Leibniz Universität Hannover Faculty Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
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Institute of Transport and Automation Technology
 
Institute of Transport and Automation Technology Institute Team Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ludger Overmeyer
Research Projects

Research Projects

Automation Technology

  • Mittelstand 4.0 competence center Hannover
    The “Mit uns digital! Das Zentrum für Niedersachsen und Bremen” is the first of eleven centers that are currently being developed throughout Germany to support medium-sized enterprises and craftsmen’s businesses in their digital transformation with well-prepared information, examples and qualification.
    Year: 2017
    Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
    Duration: 12/15–11/18
  • DIGITRUBBER - Data mining and AI for optimized cross-process control
    As part of the collaborative project "Digital Rubber Processing - Using Extrusion as an Example" (DIGITRUBBER), an online characterization of the processed rubber compound is being developed by combining new measurement technology approaches, classical modeling and machine learning. This is intended to ensure production at optimum quality while reducing waste.
    Led by: M. Sc. Sebastian Leineweber
    Year: 2021
    Funding: BMBF
    Duration: 04/2021 – 03/2024
  • LernFFZ - Imitation learning for the transfer of human skills to industrial trucks
    The aim of the research project is to extract and transfer human driving skills to semi-automated industrial trucks. The approach is based on imitation learning methods. This new control approach is intended to enable the industrial truck to autonomously pick up load carriers located in any position in the room.
    Led by: M. Sc. Mirko Schaper, M. Sc. Justus Lübbehusen
    Year: 2023
    Funding: BMWK
    Duration: 01.12.2023 - 30.11.2026
  • SELFLED - Selective fluorescence microscopy of single cells based on highly integrated microLED arrays
    The joint research project SELFLED is working on a new type of miniaturized illumination unit for fluorescence microscopy. Optical simulations and algorithms will be used to design microlens arrays that influence the beam level of microLEDs in such a way that individual cell samples can be selectively illuminated and examined.
    Led by: M. Sc. Anna-Lena Fritze
    Year: 2024
    Funding: BMBF
    Duration: 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2026
  • AME 2.0 - New development of a 3D printer for quality-optimized additive manufacturing of rubber-based moulded parts
    The Additive Manufacturing of Elastomers- (AME)-process from the previous Elastomer-3D project is being optimized as part of this project. A new 3D printer is being developed for this purpose, which will be used especially for additive manufacturing of industrial components.
    Led by: M. Sc. Sebastian Leineweber
    Year: 2024
    Funding: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
    Duration: 01.04.2024 - 31.03.2026

