Research Report 2023
FOREWORD
Our country is often accused of taking decisions only in small steps and of being rather slow. Critics complain that the major guidelines are barely recognisable in the politically and socially necessary compromises. The year 2023 proved us wrong.
At the beginning of the year, Germany’s entire energy supply was still on the brink, but today we know that we have managed to diversify our supply in record while at the same time giving a decisive boost to the necessary expansion of renewable energies. It was ultimately foreseeable that the enormous financial efforts associated with these measures would also leave their mark on the federal budget. The Cabinet's decision to discontinue the Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Program (TTP LB) of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) seems incomprehensible against the background of the specific demand for the program and the generally increasing importance of lightweight engineering for the energy and resource transition.
Despite this challenging background, the ILK can look back on a successful year. Back in January, we welcomed over 500 guests to the LEIV as part of the 12th Saxon Transfer Roadshow. At both JEC World 2023 and the Hannover Messe, we experienced enormous demand for our latest developments – especially in the field of software-based lightweight engineering solutions. As part of the 26th International Dresden Lightweight Engineering Symposium and the 5th Saxon-Polish Innovation Day, we discussed innovative approaches to sustainable mobility and stronger cross-border cooperation with numerous experts from science and industry. As part of the TryING program “Leichtbau leicht gemacht”, we also had the opportunity to share practical experience with students in an age-appropriate way.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Maik Gude – Chair of Lightweight Systems Engineering and MultiMaterial Design and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Niels Modler Chair of Function-integrative Lightweight Engineering
In addition to these events, it is of course the large and small research projects that form the core of our work. The successful continuation of SFB/TRR 285 " Method development for mechanical joinability in versatile process chains" into the second phase, the initiation of RTG 2868 "D³ – Data-driven Design of Resilient Metamaterials" and the launch of the DiDe4Rec project (Digital design process for the recycling of fiber-reinforced lightweight structures) and the syntralT!Raum project are just a few examples. The latter deliberately emphasises technology transfer at eye level for sustainable structural change in Lusatia. Since June 2023, we have also been able to focus on an intensive partnership with Citrine Informatics Inc. for AI-supported clarification of the process parameter-structure-property relationship. This will be helpful, for example, for the ElViS project, in which we will produce structurally integrated batteries based on modified carbon fibers in the future. With a practical approach, our colleagues demonstrated completely new ways of producing sustainable theater sculptures using large-scale 3D printers. On the Science and Innovation Campus of the DRESDEN-concept, research, application and culture are always particularly close to each other!
The visit of the Indian ambassador to discuss existing and future collaborations, such as the ILK project COMPOLL, marked the perfect beginning of a new era in research cooperation with Indian research partners. Meetings with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) as well as the ILK Summer School for highly talented Korean youth underline the international networking and reputation of the ILK.
All of these successes in 2023 can only be achieved through outstanding dedication, for which we, the Executive Board, would like to thank all staff and students, and hope for their continued unwavering support as we face the challenges ahead!
Content
Below you will find a summary of the events at the ILK in 2023
- Saxon Transfer Roadshow #12
- The ILK at the JEC World 2023
- The ILK at the Hannover Messe 2023
- Manfred Hirschvogel Prize 2023
- The 26th International Dresden Lightweight Construction Symposium 2024
- TryING: Lightweight construction made easy
- W4: How science becomes business
Research projects
- HoRa - High-performance radial impellers
- Digital design for recycling process: DiDe4Rec research project launched for the recycling of fiber-reinforced lightweight structures
- T!Raum project syntral launched
- DigiTain - Digitalization for Sustainability
- TU Dresden and Citrine Informatics collaborate on fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) components research
- T!Raum initiative syntral: Partnership for sustainable structural change in Lusatia
- Hailstorm at the ILK - Ice-cold hail tests of innovative aviation components
- FORCEAT - on the hunt for medals with a function-integrating force measurement system
- Batteries with carbon fibers - ElViS
- Towards a predictive crash simulation of composite structures via high fidelity finite element models using high-performance computing
- Compostable theater plastics from the 3D printer: Innovation from Dresden for sustainable theater construction
International
- Indian ambassador visits TU Dresden: Cooperation to grow further
- M2BRIDGE kick-off meeting
- IIT Delhi visits TU Dresden
- ILK summer school for highly talented young Koreans
- 5th Saxon-Polish Innovation Day. Innovative solutions for sustainable mobility
- Innovative ways for sustainable mobility in the focus of the 5th Saxon-Polish Innovation Day on September 21/22, 2023 in Dresden
- Cooperation days between the University of Patras and TU Dresden
- Strengthening German-Korean collaborations
- NTU Singapore visits the ILK
- Saxony and Indian state of Tamil Nadu agree on scientific and technological cooperation
An overview of all events can be found here:
For 30 years, the ILK has been promoting interdisciplinary cooperation worldwide and building up a constantly growing international network of leading research institutions in order to jointly find answers to the questions of our time.
