Technologies for a changing world

Engineering for a Changing World, this is the motto for the start of the Ilmenau Scientific Colloquium ISC on September 4. This year, international experts from science and industry will meet for the 60th time at the TU Ilmenau to exchange the latest scientific findings and present innovations for five days - more than 300 participants in total. The contributions deal with current issues in the context of a rapidly changing world. In view of the worldwide increase in energy consumption, questions of resource efficiency and the circular economy play a special role.

In six lecture series, scientists will discuss the latest developments worldwide in the fields of

• Precision engineering and metrology
• Industry 4.0 and digitalization in the context of mechanical engineering
• Mechatronics, biomechatronics and mechanics of compliant systems
• development of technical systems
• innovative metallic materials and
• Productive Teaming - the cooperation of man and machine in production.
   

The aim of this special topic highlight in cooperation with the Chemnitz-Ilmenau-Magdeburg Research and Innovation Network (CHIM) is to find out what contribution highly complex, intelligent, adaptable and autonomous cyber-technical systems can make in meeting future challenges in human-centered production. Challenges with regard to trust and security in teamwork will also be discussed.

The Ilmenau Scientific Colloquium will open on Monday, September 4, at 10 a.m. with a talk by Dr. Heike Riel, IBM Fellow, Director of Science & Technology and Head of IBM Research Quantum Europe at IBM Research in Zurich on the topic. "Nanoscience & Nanotechnology - Powering the digitalization of our world.".

Afterwards, Dr. Andreas Kaufer, Director of the European Southern Obs ervatory, will speak on the topic."European Southern Observatory - from precision engineering to precision astronomy".and discusses the current status of the construction of the "Extremely Large Telescope", the world's largest telescope, and the associated logistical and scientific challenges.

Silicon Science Award for research work on microsystems technology

Also on September 4, CiS e.V. and CiS Forschungsinstitut für Mikrosensorik GmbH will present the Silicon Science Award. The award is given to young researchers who address topics in microsystems technology such as silicon-based sensor technology, innovative packaging and interconnection technology, optoelectronic microsystems and quantum technologies - drivers of innovation that permeate all areas of life and help solve challenges of social relevance worldwide.

The second day of the conference on Tuesday, September 5, will open with a presentation by the President of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig,Prof. Cornelia Denz, on next generationmeasurement technology: "Next generation measurement technology - from quantum precision to system's engineering".

Research results and technologies in the context of sustainability and resource efficiency

Two workshops in the following days will deal with further topics in the context of sustainability and resource efficiency: The two-day conference workshop "Living glass surfaces XII" on September 6-7 will focus on current solutions for the challenges facing glass research and industry. Novel processes that make glass more efficient and durable and its production cheaper and more environmentally friendly will be presented and discussed. A workshop on September 8 will focus on innovative methods, tools and applications in mechanical engineering and precision technology that form the basis for sustainable and resource-efficient production.

"The program of our anniversary colloquium reflects the full breadth and depth of modern engineering and the increasing integration of engineering disciplines," says conference chair Prof. René Theska, head of Precision Engineering at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, which is hosting the conference. "The numerous international collaborations of TU Ilmenau are also reflected in the number of scientists from 16 countries attending."

Other highlights of the conference include

• novel solutions from NIST and TU Ilmenau for a definition, traceable to the new International System of Units (SI), of the becquerel, the unit of activity of a given amount of a radioactive substance, and the kilogram, the unit of mass, for masses less than one kilogram.
• the latest results of research at the Technical University of Ilmenau, which enable a measurement resolution for the determination of mass that has never been achieved before in the world
• a novel 5-axis nanofabrication machine that allows arbitrarily shaped complex geometries to be structured and measured in a macroscopic workspace with nanometer resolution

Industrial companies will also present their latest developments in the foyer of the Humboldt Building. Guided tours through laboratories and departments of the TU Ilmenau round off the scientific program.

All interested parties and university members are cordially invited to attend the ceremonial opening on September 4 at 10 a.m. as well as the lectures in the various thematic series.

Info and registration: www.tu-ilmenau.de/isc

Contact:

Prof. René Theska
Head of Precision Engineering
+49 3677 69-3957
rene.theska@tu-ilmenau.de