'VDE Best Thesis Award' for ZEReader Thesis
- Anna-Lena Marx
- ZEReader , Electronics
- July 30, 2026
Almost exactly one year after submitting my bachelor’s thesis in electrical engineering – which resulted in the ZEReader Project – I had the chance to meet one of my supervisors again and showcase how much the project has evolved since its initial version.
In mid-June, I received an email that my thesis would be awarded the ‘VDE Award’ for outstanding theses of the regional VDE association Leipzig/Halle, which my university belongs to. It was not completely unexpected, as my supervisors had told me after the final thesis defense that they would nominate my work. Still, living in Karlsruhe meant that attending a Thursday award ceremony in Leipzig on such short notice was quite a logistical challenge.
Together with my partner and even my parents, I was able to attend the event at the Elektrotechnische Sammlung Markkleeberg, present my thesis alongside the latest updates, and let people try it out for themselves. Beyond the honor of receiving the award, it was great to see my supervisor again and discuss which of the ideas from a year ago had become reality. Maybe I will also manage to finish writing the blog post about the second revision eventually.
The Elektrotechnische Sammlung (electrical engineering collection) itself is also worth a visit and probably rather unknown outside, and even within, Leipzig. Located in the rooms of an old transmission station, it features various exhibits from the history of electrical engineering collected by the VDE Leipzig/Halle. The volunteers in charge eagerly showed us around. And my father finally got to see a live mercury-arc valve in action, instead of just a video I took during my studies.
If you’re ever in Leipzig, check if the Elektrotechnische Sammlung is open to the public and pay it a visit!
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