Mar 27, 2026
20 years of cooperation: TU Dresden and Rolls-Royce celebrate the anniversary of their University Technology Center
The development of lighter, more efficient, and at the same time robust aero-engine structures is one of the
key challenges in aviation. These challenges have been addressed for the past 20 years by the joint University Technology Centre (UTC) “Lightweight Structures and Materials and Robust Design” of TU Dresden and Rolls-Royce. The anniversary was marked by a symposium in Dresden, where representatives of the participating institutes at TU Dresden and Rolls-Royce came together to discuss results and explore future directions of the collaboration.
The UTC was established at TU Dresden in 2006 and is part of Rolls-Royce’s global network, which brings together long-term research partnerships with selected universities. The UTC Dresden brings together the following institutes: the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK), the Institute of Fluid Mechanics (ISM), the Institute of Electrical Power Systems and High Voltage Engineering (IEEH), the Institute of Machine Elements and Machine Design (IMM), and the Institute of Materials Science (IfWW). The partnership builds on a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and TU Dresden that dates back to 1994 and has since developed into an established interface between academic research and industrial development. The scientific direction of the UTC Dresden is led by Prof. Dr. Maik Gude, who also heads the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK).
The core research areas of the UTC include lightweight engineering, materials and component development, and the robust design of aero-engine structures. These fields are central to improving the efficiency, service life, and reliability of modern propulsion systems.
A defining characteristic of the UTC Dresden is the close integration of industrial development needs with scientific methodology. Industry-relevant challenges are incorporated into research at an early stage, further developed using scientific approaches, and subsequently transferred back into application. One example is the PEP4.0 project, which focuses on the digital integration of the product development process for complex lightweight structures and on systematically improving collaboration between disciplines such as design, structural analysis, and manufacturing. This approach enables shorter development times, reduced coordination effort, and improved quality in component design. The methodology developed within the UTC has received an innovation award and demonstrates how digital development approaches contribute to weight reduction and increased efficiency in aero-engine components.
© University of Bristol/UTC
The collaboration between Rolls-Royce and TU Dresden also has a direct impact on education. Students and doctoral researchers work on concrete industrial development topics within the UTC and gain early insight into real-world application contexts. For many, this provides direct access to international industrial and research environments and opens up clear career perspectives. At the same time, integration into the global UTC network—with partners such as University of Oxford, University of Bristol, Imperial College London and Queen’s University Belfast—enhances international visibility and creates additional opportunities for qualification and exchange. In addition, the UTC Dresden works closely with other German UTCs in Cottbus and Darmstadt.
The UTC also has a tangible impact on the innovation ecosystem in Saxony. Collaborations with companies such as East4D Carbon Technology, Connova, HighTex, as well as ILK spin-offs including Herone and Leichtbau-Zentrum Sachsen GmbH (LZS), enable the early transfer of new lightweight concepts, manufacturing approaches, and development methods into industrial applications. This contributes to the creation of highly qualified jobs and sustainable value creation in the region.
After two decades, the UTC Dresden demonstrates how a long-term partnership between industry and academia can be successfully structured: through clearly defined research areas, robust results, and close integration of research, application, and education. In this sense, the UTC exemplifies TU Dresden’s commitment to combining scientific excellence with international collaboration and effective technology transfer. Looking ahead, the importance of this close cooperation is expected to grow further—particularly in light of increasing demands for efficiency, sustainability, and system integration. The UTC Dresden will continue to serve as a platform where scientific expertise and industrial experience are brought together to translate innovation into practice.
Contact
© Diana Wolfrum/ILK
Dr.-Ing. Albert Langkamp
Geschäftsführer
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postal address:
Institut für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik / UTC Dresden, Etage 2, 264a Holbeinstr. 3
01307 Dresden
Deutschland