Promotion of early-career researchers 2024

In February 2024, the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden organized a three-hour workshop for children, which focused in particular on the topic of recycling. The aim was not only to familiarize the participating students with the ILK as a research institution but also to raise their awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of recycling and the conscious use of materials in electrical appliances.
The workshop began with an introduction to the basics of waste separation and recycling. In an interactive presentation, the students learned about the challenges associated with recycling plastics and how different types of plastic vary. They were then given the opportunity to break down electronic waste into its components, determine the weight of the individual components, and thus develop a better understanding of the composition of modern electrical appliances. The practical approach made it clear how many different materials are used in everyday objects and what consequences this has for recycling.
A tour of the ILK also enabled the students to get to know the tasks and research fields of the institute and its employees. The workshop was rounded off with playful elements in which the participants were able to apply and deepen their knowledge of waste separation.

Raising awareness of sustainable material cycles

Early engagement with recycling and the circular economy can play a crucial role in developing a sustainable mindset. By bringing young people into contact with the principles of the circular economy while they are still in school, a basic understanding is created that should lead to the responsible and considered use of resources in the long term. In addition, initiatives such as these not only arouse young people's interest in careers and research fields in the area of sustainable materials technology but also help to promote enthusiasm for STEM professions from an early age and secure the next generation of skilled workers in these future-oriented fields in the long term.

The transition to a sustainable circular economy is one of the key challenges facing modern industry. The creation of closed material cycles and the development of energy-efficient production processes play a crucial role in lightweight engineering. How these principles can be put into practice was the focus of the event KREISLAUF.LEICHTBAU.ERLEBEN. (CYCLE.LIGHTWEIGHT.EXPERIENCE), organized by the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) on March 18–19, 2024. Over the course of two days, participants gained practical insights into the future of lightweight engineering and its contribution to a resource-efficient economy.

While the second day of the event was reserved exclusively for experts from science, industry, and politics, the first day of the 1st National Competence Show gave approximately 150 Saxon high school students the opportunity to experience firsthand how essential lightweight engineering is for a sustainable future. At Dresden's LEIV, the ILK's National Lightweight Validation Center, experts from industry and academia demonstrated how lightweight engineering contributes to a functional circular economy across four different technology areas.

Through engaging experiments and interactive workshops, students applied theoretical knowledge in practical settings, deepening their understanding of sustainable resource management. Live demonstrations, hands-on stations, and guided tours of modern production facilities illustrated the interplay between lightweight engineering and the circular economy. Additionally, process optimization demonstrations and analyses of CO₂ impact and recycling processes provided valuable insights into the entire value chain.

The event specifically targeted high school students and trainees with a focus on science and technology, offering them a well-structured overview of future-oriented industrial sectors and potential career paths in sustainable lightweight engineering. It also provided direct networking opportunities with potential future employers. Close collaboration with industry and research partners allowed participants to gain practical insights into current developments and career prospects. At the same time, the event facilitated knowledge transfer and raised awareness of both the challenges and opportunities within a circular economy.

With KREISLAUF.LEICHTBAU.ERLEBEN. (CYCLE.LIGHTWEIGHT.EXPERIENCE), the ILK aimed to bridge the gap between industry and education. The event was met with great enthusiasm from students, teachers, and industry experts alike. Additionally, the strong demand from schools underscored the younger generation’s interest in career opportunities in mechanical engineering and lightweight design. The ILK was delighted to support early-career researchers in this unique way and to offer students an inspiring and educational experience.

KREISLAUF.LEICHTBAU.ERLEBEN. (CYCLE.LIGHTWEIGHT.EXPERIENCE)

We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners, as well as the Federal Ministries for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and for Education and Research (BMBF), for their invaluable support. Their contribution was essential to the success of this project!

Further links

Kreislauf.Leichtbau.Erleben

© ILK/Trute

As part of the MANOS Gymnasium project week, students at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning about lightweight engineering, the plastics cycle, and innovative recycling processes. The goal is to provide students with a solid understanding of plastics and fiber-reinforced plastic composites, including their production, processing, and sustainable reuse. Through practical demonstrations and interactive workshops, participants learn how plastics can be efficiently handled and recycled. Another key focus of the project is the role of lightweight materials and systems in mobile hydrogen applications, highlighting the specific requirements for these technologies.

