Julian Jauk is a Researcher at the Institute for Architecture and Media, TU Graz. His work focuses on innovative material systems, digital fabrication, and sustainable architectural design. He explores the integration of clay composites, mycelium-based materials, and knitted structures with advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing. Key research themes include lightweight ceramic structures, biocomposite materials, and computational design methodologies. His research emphasizes material-driven innovation, structural optimization, and environmental sustainability. Notable projects include MyCera (clay-mycelium composites) and ClayKnit (3D-printed clay-knitted hybrids). He also investigates mixed reality tools for architectural sketching and kinetic architectural prototypes. Publications from 2021–2024 highlight trends in bio-based materials, additive manufacturing, and material-property analysis. His work bridges traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital fabrication, aiming to redefine sustainable building practices.
Vikram Deshpande is a Professor in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, UK, where he has been employed since 2010. He also maintains significant international connections, having served as a Visiting Professor at the Technical University of Eindhoven (2009-2017) and previously holding positions at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Brown University. His research spans multiple disciplines within solid mechanics and materials science, focusing on fundamental mechanisms that govern material behavior across different scales. His research interests encompass Mechanobiology , where he explores cellular organization mechanisms; Solid mechanics with applications to impact and failure; Data-driven mechanics approaches; Microarchitectured solids including mechanical metamaterials; Fluid-structure interaction in impact scenarios; Chemo-mechanics of battery materials; and Dislocation mechanics for understanding material deformation. His work uniquely bridges fundamental physics with practical engineering applications, particularly in developing materials with tailored mechanical properties. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on mechanical metamaterials, cellular mechanics, and electro-chemo-mechanical phenomena in energy storage systems. His research demonstrates a consistent pattern of addressing fundamental scientific questions while maintaining strong connections to practical engineering applications, particularly in materials design, protective systems, and energy technologies. His publications frequently combine experimental approaches with sophisticated modeling techniques across multiple scales. 2024 Zdeněk P. Bažant Medal for Failure and Damage Prevention 2023 Fellow, Royal Academy of Engineering and International Member US National Academy of Engineering 2022 Warner T. Koiter Medal and William Prager Medal 2022 European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant 2021 Gili Agostinelli Prize and IIT Bombay Distinguished Alumnus Award 2020 Fellow, Royal Society of London and Rodney Hill Prize Professor Deshpande has served on numerous editorial boards including the Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids (current Associate Editor), Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering, and Proceedings of the Royal Society A. He chairs the Royal Society Sectional Committee 4 and serves on the Advisory Board of the European Mechanics Society EUROMECH. His leadership extends to directing the International Conference on Fracture and chairing the EUROMECH Mechanics of Materials Conference committee. His research group at Cambridge, accessible through cambridgesolidmechanics.co.uk, focuses on developing fundamental understanding of material behavior to enable the design of next-generation engineering materials.
Wolfgang Bösch is a Professor at Graz University of Technology's Institute of Microwave and Photonic Engineering, specializing in advanced RF components and measurement techniques. His research advances high-frequency systems through innovations in antenna technology and electromagnetic theory. Research domains include: metamaterial-based antennas, precision measurement calibration, microwave filter optimization, and 3D-printed RF components. Recent work demonstrates strong focus on millimeter-wave systems and reconfigurable antenna arrays. Publications highlight expertise in: machine learning for filter design, metasurface applications, PCB transitions for high-frequency systems, and uncertainty quantification in RF engineering. Research consistently addresses miniaturization and performance optimization challenges. Awards recognize contributions to measurement science and antenna design: Fellow of IET, Houska Prize, and best paper awards. Current laboratories investigate liquid crystal antenna systems and error calibration methodologies for next-generation wireless systems.
