Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Franke is a Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, leading the Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS). His research spans manufacturing systems, production technologies, and sustainable industrial practices, with a strong focus on electric mobility and data-driven production optimization .
Prof. Dr. Thomas Wick is a Professor at the Institute of Applied Mathematics within the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Leibniz University Hannover. He holds leadership roles, including Executive Director of the Institute and membership in the Executive Board and Faculty Council. His research focuses on numerical methods for coupled nonlinear partial differential equations, multiphysics systems (e.g., fluid-structure interaction, phase-field fracture), adaptive finite element techniques, and robust solvers. Key projects include the DFG-funded SPP 1962 and SPP 1748 initiatives, the PhoenixD Cluster of Excellence, and international collaborations like the Indo-German Higher Education Partnership. He has received grants from DFG, DAAD, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. His work emphasizes algorithm design, error control, and computational efficiency in engineering and scientific applications. Research Interests: Numerical modeling of coupled PDE systems, multiphysics phenomena, phase-field fracture, adaptivity, and optimization. Projects include CoMeTeNd (IRTG 2657/1), PhoenixD Task Group S4, and Strukturerhaltende Adaptive Enriched Galerkin Methods. Scientific Awards: Feodor Lynen Fellowship, DFG Projects, DAAD grants. Collaborations span Germany, Austria, India, Peru, and France. Publications highlight advancements in phase-field fracture, fluid-structure interaction, and adaptive methods. His contributions address challenges in mesh adaptivity, error estimation, and high-performance computing.
Florian Zill is a Researcher in the Department of Environmental Informatics at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. He is an active contributor to the OpenGeoSys project, an open-source scientific software for simulating thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical processes in porous media. His work focuses on developing computational tools and models for environmental and geoscientific applications, with particular emphasis on rock salt mechanics and multi-physics simulations. Dr. Zill's research spans computational geosciences, geomechanics, and numerical modeling, with expertise in thermohydromechanical processes, rock salt behavior, and open-source software development. His work bridges theoretical geoscience with practical computational tools, enabling more accurate simulations of complex environmental systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding fluid flow and mechanical behavior in geological formations, particularly relevant for nuclear waste disposal and subsurface engineering applications. Analysis of Dr. Zill's recent publications (2021-2024) reveals a strong focus on developing and applying computational tools for simulating thermohydromechanical processes in geological formations, particularly rock salt. His work demonstrates expertise in both theoretical modeling and practical software implementation, with significant contributions to the OpenGeoSys platform. The research spans fundamental geomechanics, environmental safety assessment, and software engineering for scientific computing. Dr. Zill is an active member of the OpenGeoSys development team at UFZ, collaborating with researchers across multiple institutions on projects related to environmental modeling, nuclear waste disposal safety assessment, and subsurface engineering. His work contributes to the broader mission of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in addressing complex environmental challenges through interdisciplinary research and innovative computational approaches.
Prof. Gil Marom is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering within Tel Aviv University's Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering. He leads the Marom Research Group, focusing on computational multiphysics models and biomechanics to address cardiovascular diseases, spinal cord injuries, and innovative ventilation systems. His research spans: Cardiovascular biomechanics (heart valves, circulatory systems) Computational fluid dynamics and fluid-structure interaction Spinal cord injury mechanisms Biomimetic ventilation systems inspired by biological transport Current projects include mitral valve treatment optimization, placental hemodynamics modeling, and bioinspired ventilation for indoor spaces. Prof. Marom's publications demonstrate consistent focus on computational biomechanics with recent emphasis on: Cardiac device optimization (ventricular expanders, annuloplasty devices) Patient-specific modeling of valvular pathologies Multiphysics approaches to spinal cord injuries Translational applications of fluid dynamics in medical contexts He advises numerous graduate students on projects including: Mitral valve biomechanics Cerebral aneurysm morphology Placental hemodynamics Spinal cord injury multiphysics Biomimetic ventilation systems His laboratory develops advanced computational frameworks to investigate disease mechanisms and therapeutic innovations.
