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The Revenge of Schrödinger’s Cat

25. January 2025GeneralOliver Lehmann

The team from the Vienna Center for Logic and Algorithms at the Vienna University of Technology has developed a logic puzzle for the anniversary ball. If you don’t have time to solve the puzzle on the evening of the ball, you can try it here. And here’s the solution!

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SciBall

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25.1.2025 / Rathaus Wien
Spaß mit Anstand – Tanz mit Haltung
The highlights of the Science Ball 2025: Insights The highlights of the Science Ball 2025: Insights into the ball proceedings such as the midnight quadrille and the ball message from Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, as well as excerpts from performances by Katia Ledoux and Donna Savage. Plus interviews with Mayor Michael Ludwig, Science Councillor Veronica Kaup-Hasler, transformation researcher Maja Göpel, molecular biologist Elly Tanaka, upcycle designer Saki, quantum physicists Philipp Haslinger and Markus Aspelmeyer (both from quantA), ball organizer Oliver Lehmann, and many visibly impressed guests. Check out the longer version on YouTube. (Link in bio!) #SciBall25
For the midnight interlude of the 10th-anniversary For the midnight interlude of the 10th-anniversary of the SciBall, Katia Ledoux graced the stage this year. The mezzo-soprano, born in Paris and raised in Vienna, began her musical journey as a violinist but discovered her true voice at an early age. First as a member of the Schubert Sängerknaben under the guidance of music educator and singer Gerald Trabesinger, and later at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna under Bernhard Adler, a revered vocal pedagogue whose students regularly appear on the world’s grand opera and concert stages. In 2016, she continued her training in Graz with accompanist Joseph Breinl and Ulf Bästlein. Under the tutelage of Bästlein, an internationally celebrated baritone, she was able to further refine her technique and fully unleash the rich spectrum of her mezzo-soprano voice. Today, Ledoux stands among the internationally recognized voices of her generation. With regular engagements at leading opera houses and renowned festivals, she combines technical precision with intense interpretative artistry. More on www.wissenschaftsball.at/ballmagazin-2025/, pp. 61-62 (Link in bio!) Photos: Wolf-Dieter Grabner, Franz Reiterer & Ludwig Schedl #SciBall25 #KatiaLedoux
How do you make quantum entanglement audible? A gr How do you make quantum entanglement audible? A group of young physicists and artists from Vienna set out to find an answer. Their project, Sounds of Entanglement, is a show where entangled photons take the role of the conductor – blurring the lines between science and art, precision and intuition, the visible and the unseen. A deep dive into this mesmerizing fusion of physics and music by Sebastian Lang can be found in the Ball Magazine (pp. 14-18). (Link in bio!) At the heart of this project is quantA, @quantumscience.at , Austria’s excellence cluster in quantum research – uniting top physicists from leading institutions across the country. With the support of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), quantA pushes the boundaries of quantum science, taking on questions that regular programs and funding alone could never answer. Their work spans everything from quantum simulators to groundbreaking studies on non-equilibrium physics and emergent many-body phenomena. Unlike other research networks, quantA dares to go beyond the expected – bridging theory and experiment, science and society. Outreach and knowledge transfer are just as vital as fundamental research, which is why projects like Sounds of Entanglement exist: to bring the magic of quantum physics to the world. Learn more: http://www.quantumscience.at/ Photos: Franz Reiterer & Manuel Prett Text: Sebastian Lang #SciBall25 #quantA #SoundsOfEntanglement
Our guests of honor traditionally gather for a rec Our guests of honor traditionally gather for a reception at the town hall shortly before the official start of the ball. On this occasion, photos are also taken (by Ludwig Schedl), which we later send to them as a memento and a small token of appreciation. All photos: www.wissenschaftsball.at/red-carpet-2025/ (Link in Bio!) Slides: Institute of Technology (ISTA), Michael Häupl (WWTF) and Barbara Hörnlein, Wolfgang Pauli Institute (WPI), Caroline Schober (U Graz) und Michaela Fritz (MedUni Wien), Malarina, Maja Göpel (U Lüneburg), Ingeborg Zerbes (U Wien), Elly Tanaka (IMBA), Sophie Juliana Veigl (U Wien)
