Excellence in Lightweight Design
The Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) consists of approximately 240 staff members who teach, develop and conduct research in modern lightweight engineering, demonstrating extraordinary commitment and dedication.
Our research spectrum ranges from fundamental and application-oriented research to a concrete innovation development for our industry partners. Work at the ILK is shaped by the Dresden model of “function-integrative system lightweight engineering in multi-material design” and is based on a cross-materials and cross-product approach. In the development of new concepts, processes and products, our scientists consider the entire development chain: material – construction – simulation – production – prototype testing – quality assurance – costs. Depending on the respective requirements, they include all classes of materials ranging from steel, aluminium, magnesium, titanium and plastic to ceramics, according to their property profile, as well as short fibre composites, continuous filament or textile reinforcement.