Dr. Marco Viebach serves as a Research Associate and leader of the Junior Research Group NAUTILUS at the Chair of Hydrogen and Nuclear Energy within the Institute of Process Engineering and Environmental Technology at Technical University of Dresden. His primary affiliation spans since November 2013 with promotion to group leader in March 2023. Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering (2021, TU Dresden) Diploma in Physics (2013, TU Dresden) Preliminary Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (2008, TU Dresden) Dr. Viebach's research focuses on nuclear reactor physics with specialization in neutron noise analysis, reactor stability behavior, and nuclear safety systems. His experimental work centers on the AKR-2 research reactor, investigating neutron flux fluctuations in pressurized water reactors through projects like NEUS and CORTEX. He develops advanced methods for nuclear waste management through the NAUTILUS initiative and explores molten salt reactor technologies. His publication record shows consistent output in nuclear engineering journals, with recent emphasis on hydrogen integration with nuclear power plants, experimental validation of reactor physics codes, and zero-power reactor experiments. Current research trends indicate growing focus on hybrid energy systems combining nuclear power with hydrogen production. Dr. Viebach actively mentors student assignments, final theses, and PhD candidates while teaching courses in Fundamentals of Nuclear Technology, Reactor Physics Aspects, and Thermalhydraulics and Safety of Nuclear Facilities. His collaborative work spans international institutions including Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna.
Jan Liu is a Research Associate at the Institute for Medical Device Technology at the University of Stuttgart. With a background in Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, Liu focuses on medical device innovation using impedance measurements, sensor fabrication, and needle navigation systems. Their work bridges theoretical simulation with experimental validation in clinical contexts. Education: M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (2015), B.Sc. in Business Administration (2016), B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (2014) Teaching: Coordinated courses in Medical Measurement Methods and Practical Medical Device Development (2019-2023) Liu’s research spans biomedical device development, including needle navigation systems using electrical impedance, 3D vein reconstruction , and low-cost vein detection methods. Their work emphasizes simulation (COMSOL, FEM) , tissue phantom fabrication , and soft robotic actuation for medical applications. Recent publications highlight trends in impedance-based tissue identification , multi-local needle sensors , and microscale electrode design . Liu has supervised over 20 theses on topics ranging from venous collapse prevention to speaker vibration actuators and monopolar impedance sensitivity . Key collaborations: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, University of Stuttgart Research grants: Not explicitly mentioned but implied through conference publications
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Julia Mergheim is a Professor at the Chair of Engineering Mechanics (LTM) within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU). She leads the Numerical Mechanics Working Group and maintains an active research program in computational mechanics with significant contributions to the field. Her research focuses on Nonlinear Finite Element Methods , Multiscale Modeling and Simulation , and Crack Propagation Simulation . Her work spans various applications including additive manufacturing, material failure analysis, energy harvesting systems, and computational fracture mechanics. Prof. Mergheim has developed advanced numerical techniques for modeling complex material behaviors, particularly in the areas of ductile damage, fracture mechanics, and multiphysics systems. Her recent publications demonstrate strong research activity across multiple domains, with particular emphasis on clinch joining processes, additive manufacturing optimization, energy harvesting systems, and advanced computational methods for material failure prediction. Her work shows consistent collaboration with researchers across Germany and internationally. Prof. Mergheim maintains an active presence in the computational mechanics community through her extensive publication record and participation in conferences. Her research group continues to produce high-impact work that bridges theoretical developments with practical engineering applications.
