Institutes and Research Areas

Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stephan Scholl

Research activities of ICTV are organized in four groups: Sustainable Production Technologies, Innovative Equipment and Plant Concepts, Fouling and Cleaning, and Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Processes. Based on experimental investigations, mechanistic models are developed and implemented in simulations. Hereby, chemical reactions and separation processes are considered, especially for thermal and mechanically sensitive products. Fundamentals as well as the conception and assessment of production processes and the design of optimized equipment are addressed. In teaching, ICTV offers fundamental as well as application-oriented lectures and laboratory exercises in the field of fluid, chemical and thermal process engineering.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniel Schröder

Shaping the way we produce or store energy in the future is one of the main areas of research of the Institute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering. Our long-term experience covers modeling and analysis of complex systems, such as batteries, fuel cells and energy storage systems, as well as on complete power plants with combustion processes. Recently we extended our portfolio by research in the area of pharmaceutical engineering. The majority of our research is model-based analysis and optimization, as well as experimental investigation. In all areas of our research we rely on the support of students, whose fundamental knowledge gets imparted in our lectures. Our institute is member of the Battery LabFactory Braunschweig and the Center of Pharmaceutical Process Engineering.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing Arno Kwade

The lectures and courses offered by the Institute of Particle Technology cover the production of particles, using bottom-up routes (such as chemical synthesis) or grinding processes, their functionalization, as well as their processing into products such as tablets, coatings or battery electrodes. The lectures range from basic courses in the field of mechanical process engineering, plant engineering and chemistry to specialized and application-related courses about formulation processes, battery technology, pharmaceutical engineering and nanotechnology. Additionally, comprehensive courses, such as quality management, project management and hygienic design are offered.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Köhler

The research interests at IfT are predominantly concentrated on three major research fields: The research on Thermophysical Properties focuses on molecular simulation to predict phase behavior and transport properties of pure fluids and mixtures and to gain insight into their behavior on molecular level. The Heat and Mass Transfer section aims on achieving a deeper understanding of the flow and heat transfer in complex 3D geometries. The Energy Systems section concentrates on air conditioning and heat pump systems, thermal management and waste heat recovery as well as energy optimal control of highly transient systems. The IfT has a large calorimetric test chamber for the investigation of whole refrigeration cycles and additional test rigs for component measurements.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sabine C. Langer

We are dedicated to the science of sound and silence and have dedicated ourselves to research into acoustics for people. Paving the way for quiet, low-vibration and intelligent solutions - that is the goal of our institute. New technologies require investigations into the fundamentals of acoustic phenomena, reliable models and innovative approaches. The institute conducts research and teaches in three InA-Labs. In the Lab Acoustic Engineering, approaches towards an intrinsic, acoustic design are investigated, while the Lab Computational Acoustics focuses on the further development of our in-house research code elPaSo. In the Lab Models&Systems new modeling techniques for acoustic systems are developed. The teaching of the institute covers a range from the introduction to acoustics, calculation methods and acoustical design to acoustic measurement techniques.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ferit Küçükay

Teaching and research at the institute focuses on the following areas: "Electric and Hybrid Drives / Requirement Engineering (3D)", "Conventional Drivetrains, Drivetrains, Transmissions", "Total Vehicle, Chassis, Driving Dynamics, NVH" and "Driver Assistance Systems and Automated Driving". In order to work on the above mentioned research topics, comprehensive test facilities, laboratory equipment and experimental vehicles are available at the institute. Close contacts to industry partners, suppliers, technical service providers as well as external research institutions, the comprehensive test facilities and interdisciplinary and inter-institutional work help to solve challenging problems efficiently and with regard to practice. The research results are integrated into teaching and therefore ensure an up-to-date teaching programme.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Vietor

From idea to product - this claim drives our research and teaching. Design methodology, vibro-acoustics, vehicle concepts, computer aided engineering design and machine elements as well as their conjunction form the basis for our successful research which brings up procedures, methods, and computer-aided tools for the development of innovative products.

Our teaching is aimed at practical education. It is based on actual professional and interdisciplinary challenges of the future professional life and encourages the students' individual development.

The IK is involved in research activities of the Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen (NFF) and the Aeronautics Research Centre (NFL).

