Jürg Küffer

Prof. Dr. Jürg Küffer serves as Head of the Institute of Product and Production Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), School of Engineering and Environment. He teaches Finite-Element Simulation and Plastics Engineering in the BSc Mechanical Engineering program, Computational Structural Mechanics in the MSE program, and supervises bachelor's projects and master's theses.

Education:

• 1989–1995: Doctorate at Institute of Fluid Dynamics, ETH Zürich
• 1986–1988: Mechanical Engineering, ETH Zürich
• 1982–1985: Mechanical Engineering, HTL Brugg-Windisch
• 1978–1982: Apprenticeship as a Toolmaker
• 1995–1996: Postgraduate Studies in Plastics Engineering, HTL Brugg-Windisch
• 1993–1995: Didactics Certificate for Mechanical Engineering, ETH-Zürich

Prof. Küffer's research centers on advanced computational mechanics methodologies, with emphasis on nonlinear finite-element simulations and multiphysics structure-thermal-fluid coupled FE analyses. His work bridges theoretical modeling with industrial applications in mechanical engineering, particularly in plastics engineering and structural integrity assessment. These simulation techniques address complex real-world engineering challenges in product development and manufacturing processes.

Scientific Awards: No awards documented in source materials.

As an academic advisor, Prof. Küffer supervises bachelor's student projects and master's theses in mechanical engineering. His professional trajectory includes leadership roles as Development Engineer and Project Manager at Helbling Technik AG (1995-2002) and Lecturer at Fachhochschule beider Basel (2002-2005) prior to his current directorship. While specific research grants aren't detailed, his institute drives applied R&D partnerships with industry.

Leading the Institute of Product and Production Engineering, Prof. Küffer oversees interdisciplinary teams focused on advancing product design methodologies and production engineering solutions. The institute operates as a nexus for academic-industry collaboration, translating research into practical manufacturing innovations while maintaining strong ties to Switzerland's engineering sector.