Jan Lohbreier is a Professor at Nuremberg University of Applied Sciences within the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Physics (AMP), where he chairs the Examination Board for the Master's program in Applied Mathematics and Physics (M-AMP). He maintains active professional memberships in the German Physical Society (DPG), Association of University Teachers - Bavarian State Association (HLB), and Association for the Promotion of Applied Mathematics and Physics (AMP). His research centers on Computational Physics for Green Energy (CP4GE), utilizing advanced numerical simulations to address renewable energy challenges. Key focus areas include thermodynamics, electrodynamics, nonlinear optics, electrical engineering, and multiphysics modeling of energy systems. The group collaborates with industry partners on both fundamental investigations and practical applications in sustainable energy technologies. Professor Lohbreier has supervised numerous Master's and Bachelor's theses on computational simulation topics including lithium-ion battery modeling, ultrasonic sensor optimization, heat transfer in electric motors, planetary regolith dynamics, and thermal stress analysis in ceramics. His research group actively recruits students for project work and theses in green energy simulation through the CP4GE homepage. No scientific awards are documented in the provided information. The Computational Physics for Green Energy (CP4GE) research group, headquartered at space KA.434, conducts cutting-edge simulations for renewable energy applications including organic photovoltaics, powder plume dynamics, laser crystal thermal modeling, and combustion optimization for large engines with pre-chamber ignition systems.
Dr. Alexander Hagg is a Researcher at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (H-BRS) in the Department of Engineering and Communication, affiliated with the Institute of Technology, Resource Conservation and Energy Efficiency (TREE). With a PhD from Leiden University, he specializes in evolutionary computation, machine learning, and computer-aided ideation, focusing on applications in climate adaptation, energy efficiency, and resource conservation. His work bridges theoretical research with practical applications across multiple domains including urban planning, computational chemistry, and robotics. PhD in Computer Aided Ideation (2017-2020) - Leiden University Master's in Autonomous Systems (2013-2016) - Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences Bachelor's in Computer Science (2009-2013) - Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences Dr. Hagg's research centers on efficient computer-aided ideation algorithms that help understand early on what good solutions to complex problems might look like. His primary focus is on quality diversity algorithms, which efficiently create diverse sets of high-performing solutions to inform engineers' intuition. His work spans multiple application domains including urban climate resilience, structural chemistry, robotics, and digital twins for urban planning. He is particularly interested in how AI can serve as a co-designer, helping humans explore and understand complex optimization and data domains. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward applying evolutionary computation and machine learning to real-world engineering problems. A significant portion of his work focuses on computational chemistry and force-field parameter optimization, where machine learning substitutes expensive molecular dynamics calculations. Another major theme involves quality diversity algorithms applied to urban planning and building design. His research consistently emphasizes practical applications in climate adaptation and resource efficiency, with growing interest in digital twins for urban sustainability. 2023: GECCO Best Paper Award (honourable mention) 2022: ACM SIGEVO Best Dissertation Award (honourable mention) 2017: AFCEA Studienpreis 2017: GECCO Best Student Paper Award (honourable mention) 2016: RoboCup Symposium Best Paper Award Dr. Hagg has led multiple research projects including OpenSKIZZE (open-source tools for climate-adaptive urban development), Digital Twin-4-Multiphysics Lab (DT4MP), and KISs-BiS (AI for elite sports). He teaches courses on evolutionary computation, AI, and machine learning, and has developed workshops on digital twins for urban sustainability. His research is supported by collaborations with institutions including University of Siegen, University College London, University of Leiden, and various Fraunhofer institutes. He leads the Digital Twin-4-Multiphysics Lab (DT4MP) which focuses on urban digital twins and multiphysics twins for industry. Dr. Hagg is also active in several research groups including the Computational Chemistry Working Group at H-BRS and serves as a representative for H-BRS in the GeoIT Round Table NRW. His work often involves interdisciplinary teams spanning computer science, engineering, urban planning, and environmental science.
Dr. Denny Otten is a Research Fellow at the Faculty of Mathematics, Bielefeld University since April 2014, affiliated with the Collaborative Research Center (SFB 701) under Prof. Dr. Wolf-Jürgen Beyn. His research focuses on computational and analytical studies of rotating waves in parabolic systems, numerical methods for equivariant evolution equations, and the freezing method for wave dynamics. His work involves analyzing rotating waves in reaction-diffusion systems, nonlinear problems for complex-valued Ornstein-Uhlenbeck operators, and numerical approximation techniques using Comsol Multiphysics. Key areas include spectral analysis of localized waves, stability analysis, and the interplay between different wave phenomena such as traveling, oscillating, and rotating waves. Otten has presented his research at conferences including the SIAM Conference on Nonlinear Waves and Coherent Structures (2016) and the Patterns of Dynamics conference (2016). His contributions span theoretical analysis and computational methods, with a focus on equivariant systems and their applications in mathematical physics.
