Ein Wissenschaftler des Instituts für Leichtbau und Kunststoftechnik arbeitet an einem Flugzeugrumpf.. © Izabela Danczak Ein Elektrofahrzeug steht auf dem Rollfeld des Dresdner Flughafens. © Enrico Ladusch

Cutting-edge Research for a Lighter Future

The scientists of the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology conduct cutting-edge research along the entire research spectrum of lightweight engineering and polymer technology – from fundamental to application-oriented research.

learn more Cutting-edge Research for a Lighter Future

Scientific areas at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technologies

Scientific area Lightweight design

The expert group Lightweight design conducts research on innovative, material-specific design and construction approaches and develops integral lightweight components and systems for cross-sectoral applications based on methodological concept analyses through to the prototypical component.
Ausschnitt aus einer Simulation. © Roman Koschichow
Scientific area Numerical Methods

The focuses of the expert group Numerical methods are the development and provision of practice-oriented, virtual methods for the design of efficient lightweight components, structures and systems in multi-material design through combined cross-process, cross-material and multiscale simulation approaches.
Zwei Wissenschaftler des Instituts für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik arbeiten an einer Tapelegeanlage.. © Tanja Kirsten
Scientific area Thermo­plastic processing

The expert group Thermoplastic processing at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology takes a unique interdisciplinary research approach, from the development of adjusted semi-finished products and the processing of preforms to the manufacturing of highly integrative component structures in novel combination processes.
Sirko Geller und Eike Dohmen arbeiten an einer LFI-Anlage © Jürgen Jeibmann
Scientific area Thermoset processing and preforming

The expert group Thermoset processing and preforming at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology focuses in particular on the characterisation, modelling and simulation of reactive processes as well as on the facility and process development for innovative preform concepts. In addition, novel materials, semi-finished products and related processing technologies are developed.
Detailaufnahme eines gefügten Materials. © Sebastian Spitzer
Scientific area Joining technolo­gies

The expert group Joining technologies designs customised solutions for application-oriented problems in the area of joining techniques. To this end, established approaches are taken up and applied in a goal-oriented manner. In addition, entirely novel approaches are identified, and their application potential is worked out.
Ein Mitarbeiter des Instituts für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik arbeitet an einem UTC-Prüfstand. © Steffen Weigelt
Scientific area Testing methods and experiments

The development of material-adapted or component-specific test methods and the realisation of complex test rigs that enable stress tests close to reality are the focus of the expert group Testing methods and experiments at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology.
Zwei Wissenschaftler des Instituts für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik arbeiten den der funktionsintegierten Elektronik eines Fanbades. © Tanja Kirsten
Scientific area Function integration

The expert group Function integration at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology pools experts of different areas such as lightweight, electro-technical and mechatronic engineers as well as IT specialists with the aim of providing function-integrative lightweight approaches from a single source.
Wissenschaftler Dipl.-Ing. Arnd Struve arbeitet am 3D-Drucker im Innovationslabor für generative Fertigung am ILK. © Tanja Kirsten
Scientific area Novel materials and processes

The research focuses of the expert group Novel materials and processes at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology are metal matrix composites (MMC), ceramic matrix composites (CMC), magnetic hybrid materials (MHM), tailor-made fibre functioning and generative production methods (GeFe) as well as fibre reinforced three-dimensional print.
Neutral Lightweight Engineering (green) as the fourth lightweight class. © TUD/ILK
Scientific area Neutral Lightweight Engineering

In Neutral Lightweight Engineering, we conduct interdisciplinary research on sustainability-oriented topics in the context of lightweight engineering. To this end, we investigate product systems holistically and develop sustainable, application-oriented solutions at the interface of engineering, economics, environmental science and society.
Detailaufnahme eines Demonstratorfahrzeuges aus dem InEco-Projekt. © Alexandra Klotz

Cutting-edge Research at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology

The Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden is an internationally leading centre for research, development and education in function-integrated lightweight engineering based on multi-material design. Around 245 staff members work in interdisciplinary teams spanning engineering, natural sciences, computer science and economics, covering the entire research and development chain from fundamental research to production ramp-up. The Institute's work is guided by the Dresden Model of function-integrated lightweight engineering in multi-material design and is continuously advanced through the concept of neutral lightweight engineering, with a strong focus on resource efficiency and climate neutrality.

Core and Fundamental Competencies
The ILK's core expertise lies in the development, design and optimisation of high-performance lightweight components and systems, as well as their prototype and pre-production manufacturing. One of the Institute's particular strengths is the end-to-end digitalisation of the product development process, encompassing material and process development, simulation, testing, quality assurance and life cycle assessment.
The Institute's fundamental research expertise is reflected in numerous coordinated collaborative research projects, including Collaborative Research Centres, Research Units and Priority Programmes funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), in which the ILK serves as initiator, spokesperson or key partner. The knowledge generated in these projects is directly transferred into innovative lightweight structures and manufacturing technologies and further developed towards industrial application and series production readiness.

Broad Application Spectrum and Strong Networks
The ILK pursues a system- and material-neutral approach across all major industrial sectors, including aerospace, automotive and rail vehicle engineering, mechanical and plant engineering, energy and storage technologies, as well as emerging mobility and infrastructure applications. Since the mid-1990s, the Institute has successfully completed more than 1,300 research and development projects with a total project volume of approximately €250 million, demonstrating the strong industrial relevance of its work. Close collaboration with leading European industrial companies and regional small and medium-sized enterprises forms the foundation of an extensive innovation network.
The ILK's international reputation is built on a global network of scientific partnerships across Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, complemented by TU Dresden's strong international standing in materials science and lightweight engineering.