Research report 2024
Table of contents
Introduction
An annual review offers the opportunity to reflect on one’s position and adjust course in response to evolving circumstances. Particularly in times of transformation and upheaval, significant opportunities emerge for the development of new technologies and business models. At this pivotal moment, research – built upon scientific insights and coupled with an entrepreneurial mindset – can pave new pathways and initiate the structural transformation that is urgently needed in Germany. We are currently witnessing this dynamic in the field of artificial intelligence, often met with skepticism – some of which is certainly justified. The potential of AI for digitalized lightweight engineering must be scientifically analyzed and strategically harnessed.
With this in mind, we are working intensively on new solutions for green mobility, neutral lightweight engineering as part of the circular economy, and innovative concepts for future energy and process engineering – all while utilizing and adapting emerging AI tools. As such, we are learning to integrate these new tools into our daily research and development methods, allowing us to better understand both their potential and their limitations.
It is no coincidence that the 27th International Dresden Lightweight Engineering Symposium took place in July 2024 under the motto “Neutral Lightweight Engineering – Resilience through Technology Sovereignty.” We were honored to welcome India – a heavyweight in the fields of digitalization and software development – as our partner country, along with 250 distinguished guests. In the run-up to this event, we also launched the 1st National Competence Exhibition KREISLAUF.LEICHTBAU.ERLEBEN. (CYCLE.LIGHTWEIGHT.EXPERIENCE.) – a groundbreaking initiative bridging industry, research, and society in the realm of digitalized lightweight processes. This new format, which was an immediate success with approximately 150 participants, including 150 students and their teachers, is particularly aimed at SMEs and schools. At the National Lightweight Engineering Validation Center (LEIV), we provided hands-on insights into the latest manufacturing technologies for polymer and light metal processing, offering concrete impulses for increasing resource efficiency in manufacturing companies while simultaneously inspiring young minds with a glimpse into the technology landscape of tomorrow. These were just two of the many specialist conferences and exchange formats organized by ILK and its partners in 2024.
With great anticipation, we look forward to the largest European networking and professional event in the field of composite materials. Our successful bid to host the ECCM in Dresden presents a unique opportunity to offer our university – and in particular, the Dresden lightweight engineering community – a special gift in the anniversary year 2028.
Both scientifically and in terms of third-party funding, 2024 was one of ILK’s most successful years, despite challenging economic and funding conditions. Highlights include securing the Collaborative Research Center SFB/TRR 402 in collaboration with colleagues from Aachen and Chemnitz, receiving funding approval for a research aircraft together with the Institute of Aerospace Engineering (ILR) at TU Dresden, the completion of the COMPOLL project in cooperation with IIT Madras and IIT Delhi, and the establishment of the Research Center for Greenhouse Gas-Neutral Circular Economy CircEcon.
We are also particularly proud of our outstanding graduates and staff. For instance, Dipl.-Ing. Leon Schröder received the Johann-Andreas-Schubert Award, while Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Spitzer was honored with the TU Dresden Internationalization Award. The Rolls-Royce Innovation Award and the AVK Award for outstanding research achievements at ILK further round off what has been an exceptional year.
The present may be uncertain, but the future – at least in our view – is not. As an interdisciplinary field, lightweight engineering has always been, and will continue to be, a key discipline in the pursuit of a sustainable and equitable 21st-century economy.
2025… here we come!