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Director: Prof. Dr. Ludger Frerichs

Since 2012 the Institute for Mobile Machines and Commercial Vehicles (IMN) is directed by Prof. Dr. Ludger Frerichs. The main objective of the institute is to establish the basis for the "Next Generation of Mobile Systems of Process, Machine and Procedures". In this systemic context approaches to increase the efficiency and the intelligent cross-linking are investigated particularly. The associated fields of research and teaching of the institute are Processes in Mobile Machines, Mobile Hydraulics, Driveline Technology, Vehicles and Systems as well as Assistance and Robotic Systems. In the lectures as well as in the research projects fundamental and practical issues are covered equally. The applied methods comprise modeling and simulation, laboratory investigations and field tests.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Eilts

The main research objectives of the Institute of internal combustion engines (ivb) are the development and research of combustion processes for conventional and alternative fuels, of gas exchange, charge and exhaust gas aftertreatment systems. Engines are investigated in connection with the vehicle-system to optimize the thermal vehicle management. Operating strategies for hybrid vehicles are investigated with focus on the reduction of emissions and fuel consumption. Therefore research is being conducted on engine management by in cylinder pressure measurements, exhaust gas recirculation, high pressure charging of vehicle engines and optimization of the combustion process on DI-Otto- and Diesel-engines. With different research projects all phases of the engine development process from conceptioning over simulation and design to testing are covered at the institute of internal combustion engines. The teaching activity comprehends eleven lecture modules. Four base-modules include the fundamentals, working process, combustion and emissions and design of combustion engines. Seven modules contain topics on a higher degree of specialization that are partly held by guest lecturers. The ivb is a member of the Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen.

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Director: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Jürgen Pannek

Retroactive to 01.01.2022, the Institute for Transport Safety and Automation Systems has been renamed:  Institute for Intermodal Transport and Logistics Systems

The Institute aims to contribute to road safety through scientific research and academic teaching. This claim is in line with the European objectives in the EU / automotive industry and the intentions of many institutions active in this area such as the European Road Federation (ERF), European Railway Research Advisory Council (ERRAC), the road safety initiative of the European Union (e-Safety ) and the German Automotive Industry (VDA). We want to tackle this complex matter fundamentally in a coherent way, and therefore understand traffic as a networked system of cooperating elements / processes. For this approach, the structuring of our research results in four areas: In application-oriented respects the specific subject areas Vehicles and Transport concentrating on safety as a system property and automation technology as a means for purpose achievement, based on the theoretical and abstract base areas Systemics and Cooperative Systems.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Hecker

The institute is mainly concerned with flight test and measurement technology, flight meteorology, positioning and navigation, man-machine problems, flight simulation and flight control. The spectrum ranges from investigations of energy transfer between wind and glider to basic research in the field of flight control problems of supersonic aircraft.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Heimbs
Chair of Aircraft Structures

Chair of Overall Aircraft Design: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ali Elham

The Institute of Aircraft Design and Lightweight Structures (IFL) covers in research and teaching the entire spectrum from the global overall design of aircraft and new fuselage concepts to detailed structural design, strength and damage analysis as well as optimized manufacturing processes, primarily using fiber-reinforced composite material solutions. The focus here is on new concepts targeting at sustainable, eco-efficient flying.

The concrete research focus is on the multidisciplinary optimization of aircraft designs, the investigation of the static and dynamic strength behavior of high-performance lightweight materials and structures, the analysis of the geometrically and physically nonlinear behavior as well as the coupled multi-physics simulations of structures using the finite element method, the investigation and optimization of the high-velocity impact and crash behavior of lightweight structures as well as the testing of new technologies in flight tests with the help of (scaled) flying demonstrators.

Equipped with extensive experimental testing facilities from small coupon scale to large components tests, as well as high-performance computing solutions with state-of-the-art commercial and in-house software codes, these studies are both performed experimentally and digitally/numerically.

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Commissary management: Dr.-Ing. Carsten Wiedemann

The fundamental work of the institute's spaceflight technology is knowledge and application of general and higher orbital mechanics. The main research fields consist of orbital dynamics for all objects on Earth orbits (space debris), orbit survey and orbit prediction, especially for light satellites and the re-entry of hazardous objects. The research field of the astronautics are covering: Precise calculation of satellite orbits including all involved forces, trajectory and re-entry prediction of light satellites, Space Debris: Determination of object distribution densities for satellites, rocket stages and debris particles in low Earth orbits; calculation of collision probabilities.The working group satellite technology and satellite operations is focusing on the development and verification of technologies that can remove space debris objects from orbit. In particular the Institute is doing research in the field of bio-inspired materials (so-called Gecko materials) for Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rolf Radespiel

The main research areas at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics are aerodynamics of aircraft, measurement and manipulation of flows, scale-resolving simulations of aeroacoustic sources, multiphase flow and icing as well as flow modeling and control. The spectrum ranges from fundamental research of model generation of turbulent flows, transition and multiphase flows on aircraft, to more applied research on future aircraft and ground vehicle aerodynamics. In the applied research, the main focus is on active methods of flow control.

