Bachelor Industrial Engineering and Management
Specialisation in Production Technology

We are developing a recuperative bicycle with hydraulic drive

When cycling, starting off is always the most strenuous and energy-intensive part due to the inertia of the mass. In addition, the unintentional bends and "swerves" caused by the very low speed at the beginning harbour a risk of accidents and a danger for the rider himself and other road users. At the same time, unused energy is lost when the bike brakes.

We are developing a charcoal grill that burns the charcoal completely and at a higher temperature

Thermoelectric generators are semiconductor devices that can generate electricity from a temperature difference. We use this property in the charcoal grill to increase the supply of combustion air with a fan and thus burn the charcoal completely and at a higher temperature.

We are researching innovative photovoltaics for window frames

In recent years, the ''James Dyson Award'' went to the ''Aureus'' project, which describes the theoretical utilisation of UV radiation in a window frame. Here, for example, waste or food products were transformed into a special material that collects the UV radiation and then converts it into solar energy. We examine the technical and economic potential of the Aureus concept and carry out basic feasibility studies.

How can the quality of a cleaning process be assessed quickly, automatically and reproducibly?

Cleaning and, subsequently, disinfection processes not only remove dirt and grease but also bacterial contamination from surfaces. However, assessing the quality of these processes involves a great deal of effort. In the cleaning industry, there is therefore a need for automated and rapid assessment using measurement technology. We analyse and test suitable measurement methods.

The world's richest entrepreneurs are currently investing large sums in the development of private space travel. Why?

Private space travel will be profitable in business with the military, with satellite transport, with space tourism or possibly also with mining in space. In the "Space Mining" project, we assess the technical costs and the expected economic benefits on the basis of the knowledge available today.

ULV nebulisers are used to completely disinfect all surfaces in doctors' surgeries by nebulising disinfectant. How can this be done inexpensively in a bus, for example?

The corona pandemic shows that quick and complete disinfection is also useful in taxis, buses, trains and aeroplanes. We are investigating how the principle of the ULV nebuliser can be transferred to an inexpensive and mobile device.

During the coronavirus pandemic, many aspects of daily life have been suspended for fear of infection. Can this be remedied in an energy-efficient way using simple means?

The coronavirus pandemic shows that the likelihood of infection can be significantly reduced through good ventilation. However, a lot of heat energy is released into the environment through the exchange of air and is therefore lost. We are developing an inexpensive ventilation system with a heat exchanger to achieve the objectives of hygiene and energy at low cost. Potential users are, for example, schools in classrooms or snack bars.