• Herr Dipl.-Ing. Mykyta Levchenko
• Montag, 21. September 2026, 12:00 Uhr
• Hörsaal Formgebung, FOR-0270, Haus Formgebung, Bernhard-von-Cotta-Straße 4, EG

The growing interest of the iron and steelmaking industry in Open-Loop Recycling during the fundamental transition toward more sustainable and evironmentally friendly metallurgy is shifting the perception of metallurgical slag – previously viewed merely as waste – into that of a valuable resource. This shift requires the pyrometallurgical treatment of liquid slag to generate products suitable for further utilization. Thermophysical properties such as viscosity, density, and surface tension are of upmost importance regarding processes in the liquid state. There-fore, the thermophysical properties of liquid industrial slags with varying compositions were studied and analysed alongside thermodynamic calculations. Subsequently, the industrial slag was subjected to reduction at 1600 °C using carbon and hydrogen as reductants to evaluate both the feasibility of this treatment and the resulting products. 

• Herr Matheus Roberto Bellé, M.Sc.
• Montag, 21. September 2026, 15:00 Uhr
• Hörsaal Formgebung, FOR-0270, Haus Formgebung, Bernhard-von-Cotta-Straße 4, EG

Im GRK 2802 wurden kohlenstoffgebundene Magnesia-Feuerfestmaterialien mit Rezyklaten und umweltfreundlichen Bindemitteln entwickelt, um CO₂-Fußabdruck und Toxizität zu reduzieren. Deren physikalische und chemische Wechselwirkung mit flüssigem Stahl ist entscheidend für den Reinheitsgrad hinsichtlich Verunreinigungen und nichtmetallischer Einschlüsse. Zur Prüfung der Kompatibilität mit dem in der Automobilindustrie bedeutenden Al-killed 
Mn-B-Stahl wurden Hochtemperaturversuche durchgeführt. Die thermophysikalischen Eigenschaften des Stahls (Dichte, Oberflächenspannung, dynamische Viskosität) wurden in Abhängigkeit von B- und S-Gehalten und Temperatur mittels Maximum-Bubble-Pressure- und Schwingtiegel-Methode bestimmt. Eintauchversuche unter verschiedenen Bedingungen untersuchten die Wechselwirkung von Feuerfestmaterialien mit Stahl und flüssiger Schlacke. Die Charakterisierung erfolgte mittels chemischer Analyse sowie mikroskopischer und spektroskopischer Verfahren.

• Herr Dipl.-Ing. Alexander Adamczyk
• Dienstag, 22. September 2026, 10:00 Uhr
• Seminarraum EG.133, Zentrum für effiziente Hochtemperatur-Stoffwandlung (ZeHS), Winklerstraße 5

A recyclate-based MgO–316L cermet was investigated as a carbon-free anode candidate for primary aluminum production. Current-free degradation resulted primarily from MgO fluorina-tion and molten salt infiltration. Oxidation formed oxide and spinel phases that could mitigate corrosion of the Mg-containing fraction. Under anodic polarization during electrolysis, the relative contribution of steel-phase degradation increased. Compared with the as-sintered anode, pre-oxidation at 900 °C reduced material degradation under both chemical and electrochemical conditions, but impaired metallic connectivity and increased cell voltage. Although both anodes enabled aluminum formation, continued degradation prevented stable operation under the investigated conventional aluminum production conditions in Na-cryolite. Alternative Mg-containing phases, molten salt compositions and lower temperatures reduced Mg loss and highlighted promising directions for future research.

• Herr Eric Simo, M.Sc.
• Freitag, 25. September 2026, 11:30 Uhr
• Seminarraum EG.133, Zentrum für effiziente Hochtemperatur-Stoffwandlung (ZeHS), Winklerstraße 5

Deep geological repositories for radioactive waste rely on barrier systems governed by coupled thermo–hydro–mechanical (THM) processes. In clay formations, these processes control the behaviour of both bentonite used as engineered barrier and the clay host rock forming the geological barrier. This thesis addresses the verification and validation of numerical THM models for such systems. A central focus is the systematic verification of the ThermoRichardsMechanics (TRM) process in OpenGeoSys. Analytical benchmarks and cross-code comparisons demonstrate the correctness of the governing equations. The process class is subsequently combined with advanced constitutive models for bentonite (VIBE) and claystone (AHW). For the VIBE model a wrapper-based strategy using MFront was developed in this thesis whereas the implementation of the AHW model was realised directly using MFront in a complementary project. The models are validated against laboratory experiments and large-scale in-situ tests. The Josef experiment confirms the capability to reproduce bentonite swelling and hydraulic evolution. The ALC1605 heating experiment highlights the role of the excavation-damaged zone (EDZ) computed using the AHW model in the THM evolution of the rock. Overall, the developed framework provides a robust and validated basis for repository safety and performance assessment.