Institute of Science and Technology AustriaAustria
Sylvain Lefebvre is a permanent researcher at INRIA (Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique) in France, where he leads the MFX research team since 2018. Previously, he was part of the ALICE group at INRIA Nancy (2009-2018) and the REVES team in Sophia Antipolis (2006-2009). His career includes a postdoctoral position at Microsoft Research Seattle (2005) following his PhD at INRIA Rhones-Alpes under Fabrice Neyret. His educational background includes a PhD in Computer Graphics from Université Joseph Fourier (Grenoble) in 2005, preceded by a Master in Computer Graphics from INP Grenoble in 2001. His habilitation thesis focused on Runtime Texture Synthesis. Lefebvre's research centers on simplifying content creation for highly detailed patterns, structures, and shapes with applications spanning Computer Graphics to additive manufacturing. He develops fast, controllable by-example synthesis approaches that generate content while enforcing user-specified constraints. His work addresses computational challenges through novel data structures and algorithms optimized for GPUs and FPGAs, including his Silice programming language. The ERC-funded ShapeForge project (2012-2017) advanced shape generation for 3D printing, leading to the IceSL software for digital modeling and fabrication. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on additive manufacturing optimization, with recurring themes in structural integrity, material efficiency, and geometric algorithms. His work bridges computer graphics theory with practical fabrication constraints, particularly in microstructure design, slicing techniques, and mechanical metamaterials. The interdisciplinary nature spans computer science, materials engineering, and robotics. EUROGRAPHICS Young Researcher Award (2010) ERC Starting Grant for ShapeForge project (2012) Lefebvre has advised over 25 PhD students and interns including Marco Freire, Thibault Tricard, and Jimmy Etienne. His ShapeForge project received significant ERC funding, supporting research in computational fabrication. He serves on numerous program committees including SIGGRAPH, Eurographics, and SIGGRAPH Asia, reflecting his leadership in the computer graphics community. As leader of the MFX team since 2018, Lefebvre directs research in computational fabrication, focusing on IceSL software development for 3D printing workflows. The team integrates computer graphics techniques with manufacturing constraints, developing tools that simplify complex object design and fabrication while addressing real-world challenges in material usage and structural integrity.
Peter Homolka is an Associate Professor at the Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna. His work focuses on medical imaging optimization, radiation dosimetry, and the application of additive manufacturing in developing advanced phantoms for radiology and ultrasound. He has contributed extensively to CT imaging, mammography, and pediatric radiology. University: Medical University of Vienna Department: Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Homolka's research spans X-ray attenuation analysis, image quality assessment, and the development of tissue-mimicking materials for phantoms. He has explored dual-energy mammography, ultra-low-dose CT applications, and techniques for enhancing diagnostic accuracy while minimizing radiation exposure. His recent publications highlight trends in 3D printing for anthropomorphic phantoms, dose optimization in CT and mammography, and comparative studies in emergency radiology. These works emphasize radiation safety, material science, and clinical imaging protocols. Homolka's projects include collaborations with international bodies like the IAEA, focusing on pediatric imaging standards and multi-center studies. His contributions to phantom design and dosimetry metrics have advanced quality assurance in radiology.
Thomas Schnabel is a Research Group Leader and Senior Researcher in Design and Green Engineering at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, where he heads the Green Materials and Processing research group and leads the Salzburg Center for Smart Materials 2.0 initiative. His work bridges academic research with practical industrial applications in sustainable materials science. His research focuses on: Valorization of wood byproducts, particularly tree bark extracts for multiple applications Development of natural fiber insulation materials from recycled wood residues Life cycle assessment of sustainable material production processes Application of bioactive compounds from bark for biomedical uses Green chemistry approaches to material processing and purification Dr. Schnabel's publication record shows a cohesive research trajectory focused on extracting maximum value from wood processing byproducts. His recent articles demonstrate increasing sophistication in characterizing bark extracts and developing practical applications across construction, biomedical fields, and sustainable manufacturing. The research directly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to responsible consumption, climate action, and industry innovation. He leads multiple significant research initiatives including: NETTLE: Cross-border cooperation for alpine plant bioactive compounds (2024-2026) DRWO4.0: Danube Region Wood Industry Transformation toward Industry 4.0 (2024-2025) SCSM 2.0: Salzburg Center for Smart Materials 2.0 (2023-2026) User-centered teaching materials development in forestry and bioeconomy (2023-2026) His collaborative network spans the Danube region and beyond, reflecting the international significance of his work in advancing sustainable materials science and engineering practices.
Antonio Plaza is a Full Professor at the University of Extremadura, Spain, and Head of the Hyperspectral Computing Laboratory. With over 600 publications, he is a leading expert in hyperspectral data processing and parallel computing of remote sensing data. He serves as IEEE Fellow and has received numerous accolades, including the 2019 Excellent Teaching Award and multiple Highly Cited Researcher recognitions. Research Interests : His work bridges Hyperspectral Image Analysis , Medical Imaging , and High-Performance Computing . Recent projects focus on 3D anatomical modeling, AI-driven surgical tools, and deep learning applications for aortic dissection segmentation. Scientific Awards : 2019 Highly Cited Researcher (Geosciences) 2015 IEEE Fellow 2019 Excellent Teaching Award 2018 Highly Cited Researcher (Cross-Field) 2002 Best PhD Dissertation, University of Extremadura Editorial Leadership : Served as Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (2013–2017) and held multiple committee roles in IEEE GRSS. His articles reflect a shift from remote sensing to medical imaging, with a focus on Aortic Dissection Segmentation , Skull Reconstruction , and AI-driven Medical Tools .
