The TU Ilmenau honors the best scientific publications from the university with the Publication Award. This year, researchers in three categories were honored with the award, which is worth 2500 euros. The award is presented every two years by a research committee consisting of professors, academic staff and students. The selection criteria are international visibility, novelty value and the interdisciplinary nature of the publication.
Publication prize in "Mathematics and Natural Sciences" goes to Dr. Friedrich M. Philipp Prof. Manuel Schaller and Prof. Karl Worthmann
In the "Mathematics and Natural Sciences" category, Dr. Friedrich M. Philipp and Prof. Karl Worthmann from the Institute of Mathematics and Prof. Manuel Schaller (TU Chemnitz) received the award for their publication Finite-data error bounds for Koopman-based prediction and control in the Journal of Nonlinear Science. The article was written as part of the interdisciplinary research project DeepTurb, short for "Deep Learning in and of Turbulence", funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.
The award-winning publication addresses a central problem of modern machine learning methods: How much data is necessary to ensure a given approximation quality? In their article, the scientists deal with the so-called Extended Dynamic Mode Decomposition (EDMD), a very powerful machine learning method for the analysis, prediction and (optimal) control of complex, non-linear dynamic systems. Despite the application of this method in areas such as fluid and molecular dynamics, quantum mechanics or deep learning, there is, according to Prof. Worthmann, hardly any work that has dealt with error analysis and the question of the required number of training data for a given approximation quality:
We have shown for the first time such quantitative probabilistic error bounds for systems with input or with stochastic dynamics. In particular, we dealt with the highly relevant case in which the data were recorded along a trajectory.
The scientific influence of the work is reflected in the broad international perception: within one year, the publication has already been cited 73 times (GoogleScholar). It has served as the basis for international collaborations and project proposals as well as mini-symposia at international conferences, including at the Mathematical Research Institute Oberwolfach. Prof. Worthmann also sees great social added value in the award-winning work:
In my opinion, the theoretical foundation of machine learning methods is crucial in order to successfully and robustly use artificial intelligence methods in safety-critical and technical applications in relation to disruptions - in science, industry and society.
For the scientists, the publication prize is a special recognition of their scientific work - for Karl Worthmann also in relation to the reorientation of his field of Optimization-based Control in recent years towards data-based methods of mathematical system theory using machine learning. For Prof. Schaller, the award also represents a special recognition and appreciation of his work as a postdoctoral researcher at the TU Ilmenau:
The award is very special for me, as it recognizes my first scientific work on the analysis of machine learning methods - a topic that is now an integral part of my scientific profile. The publication prize allows me to keep the formative and productive time at the TU Ilmenau, which has accompanied me even after my move to the TU Chemnitz, in my best memory.
Dr. Friedrich Philipp emphasizes the importance of the publication prize for his scientific work:
Since I started at TU Ilmenau in 2020, I have devoted myself intensively to the mathematical methods of machine learning. The award-winning publication is a milestone in my research, as it shapes my work on quantitative guarantees for data-driven methods in the context of dynamic systems. This recognition shortly before completing my habilitation process fills me with great joy and is a special acknowledgement of my research work at TU Ilmenau.
Publication prize in "Engineering Sceinces" goes to Prof. Yuri Shardt
Prof. Yuri Shardt, Chair of Automation Engineering, has received an award for his textbook Statistics for Chemical and Process Engineers. The work, which is available in both English and German, combines theoretical principles with practical application examples and is geared towards students, researchers, and engineers in industry.
In his research, Prof. Shardt deals with future-oriented areas in automation technology: big data, holistic control, and the smart world. He develops models that use large industrial data sets to better understand, optimise, and control processes. In process monitoring, he deals with early fault detection. His third focus is on the practical application of these models and control methods. He is particularly interested in smart factories (Industry 4.0) and smart agriculture, especially the use of technologies in smart greenhouses.
The book covers the central topics of his research such as data visualisation, descriptive statistics, theoretical foundations of statistics, parameter estimation, hypothesis testing, linear and nonlinear regression, experimental design, analysis and modelling of time series, and system identification. Application of the content is encouraged through detailed examples, solutions, and questions at the end of the chapters. Implementation in MATLAB and Microsoft Excel® is provided. Prof. Shardt explains:
With this textbook, I wanted to not only teach the theoretical aspects, but also to show how to properly analyse and interpret the results. The focus is on practical application that are supported by understandable examples and modern software.
For engineers and scientists who want to make data-driven decisions and optimise processes, the textbook offers a sound basis for efficiently analysing complex issues and developing innovative solutions in areas such as Industry 4.0 and smart agriculture.
Prof. Shardt sees the award as a special recognition of his work:
The award recognises the intensive work that went into the development of this textbook. It motivates me to continue preparing knowledge in such a way that it is useful for students and experts alike.
Publication prize in "Economics and Social Sciences" goes to Prof. Rainer Souren
Prof. Rainer Souren, Head of the Group for Sustainable Production and Logistics Management, received an award for his paper Integrating multiple criteria decision analysis and production theory for performance evaluation: framework and review, published in the European Journal of Operational Research, which he co-authored with a researcher from RWTH Aachen University. The paper combines insights from decision theory and production theory to fundamentally improve performance measurements in multiple objective problems.
Companies in particular are often confronted with the question of how they can measure their performance when no clear unit of measurement such as money can be used. Based on a comprehensive literature review, the researchers have succeeded in developing a framework model that creates a theoretically sound basis for this type of performance assessment. According to Prof. Souren, his research offers added value particularly in fields of application such as life cycle assessment, the systematic analysis of the environmental impact of products, processes or services along the entire life cycle, or data envelopment analysis, a method used in the evaluation of hospitals or universities, for example.
The publication has already been well received in the scientific community. According to Google Scholar and Research Gate, it has already been cited around 40 times within two years. According to Prof. Souren, the social relevance of the work lies in its broad applicability.
Our contribution can enable more well-founded assessments, be it in the environmental evaluation of product alternatives or in the fair comparability of performance data - for example in research institutions.
The award from the research committee of TU Ilmenau is a special honor for Prof. Souren:
This award complements the overall picture of my work as a university lecturer and is the counterpart to the teaching award, which I have already received twice. Research and teaching are central pillars of my work, and I am delighted that this balance has been recognized with this award.
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