Dr. Daniel Schneider is a Scientist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) within the Institute of Nanotechnology, specifically working in the Microstructure Simulations research unit. His office is located in Building 30.48, Room 110.1 at KIT's Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen campus. He is actively engaged in the Multiphysics Materials Modeling: Microstructure Mechanics research group, focusing on computational approaches to materials science problems. Dr. Schneider's research centers on the interactions between microstructural and mechanical influencing factors at the mesoscopic length scale of materials. His work investigates how grain and domain evolution, along with resulting heterogeneous microstructures, affect material properties. He primarily employs the phase field method coupled with numerical algorithms to study these phenomena. This computational approach allows for optimization of process parameters, reduction of production costs, and development of new materials with tailored properties. His current research portfolio spans several key areas including recrystallization processes, solid-solid phase transformations, electrochemical processes, and crack propagation. The materials systems he investigates are diverse, ranging from metals and fiber composites to lithium-ion batteries and piezo crystals. His extensive publication record demonstrates particular expertise in modeling phase transformations with mechanical driving forces, crack propagation in various materials, and the influence of microstructure on mechanical properties. The integration of chemical, thermal, and electromagnetic driving forces in his models represents a sophisticated multiphysics approach to materials simulation. Dr. Schneider's work has significant practical applications in virtual material design, where computational models can predict material behavior before physical production. His research contributes to optimizing manufacturing processes and developing advanced materials with specific performance characteristics. The breadth of his publications across journals in materials science, computational mechanics, geoscience, and electrochemistry highlights the interdisciplinary nature of his work and its relevance across multiple scientific domains.
Dr.-Ing. Abdul Razzaq Farooqi is a researcher at the University of Rostock , Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Institute of General Electrical Engineering. His work integrates computational electromagnetics with biomedical engineering to advance cartilage tissue engineering through electroactive hydrogels and electrical stimulation. Research Interests: Numerical simulation of electromagnetic fields Modeling and simulation of electroactive hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering Computational bio-electromagnetics Across his recent publications (2019–2025), Farooqi has concentrated on electroactive hydrogels , electrical stimulation strategies , and computational biomechanics to enhance cartilage regeneration. Complementing this biomedical thrust, he has also contributed to electromagnetic focusing and chiral metamaterials in earlier works (2012). Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Advising & Funding: No student names or specific grants are listed in the supplied material. Laboratories & Teams: Farooqi is affiliated with the Institute of General Electrical Engineering at the University of Rostock, where he conducts his computational and experimental investigations.
Dr.-Ing. Rainer Niekamp is a Researcher at the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Duisburg-Essen, where he has worked since 2016. He holds a diploma and doctorate in mathematics with a focus on computational mechanics and stochastic modeling. Studied mathematics and computer science at the University of Hannover (1986–1993) Doctoral degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Hannover (2000) Rainer Niekamp’s research spans computational mechanics, multiscale modeling, and stochastic methods. His work includes polynomial chaos expansion for data-driven modeling, partitioned systems for coupled simulations, and parallel software frameworks for large-scale problems. He specializes in model reduction , nonlinear dynamics , and component-based software engineering . His publications highlight multiphysics problems (e.g., thermo-mechanical coupling in steel processing, offshore wind energy converters) and software architecture for scientific computing. He has supervised numerous theses on topics like PeriDynamics simulations , multi-objective optimization , and heterogeneous network modeling .
