Dr.-Ing. Arvid Hellmich is a research associate and group leader at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU) , focusing on cyber-physical systems and thermal behavior modeling in machine tools. His work bridges mechanical engineering and production technology, with collaborations involving RWTH Aachen University’s Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL). Research: Cyber-physical production systems, digital twins, thermal modeling Key Contributions: Self-optimizing thermal correction, bio-inspired factories, additive manufacturing postprocessing Expertise: Data-driven modeling, machine tool optimization, sustainable production His publications (2012–2021) span journals like Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing and conferences such as CIRP Annals. Research interests emphasize integrating biologically inspired methodologies into industrial automation and improving energy efficiency via simulation.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Lowke is a Professor at the Department of Materials Engineering, Technical University of Munich. He specializes in materials and digital manufacturing in construction, focusing on 3D printing with concrete and clay, ecological material optimization, durability, circularity, and mobile robotics. Before joining TU Munich in 2023, he led the Building Materials Department at TU Braunschweig's Institute of Materials Science and Technology (iBMB) from 2017 to 2023 and was a board member of the Braunschweig Materials Testing Institute. He studied civil engineering at TU Cottbus and earned his doctorate from TU Munich. Academic Affiliation: Technical University of Munich Prior Employment: TU Braunschweig (2017-2023) His research emphasizes digital and sustainable construction, particularly through resource-efficient production and maintenance of mineral structures. He contributed to understanding the thixotropy of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and the zeta potential of cementitious suspensions. Recent work includes interlaboratory studies on 3D printed concrete properties and numerical modeling for particle bed 3D printing. He actively participates in RILEM conferences and co-edited proceedings on digital fabrication. Prof. Lowke's publications highlight advancements in selective cement activation, shotcrete 3D printing, and additive manufacturing applications for coastal biogenic structures. He investigates how process parameters affect material density, dimensional accuracy, and hardened state properties, aiming to enhance the practicality and sustainability of digital construction methods.
Dr.-Ing. Martin Hofmann is a Professor at Dresden University of Technology (Technische Universität Dresden) affiliated with the Chair for Mechanics of Multifunctional Structures . His research focuses on fracture mechanics, crack pattern formation, and forming process simulations, combining theoretical analysis with experimental techniques like X-ray tomography and radiography. University: Dresden University of Technology Department: Chair for Mechanics of Multifunctional Structures Academic Rank: Professor Research Interests: Hofmann's work addresses fundamental and applied aspects of mechanical behavior in materials, including: Fracture mechanics of composite membranes Thermal shock crack scaling laws Hexagonal basalt column formation mechanisms Damage modeling for limited-ductility materials Process-induced defect analysis in mechanical joining Publication Trends: His research spans 15+ years, combining computational modeling (e.g., bifurcation analysis, GISSMO simulations) with experimental validation in both artificial and natural material systems. Key subfields include hydrogel composites, volcanic rock fracture dynamics, and advanced manufacturing defect mitigation. Labs & Teams: As chair holder, Hofmann leads research on multifunctional structures, collaborating with institutions like the American Physical Society and participating in international conferences such as ESAFORM and LS-DYNA Forum.
Peter G. Kropf is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, with a distinguished research career spanning over three decades. His academic journey reflects significant contributions to distributed systems, peer-to-peer networks, and cloud computing, with recent focus on IoT analytics and scientific computing applications. Dr. Kropf's research interests center on Distributed Systems , Peer-to-Peer Networks , Cloud Computing , Wireless Mesh Networks , and Scientific Workflows . His work demonstrates a clear evolution from foundational distributed systems research to practical applications in environmental monitoring, IoT analytics, and large-scale scientific computing. He has maintained consistent research productivity throughout his career, with publications appearing regularly from 1990 through 2024. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward real-time data processing for environmental applications, IoT analytics , and cloud-based scientific workflows . His work often bridges theoretical distributed systems concepts with practical implementations, particularly in environmental monitoring and resource management contexts. The interdisciplinary nature of his research connects computer science with environmental science and hydrology. Dr. Kropf has established long-term collaborations with researchers including Gilbert Babin (15 joint publications), Pascal Felber (14 publications), and Sabina Serbu (7 publications), forming a productive research network focused on distributed systems challenges. His work has appeared in prestigious venues including IEEE Internet Computing, Future Generation Computer Systems, and Middleware conference proceedings.
Prof. Günter Rudolph is a Professor of Algorithmic Foundations and Education in Computer Science at the Technical University of Dortmund's Department of Computer Science. He leads Chair 11: Algorithm Engineering, focusing on Computational Intelligence (CI), Evolutionary Algorithms, and their applications in optimization and gaming. His research emphasizes theoretical analysis of CI methods, practical guidelines for operationalization, and applications in engineering, energy systems, and entertainment. Key research areas include multi-objective optimization, evolutionary robotics, and computational intelligence in games such as StarCraft and car racing simulations. He has advised numerous students on topics ranging from autonomous driving systems to procedurally generated game content. Rudolph collaborates internationally, including with CINVESTAV-IPN (Mexico) on multiobjective control methods and BMWi-funded projects on energy systems and forming process predictions. His work spans academic publications in journals like Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines and conferences such as IEEE CIG. Notable projects include developing adaptive car racing controllers, optimizing energy supply systems in industrial parks, and advancing AI strategies in real-time strategy games. Rudolph's group actively contributes to game AI research through competitions like the StarCraft AI Competition and the Simulated Car Racing Championship, emphasizing the intersection of computational intelligence and entertainment.
Prof. Rüdiger Deike is the Chair holder of the Chair of Metallurgy and Forming Technology at the University of Duisburg-Essen. His research focuses on metallurgical processes, raw material markets, recycling technologies, and sustainability in the foundry and steel industries. He leads the Institute for Metal Technologies (ITM), emphasizing innovation in material flow analysis, energy efficiency, and circular economy applications. Key research areas include analyzing global raw material market dynamics, optimizing waste-to-resource systems for foundries, and advancing metallurgical processes for non-ferrous and ferrous alloys. His work integrates numerical modeling of solidification behaviors and process optimization for industrial applications. Publications highlight trends in commodity markets, recycling strategies for valuable materials, and material recovery from industrial byproducts. His interdisciplinary approach bridges technical challenges with economic and environmental sustainability, influencing policy and industry practices. Laboratory and team activities center around the ITM, where research spans experimental and computational methods to address global metallurgical challenges. No specific grants or awards are listed, but his contributions are evident through extensive publication output and institutional leadership.
Dr. Mathias Bobbert is a Researcher at the Department of Materials and Joining Technology at the University of Paderborn. He serves as Manager and Research Associate in the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre 285 (TRR285), specifically within Project Teilprojekt Z. His work focuses on advanced materials science, joining technologies for light-weight alloys, and numerical simulation of mechanical processes. His research includes investigations into aluminum alloy behavior under various forming and joining conditions, fatigue analysis, and process chain optimization. Bobbert's research interests span mechanical joining techniques, heat treatment strategies for metallic components, and the development of predictive models for material performance under cyclic loading. His contributions bridge experimental methodologies with computational modeling to address challenges in automotive and aerospace engineering applications. His recent publications highlight advancements in rivet design optimization, microstructure-graded material joinability, and damage modeling across manufacturing processes. Collaborations extend to institutions like Materials Research Forum LLC, demonstrating his engagement in international academic networks.
Prof. Dr. Henner Gärtner is a full Professor for Industrial Logistics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Production at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg). He is also Program Coordinator of the cooperative Mechanical Engineering program with the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Chairman of the Study Reform Committee, and deputy member of the Department Council. Education & Academic Focus Doctorate (Dissertation on stock-out cost quantification, PZH-Verlag, 2011) Research stays and teaching activities in Germany and China Research Interests Prof. Gärtner’s work spans decentralized production control , Industry 4.0 testbeds , autonomous transport systems (AGVs) , and real-time ergonomic monitoring . A flagship project is the Shared Guide Dog 4.0 , an AI-equipped autonomous rollator that supports blind and visually impaired pedestrians through advanced navigation and puddle-detection algorithms. Scientific Awards Hamburger Lehrpreis 2022 – Excellence in Teaching Projects & Funding SafeWalker – safe navigation assistance for elderly pedestrians Shared Guide Dog 4.0 – AI-driven mobility aid (with DAAD & BMAS support) GehwegNavi – sidewalk navigation for the visually impaired Decentralized Manufacturing Control testbed – “swimming-pool” model for resource negotiation Collaborative projects with Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services, VTG AG, DESY, and Krüss GmbH Teaching & Supervision He teaches bachelor and master modules such as Industrial Logistics , Production Planning & Control , Operations Management , and Project Management & Communication . Prof. Gärtner has supervised more than 30 bachelor and master theses on topics ranging from decentralized AGV control to AI-based computer-vision apps for barrier-free mobility. Labs & Teams Prof. Gärtner leads activities within the Institute for Product and Production Management (IPP) at HAW Hamburg and coordinates interdisciplinary student teams working on robotics, lean production, and service engineering.
