22.06.2009
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft grants Collaborative Research Centre of the University of Paderborn
The Collaborative Research Centre „Self-optimizing concepts and structures in mechanical engineering” gets grant for another four years after the successful perpetration. Therefore the University of Paderborn is able to develop their leadership in the area of modern mechanical engineering.
A life without machines is named early Stone Age. Machines are ubiquitous, they simplify work, they transport and they help identifying and cure diseases. Examples are the microwave oven, the welding robots, the airplane and the magnetic resonance tomograph. Today, information technology provides the performance of machines. Nothing works without electronics and software. Therefore, engineers and computer scientists work together in research and development. This is one of the outstanding strengths of the University of Paderborn as proven in recent years.In particular the Heinz Nixdorf Institute is an international leader in the field of mechatronics, which expresses a close interaction of mechanics, electronics and software in modern machines.
The symbiosis of engineering and computer science combined with optimization methods of mathematics forms the basis of the major-project CRC 614 "Self-optimizing Mechatronic Systems". 50 scientists are working together since 2002 on the machines of tomorrow, which will be virtually intelligent. They will certainly not take over world supremacy, but they will be able to adapt automatically to the behaviour of their users, to consume only as much energy as is currently required - and much more. This is demonstrated for example by the rail system RailCab, the avant-garde electric car "chameleon" and the miniature robot "Bebot".
The collaborative research leads to innovation and jobs in future industries such as mechanical engineering, automotive and medical technology. Five transfer projects which convert the explored design techniques, components and software components in practice are in progress already. This will be reinforced in the coming years. For this purpose, a Committee was formed, which includes the decison-makers of the regional economy. The Frauenhofer Institute "Mechatronics design techniques" will play a key role to further innovation in the industry. This Institute is planned by the Heint Nixdorf Institute. The Collaborative Research Center provides the necessary design methods and tools for it.
Prof. Jürgen Gausemeier (Chairman of the Collaborative Research Center) and its executive colleagues Prof. Wilhelm Schäfer and Prof. Franz Rammig already think beyond the ambitious research program of the next four years; issues such as systems engineering and nano-engineering are emerging as new challenges. The overall goal is to keep the university on the territory of modern mechanical engineering in a good position and to provide the graduates from engineering and computer science an excellent job perspectives.