Wolfgang Wall is a full Professor and founding Director of the Institute for Computational Mechanics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Born near Salzburg (Austria), he studied at the University of Innsbruck and received his PhD from the University of Stuttgart. He is a co-founder of AdCo Engineering GW GmbH and Ebenbuild GmbH, and currently serves as Rector of the International Centre for Mechanical Sciences (CISM) in Udine, Italy. A member of both the Austrian and Bavarian Academies of Sciences, he has received numerous prestigious awards including the O.C. Zienkiewicz Award and ERC Advanced Grant. 1983: Matura, Höhere Technische Bundeslehranstalt Salzburg (with distinction) 1991: Dipl.-Ing. degree from University of Innsbruck (with distinction) 1999: Dr.-Ing. (summa cum laude) from University of Stuttgart His research focuses on application-motivated fundamental research in computational mechanics, spanning coupled multifield/multiscale problems (fluid-structure interaction, contact dynamics, electro-chemo-mechano-thermo interaction) and applications in energy storage systems (all-solid-state batteries), additive manufacturing, and computational biophysics/biomedical engineering (patient-specific respiratory/cardiac modeling, cancer nanomedicine, musculoskeletal systems). His group develops advanced computational methods, software frameworks, and physics-based models for high-performance computing. Recent emphasis includes uncertainty quantification, inverse analysis, and machine learning integration. The 15 most recent publications reveal trends in computational mechanics (8/15 articles), biomedical engineering (5/15), and energy storage/additive manufacturing (7/15). Notable themes include novel finite element frameworks for multiphysics problems, Bayesian calibration methods for biological systems, and multiscale modeling of nanomedicine and battery materials. 1986-1988: Excellency in Studying Awards (~ top 1%) 1991: Best graduation ever in Civil Engineering at Innsbruck University 1994: European Academic Software Award 2000: Fritz-Peter-Müller Award, University of Karlsruhe 2000: Rotary Award for doctoral thesis, Stuttgart 2005: Golden Teaching Awards (TUM students) 2008: Fellow Award of the International Association of Computational Mechanics 2011: Chuo University Guest Professorship Award 2012: IACM Computational Mechanics Award 2013: Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Medal 2016: Prandtl Medal (ECCOMAS) 2018: EUROMECH Fellows Award 2021: ERC Advanced Grant 2022: JSCES Grand Prize 2024: O.C. Zienkiewicz Award (IACM) As a dedicated educator, he teaches courses ranging from foundational engineering mechanics (1000+ students) to specialized graduate topics like discontinuous Galerkin methods and biomedical applications. His leadership extends to founding the Munich School of Engineering (2010-2012), establishing the Center for Computational Biomedical Engineering (2012), and serving on multiple editorial boards (IJNME, CMAME, IJNMBE) and scientific councils.
Guillermo Martínez-López is a Researcher at the Chair of Statics and Dynamics, Technical University of Munich (TUM), since 2024, previously working at the Chair of Statics (2020-2024). His research focuses on computational structural mechanics with applications in wind engineering and civil infrastructure design. He holds a Master of Science (2017-2019) and Bachelor of Science (2013-2017) in Civil Engineering from Universitat Politècnica de València, with study periods at RWTH Aachen (2016-2017) and KTH Royal Institute of Technology (2018-2019). His research spans Wind Engineering , Structural Optimization , and Computational Mechanics , addressing critical challenges in long-span bridge aerodynamics and membrane structure design. Key contributions include flutter mitigation strategies for cable-supported bridges and standardized pressure mapping for membrane roof canopies, emphasizing computational efficiency through forced-motion simulation optimization. Analysis of his 2019-2024 publications reveals a concentrated focus on wind-structure interaction problems, with increasing emphasis on standardization methodologies for membrane structures and computational cost reduction in aerodynamic simulations. His work bridges theoretical computational mechanics with practical civil engineering applications. His scientific recognition includes: La Caixa Foundation Research Fellowship (2020-2022) DAAD Research Fellowship (2020) He actively contributes to third-party funded projects including CoDA, MistralWind, WINSENT, and FlexWing, focusing on wind engineering applications and structural optimization. As an instructor in Wind Engineering courses at TUM, he integrates research into teaching while collaborating within Prof. Wüchner's research group on advanced computational methods. His work is embedded within TUM's computational mechanics ecosystem, contributing to software development (Kratos Multiphysics) and participating in interdisciplinary teams addressing wind effects on civil structures through projects like Digitaler Baukasten.