10 years of Ball Messages: Part 1 Since the very 10 years of Ball Messages: Part 1 Since the very beginning, our Ball Ambassadors have embodied the core values of the ball and the spirit of science in Vienna: excellence, diversity, and internationality. These 18 messages are just a glimpse of around 130 shared over the past ten years. You can also find them in our ball magazine on pages 41-42 and 57-59. (Link in bio!) #SciBall25 #Ballbotschaft
„The times are challenging. But it becomes easie „The times are challenging. But it becomes easier when you find like-minded people, organize in groups, build networks, strengthen relationships, and form friendships. Where, if not at the Science Ball? When, if not tonight?“ More photos from this night by Franz Reiterer, Ludwig Schedl, Manuel Prett, and Christian Haas: www.wissenschaftsball.at/ballfotos-2025/ (Link in Bio!) #SciBall25 #BallFotos
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen played Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen played a key role in the founding of the Vienna Ball of Sciences. In 2014, as the university commissioner of the City of Vienna, he supported the establishment of the event alongside Mayor Michael Häupl and City Councilor for Science Andreas Maillath-Pokorny. Just a year later, the first ball took place at Vienna’s historic town hall. The motto, unchanged from the very beginning, remains: „Fun with decency – Dance with dignity.“ This year, as the ball celebrated its 10th anniversary, Van der Bellen took the stage, addressing the audience with a heartfelt speech. A decade on, the event continues to honor knowledge, elegance, and the joy of coming together. #SciBall25 #Ballbotschaft #VanDerBellen
Am Freitag, dem 24. Januar 2025, nur einen Abend v Am Freitag, dem 24. Januar 2025, nur einen Abend vor dem großen Ball, wurde der Festsaal der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW) zum Schauplatz eines ebenso scharfsinnigen wie inspirierenden Austauschs. Maja Göpel hielt die Vienna Lecture on Science Communication und sprach über die Rolle der Wissenschaft im öffentlichen Diskurs. Nach einer Begrüßung durch Univ.-Prof. Matthias Karmasin, der in Vertretung des ÖAW-Präsidenten Heinz Fassmann sprach, übernahm Göpel das Wort – präzise, engagiert und auf den Punkt. Besonders ihr Appell für ein dringend notwendiges stärkeres wissenschaftliches Engagement in gesellschaftlichen Fragen sorgte für tosenden Applaus und traf den Nerv des Publikums: Es wurde nicht nur zugehört, sondern auch intensiv nachgedacht. Dies zeigte sich in der anschließenden lebhaften Diskussion unter der Moderation von Ballorganisator Oliver Lehmann, bei der Gäste Fragen an Göpel stellen und sich miteinander austauschen konnten. Zum Ausklang des Abends hatten die Gäste bei einem Empfang die Gelegenheit dann ganz persönliche Gespräche mit Göpel zu führen und sich ihr neuestes Buch Werte (Brandstätter Verlag, 2025) signieren zu lassen. Eine Übersicht über Göpels Medienauftritte während ihres Wien-Besuchs gibt es auf unserer Website. (Link in Bio!) #SciBall25 #ViennaLectureOnScienceCommunication #MajaGöpel
Thorsten Schumm is an experimental physicist resea Thorsten Schumm is an experimental physicist researching a new definition of time with the „nuclear clock.“ Together with his team, he has achieved a breakthrough: for the first time, they successfully used a laser to specifically excite the nucleus of the thorium-229 isotope. It is foreseeable that nuclear clocks will replace the currently used atomic clocks. However, Schumm envisions even more: the new quantum physics involving atomic nuclei could also enable revolutionary data storage or high-energy lasers. From theory to breakthrough it takes time. Fifteen years of hard work went into this success. Such achievements were only possible thanks to strong partners like TU Wien and funding programs such as the FWF and ERC, Schumm says. What drives Schumm the most is freedom and time to pursue his ideas. In a world that seeks simple solutions, Schumm embraces complexity. He believes that for real solutions, science must be visible, engage with society, and seek dialogue with policymakers – especially in challenging times. Thorsten Schumm, a native Berliner, earned his doctorate under Nobel Prize winner Alain Aspect and is now one of Austria’s leading experimental physicists. He has served as a department head and dean, a member of the directorate of the Junge Kurie of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), and the board of the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (WPI). His research has earned him numerous awards, including the START Prize and two ERC grants. #SciBall25 #Ballbotschaft #ThorstenSchumm