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Rupert Wimmer is a Professor at the Institute of Wood Technology and Renewable Resources of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. He serves as an Editorial Board Member for journals like Frontiers in Chemistry and Wood and Fiber Science , and has been a Review Editor for ISRN Forestry (2009–2018). His work bridges wood science , renewable materials , and dendrochronology , with a focus on 3D-printed bio-composites , triboelectric wood processing , and climate reconstruction . His research spans Biocomposites: Innovations in lignin-based materials , wood-plastic composites , and fully recyclable wall systems . Wood Technology: Studies on surface activation , mechanical properties , and dust reduction during machining. Dendrochronology: Climate history analysis via tree rings and wood chemistry . The most recent articles explore circular economy in construction, electrostatic wood treatment , and drought proxies , reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Awards include Rudolf Sallinger S&B Innovation Award nominations (2018, 2019) German Study Prize for Wood Materials Research (2010) Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science (2005) He has supervised over 74 theses, including Roman Myna (2025) on innovative dust reduction and Raphaela Hellmayr (2024) on wood-based circular bioeconomy . Grants from EU , FFG , and Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung fund his work. Collaborations span institutions in Australia, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Dr. Josef Schlacher serves as a Senior Scientist and PostDoc at the University of Leoben's Chair of Structural and Functional Ceramics, specializing in mechanical characterization of 2D/3D ceramic architectures. His research bridges fundamental materials science with industrial applications in advanced ceramics engineering. His academic foundation includes: BSc in Materials Science (2011-2017) Dipl.-Ing. in Materials Science (2017-2019) PhD in Materials Science (2019-2024) Schlacher's research centers on additive manufacturing of ceramics, particularly alumina-based systems. He pioneers techniques for spatially tailored porosity and multi-material approaches to enhance thermal shock resistance and damage tolerance. His work investigates fracture mechanics across scales—from micro-scale toughness measurements to high-temperature failure analysis—enabling next-generation ceramic components for extreme environments. Key innovations include 3D-printed architectures with engineered microstructures that resist thermal cracking and contact damage. His publication trajectory (2020-2025) reveals a strategic focus on translating additive manufacturing capabilities into functional ceramic systems. Early work established mechanical baselines for printed alumina, while recent studies demonstrate sophisticated multi-material designs achieving unprecedented thermal shock resistance through microstructural control. This evolution highlights a deliberate progression from fundamental characterization to application-driven engineering solutions. Recognition includes: JECS Trust Young Researcher Award (2nd place, 2022) CIEC17 Poster Competition (1st prize, 2021) Fractography of Advanced Ceramics Conference (2nd place poster, 2019) As an integral member of the Ceramics Chair research team, Schlacher contributes to ERC projects and contract research initiatives while developing novel testing methodologies for ceramic architectures. His collaborative work with industry partners focuses on standardizing mechanical characterization protocols for additively manufactured ceramics.
Uwe Schichler is a Professor at the Institute of High Voltage Engineering and System Management at TU Graz. His research focuses on high voltage engineering, partial discharge monitoring, and the integration of renewable energy into power systems. He leads projects on MVDC cable systems, insulation materials, and grid modernization. His work bridges academic research with industrial applications, including contributions to CIGRE standards and eco-friendly alternative gases for gas-insulated systems. Research interests include high-voltage insulation materials (e.g., XLPE cables, 3D printed insulators), DC grid technologies, and advanced diagnostics for power equipment. He explores novel sensors for dynamic line rating and machine learning applications in partial discharge classification. His team investigates innovative propulsion systems like ionic wind for aircraft and addresses environmental challenges in power systems. Recent publications emphasize standardization of high-voltage testing, DC system qualification, and corona noise reduction in overhead lines. He collaborates with industry partners on projects like MVDC battery storage systems and hybrid AC/DC grids. His work supports the energy transition through improved grid efficiency and sustainability.
Jürgen Eckert is a Professor and Director at the Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science of the OAW and holds the Chair of Materials Physics at the University of Leoben . He is a Corresponding Member of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in Austria since 2017. His research spans Materials Science , Condensed Matter Physics , and Metallurgy , focusing on metallic glasses , high-entropy alloys , microstructure engineering , and additive manufacturing . He has pioneered work on crystallization kinetics , phase transformations , and mechanical property optimization . Recent publications (2024-2025) highlight advances in 3D-printed titanium alloys , nitrogen-stabilized nanocrystalline alloys , and multi-stage heterostructures , reflecting his interdisciplinary approach combining experimental physics , computational modeling , and materials engineering . THERMEC 2023 Distinguished Award Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz-Preis (2009) ERC-Advanced Grant (2013) DGM-Preis der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Materialkunde (2014) Dr. honoris causa, Slovak Technical University (2018) He leads the ERC Project INTELHYB and collaborates with institutions in India , Germany , and Europe , advancing heterogeneous materials design and sustainable metallurgical solutions .
