The Manfred Hirschvogel Preis was awarded to Dr.-Ing. Deniz Avni Bezgin for his dissertation “Toward Machine-learned Discretizations and Differentiable CFD for Compressible Two-phase Flows”. With the development of JAX-Fluids, he has made a decisive contribution at the interface of numerical fluid mechanics and machine learning. The automatically differentiable flow solver enables the integrated training of learning-based numerical methods to simulate complex one- and two-phase flows. Combining modern CFD methods with gradient information for end-to-end optimization is particularly innovative and thus a milestone for next-generation hybrid simulation methods.
Klaus Lechthaler was awarded the RENK-Antriebstechnik Förderpreis for his master's thesis “Optimierung des Betriebsverhaltens von Schneckengetrieben durch topologische Modifikation mittels der 5-Achs-Fräsbearbeitung”. The work impressively demonstrates how modern manufacturing technologies can optimize classic machine elements. The targeted adaptation of the flank shape to the local load results in a higher power density, better scuffing load capacity, and increased efficiency.
Dr.-Ing. Thomas Schneider was also honored with the RENK-Antriebstechnik Förderpreis for his dissertation entitled “Spontaneous Damage Behavior of Wet Multi-Plate Clutches under Transient Slip Conditions”. His research provides new insights into the early detection of damage in wet multi-plate clutches. Particularly noteworthy is identifying a critical temperature range as an early indicator of damage and using predictive models based on machine learning. This successfully bridges the gap between classic engineering and data-based future technology.
Sören Weindel wrote his thesis on “Planning Magnetic Levitation Operating Strategies for PLC-Controlled Intralogistics”. He was awarded the WITTENSTEIN-Preis for his Master's thesis. The thesis is dedicated to the flexible planning of production processes using magnetic levitation platforms and combines an automatic offline planner with reusable control software for industrial PLC systems. Particularly noteworthy is the newly developed optimization approach for roadmap graphs, which enables complex path guidance efficiently in confined environments.
Another WITTENSTEIN-Preis went to Dr.-Ing. Felix Kronowetter. He researched “Engineering high-quality Fano resonances in open acoustic systems” in his dissertation. Using innovative numerical methods to analyze acoustic metamaterials, he achieved a breakthrough in the targeted use of so-called Fano resonances in open systems. The targeted coupling of bound states enables a significant amplification of locally stored energy, representing a promising approach for efficiently utilizing even weak waves.
Dr.-Ing. Kilian Müller received the Rudolf Schmidt Burkhardt Preis for his “Melt Electrowriting Technological Advances and Cardiovascular Applications” dissertation. His work has made a pioneering contribution to regenerative cardiovascular medicine. By further developing the melt electrowriting process, new bioresorbable implants are being created that stimulate the body to form its tissue. Combining technical innovation, material science expertise, and medical vision opens new perspectives for long-lasting, functional solutions for cardiovascular diseases.