Laura Koesten asks questions that often hum quietl Laura Koesten asks questions that often hum quietly in the background but shape our view of data: What exactly are data? How do we understand them, and how do they influence our perception of the world? Her research focuses on the emerging field of Human Data Interaction, closely tied to the development of Artificial Intelligence. She explores how people interact with, perceive, and understand data. For Koesten, data are not just numbers and tables but „interfaces“. They are windows into complex systems like climate change or public health. Yet, every window has a frame that determines what we see and what remains hidden. Her goal is to make these stories clearer and accessible to everyone. Through her ‚Talking Charts‘ project, funded by the Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF), she ensures that data visualizations „speak“ in a way that everyone can understand. Koesten’s work envisions data as dynamic, transparent, and inclusive processes, where the decisions behind every dataset become visible. As the 2024 recipient of the Hedy Lamarr Prize, she is a PostDoc at the University of Vienna and an affiliated researcher at King’s College London, contributing to the development of digital humanism in the age of technology. #SciBall25 #Ballbotschaft #LauraKoesten
„To convey knowledge means passing on fascinatio „To convey knowledge means passing on fascination and curiosity: across generations and borders.” - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Markus Aspelmeyer Quantum mechanics and relativity – two rivals in physics. One describes a smooth, predictable world, the other a realm of jumps, probabilities, and uncertainties. Both are right. Neither yields. Between them stands Markus Aspelmeyer, striving to reconcile their differences or at least bring them together in an experiment. For him, physics should be coherent – which it currently isn’t. Aspelmeyer sees science as craft, curiosity, and detective work. Fundamental research, is like renovating an old house: somewhere behind the wallpaper lies the truth. His diverse team – spanning 17 nations and ages from teenagers to great-grandparents – fosters constant innovation at quantA (@quantumscience.at ) the leading Austrian quantum research network. Together, they tackle questions few dare to ask: What is the quantum nature of space, time, and gravity? Can new paradigms in quantum information emerge? And then there’s the Vienna Ball of Sciences, where Aspelmeyer insists, „Science and dance are no contradiction.” Perhaps even quantum mechanics and relativity could waltz into harmony. Aspelmeyer’s career spans philosophy and physics in Munich, a doctorate on ferroelectric films, work with Anton Zeilinger, and now professorship in quantum information. His experiments are as ambitious as they are tangible: weighing tiny masses, cooling nanoparticles to near-absolute stillness. If anyone can mediate the duel between quantum mechanics and gravity, it’s him. And if not, he’ll keep for sure dancing or searching, until physics finds a new rhythm. #SciBall25 #Ballbotschaft #MarkusAspelmeyer
The organizing committee believes science communic The organizing committee believes science communication deserves a bigger stage. Always, not just at the ball. That’s why we created the Vienna Lecture on Science Communication together with @oeaw.at , the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖWA). This year’s speaker: Maja Göpel, Germany’s star in science communication and transformation research. On January 24, 2025, she’ll take the stage at the Academy’s grand hall to explain why clear, accessible science is essential in times of crisis. Admission is free, but don’t forget to register: www.wissenschaftsball.at/vienna-lecture-25/. (Link in bio!) Science communication is the ace up our sleeve against anti-science sentiment. But why bother? Because good science communication isn’t just slick marketing – it builds trust. Without credible science, democratic progress doesn’t stand a chance. Göpel fits nowhere but everywhere: she researches and teaches as a political economist, transformation expert, and sustainability scientist, working at the intersection of science, politics, and society. She is a bestselling author, speaker, professor in Lüneburg, member of the Club of Rome, and co-founder of Scientists4Future, and former member of the German government’s Bioeconomy Council. In 2022, she earned the Science Communication Medal from the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences. Photo: Anja Weber
Wang to be bright-eyed and feeling good the mornin Wang to be bright-eyed and feeling good the morning after the ball? Then wash your Face with the @herka_frottier ‘s zero-waste washcloth. It’s a SciBall 2025 gift for our guests. HERKA Frottier is a family-run company from Austria’s Waldviertel has been making towels, bath textiles, and cozy loungewear for nearly 98 years. And: They’re all about sustainability. Leftover yarn from their larger productions is turned into colorful, one-of-a-kind washcloths. So it’s zero waste and 100% unique. These special editions were made just for the ball. Take a look: www.herka-frottier.at (Link in bio!)