Optronics

  • OPTAVER – Research group optical assembly and connection technology for optical bus systems
    The research focus of the sub-project TP1 of the research group OPTAVER is the conditioning of flexible substrates for the application of optical waveguides.
    Year: 2015
    Funding: DFG
    Duration: 2015-2021
  • PhoenixD - Flexographic printing of optical networks
    The PhoenixD research vision is to implement precision optical systems resource and cost-effectively by using additive manufacturing technology. For this purpose, researchers from mechanical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, computer science and chemistry intend to work together on the simulation, production and application of optical systems. So far, such systems usually consist of glass-based components tediously assembled in small batches, often even by hand. Experts from the various disciplines will aim to work together on a digitized production system that can realize individualized products. In this subproject, the production of planar optical network structures is being researched. For this purpose, a classic printing processes, the flexo printing, is used to enable a cost-effective production.
    Led by: M. Sc. Jonathan Pleuß
    Year: 2019
    Duration: 01.01.2019 - 31.12.2025
  • OptiK-Net
    The BMBF project OptiK-Net comprises the possibility of integrating flexible optical conductor structures into the manufacturing process of conventional printed circuit boards in an application- and industry-oriented manner. Optical waveguides in electronic structures are considered difficult to implement in industry, but offer advantages and design possibilities over printed circuit boards with electrical conductor paths. In particular, their high bandwidth and low sensitivity to interference allow new solutions in communication networks. In the OptiK-Net project, obstacles are addressed to enable innovative industrial applications by implementing an exemplary process chain for the manufacture of an optoelectronic rigid-flex printed circuit boards. Within this process chain, two new approaches will be pursued: direct printing of optical waveguides and their direct integration into electrical circuit boards. For the direct printing of optical waveguides, flexographic printing, gravure printing and screen printing are considered as conventional printing processes. These processes enable a high output of similar waveguide structures, so that they can be evaluated with regard to their quality and capability as an industrial process. By integrating them into a rigid-flex composite, the communication of decoupled electrical circuits can be realized.
    Led by: M. Sc. Andreas Evertz
    Year: 2019
    Funding: BMBF
    Duration: 10/19 - 09/22
    © ITA
  • PhoenixD - Electrical integration of optical networks
    Implementing optical precision systems quickly and cost-effectively using additive manufacturing: This is the vision of PhoenixD. In this subproject, research is conducted on the production of planar optical network structures. The optical coupling of the light sources to the optical waveguide, which is printed or dispensed, for example, is one of the research questions to be solved. Here, precise mounting and alignment to the end face of the waveguide is of enormous importance.
    Led by: M. Sc. Laura Fütterer
    Year: 2019
    Duration: 01.01.2019 - 31.12.2025
  • 3D-multi layer prints of Mechatronic Integrated Devices
    In the 3D-MLD project, additive manufacturing for the generative production of multilayer circuits on spatial components is investigated. The novel approach is based on an alternating coating of the component surface with functional inks and local laser processing. Besides the laser sintering of conductor paths, laser ablation of the insulating coating enables the generation of vertical interconnect accesses in between the layers.
    Led by: Ejvind Olsen
    Year: 2021
    Funding: BMWi
    Duration: 04/2021 – 03/2023
  • 3D-MosquitOprint
    3D-MosquitOprint researches the integration of optically transparent waveguides in cavities on three-dimensional circuit carriers. The manufacturing process is based on the Mosquito method, in which a light-conducting core is dispensed into a liquid cladding polymer. Afterwards, the structure is cured by UV light. For use as electro-optical hybrid components, there are also investigations into efficient coupling between manufactured waveguides and diodes. For this purpose, the end surfaces are prepared and assembled with diodes.
    Led by: M. Sc. Laura Fütterer
    Year: 2022
    Funding: AiF (IGF)
    Duration: 01.07.2022 - 30.06.2024
  • FlexBiPOF - Flexo-printed Coupling System for Bidirectional Operation of Polymer Optical Fibres
    The aim of this research project is to develop an optical transceiver that makes it possible to operate a polymer optical fibre (POF) in two communication directions. This requires a waveguide element that is produced additively by flexography.
    Led by: M. Sc. Andreas Evertz
    Year: 2024
    Funding: ZIM
    Duration: 01.05.2024 - 30.04.2026