In 2023, the ILK was awarded several prizes and honours for its outstanding achievements.
More articles:
ILK scientists honoured at the Faculty Day
The scientists at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology specialise in nine different expert groups in various fields of lightweight engineering.
The ILK team is distinguished by its expertise in the development, design and optimisation of high-performance lightweight components and systems. Our expertise ranges from theoretical research to prototype production. Interdisciplinary collaborative research projects, in which the ILK often acts as initiator and spokesperson, reflect our fundamental expertise. The results drive the development of innovative lightweight structures and manufacturing processes and lead to successful third-party funded projects and long-term industrial partnerships.
Discover our projects of the year 2023 and be inspired by our research initiatives.
Get an overview of all projects at the ILK in 2023:
All scientific publications of the ILK can be found here:
2023
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Entwicklung einer integrativen Prozess-Struktur-Simulationsstrategie für faserverstärkte Leichtbaustrukturen, 26 Oct 2023, Technische Universität Dresden, 187 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Types of Thesis > Doctoral thesis
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Lokale Verstärkung metallischer Bauteile mit duroplastischen Faserverbundhalbzeugen im Karosserieentstehungsprozess, 29 Jun 2023, Technische Universität Dresden, 184 p.Electronic (full-text) versionResearch output: Types of Thesis > Doctoral thesis
This information is provided by the FIS.
The ILK trains students in a unique degree programme for lightweight engineering. At the heart of this program is the Dresden model of "Functionally Integrative Lightweight System Engineering in Multi-Material Design". The latest findings from ILK research are incorporated directly into the curriculum. Additional lecture series by leading figures from industry give students an early insight into practical applications. The intensive involvement of students in innovative research projects at the ILK leads to the training of highly qualified graduates with a strong interdisciplinary background and a pronounced practical orientation. Graduates of the Dresden School of Lightweight Engineering are well established in industry and science and have proven themselves in a wide range of fields.
We asked ILK alumnus Dipl.-Ing. Leon Schröder three questions about his studies at the ILK. Click here for the article:
The Lightweight Engineering Get Together provides a valuable opportunity for students to exchange ideas in an informal atmosphere and to strengthen cohesion within the community.
Find out how the Get Together provides the perfect setting for networking, integration and fun, and discover what made the evening so memorable:
The Akademischer Club Leichtbau an der TU Dresden (ACL)
The ACL promotes the exchange between graduates, scientists and supporters of the ILK. Since 2003, it has served as a platform for knowledge transfer and cooperation between students and experts in the field of lightweight engineering. The association supports teaching, research and the development of cooperation networks through events and personal contacts. More information about the activities of the ACL in 2023 and contact persons can be found here:
The promotion of young talent is a particular concern for the Lightweight Engineering Institute. The conviction that the future of lightweight engineering lies in the hands of talented young people forms the basis of this support. In a targeted manner, young talents are enabled to develop their full potential and develop innovative solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Training and inspiring the next generation is therefore a decisive factor for progress and excellence in the lightweight construction industry. We therefore invest not only in technologies, but above all in the minds and ideas of tomorrow, as these are the key to a sustainable and successful future in lightweight engineering.
Numerous projects were also initiated in 2023 to support young people and give them the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and gain practical experience. Click here to find out more about the ILK's young talent activities: