For eight hours, from early evening until late at night, doors that are usually closed are thrown open. This year, the University of Duisburg-Essen is taking part for the first time.
Traveling by public transport is strongly recommended.
For UDE staff and students: Anyone who would like to take part in this unforgettable evening and join the UDE’s ExtraSchicht group is warmly invited to sign up as a volunteer by Friday 12 June – for example, as a guide on the site or to help out during the tours and at the information points. Simply send an email to Dr Miriam Böhm; further details will be provided shortly afterwards. All the relevant information can also be found on the website (German only). The team welcomes any support!
ExtraSchicht at UDE (German only):
https://www.uni-due.de/extraschicht2026/
General information about ExtraSchicht and tickets (German only):
https://www.extraschicht.de/
Image: Mini Tesla coil in action.
Further Information:
Dr. Miriam Böhm, Engineering, +49 203/37 9-1741, miriam.boehm@uni-due.de
Editor: Birte Vierjahn, +49 203/37 9-2427, birte.vierjahn@uni-due.de