{{else if Image}}
{{else if Image}}
{{/if}}
{{/if}}
Sustainable lightweight construction: TU Ilmenau offers pioneering Master's degree programme
For the winter semester 2024/25, Ilmenau University of Technology has introduced the specialisation ‘Sustainable Lightweight Construction’ to its Master's degree course in Mechanical Engineering. In doing so, the university aims to meet demands from industry and consumers for sustainable products and processes. The content of the programme offers students an education that will make them sought-after specialists and managers in industry and research.
The ecological challenges facing society, particularly in view of the climate crisis, require a change in the industry. Sustainable lightweight construction not only makes it possible to manufacture technically high-quality products, it also conserves the resources that are essential for securing the future.
Resource-saving and sustainable solutions
Whether energy-efficient drives in vehicle technology, consumer electronics devices or new sustainable energy generation and supply - every product requires mechanical engineers who are looking for functional technical solutions that are both resource-saving and sustainable.
The aim of lightweight construction is to save mass, material and energy while the function of the product remains the same or is even improved. To achieve this, the structure, design, materials and manufacturing processes for a component or the entire product are optimised. By reducing mass, optimising the use of materials and adapting the design to lightweight construction, material and resource efficiency is increased - and emissions of climate-damaging carbon dioxide are drastically reduced, before, during and after the product's service life.
Wide range of applications
The areas of application for such sustainable lightweight construction products cover the entire spectrum of society: from medical technology, mobility and mechanical engineering to energy generation and supply, buildings and households, right through to sport and leisure.
With the introduction of the new specialisation, students on the Master's degree course in Mechanical Engineering will focus on the topic of sustainable lightweight construction. In addition to lightweight construction technology, the core subjects include modern manufacturing processes and materials, product development and the latest simulation methods. Depending on their needs and interests, students have the opportunity to specialise in sustainable production management, measurement technology and the diverse fields of application of lightweight construction. This range of subjects also enables students to search for sustainable solutions on an interdisciplinary basis.