© ILK/Trute

The MANOS program features the following practice-oriented modules:

• Plastics sorting and characterization: Using NIR technology to determine recycling codes.

• Material analysis: Conducting DSC analysis to investigate the thermal properties of plastics.

• Production processes: Manufacturing plastic filaments and demonstrating the construction of a 9R demonstrator, including the development of an accompanying presentation.

• Production of plastic components: Practical application using the Holymaker system, followed by a final presentation of results.

The project week at the ILK was a resounding success, offering students an exciting combination of theory and practice. It provided valuable insights, hands-on experiences, and meaningful inspiration for their future academic and professional endeavors.

As part of a hands-on science day, the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) welcomed students from Campus Cordis, providing them with a comprehensive insight into the world of modern materials technology. During an interactive tour of the laboratories and technical halls, participants had the opportunity to engage with various stations and explore key aspects of plastics processing, material analysis, and sustainability.
A particular focus was on the identification and characterization of different plastics. Through density measurements and sorting methods, students learned how polymers can be distinguished based on their properties and the challenges involved in their separation and recycling.
Another highlight was the use of the Holipress, a small injection molding machine designed for school and university classes. Students used it to produce new components from recycled PET, making the principles of the circular economy tangible and easy to understand.
The day at the ILK offered young visitors exciting insights into materials science, along with plenty of opportunities for hands-on experimentation—ensuring both learning and fun.

Campus Cordis at the ILK

© ILK/Trute

According to statistics from the Federal Employment Agency, around 21,000 women began a dual STEM apprenticeship in 2023 - an increase of 10.5% compared to 2017. This positive development shows that measures taken in a targeted manner to promote women in technical professions are having an impact. One of these measures is Girls' Day, which provides young women with practical career guidance in areas in which women are still underrepresented.
In 2024, the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) was once again actively involved in the nationwide day of action and offered ten schoolgirls in grades 7 to 12 the opportunity to spend their Girls'Day at the ILK. The aim of Girls' Day is always to teach the basics of technology and break down existing clichés about male-dominated "engineering" professions. Dr.-Ing. Anja Winkler and Dipl.-Ing. Lisa Dahrmann, both female engineers at the ILK, reported on their own professional careers and answered numerous questions from the participants.

© ILK/Trute

During a guided tour of the ILK's technical halls on the Johannstadt campus, the students were able to experience various production and testing processes up close. They watched exciting live experiments in the Lightweight Innovation Center (LIZ), the Plastics Application Center (KAZ) and the Process Development Center (PEZ). They were also able to try their hand at hand lamination - a process for the manual production of fiber-reinforced plastics. They learned first-hand how components are made from fiber-reinforced composites and the importance of these lightweight but resilient materials for modern applications.

The ILK remains actively committed to getting women interested in technical professions and breaking down gender roles in engineering. Such formats are essential in order to achieve more diversity in research and industry in the long term and to attract young talent to lightweight engineering.

In 2024, the TU Dresden-organized Autumn Camp in Altenberg took place for the third time. This five-day camp is designed for high school girls in grades 9 through 12, offering them the opportunity to explore scientific and technical disciplines through hands-on experiences.

© F. Lehmann

As part of interactive workshops with researchers from TU Dresden, participants gained theoretical knowledge while experimenting, discovering, and creating. The goal is to inspire young women to pursue careers and studies in technical fields by allowing them to engage directly with scientists and gain practical experience.

One focus of the ILK workshop was the properties, recycling, and manufacturing of polymers. Key topics in materials science were addressed, including:

• What are plastics, and where do we encounter them in everyday life?

• What types of plastics exist, and how can they be distinguished?

• What does sustainable product design look like?

• How are plastic components manufactured?

The students analyzed various components in terms of their functionality and recyclability. A particularly hands-on experience was the sorting and analysis of plastics based on recycling codes. They learned about the challenges of separating and reusing different polymers and explored ways to create sustainable product life cycles. Direct exchanges with researchers deepened their understanding of the role of lightweight engineering in the circular economy and introduced them to potential career paths in engineering.

