In Memoriam: Professor Werner A. Hufenbach

On October 4, 2026, the founder and longtime director of the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Prof. h.c. Dr. h.c. Werner A. Hufenbach, passed away.

Professor Hufenbach was born in Essen in 1942, grew up in Northeim, and went on to study forming technology at Clausthal University of Technology. He earned his doctorate in 1973 at the Institute of Technical Mechanics at TU Clausthal, where he subsequently became Senior Engineer and head of the Department of Applied Mechanics and Materials Mechanics, and, after completing his habilitation, adjunct professor. In 1993, he was appointed to the Chair of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology at TU Dresden, and in 1994 he founded the institute of the same name. Within a short time, he built the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) into a scientific institution of the highest reputation, whose influence extends nationally and internationally to this day.

Among Prof. Hufenbach’s scientific achievements are the acquisition and leadership of the DFG Research Unit FOR 278 “Textile Reinforcements for High-Performance Rotors in Complex Applications,” the DFG Priority Program SPP 1123 “Textile Composite Designs and Manufacturing Technologies for Lightweight Structures in Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering,” and the DFG Collaborative Research Center SFB 639 “Textile-Reinforced Composite Components for Function-Integrated Multi-Material Design in Complex Lightweight Applications,” through which he systematically established and expanded the field of textile-reinforced lightweight structures at TU Dresden. The DFG Collaborative Research Center/Transregio TR 39 “High-Volume Production-Compatible Technologies for Light Metal and Fiber Composite-Based Components with Integrated Piezoceramic Sensors and Actuators (PT-PIESA),” the Saxon Cluster of Excellence “European Centre for Emerging Materials and Processes Dresden” (ECEMP), as well as the construction of the Lightweight Innovation Center (LIZ) and the Process Development Center (PEZ) also originated from his initiative and dedication.

He developed the Dresden Model of “Function-Integrated Lightweight System Design in Multi-Material Design” and established the lightweight engineering specialization within the mechanical engineering degree program. Cooperation with domestic and international partners, as well as technology transfer, was a particular concern of his. Among other things, he established the International Dresden Lightweight Engineering Symposium as an annual international conference and cross-industry platform for exchange, took on an honorary professorship and teaching role at the Chinese-German College for Postgraduate Studies (CDHK) of Tongji University, Shanghai, and initiated the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) “Lightweight Structures and Materials” as well as numerous spin-offs. The best known among them are Leichtbau-Zentrum Sachsen GmbH and CG Rail – Chinese-German Research and Development Center for Railway and Transportation Technology Dresden GmbH.

Under Prof. Hufenbach’s supervision, 43 doctoral candidates completed their doctorates and 2 postdoctoral researchers successfully completed their habilitations. In total, he published 712 papers and held 180 patents. Even after reaching retirement age, he remained engaged at the institute as a senior professor, continued to serve on the institute’s board, and was a valued discussion partner.

In recognition of his achievements, he was elected to the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) and received numerous national and international honors, such as the Saxon Order of Merit and the People’s Republic of China’s International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Award.

With Professor Werner Hufenbach, we lose a personality who opened up new fields of research with great vision and pursued them with perseverance. His ability to bring together partners from different fields and inspire them for a common cause served him well in this. To his staff, he was not only a supervisor but, with his dedicated and inspiring manner, also an important thought leader, mentor, and companion. With his supportive and always positively demanding style, he shaped the ILK for many years. He always had an open ear for the concerns of all staff and students. The special spirit he laid as a foundation continues to influence our daily work and our collaboration today. He is and remains a role model for us, as well as an incentive to carry on the ILK in his spirit.

Our sympathy goes out to his family.

On behalf of the institute’s management
and all staff members of
the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dipl.-Math. Maik Gude
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Niels Modler