Prof. Dr. Christoph Haberstroh: International Summer Course "ECC - European Course of Cryogenics"

Applicant: Prof. Dr. Christoph Haberstroh, Institute of Power Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering | School of Engineering Sciences
Period: 19.8.2024 - 6.9.2024 (annual event since 2008)
Participating partners: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway | Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (WUST), Wroclaw, Poland

The "ECC - European Course of Cryogenics" is an annual international summer course organized by TU Dresden, WUST in Wrocław (Poland), and NTNU in Trondheim (Norway), which has been taking place since 2008. Several aspects make the ECC unique: The cryogenics courses take place over three weeks in the respective cities, with each university contributing its own expertise. In 2024, the first week focused on fundamentals and liquid hydrogen technology at TU Dresden. During the second week, participants traveled to Wrocław and focused on liquid helium. The third week, held in Trondheim, focused on liquefied natural gas. In addition to lectures, the program includes presentations by external speakers, workshops, laboratory visits, and technical excursions.

Group photo of the ECC participants in yellow safety vests with helmets. — Excursion "Leuna" as part of the ECC 2024

Each year, the summer course brings together around 40 students from all over the world. The connections they form often extend beyond the course's duration. These contacts established have led to numerous follow-up projects and visits. Many of the participants now hold important positions in science and industry and retain a connection to TU Dresden after completing the course.

"Cryotechnology is a specialized field of research, and in Germany, it is represented almost exclusively in university curricula by TUD. Networking with locations and activities in Europe and overseas is almost indispensable," explains Prof. Dr. Haberstroh. Only a handful of institutions worldwide teach and research the field of cryogenics.

TU Dresden was able to strengthen and improve its visibility, expertise, and research opportunities in this specialist field by initiating and centrally managing the course. The ECC is well-known and established worldwide. The course is now listed as an official course in the catalogs of all three technical universities. For his outstanding commitment, including to this course format, Prof. Haberstroh was awarded the TU Dresden badge of honor in May 2025.

Lecture hall with professor and students

Thanks to the targeted networking and cooperation of international students, universities, and companies, as well as the establishment of a research field that has so far been almost exclusively represented by TU Dresden in Germany, the ECC is considered a best-practice project. Especially notable is the promotion of young scientists and the close partnership with Wrocław University of Science and Technology, an important player in the Saxony-Czech Republic-Poland border triangle. This partnership contributes to the internationalization of teaching and the long-term establishment of cross-border scientific cooperation.

Further information on the project can be found here.

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Daniela Mohrich

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Helene Herwig