Peter Mohr-Ziak is a researcher affiliated with both the Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision at the University of Technology Graz (TU Graz) and VRVis Forschungs GmbH. His primary focus areas include Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) systems, specifically in the domains of AR visualization, content generation for AR, and head-mounted display (HMD) technologies. He is actively involved in projects with AVL List GmbH in addition to his academic research. Academic Rank: Researcher at TU Graz Education: Telematics, TU Graz Peter's research interests center on creating interactive AR systems with applications in industrial assembly, remote assistance, and education. His work spans technical aspects of AR visualization and practical implementations for skill training (e.g., guitar tutorials) and complex tasks like maxillofacial surgery. He investigates spatial rendering techniques, adaptive perspective models, and light field applications in mixed reality environments. Recent research trends include: 2024: Expanding into human-robot interaction and AR affordance templates 2023: Developing interactive guitar tutorials and state-aware configuration detection systems 2022: Advancing focus cues in video see-through MR and assembly instruction authoring 2019-2020: Improving HMD interaction with TrackCap and light field remote assistance 2017: Creating adaptive perspective rendering and video tutorial retargeting systems Scientific recognition includes: 2021: ISMAR Best Conference Paper 2017: CHI Best Paper Honorable Mention He contributes to projects at TU Graz's Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision, including collaborations with VRVis Forschungs GmbH and AVL List GmbH, while maintaining personal interests in photography and drone flying.
University of Applied Sciences Upper AustriaAustria
Johann Kastner is a Professor at Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences, leading the Research Center Wels Computed Tomography R&D-Headquarters. He is affiliated with Centers of Excellence in Automotive/Mobility, Energy, and Smart Production. His research focuses on advanced materials characterization using X-ray computed tomography (X-CT), with applications in non-destructive testing, composite materials, and biomedical engineering. Key research areas include porosity analysis in carbon fiber reinforced polymers, phase contrast imaging, and additive manufacturing. He has led over 10 projects, including the EU-funded xCTing initiative (2021–2025) and the X-PRO project (2020–2024), emphasizing industrial CT applications and cross-virtuality data analysis. His work spans 335+ publications, with notable contributions to XCT-based defect detection, material microstructure analysis, and AI-driven image segmentation. Collaborations include COMET K Projects and FTI-Structurförderung grants. He has advised 2 PhD students and actively participates in international conferences and workshops. Laboratory facilities include state-of-the-art XCT systems for 3D microstructural analysis, Talbot-Lau grating interferometry, and augmented reality visualization tools for industrial applications.
Oliver Som is a Professor and Head of the Department of Innovation Management and Innovation Economics at the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI). He holds a Dr. rer. pol. from the University of Flensburg and a Mag. from the University of Stuttgart. His research focuses on innovation management, digital transformation, SME innovation patterns, and eco-innovation. He has led numerous high-impact projects such as the MEIS-SME initiative to enhance Egyptian SME innovation capabilities and the AlpBioEco project on bioeconomy value chains. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, including strategic foresight and innovation policy design. Key research areas include organizational innovation, absorptive capacity, and the role of digital technologies in transforming industries. He has received prestigious awards such as the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize nomination and the Innovation Award 2007. His contributions span over 150 publications and include leadership roles in academic conferences and advisory boards. Som actively engages in policy consultations, notably advising the German government on innovation strategies for non-research-intensive firms.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Benjamin Kromoser is a Professor for Resource Efficient Structural Engineering at the Institute of Green Civil Engineering (BOKU Vienna). He leads research projects on sustainable construction methods, including additive manufacturing of biobased materials, timber-concrete composites, and topology optimization of structural elements. His work bridges digital fabrication, circular economy principles, and industry 4.0 in civil engineering. Head of Institute of Green Civil Engineering (2022–present) Speaker of Doctoral School Build.Nature (2021–2022) University Professor for Biobased Design (2018–2022) His research focuses on reducing environmental impacts through automated design, 3D printing of concrete, and non-metallic reinforcement. Recent projects include 3DP Biowalls (biobased recyclable walls) and prestressed carbon-UHPC elements. Scientific awards include the fib Achievement Award (2019) , Inits Award (2016) , and Bundespreis für Ecodesign (2016) .
