Horst Hill

Dr.-Ing. Horst Hill is a Lecturer for Additive Manufacturing at Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences (THGA) since March 2022, where he teaches in the Master's program "Material Engineering & Industrial Heritage Conservation". Additionally, he serves as Head of Special Materials at Deutsche Edelstahlwerke GmbH (since 2017), overseeing approximately 70 employees in the development of specialty steels and materials.

Education:

• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (specialization in materials engineering) from Ruhr University Bochum (2003-2008, overall grade: 1.5)
• Dr.-Ing. (PhD) from Ruhr University Bochum, Department of Materials Science (2008-2011), with dissertation on "Novel metal matrix composites (MMC) to increase the service life of wear-stressed tools in the polymer processing industry" (grade: very good)

Research Interests:

Dr. Hill's expertise lies at the intersection of advanced materials science and manufacturing technologies. His primary research focuses on additive manufacturing processes, particularly the development of new materials for 3D printing applications. He specializes in metal matrix composites (MMCs) with enhanced wear and corrosion resistance, specialty steels for demanding industrial applications, and powder metallurgy techniques for producing high-performance materials. His work bridges fundamental materials research with practical industrial applications in polymer processing, tooling, and energy sectors.

His research encompasses the entire value chain from material design and process optimization to application-specific performance evaluation, with particular emphasis on sustainable manufacturing practices and resource efficiency in materials production.

Research Trends:

Dr. Hill's publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from fundamental materials research to applied additive manufacturing technologies. His early work (2009-2012) focused on understanding sintering behaviors, microstructural design, and performance optimization of metal matrix composites and plastic mold steels. From 2015 onwards, his research shifted toward additive manufacturing applications, exploring novel materials for 3D printing, graded material structures, and process-specific material developments. Recent publications (2021-2022) showcase cutting-edge work in high-strength austenitic materials for additive manufacturing and compositionally graded structures, reflecting the rapid advancement in the field.

Professional Affiliations:

• Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences (THGA) - Lecturer for Additive Manufacturing (since 03/2022)
• AiF e.V. - Reviewer for Subgroup 7.4 "Additive Manufacturing" (since 01/2022)
• Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences (HSD) - Teaching assignment in Materials Engineering (09/2021-02/2022)
• Deutsche Edelstahlwerke GmbH - Various roles including Head of Special Materials (since 2012)

Industrial Leadership:

At Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, Dr. Hill leads the Special Materials division with approximately 70 employees, focusing on developing and producing high-performance specialty steels and metal matrix composites. His team works on innovative solutions for demanding applications in polymer processing, tooling, and other industrial sectors, combining advanced metallurgy with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies.