Atomistic modeling

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ralf Drautz

In ICAMS, Ralf Drautz represents the smallest length scale, that of atomistic modeling. This involves, on the one hand, the development of handy and effective interatomistic potentials, which are developed from theoretical considerations of the electronic structure of matter.

Materials simulation

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ingo Steinbach

Ingo Steinbach is concerned with the thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transformations, which are important for the development of the microstructure of materials and play a decisive role in determining the material properties. He applies various theoretical methods to develop constitutive equations that can describe the evolution of the microstructure from manufacture (e.g. solidification and thermomechanical treatment) to use (e.g. creep). 

Materials Mechanics

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Alexander Hartmaier

Alexander Hartmaier is concerned with the relationships between the microstructure and the properties of materials in order to be able to use this to support the development of new materials on the basis of a physically sound understanding. He is particularly interested in mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, toughness, fatigue resistance and creep resistance.

Material surfaces and interfaces

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dierk Raabe

Diekr Raabe is Director at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research, Düsseldorf, where he works in the fields of materials simulation, atom probe tomography, microstructures and the resulting mechanical properties of metallic alloys.

Materials Physics

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Gerhard Dehm

The Department of Structure and Nano-/Micromechanics of Materials, headed by Prof. Gerhard Dehm at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research, develops miniaturized mechanical processes while applying modern electron microscopy and diffraction methods.

Materials for aerospace applications

Prof. Dr. techn. Guillermo Requena

Guillermo Requena is professor for Materials in Aerospace Engineering and Co-Director of the DLR Institute for Frontier Materials on Earth and in Space in Cologne. The Institute researches and develops materials across the full development chain—from Design and Discovery through Demonstration to Deployment—and advances sustainable, digitally integrated, and resilient material solutions all the way to system integration and technology transfer. A particular strength is the combination of materials science and engineering with digital methods (data spaces, AI, predictive simulations, autonomous experiments) and advanced characterization, including synchrotron-based 3D/4D techniques and additive manufacturing, to significantly shorten development cycles.

Materials for aerospace applications

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marion Bartsch

Teaching and research at the Chair of Aerospace Materials focuses on high-performance materials for aerospace applications. The essential requirements here are "light and reliable" and usually under extreme stresses.

Ceramic materials

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Robert Vaßen

The Chair of Ceramic Materials is integrated as a department into the Institute for Energy and Climate Research, IEK-1: Materials Synthesis and Manufacturing Processes at Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH. The institute develops novel materials and innovative manufacturing processes for components to solve key issues of modern energy conversion and storage systems.

Particle-based manufacturing processes and sintering

Apl.-Prof. Dr. Martin Brahm

The "Particle-based Manufacturing Processes and Sintering" team offers specific technologies for near-net-shape forming and for sintering ceramic and metallic powders. A specific focus is on sintering technologies that enable superposition of pressure and/or electric field with the aim of complete densification of the respective material.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Escher

Prof. Escher is head of "Research, Development and Quality" at the medium-sized stainless steel plant in Ründeroth, Germany, and has been an honorary professor at the IW since 2016. He is significantly involved in the development and processing of tool steels and holds an elective lecture in the bachelor's degree program in mechanical engineering entitled "Tool Technologies I and II".

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Herman Monstadt

Prof. Monstadt is managing partner of phenox GmbH, a medical technology company with its headquarters in Bochum, Germany, and has been an honorary professor at IW since 2020. Phenox is a globally operating company that produces products such as stents, coils and retrievers for the therapy of strokes and consistently always conducts research and development in this field. He gives an elective lecture in the master's program in mechanical engineering entitled "Materials of Biomedical Engineering."