Research report 2025
Table of contents
Foreword
The demands placed on lightweight engineering have changed fundamentally in recent years. Today, the focus is on solutions that combine high-performance materials and structures with resource efficiency, circular economy principles, and digitalization. Attention has shifted from individual components to the entire life cycle of technical systems, from material development and manufacturing to reuse and recycling. At the same time, international collaboration and the transfer of scientific knowledge into industrial applications continue to gain importance.
These developments significantly shaped 2025 at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden. Through interdisciplinary research, close collaboration with partners from academia and industry, and the consistent integration of material development, manufacturing technologies, and digitalization, ILK continued to advance sustainable and future-oriented lightweight engineering. At the same time, the year was marked by important strategic developments that will continue to shape the institute well beyond 2025.
A major highlight of the year was the 28th International Dresden Lightweight Engineering Symposium. Bringing together leading experts from academia, industry, and government, the symposium provided a platform to discuss current developments and future perspectives in lightweight engineering.
Another milestone was the groundbreaking ceremony for the CircEcon research campus, marking an important step toward greenhouse gas-neutral circular economy research and structural transformation in the Lusatia region.
International initiatives such as M2BRIDGE strengthened collaboration with European partners while creating new opportunities for students and researchers to engage in scientific exchange across borders.
At the same time, preparations advanced for the joint research aircraft of ILK and the Institute of Aerospace Engineering (ILR) at TU Dresden, laying the foundation for future research on climate-friendly aviation technologies.
The strength of a research institute is measured not only by its projects or research infrastructure, but above all by the people who drive research forward and share their knowledge. The close integration of research and teaching enables students to contribute to current research projects early in their academic careers while gaining valuable international experience.
Successful doctoral graduations, the habilitation of PD Dr.-Ing. habil. Robert Kupfer, and numerous programs for children, young people, and university students underscore ILK's strong commitment to academic qualification and the promotion of future generations.
Inaddition, preparations for the transition to the ILK Board established the organizational foundation for strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting the institute's long-term strategic development.
The 2025 Research Report invites readers to explore selected research projects, scientific achievements, and key developments from the year. It illustrates how research, teaching, academic qualification, and knowledge transfer come together at ILK to advance lightweight engineering and address the challenges of tomorrow.
Table of Contents
Chair of Lightweight Systems Engineering and Multi Material Design
Chair of Function-integrative Lightweight Engineering
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Niels Modler (seconded to the TUD University Executive Board until 2030)
- Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Spitzer (Interim Professorship)
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Dr.-Ing. Jörn Jaschinski (Interim Professorship)
The Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden is led by a six-member Institute Board. The Board brings together scientific, organizational and administrative responsibilities for the leadership of the institute. Further information
Below you will find a summary of the events at the ILK in 2025
- Cycles of the future at "Business meets Science" 2025
- Study Lightweight Engineering in Dresden
- Successful doctoral defense of Dr.-Ing. Magdalena Heibeck
- The 28th International Dresden Lightweight Engineering Symposium
- New innovation hotspot in Lusatia: First syntral transfer site opens in Hoyerswerda
- X-Garden project launched: Cross-border education initiative brings a breath of fresh air to STEM promotion
- ILK and ILR of TU Dresden invest in new research aircraft Diamond Aircraft DA62 MPP
- Girls’ Day at the ILK – Hands-on Engineering
- M2BRIDGE Summer School 2025 in Patras – Enroll now!
- Successful doctoral defense by Dr.-Ing. Wang with the distinction “magna cum laude”
- Guest stay of Prof. Perkowski at the ILK as part of the BMBF project GreenCompas
- Impulses for industrial change: Prof. Dr. Maik Gude invites you to LBS 2025
- Fresh off the production line and already a museum piece? TUD hands over innovative commercial vehicle model to Dresden's Transport Museum
- Dresden Science Night: We're in – This year at the PEZ
- Successful Habilitation at the ILK: Dr.-Ing. habil. Robert Kupfer Receives Teaching Qualification at TU Dresden
- 19th German Aerospace Regions Day
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ILK and ANYBRID GmbH present their research and product highlights at K 2025
- JEC Forum DACH 2025 - Business meets innovation in Dresden
- Start of the publicly funded "ProEly" project
- Successful Trade Fair Appearance of ILK and ANYBRID at K 2025
- Kick-off for the BIGBOND research project: Sustainable bonding technologies for large maritime structures
- 7th SAXON-POLISH INNOVATION DAY on December 4 and 5, 2025 in Dresden
- Successful Completion of the Doctoral Degree by Dr.-Ing. Tino Wollmann
- Successful project completion in the DiDe4Rec project
An overview of all news can be found here:
In 2025, the ILK was awarded several prizes and honours for its outstanding achievements. Awards and prizes 2025
The scientists at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology specialise in nine different expert groups in various fields of lightweight engineering.
The Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden conducts research in the field of function-integrated lightweight engineering and develops solutions for high-performance lightweight components and systems. Its research is based on the Dresden Model of Function-Integrated Lightweight Engineering in Multi-Material Design, which provides a comprehensive framework spanning material development, manufacturing processes, and complete system design. ILK's interdisciplinary research addresses current and future challenges in lightweight engineering, including resource efficiency, circular economy concepts, sustainable manufacturing, and the development of innovative materials and technologies. Through numerous collaborative research projects, the institute frequently assumes coordinating roles and works closely with partners from academia and industry. This close collaboration facilitates the transfer of scientific knowledge into application-oriented solutions and supports technological innovation.
The following pages present a selection of research projects from 2025 and highlight only a portion of ILK's broad range of research activities.
Discover our projects of the year 2024 and be inspired by our research initiatives.
Get an overview of all projects at the ILK in 2024
All scientific publications of the ILK can be found here:
- Heibeck, Magdalena: Contribution to the recyclability assessment of multi-material structures with a focus on shredding. Dissertation, TU Dresden, 2025
- Ehrig, Tom: Zur Auslegung von Leichtbaustrukturen mit adaptiver veränderlicher Zwangsschichtdämpfung. Dissertation, TU Dresden, 2025
- Wang, Zhenbi: Methodical development of active compliant mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy wire. Dissertation, TU Dresden, 2025
- Kupfer, Robert: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Joints in Lightweight Engineering – Contributions to Technology, Structural Characterization, and Design. Habilitationsschrift, TU Dresden, 2025
- Wollmann, Tino: Methods for analysing the damage-dependent vibration behaviour of rotating composite structures. Dissertation, TU Dresden, 2025
- Barfuss, Daniel: Zur Vorhersage der mechanischen Eigenschaften von Faser-Thermoplast-Verbunden aus geflochtenen Tape-Preforms. Dissertation, TU Dresden, 2025
Still image from the syntral Initiative promotional film.
Education at ILK combines scientific fundamentals with practice-oriented training and cutting-edge research. Based on the Dresden model of function-integrative lightweight system design in multi-material design, students develop a broad understanding of lightweight engineering. The interdisciplinary curriculum opens up a wide range of perspectives and allows students to pursue their individual academic interests.
A key feature of education at ILK is the close integration of teaching and research. From an early stage in their studies, students have the opportunity to participate in research projects and apply theoretical knowledge directly in practice. The institute’s extensive machinery and its validation, processing, and application halls provide ideal conditions for hands-on learning. Whether through student projects or final theses, working on current research topics enables students to gain valuable practical experience and prepares them for careers in both industry and academia.
The curriculum is further enriched by international exchange programmes and summer schools that promote academic and intercultural exchange. These initiatives enable students to gain research experience in an international environment and collaborate with partner universities on forward-looking challenges in lightweight engineering.
M2BRIDGE Summer School: International Collaboration in Lightweight Engineering
Through the M2BRIDGE project, TU Dresden and the University of Patras (UPAT) are strengthening their long-term collaboration in teaching and research in the fields of lightweight engineering and multi-material design through the exchange of students and academic staff as well as the organisation of summer schools. A particular highlight in 2025 was the M2BRIDGE Summer School held in Patras. Together with students from the partner university, the participants worked on current challenges in sustainable lightweight engineering, developed innovative solution approaches, and expanded both their technical expertise and intercultural competencies. Further insights into the Summer School, the M2BRIDGE project, and its background can be found in the following articles.
Composites UTP Student Exchange: International Research at UTC Dresden
As part of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) Dresden, the Composites UTP Student Exchange program enables students from TU Dresden and University of Bristol to gain international research experience in the field of composite materials. The exchange program is part of the Composites University Technology Partnership (UTP) and combines academic education with application-oriented research in an international environment.
Each year, students from the University of Bristol complete a summer internship at the ILK, while students from TU Dresden have the opportunity to undertake research stays, compulsory internships or final theses in Bristol. By contributing to current research projects and engaging closely with international partners, they acquire valuable technical expertise and intercultural skills. Further information can be found in the following article.
The Akademischer Club Leichtbau e.V. at the TU Dresden (ACL)
The ACL connects students, graduates, researchers, and ILK partners while promoting exchange between academia, research, and industry. Since its foundation in 2003, the association has supported teaching and research at the ILK and provides a platform for professional dialogue, personal encounters, and the development of sustainable networks. Through a wide range of events and activities, the ACL facilitates knowledge transfer and strengthens the connection between the different generations of the Dresden lightweight design community. Further information on the ACL’s activities in 2025 and contact details can be found here:
Research institutions and engineering companies face the challenge of actively shaping the technological transformation towards a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. At the same time, a considerable number of experienced professionals will retire in the coming years, while enrolment in engineering degree programmes has been declining for several years. One contributing factor is the public perception of the discipline. Mechanical engineering is still widely associated with traditional industries, despite having evolved into a highly interdisciplinary field. Today, research and development are shaped not only by classical design and manufacturing disciplines, but also by lightweight engineering, sustainable materials, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and the circular economy. Early-stage outreach and talent development therefore play an important role in conveying a contemporary understanding of engineering and inspiring young people to explore its diverse fields of application.
Against this background, the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) once again organised a wide range of outreach activities in 2025, accompanying young people from their first encounters with engineering and technology through to the development of deeper scientific interests. Learn more about our initiatives for young talent: Young Talent Activities 2025.