The research activities include theory, experiments and numerical simulations. The courses offered by the Institute of Fluid Mechanics cover the main areas of fluid mechanics, aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. Fields, where the students are involved in current research projects.

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Director: Prof. Dr. Joachim Rösler

The Institute for Materials Science explores innovative concepts to design new materials for future applications. In the field of high-temperature materials, currently used nickelbase superalloys are optimised and completely new alloying concepts are developed to allow a further increase of the energy efficiency turbines. Thermal barrier coatings are investigated for applications in turbines and rocket engines. Titanium alloys are improved with respect to machinability, strength and costs. Nano-porous metallic membranes are a new material class showing promise for many applications.

Research methods range from computer simulations to material synthesis and mechanical testing. The syllabus of the institute contains lectures on fundamentals of materials science, applied topics and lectures focusing on special groups of materials.

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Böl  | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Sinapius

We represent the basic subject of mechanical engineering, technical mechanics, in research and teaching. We research and develop multiscale multi-field models with a focus on biomechanics and adaptronics. In our laboratories we perform the necessary validation experiments. We develop material laws for the description of different materials, from biodegradable polymers to biofilms and functional materials for adaptronics. As an interdisciplinary science of engineering, adaptronics deals with the research and development of self-adapting components and constructions from the entire field of mechanical engineering ... 

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Dilger

Only the appropriate joining technology makes it possible to manufacture innovative products with new materials. The focus of the institute of joining and welding in research and teaching is therefore in the fields of hybrid lightweight construction, production technology and electro mobility as well as in classic joining methods such as (beam) welding, adhesive bonding and mechanical joining methods. For this purpose, not only lectures are held but also current research projects are dealt with, for example within the Open Hybrid Labfactory or in the Battery LabFactory. In addition, the long-time research activities in the field of joining technologies for aluminum die casting components are concentrated in the light metal center Soltau founded in 2014.

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Director: Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Andreas Dietzel

The Institute of Microtechnology (IMT) with its 300 m² class 5 clean room plus adjoining laboratories and modern equipment offers the ideal setting for R&D in the fields of micro technological processes and micro systems. Current work is on lab-on-chip systems for medical, pharmaceutical, and biological applications, sensors for aviation and measurement technology e.g. tactile microprobes for coordinate measuring. The 2014 installed femtosecond laser system allows for new strategies in micro structuring and production. A new focus is the setup of innovative micro systems on flexible substrates. The IMT offers courses and project work for Bachelor and Master degree students in microsystem technology, mechatronics, actuators, microprocessor technology and electronics.

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Director: Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Günther Bräuer

- Chemische Gasphasenabscheidung (CVD) - Physikalische Gasphasenabscheidung (PVD) - Atmosphärendruck - Plasmaverfahren - Plasmadiffusion - PACVD - Analytik und Prüfung in der Oberflächentechnik

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rainer Tutsch

The Institute of Production Measurement Technology (IPROM) unifies teaching and research in the field of metrology. The emphasis lies on the acquisition of geometric quantities. Fields of application can be found in all phases of the process of product generation, starting from development and design up to the use in automated production systems. The work of IPROM is focused on optical measurement techniques, either as stand-alone solutions or in multisensory arrangements.

Referring to a holistic consideration of industrial production, metrology is treated as an integral part of quality management. IPROM is contributing modules to different study programs of TU Braunschweig and, moreover, is responsible for the master study program "Metrology and Analytics".

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Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Dröder, | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Herrmann

The Institute for Machine Tools and Production Technology (IWF) has comprehensive expertise in the fields of production technology and process automation as well as sustainable manufacturing and life cycle engineering. Exemplary research areas include design and optimization of manufacturing process-es, tool and process development, development of new machine concepts, simulation, process and quality monitoring, assembly, factory automation, handling and gripping technology, manufacturing processes for hybrid lightweight components, battery production and electric mobility, energy and re-source efficient factory, digital Factory, industry 4.0, Circular Economy, Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing.

The scope of research and development projects ranges from fundamental and cooperative industrial research at national and international level up to direct industrial cooperation. The dissemination of knowledge is established via lectures, the (direct) involvement of students in research projects as well as innovative teaching-learning concepts, such as business simulations, case studies or the provision of methodological knowledge in education and training in the "Lernfabrik".

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