Departments

With its specialist departments, the institute is orientated along the entire process chain for the production of adaptable, efficiently manufactured, tolerant lightweight structures. This makes the Institute of Lightweight Systems a partner for industry, universities, the German Research Foundation (DFG), research institutions, ministries and approval authorities in all matters relating to the development, calculation, experimental testing, production and qualification of lightweight structures for the aerospace industry and beyond. The Innovation department is responsible for strengthening the transfer of knowledge and technology. The department, Central Services, is responsible for the administrative and organisational work of the institute.

Multifunctional Material Department

New materials with superior properties are the basis for innovative technologies. The department's research work focuses on integrating additional functionalities into the material in order to increase the competitiveness and range of applications of fibre composites. By developing high-performance lightweight materials, we are making a significant contribution to the sustainable mobility of tomorrow.

Structural Mechanics Department

The department focuses on developing new methods for efficiently analysing and evaluating lightweight structures in aerospace, transport technology and wind energy. It is very important to consider the entire life cycle from component production to reusability or disposal.

Composite Design Department

The department Composite Design offers a closed development chain from the first sketch of composite structures, their sizing up to a design for an efficient production.

Composite Process Technology Department

The leap from initial idea to evaluable application requires a professionally equipped large-scale scientific facility environment, particularly for manufacturing implementation.

Adaptronics Department

Since 1989 the department of Adaptronics works as one of the first European research groups on solutions in the field of smart-structures technology. With their experience adaptive systems comprising structural material, distributed actuators and sensors, control strategies and power conditioning electronics across all lines of business can be realised.

Sustainability Technologies Department

The Department of Sustainability Technologies aims to develop the full sustainability potential of lightweight system construction. In its efforts to do this, it seeks to close gaps in expertise, capabilities and technologies for sustainability assessment and circular technologies in industry and research.

Innovation Department

Our Institute maintains close contact with industry to facilitate successful innovation through research results. The closest possible interaction is necessary to determine the need for research and the commercial utilisation of the research results. The Lightweight Construction Innovations Department focuses on reinforcing this interface in order to enhance knowledge and technology transfer.

Central Services Department

The Central Services Department is responsible for the administrative and organizational work of the Institute. By bundling these tasks, the scientists in the six specialist departments can concentrate better on their research work. Institute goals can thus be pursued more stringently.