Production in Space

  • Setup of an active drop tower
    As part of the establishment of the Hannover Institute of Technology (HITec), an active drop tower, the Einstein-Elevator is being set up by the Institute of Transport and Automation Technology (ITA). The design, development and construction of the facility are being carried out in collaboration with the QUEST Leibniz Research School (QUEST-LFS) and the Institute of Quantum Optics (IQ). The aim is to be able to carry out experiments under conditions of microgravity, but also under different partial gravity conditions such as those on the Moon or Mars.
    Led by: Dipl.-Ing. Christoph Lotz
    Year: 2011
    Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG) and Lower Saxony state gouvernment
    Duration: since 10/2011
  • Cold Plasma in ZeroG
    The height dependence of the plasma conditions and the height dependence of the dynamics of charged microparticles inserted into the plasma are to be investigated in the Einstein-Elevator in a plasma chamber. To this end, the movements of the microparticles during the transition from 1 g to 0 g in the Einstein-Elevator are to be analyzed.
    Led by: Dr.-Ing. Christoph Lotz
    Year: 2019
    Funding: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
  • Experiment carrier for the Einstein-Elevator
    An essential Component of the Einstein Elevator at the Hannover Institute of Technology (HITec) is an experiment carrier, that is used inside the Einstein Elevators gondola. In collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Institute for Transport and Automation Technology is developing a low-vibration carrier. The aim is to use the system to carry out various experiments under microgravity.
    Led by: M. Sc. Richard Sperling
    Year: 2020
    Funding: DLR-SI
    Duration: 08.2020-07.2023
  • Interferometry with entangled atoms in space
    In this project, the entanglement of atoms in microgravity is measured using a robust and compact atomic sensor. The main goal is to demonstrate interferometric sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit in microgravity.
    Led by: M. Sc. Alexander Heidt
    Year: 2021
    Funding: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
    Duration: 01.09.2021 - 31.12.2024
  • Laser-based additive manufacturing of metal parts from powder in microgravity
    The aim of this research project is the development of a laser-based additive manufacturing process for the production of metal parts from powder in microgravity. The approach is based on the "Laser Metal Deposition" (LMD) process known for earth gravity.
    Led by: M. Sc. Marvin Raupert
    Year: 2021
    Funding: DFG
    Duration: 07.2021 - 06.2024
  • Dark Energy Search with Atom Interferometry in the Einstein-Elevator
    The collaboration DESIRE uses the free-fall simulator Einstein-Elevator for dark energy search with atom interferometry. For this purpose the apparatus MAIUS-A will be reconstructed with a specialized test mass and afterwards operated in microgravity.
    Led by: M. Sc. Alexander Heidt
    Year: 2021
    Funding: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
    Duration: 01.04.2021 - 31.03.2024
  • Hannover Center for Microgravity Research
    The focus of the DFG-funded research center "Hannover Center for Microgravity Research" is the establishment of an administrative service and management structure for the Einstein-Elevator. This should enable effective use of the Einstein-Elevator, also for external scientists.
    Led by: Dr.-Ing. Christoph Lotz
    Year: 2022
    Funding: DFG
    Duration: 01.01.2022 - 31.12.2024
  • Levitated Magnets for Quantum Metrology
    This project aims at a systematic investigation of sensors based on levitated micromagnets, which allow to measure ultra-low torques and magnetic fields, demonstrating an unprecedented energy resolution.
    Led by: M. Sc. Alexander Heidt
    Year: 2022
    Funding: QuantERA Project of the EU (DFG)
    Duration: 01.01.2022 - 31.12.2024
  • Activity of comets under partial gravity
    Cometary activity, which in this case refers to the ejection of dust from the surface, can be simulated in the laboratory, but more than a thousand times Earth's gravity overrides the gravity prevailing on comets. With the help of the Einstein-Elevator it will be possible to perform experiments under comet-like conditions.
    Led by: M. Sc. Emre Tahtali
    Year: 2022
    Funding: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
    Duration: 01.08.2022 - 31.07.2025
  • Ultrasonic levitation as a handling tool for ISM processes
    The joint project Lev4ISM pursues the development of an innovative, resource-saving manufacturing process for In-Space Manufacturing (ISM), which aims to enable the substrate-free production of components in microgravity. By using acoustic levitation and implementing coupled simulations, the precise handling of particles and components in microgravity will be researched to create long-term solutions for sustainable and flexible space missions.
    Led by: M. Sc. Jan Raffel
    Year: 2023
    Funding: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
    Duration: 01.09.2023 - 31.08.2025
  • Multifunctional Measurement System for Microgravity Research
    The aim of this research project is to develop a sensor system for research in weightlessness. The system should be able to record and process relevant data.
    Led by: M. Sc. Richard Sperling
    Year: 2024
    Funding: Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK)
    Duration: 01.01.2024 - 30.06.2024
  • Development of a multi-user facility for quantum experiments in the Einstein-Elevator by integrating an ISS express rack
    The project aims to develop a multi-user express rack that serves as an interface between the Einstein-Elevator and the scientific experiments on the ISS and is based on the standardized sizes of the International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR). Technical specifications such as power supply, communication systems, and cooling must be adapted to the special environmental conditions of the Einstein-Elevator to support and validate current and future ISS research projects efficiently.
    Led by: M. Sc. Marvin Raupert
    Year: 2024
    Funding: QuantumFrontiers
    Duration: 01.07.2024 - 31.12.2024

Transport Technology

  • Future Conveyor Drive - Monetary and ecological belt conveyor optimisation by means of driven idlers
    Within the framework of this research project, the monetary and ecological optimisation of belt conveyor systems by means of driven idlers is being investigated. With help of a specially developed co-simulation environment, their influence on the operating behaviour and dynamic system stability of belt conveyor systems is analysed. The aim is to develop a selection logic for determining the optimised use of driven idlers for industry.
    Led by: M. Sc. Carsten Schmidt
    Year: 2022
    Funding: AIF
    Duration: 01.08.2022 - 31.07.2024

Last Change: 17.06.24 Print

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