NTU Singapore visits ILK

UTC Dresden and Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab strengthen cooperation in the development of functionally integrated lightweight structures

On November 6^th and 7^th, 2023, scientists from the Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, visited the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK), TU Dresden. The delegation was led by Ms. Sujithra Radhakrishnan, the Advanced Repair and Materials Program Manager of the Lab.

Further to Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab.
Further to the NTU homepage.

The focus was on a personal exchange on current work within the research collaboration on the development of functionally integrated lightweight structures. A milestone review was successfully completed and the continuation of the work was agreed.

At the same time, the meeting served to deepen the relationship between the two Rolls-Royce UTCs (University Technology Centers) in Singapore and Dresden. The NTU researchers learned about the ILK's extensive activities in areas such as functional integration, structural health monitoring, machine learning, simulation and virtualization. Our guests were particularly impressed by the ILK's extensive technical equipment for the experimental analysis of materials, lightweight structures and functional subsystems for engine technology.

In intensive personal discussions with their colleagues from Singapore, the ILK scientists worked out the focal points of future cooperation and committed themselves to a long-term exchange of content and personnel.

Top research for aviation

Since 1994, there has been a close research cooperation between the engine manufacturer and the TU Dresden, which led to the founding of the UTC Dresden in 2006. In addition to the ILK, four other TU Dresden institutions are involved in the research work of the UTC Dresden:  the Chair of Turbomachin­ery and Flight Propulsion, the Chair for Thermal Power Machinery and Plants, the Chair of Materials Technology as well as the Chair of Machine Elements. With these five university research units, the UTC Dresden has excellent development, production, analysis and testing facilities as well as comprehensive know-how in the field of lightweight system engineering in multi-material design to conduct research together with Rolls-Royce in the high-tech field of aircraft engines.

In the UTCs, engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce concentrates its research activities at selected universities worldwide. The Rolls-Royce research and development network currently comprises about 30 UTCs around the world, each representing cutting-edge research in key areas of engineering. "Within the network, the UTC Dresden acts as a driving force and research partner, particularly in the areas of lightweight structures, materials and robust design, and pursues the goal of transferring findings from university research into industrial practice at Rolls-Royce," says Prof. Maik Gude, Director of the UTC Dresden.

The joint research is making a significant contribution to the development of more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly engines. To date, more than 150 joint research projects have been carried out at the UTC Dresden, with up to 100 scientists and technicians from the TU Dresden involved at any one time. The volume of research work at the UTC creates additional jobs in the Dresden region with the research partners and suppliers involved.

Students, PhD students and scientists also benefit from this R&D network by being able to study and conduct research at the partner institutions. To date, more than 150 students have participated in the exchange program with the NTU Singapore.

For further information please contact

Dr.-Ing. Daniel Weck, ILK coordination of the cooperation with NTU, +49 (0)351 463-42502,
Dr.-Ing. Albert Langkamp, UTC Dresden coordination and management, +49 (0)351 463-38151,
Radka Tomečková, ILK Internationalization, +49 (0)351 463-37956,