In 2024, the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) had the honor of welcoming Ms. A. Bobes, a young scientist and a promising talent in engineering. She is the winner of the prestigious Jugend forscht competition in the field of physics and a finalist in the International Science and Engineering Fair 2024 (ISEF). Not only did she choose to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at TU Dresden, but she also brought an innovative invention to the ILK: a helix rotor designed for environmentally friendly, decentralized power generation for streetlights.
The turbine, which she developed over four years during high school, is specifically designed to harness wind energy in urban areas. These helix rotors can be mounted on streetlights, allowing them to operate independently of the power grid using sustainable energy. This technology presents an efficient alternative to solar panels, which often fail to provide a consistent power supply.
A planned field testing phase will evaluate the helix rotors under real-world conditions over a twelve-month period. The rotors will be installed on streetlight poles to assess their reliability in meeting energy demands under various weather conditions.

© Florian Lehmann

To ensure that the turbines can withstand the conditions of an urban environment, the young inventor visited the ILK. She was welcomed on-site by ILK board member Prof. Dr.-Ing. Niels Modler, along with ILK researchers Dr.-Ing. Michael Müller-Pabel, Dr.-Ing. Juliane Troschitz, and Dipl.-Ing. Richard Grothe. Together, they discussed suitable manufacturing technologies and materials to further optimize the durability and efficiency of the rotors.
In addition, the ILK will conduct extensive simulations in collaboration with Ms. Bobes to precisely evaluate the turbine’s design and identify potential improvements.
Beyond the technical discussions, the young researcher, accompanied by her teacher Mr. Michael Müller, took the opportunity to explore both the city of Dresden and the ILK. They were particularly impressed by the institute’s state-of-the-art facilities and open, collaborative atmosphere.

© Florian Lehmann

The collaboration between the young scientist and the ILK marks the beginning of a promising development in the field of sustainable energy generation. Moreover, the ILK takes great pride in supporting young talents and providing them with the necessary resources to bring their forward-thinking ideas to life.
By starting her mechanical engineering studies at TU Dresden, Ms. Bobes is laying the foundation for her future career. The ILK will support her not only with technical expertise but also with hands-on assistance throughout her journey.
This partnership exemplifies how young researchers can successfully translate scientific innovations into practical applications—while finding dedicated support and optimal development conditions at institutions like the ILK. We are excited to follow the next steps in this journey and look forward to continuing to support Ms. Bobes along the way.

© JuniorIng.

The non-profit association juniorIng. Sachsen e. V. was founded in 2009 by employees of the ILK at TU Dresden to spark and sustainably foster young people’s interest in engineering and natural sciences at an early stage. Through its work, the association aims to provide hands-on technological education and inspire students of all ages to explore lightweight engineering.
In close collaboration with scientific and cultural educational institutions in Dresden and throughout Saxony, juniorIng organizes practice-oriented events for kindergartens, schools, vocational schools, and high schools. The topics range from fundamentals of materials and construction methods to structural design aspects and sustainability strategies in lightweight engineering.
Beyond organizing events, the association supports teachers and educational staff in delivering engaging and practical engineering education—whether through project days, school assignments, or the provision of experimental materials such as material, construction, and processing kits. In cooperation with the ILK, juniorIng also conducts experiments with different target groups, providing a tangible understanding of engineering concepts.
In 2024, the association successfully carried out numerous initiatives, giving young people hands-on insights into the world of lightweight engineering. These included school project days, participation in programs such as Schau Rein! and Girls’ Day, as well as supporting students from Martin-Andersen-Nexö-Gymnasium with their scientific projects (KOLL and BELL).
Additionally, the tryING trial studies program introduced prospective female students to the manufacturing and testing of fiber-reinforced composites. Since 2021, juniorIng has also been a board member of the Saxon Youth Education Network (LJBW), advocating for the statewide coordination of STEM activities and school social work.

© TUD/ILK

Through these activities, juniorIng has already reached a large number of children and young people. Beyond imparting knowledge, the program has fostered shared, inspiring, and educational experiences.