Last week, the annual ball gown swap took place at Last week, the annual ball gown swap took place at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA), located at the Vienna Bio Center (VBCF). In a twist, guests skipped the usual shopping spree and traded their ball gowns as a sustainable alternative instead of buying new. Usually, researchers push scientific boundaries in molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology at the IMBA. Using gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9, they tackle disease mechanisms and develop innovative therapies. But on Thursday, the scene at the IMBA was a kaleidoscope of unique ball gowns, with no one turning heads quite like @saki.the.artist . Draped in a self-made gown crafted entirely from single-use gloves, she embodied both ingenuity and eco-conscious chic. And about that tradition, there is one important topic to mention: the dress code. It’s strict, with no room for negotiation – floor-length gowns, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or the ever-dashing black suit. Kilts are also allowed. At the entrance, the Ball Committee ensures that no one turns up underdressed – or overdressed, for that matter. You can show up in a gown made of gloves, feathers, or even recycled receipts, as long as it follows the rules. Creativity is welcome, but chaos not so much. #SciBall25 #Ballkleidertausch #IMBA #ViennaBioCenter
Ball organizer Oliver Lehmann in conversation with Ball organizer Oliver Lehmann in conversation with opera singer @ladoucelette about traditions and this year’s midnight performance. #SciBall25 #KatiaLedoux #Mitternachtseinlage
„To me, science means reaching a rationally just „To me, science means reaching a rationally justified assessment in an increasingly complex world – knowledge-based, balanced, and open to different perspectives.“ Ingeborg Zerbes, professor of criminal law in Vienna, is an ambassador of reason. Science, she says, is the attempt to bring order to the world. Not with dogma, but with facts. Rationality, she believes, is a rare commodity these days, in a time when rumors often outweigh knowledge, and everyone insists they’re right. Zerbes uses her expertise in legal studies as a bridge between theory and practice. Navigating the space between laws and principles, she strives for clarity – whether in guiding her students, mentoring her research team, or contributing to public discourse. Her analytical approach brings a calm, reasoned voice to contentious debates, such as her role in leading the investigation into the 2020 Vienna terror attack. „Research“, she says, „is a form of freedom.“ It’s a freedom she harnesses to challenge populist simplifications with well-founded, factual arguments that outlast fleeting headlines. Photo: Universität Wien/Barbara Mair #SciBall25 #Ballbotschaft #IngeborgZerbes
„Science is both passion and progress for me. Th „Science is both passion and progress for me. Through my communication, I aim to bridge the gap between research and society and stand up against science denial – because it costs lives.“ For Sylvia Kerschbaum-Gruber, science is more than data and formulas; it is a promise to make life better, longer, and perhaps even a bit more beautiful. But Sylvia is also a realist. She knows that beauty alone is not enough, especially in times when facts are confused with opinions and algorithms shape worldviews. That’s why Sylvia started talking about her work. In videos, posts, and interviews, she explains why a certain cell structure is so fascinating, how radiation therapy works, and why we should always take a second look at medical myths. She calls herself @molecular.sylvia , and yes, she knows how nerdy that sounds. But that’s exactly the point: science is not just for people in white coats. Science is for everyone. Of course, she faced backlash. During the pandemic, her posts often became targets. It was a time when science turned into an ideological battleground, with facts and fake news colliding. And it was the time when Sylvia realized that scientists must not only research but also fight – against misinformation, conspiracy theories, and the notion that truth is negotiable. „Science denial costs lives,” she says. It sounds dramatic, but it’s a simple truth. And that’s why she keeps going. Why, despite the hostility, she raises her voice. As a scientist, a communicator, and a person who believes in reason – and in the power of a well-told experiment. Sylvia Kerschbaum-Gruber is a PostDoc researcher at the Department of Radiooncology at the Medical University of Vienna. On social media, she is the voice of molecular biology, educating and inspiring others. #SciBall25 #Ballbotschaft #SylviaKerschbaumGruber #MolecularSylvia
This season, we are once again hosted at the Stadt This season, we are once again hosted at the Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus at Karlsplatz. Thanks to the generosity of Stadtkino, we will be distributing pre-ordered and prepaid tickets at this central location from Monday, January 6, 2025, to Friday, January 24, 2025, on weekdays between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The exact address is Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus, Akademiestraße 13, 1010 Vienna. It is easily accessible by public transport: U1, U2, U4; trams 1, 2, 62, 71, D; Badner Bahn; buses 3A, 4A, 59A; and regional bus 360. #SciBall25
Without science, there can be no foundation for di Without science, there can be no foundation for dialogue, no solutions, only noise. Facts are not a matter of opinion. Denying them endangers democracy and education. Science must remain free, with politics following its lead, not the other way around. Truth is not for sale – it is the foundation of our society. And speaking of clear messages: Marina Lacković alias @malarina___ , a Serbian artist and cultural bridge-builder between „Schwabos“ and „Tschuschen“, doesn’t just deliver essential truths about science – she’s also conquering the cabaret stages. Winner of the Salzburger Stier in 2023 and the German Kleinkunstpreis in 2024, she proves that humor and truth go hand in hand. Photographer: Christopher Glanzl #SciBall25
In need of a ball gown or tux? Instead buying new, In need of a ball gown or tux? Instead buying new, you can swap, borrow and discover a unique piece with its own story. The Clothing Swap at Vienna BioCenter offers a consciously sustainable selection of evening wear – from vintage treasures to timeless classics and everything in between. When? Thursday, January 9, 2025, 4:00–6:00 PM Where? Campus-Vienna-BioCenter 1, 1030 Vienna Sign up here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/VBCBallGownSwap25 #SciBall25
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