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Research clusters

Multifunctional metal-based structures

  • Production of components from multi-material structures with
    • different metallic materials
    • Non-metallic materials in a metallic matrix
  • Creation of structures with local property customization
    • Adapted physical / chemical / mechanical properties
    • Targeted adjustment / use of cavities / porosities
    • Improved surface properties (e.g. wear, friction, etc.)
  • Development of suitable base materials / powders
    • Alloy development, use of additives (flux, etc.)
    • Surface properties / morphology of filler materials (shape-dependent, e.g. through active grinding, plasma treatment, coating)
  • Creation of manufacturing freedom by focusing on the use of additive manufacturing processes: Laser sintering, laser melting, wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM)
  • In-situ influencing of component properties in the manufacturing process itself (path planning, energy input, thermal cycles, etc.)

Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Volker Wesling

Hybrid material composites and fiber composite systems

  • Development of new multi-material systems with inorganic top layer and reinforced polymer core
    • Acoustic damping (FMLs)
    • High transparency with shatter and break-in resistance (NanoGlas)
    • Application-oriented structural optimization
  • Development of innovative manufacturing technologies for fiber composites (focus: resource efficiency/recycling)
  • Development and optimization of manufacturing processes for MMS
    • Integration of fiber and/or nanoparticle reinforcement
    • Combination of different manufacturing processes into a single-stage variothermal forming and joining process (FMLs)
    • Use of sterically stabilized, monomer-specific functionalized nanoparticles to optimize properties (NanoGlas)
  • Research into the unique online prepreg technology at CZM (objective: zero-waste production / environmentally-oriented composite material production with consistent material properties)

Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Ziegmann

Lightweight construction concepts and material systems

  • Identification and further development of approaches to material and conceptual lightweight construction
  • Overcoming incompatibilities along the entire process chain from material to component
  • Production of energy-efficient lightweight structures with special consideration of all load cases and material conditions
  • Development and production of fiber composite structures (injection molding, vacuum infiltration, resign transfer molding, wet pressing)
  • Adaptation of material systems and filler materials
  • Realization of metallic mixed designs and composite structures using low-heat joining processes (arc and plasma processes, pressure welding, mechanical joining and hybrid joining processes)
  • Proof of properties under static, cyclic and dynamic loading → Inclusion of material states (e.g. ageing)

Contact person: Dr.-Ing. Henning Wiche

Surface analysis and functionalization

  • All materials and substances interact with their environment via their surfaces
  • Many material-specific properties such as adhesion, wear or corrosion resistance are largely determined by the surface
  • Challenge: High demand for control and insight into the physico-chemical processes on surfaces
  • Targeted use of various analysis methods and techniques from the field of surface physics and material analysis
  • Dielectrically impeded discharges (DBE plasmas) for the modification and functionalization of surfaces

Contact: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maus-Friedrichs / Dr. rer. nat. René Gustus

Future clusters: polymer systems, microsensor technology and biologization

  • Modeling and simulative design of complex geometries and microcomponents for high-precision applications
  • Production and optimization of the process chain using additive manufacturing, laser lithography, micro injection moulding and micro joining technology, taking into account specific boundary conditions
    • Material technology
    • Biological/medical
    • Optical/sensory
  • Development of novel material combinations, such as polymer-protein composites, for biological and medical applications under cleanroom conditions
  • Development of foldable substrates for optical applications
  • Development of conductive polymer systems for microsensor technology
  • Research and development of coupling mechanisms for material combinations in a wide range of areas, such as medical technology, optical systems, MID technology, etc.

Future cluster: Solid and pressure-based hydrogen storage systems

  • Reliable storage options are necessary for the large-scale use of green hydrogen as an energy carrier
  • Areas of application are: Energy industry, mobility sector, production sector
  • Problem: high diffusibility, high hazard potential
  • Pressure storage using hybrid material systems
    • Development of new diffusion barriers
    • Consideration of lightweight construction aspects (metal / FRP laminate mixed construction methods)
  • Solid-state accumulators based on metal hydride
    • Use of DBD plasmas to support storage and retrieval