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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.