RESEARCH NEWS Endowed professorships in photonics at Aalen University
High-tech company TRUMPF has signed a cooperation agreement with Aalen University . The agreement involves the co-financing of two endowed professorships in photonics . The TRUMPF Laser Technology Division will contribute 160,000 euros annually over five years . The other sponsors are technology company ZEISS , the cities of Aalen and Oberkochen and the Ostalb district . The two endowed professorships are for “ optical microsystems for sensors and quantum technology ” and laser material processing .
Richard Bannmüller , CEO of TRUMPF Laser und Systemtechnik GmbH , commented : “ Every year , the TRUMPF Group invests a high three-digit million amount in research and development within the company . As a provider of solutions in laser technology , the exchange with universities in photonics is
Richard Bannmüller , Chairman and CEO of TRUMPF Laser und Systemtechnik GmbH ( left ) and Professor Harald Riegel , Dean of Aalen University , sign the cooperation agreement for two endowed professorships . Image : TRUMPF .
particularly important to us . Photonics is one of the key technologies of the near future .” Professor Harald Riegel , Dean of Aalen University , Germany , added : “ We are one of the strongest research universities for applied sciences in Germany . We are therefore particularly pleased about the future support from TRUMPF as one of the leading hightech companies in photonics , which is one of our central research focuses in Aalen . We are also pleased that other regional partners of the university , such as ZEISS and the municipalities of Aalen and Oberkochen , are participating in the endowed professorships . Such collaborations strengthen the innovative power of the region immensely .” n
Unlocking the power of hydrogen
Hydrogen , often touted as a clean and versatile energy source , holds immense promise in the fight against climate change . However , producing hydrogen efficiently is no small feat . Dr . Wen Zhang ’ s Marsden Fund grant of NZ $ 360,000 to the University of Auckland will help to investigate the role of liquid metals in on-demand hydrogen production .
The key lies in a process where aluminium helps to generate hydrogen from
Dr . Wen Zhang . water . However , aluminium ’ s surface is covered by a passive layer known as alumina , making it challenging to utilise aluminium effectively .
To tackle this challenge , Dr . Zhang and her
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research team have proposed an innovative approach ; the use of an electrowetting process . This process aims to alter the way that the aluminium surface behaves , essentially making it more “ welcoming ” to specific types of liquid metals . Once these liquid metals spread across the aluminium surface , they can significantly enhance the efficiency of hydrogen production in the aluminium-water reaction .
“ We hope that , with this cost-effective process , we can achieve high-efficiency on-site and instant green hydrogen production ,” outlined Dr . Zhang . n
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Shunyu Liu , right , examines a 3D-printed metal sample with third-year Ph . D . student , Som Dixit .
3D printing HI-RAM project
The work that Clemson University ’ s Shunyu Liu is doing at the intersection of materials science and automotive engineering is helping to advance additive manufacturing . As an assistant professor of automotive engineering , Liu is a rising star in the world of 3D printing . She and her team aim to make metal parts stronger and without flaws .
“ Additive manufacturing is a disruptive technology — a game changer ,” she said . “ We know there are limitations . That ’ s why we are here — to push the boundaries of this technology . Hybrid additive manufacturing is the next stage .”
Som Dixit , a third-year Ph . D . student , is helping Liu to push the boundaries of manufacturing technology . In a new project , they are developing what the team is calling HI-RAM , an acronym for “ hybrid in-situ rolled additive manufacturing .”
HI-RAM builds objects layer-by-layer like other types of 3-D printing but uses synchronous hot rolling during the printing of each track and layer . It makes the final metal piece tougher and stronger , which is more suitable for structural applications .
“ With HI-RAM , we ’ re working to craft high-performance structural parts that can transform how industries view 3D-printed metal components ,” Liu explained . “ This innovation has strong potential to firmly position the United States at the forefront of global manufacturing .”
The Liu group is conducting its research with funding from a National Science Foundation CAREER award . As part of the grant , Liu is collaborating with colleges , high schools , local manufacturers and manufacturing organisations to offer professional HI-RAM training aimed at motivating and preparing a “ high-quality manufacturing workforce .”
Liu joined Clemson in 2021 as an assistant professor based at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Engineering ( CU-ICAR ) in Greenville , USA . She and her students work with 3D printers at the neighbouring Center for Manufacturing Innovation , a Greenville Technical College facility where Clemson has lab space . n
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20 | ismr . net | ISMR March 2024