Mohammad Sarhil is a researcher at the University of Duisburg-Essen and a PostDoc at TU Dortmund University, affiliated with the Institute of Mechanics and Jörg Schröder's Lab. He holds a Dr.-Ing. (PhD) in Mechanics with distinction from 2024. Diploma in Structural Engineering (2012) from Latakia University, Syria M.Sc. in Computational Mechanics (2015) from University of Duisburg-Essen His research focuses on phase-field modeling , micromorphic continua , and metamaterials , particularly for fatigue analysis in fiber-reinforced concrete and higher-order homogenization theories. Key trends include finite element formulations, parameter identification, and multiscale residual stress analysis. Scientific recognition includes: DAAD scholarship Best Graduate award (Latakia University) His work bridges computational mechanics, generalized continuum theories, and fracture mechanics with applications in structural and materials engineering.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Hermes is a Professor of Manufacturing and Forming Technology at the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences in Meschede, Germany. He leads the Laboratory for Forming and Joining Technology and serves as managing director of the Research Center for Industrial Metal Processing (ReCIMP). His work focuses on developing innovative manufacturing processes for lightweight structures, particularly in tube, profile, and sheet metal forming. Hermes' educational background includes: 1997-2000: Toolmaking apprenticeship 2000-2005: Mechanical Engineering studies at FH Soest and TU Dortmund, graduating with a Diplomingenieur degree His research interests center on flexible manufacturing technologies for lightweight components, with particular expertise in incremental forming processes, 3D bending of tubes and profiles, and hydroforming techniques. Hermes has pioneered several innovative processes including incremental profile forming and torque superposed spatial bending, which enable the production of complex geometries from high-strength materials that were previously unattainable. His work bridges the gap between academic research and industrial application, with numerous patents and technology transfers to manufacturing companies. Hermes' scientific contributions demonstrate a consistent focus on solving practical manufacturing challenges through innovative process development. His recent work has emphasized quality standards for profile bending, high-speed hydroforming technologies, and computational approaches to springback compensation. The research spans fundamental process understanding to industrial implementation, with strong connections to automotive and metal processing industries. His significant scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards: Stahl-Innovationspreis 3. Preis (2015) for "Incremental Profile Forming" Best Innovative Paper at IEEE EDUCON 2013 Stahl-Innovationspreis 2. Preis (2012) for "3D Profile Bending with Inductive Heating" Best Paper Award at International Tube Association conference (2012) Best Poster Award at International Conference on Plasticity (2011) Manus-Award 1. Platz (2009) for innovative use of polymer bearings NoAE-Award (2009) for "Incremental Tube Forming" Hochschulpreis NRW 3. Preis "Patente Erfinder" (2009) VDW-Preis (2003) for diploma thesis Hermes has been actively involved in technology transfer through his leadership of the ReCIMP research center, collaborating with numerous industrial partners including Transfluid Maschinenbau, Vossloh Fastening Systems, FWB Bröckelmann, Welser Profile, and Almecon Technology. His laboratory provides services ranging from feasibility studies and prototype development to process simulation and specialized training programs in tube and profile forming, sheet metal forming, and thermal and forming-based joining techniques. The Laboratory for Forming and Joining Technology under Hermes' direction features comprehensive equipment for bending technology (CNC tube and profile bending machines, 3-roll bending machine), profile forming technology (CNC orbital tube forming machine, 4000 bar internal high-pressure forming test stand), measurement and simulation (tactile and laser-based measurement arm, Abaqus FEM software), sheet metal forming (1000 kN press), and all relevant joining processes (MIG, MAG, TIG, Plasma, UP, Laser, Spot, Clinching, etc.). This facility enables end-to-end research from process development through to production-ready implementation.
Prof. Moritz Fleischmann is a faculty member at the Peter Behrens School of Arts (PBSA) , Hochschule Düsseldorf , appointed in 2021. His research focuses on data-driven design , Building Information Modelling (BIM) , and sustainable architectural practices . He serves as a board member of the Center for Digitalization and Digitality (ZDD) and Vice Dean of the Architecture Department. Research: Digitalization in architectural design, BIM, computational modeling, lightweight structures Teaching: Bachelor and Master programs in Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Data Science Awards: Recognized with multiple honors including the Mies van der Rohe Preis and Schindler Award His publications emphasize computational design methods for optimizing spaceframe structures , microclimate design , and material behavior integration . Collaborative works with institutions like ICD Stuttgart and firms such as HENN Architekten highlight his interdisciplinary approach. Scientific Awards: Sonderpreis Jongespreis (2016) Best Paper Award AAG 2014 Mies van der Rohe Preis (2011) Detailpreis (2010) Leichtbaupreis (2010) Arch+ Preis (2006) Schindler Award Anerkennung (2004) Professional Activities: Head of Research at HENN Architekten (2011–2015) Co-founder of DRX (Design Research Exchange) projects Contributor to international conferences and journals Exhibited at venues including the Beijing Biennale and AA End of Year Exhibitions
Sharan Roongta is a Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials, affiliated with the Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design. His work focuses on computational materials engineering and multi-physics simulations, particularly within the DAMASK framework. He explores chemo-mechanical coupling, crystal plasticity, and machine learning applications in materials science. Research interests include developing simulation tools for advanced materials characterization, optimizing multi-physics models for real-world applications, and addressing challenges in collaborative software development. His contributions span the integration of chemo-mechanical damage modeling, machine learning-enhanced yield surface prediction, and high-performance computing strategies. Notable contributions include the DAMASK Python library for simulation processing and scalable multi-physics frameworks. His work emphasizes bridging theoretical models with practical applications in metallic systems and materials design.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Noomane Ben Khalifa is a Professor of Manufacturing – Innovative Manufacturing and Head of the Institute for Production Technology and Systems (IPTS) at Leuphana University. He concurrently leads the Institute for Material and Process Design at Helmholtz Center Hereon. His work focuses on sustainable manufacturing processes, particularly extrusion, sheet metal forming, and additive manufacturing, emphasizing eco-friendly production across material value chains. Education: Awarded a Doctorate in Engineering from TU Dortmund University (2012) with distinction for research on helical profile extrusion. Holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from TU Dortmund (2005), specializing in production engineering and forming technology. Research Interests: Sustainable manufacturing processes; material recycling (e.g., aluminum chips); lightweight material development; composite extrusion; die design optimization; and process simulation. His work bridges advanced manufacturing with environmental impact reduction, leveraging AI and machine learning for material-property modeling. Key Article Trends: Recent studies emphasize machine learning applications in materials science, die design for magnesium alloys, and sustainable recycling processes. His work spans from fundamental material behavior analysis to industrial process optimization. 2025: Focus on AI-driven texture-property modeling in Mg alloys and dieless wire drawing improvements 2024: LCA of aluminum recycling and deep-drawing process reliability Awards: 2009 ISPF Award for extrusion research; 2014 ZukunftErfindenNRW for innovative extrusion press design; invited keynote speaker at ICIT & MPT 2014. Advising & Grants: Oversees OPTUM-MAGNA (magnesium nanocomposites), FERNAPRO (sustainable manufacturing tech), and projects like TrICo (innovation cooperation). Collaborates with industry on tool design and eco-processes. Labs & Teams: Leads IPTS and co-leads Helmholtz material design institute. Supervises interdisciplinary teams focusing on compound casting, incremental forming, and smart manufacturing systems.
Jens Heger is a Professor of Engineering specializing in Modeling and Simulation of Technical Systems and Processes at Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany. He is affiliated with the Institute for Production Technology and Systems (IPTS) and the Research Center for Digital Transformation. His academic career spans over a decade of research and teaching in production engineering, manufacturing systems, and simulation technologies. Dr. Heger completed his Master of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Business Studies at the University of Paderborn (1999-2006). He then earned his doctorate degree at the University of Bremen in the Department of Production Engineering. His dissertation focused on "Dynamic selection of rules for sequence planning in workshop and flexible flow production" under the supervision of Prof. Scholz-Reiter and Prof. Jürgen Branke from the University of Warwick, UK. Professor Heger's research interests center around the intersection of manufacturing engineering, simulation, and artificial intelligence. His work demonstrates a strong focus on applying advanced computational methods to solve complex production challenges. Key research areas include: Manufacturing process optimization through simulation and modeling Application of machine learning and reinforcement learning in production scheduling Development of intelligent control systems for manufacturing processes Energy efficiency and sustainability in production systems Quality control and prediction in sheet metal forming processes Integration of AI technologies in traditional manufacturing environments Analysis of Professor Heger's recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing. His work has evolved from traditional simulation and optimization techniques toward integrating deep learning, reinforcement learning, and computer vision technologies into production systems. A significant portion of his research focuses on dynamic scheduling and optimization problems, particularly using reinforcement learning approaches to address complex manufacturing challenges. His publications also demonstrate a growing interest in sustainable manufacturing practices, energy efficiency, and quality control applications through AI technologies. Professor Heger has contributed significantly to the field through numerous publications in manufacturing engineering, production systems, and AI applications. His work spans both theoretical advancements in scheduling algorithms and practical implementations in industrial settings, particularly focusing on small and medium enterprises.
Ole Christian Prüfer is a Researcher at the Institute for Production Technology and Systems (IPTS) within Leuphana University, focusing on advanced manufacturing processes and material property optimization. His work includes projects on magnesium nanocomposites, deep-drawing tool design, additively manufactured extrusion dies, and fiber-metal laminates. He specializes in modeling and simulation of technical systems, with expertise in process robustness evaluation and functionally graded materials. Research Focus: His research spans material mechanics, production engineering, and process optimization, particularly in metal forming and composite manufacturing. He investigates methods to reduce anisotropic material properties and develop data-driven models for industrial applications.
