Stefan Kolling

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Stefan Kolling is a full Professor of Mechanics at the Technical University of Mittelhessen (THM), Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Technology since 2008. He leads a research group at the Institute of Mechanics and Materials Research (IMM), focusing on material characterization and numerical simulation of polymer materials, glass, paper, and lithium-ion batteries under extreme mechanical loads. His work significantly contributes to automotive safety, including pedestrian protection innovations through windshield impact research.

Education:

• Dipl.-Ing. in Civil Engineering, Saarland University of Applied Sciences (1992-1996)
• Dipl.-Ing. in Mechanics, Technical University of Darmstadt (1996-1998)
• Dr.-Ing. (Doctorate) with distinction, TU Darmstadt (1998-2001)
• Habilitation in Mechanics, TU Darmstadt (2007)

Research Interests: Kolling's research encompasses dynamic material behavior, fracture mechanics, and computational modeling. Key projects include acrylic glass substitution in vehicles for weight reduction, windshields impact analysis for pedestrian safety, and lithium-ion battery separator integrity under mechanical stress. His group develops experimental methodologies for material characterization and stochastic simulation techniques.

Publication Trends: Recent articles (2021-2025) predominantly investigate fracture mechanics in glass/polymers, lithium-ion battery safety under mechanical abuse, and advanced material characterization techniques. Thematic evolution shows increased focus on sustainable materials (e.g., paper-based tablets) and energy storage applications.

Awards:

• Research Prize of the Hessian Universities of Applied Sciences (2017)

Academic Leadership: Chairman of the Doctoral Committee at the Doctoral Center for Engineering Sciences (PZI), former Managing Director of IMM, and Deputy Spokesperson of Competence Center AutoM. Maintains collaborations with TU Darmstadt and industry partners like Tecosim GmbH.

Labs & Teams: Heads the research group "Mechanics and Simulation" at IMM, specializing in high-load material testing and computational mechanics. The lab facilities support optical anisotropy analysis, dynamic impact testing, and battery safety validation.