• Herr Bernhard Aigner, M.Sc.
• Mittwoch, 30. September 2026, 14:00 Uhr
• Seminarraum PRÜ-1104, Universitätshauptgebäude, Eingang Prüferstraße 1, 1. OG

Starting off with an investigation of ordinary differential equations with state-dependent delay, newly available results addressing well-posedness of such equations in H¹ are extended and applied to a model from mathematical biology. In succession, an operator theoretic solution concept for PDEs is used to adapt the contraction mapping argument developed for the ODE case to the PDE case. This process relies both on structural observations for delay equations posed on exponentially weighted spaces as well as on the identification of criteria that facilitate a regularity argument in order to obtain local solutions of the fixed point problem. The payoff is new well-posedness results for a large class of PDEs, that were previously out of reach of solution theory. With insights into boundary space concepts gained by an investigation of wave equations with generalized Robin boundary conditions, the results for delay PDEs are refined and lead to a comprehensive solution theory that encompasses combinations of evolutionary PDEs and delayed boundary conditions chosen from a large problem class.

• Frau Luyao Pan, M.Sc.
• Donnerstag, 1. Oktober 2026, 09:00 Uhr
• Hörsaal Maschinenbau, WEI-1051, Julius-Weisbach-Bau, Lampadiusstraße 4

MgO-C refractories are widely used in steelmaking vessels, where they are exposed to high temperatures, molten steel, slag attack, mechanical loading, and repeated thermal cycling. Their thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity are important for evaluating heat transfer, temperature gradients, thermal stresses, and thermal shock resistance. However, their reliable interpretation of these properties is challenging due to the heterogeneous and direction-dependent microstructure. In this study, the temperature-dependent thermal transport beha-viour of MgO-C refractories was investigated using laser flash analysis and the transient plane source method. The results show that the measured thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity should be regarded as effective values rather than purely intrinsic material property. By distinguishing the effects of sample preparation, thermal history, measurement methods, and microstructural differences associated with the compaction pressure, this study provides a basis for the reliable interpretation of the thermal conductivity properties of MgO-C refractory materials.

• Herr Denis Werner, M.Sc.
• Freitag, 2. Oktober 2026, 14:00 Uhr
• Großer Hörsaal Karl-Kegel-Bau, KKB-2030, Agricolastraße 1, 2. OG

The disposal of Lithium-ion battery waste is challenging due to their complexity and heterogeneity of its composition, structure and dimensions, as well as the different generation sites, hazards and value. This dissertation provides a comprehensive overview of management and recycling routes for Lithium-ion battery wastes. Three different process routes are derived from the adapted recycling chain. The process groups in processing are divided according to strategies, material flows and output fractions. The influences and interactions of different pre-treatment methods and strategies on subsequent cell opening and mateial separation are analysed considering the choice of the process medium. Systematic experiments investigated material liberation and decoating by different cell opening with electrical or thermal depollution as well as organic solvent separation. Based on the findings, recommendations for improved LIB waste management and future research are derived to contribute to a sustainable use of metal resources and minimise environmental impacts.

• Herr Johannes Paul Vogt, M.Sc.
• Montag, 5. Oktober 2026, 09:00 Uhr
• Hörsaal Formgebung, FOR-0270, Haus Formgebung, Bernhard-von-Cotta-Straße 4, EG

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt das Konzept und die technische Realisierung eines induktiven Ladesystems für den Einsatz in autonomen Lastenpedelec-Verleihstationen im Rahmen des SteigtUM-Projektes. Auf Basis einer Systemspezifikation erfolgt die FEM-gestützte Berechnung der magnetisch gekoppelten Spulensysteme. In einem zweckmäßigen Schaltungssimulationsmodel wird das elektrische Systemverhalten der gesamten Energieübertragungsstrecke abgebildet. Mit den Ergebnissen der Auslegung erfolgt der Aufbau eines Prototypensystems und dessen messtechnische Validierung. Hierbei positioniert ein Roboter das Sekundärspulensystem, um den Einfluss von Position und Orientierung (Pose) auf die magnetischen und elektrischen Kenngrößen unter reproduzierbaren Bedingungen untersuchen zu können. Auf Grundlage dieser Ergebnisse wird ein indirektes Verfahren mittels neuronaler Netze vorgestellt, um die Sekundärspulenpose anhand der elektrischen Messgrößen des Primärsystems zu identifizieren.

• Frau Gerda Techert, M.Sc.
• Montag, 5. Oktober 2026, 09:30 Uhr
• Hörsaal LES-1001 (Aula), Lessingstraße 45, 1. OG

Die Dissertation zeigt die Erarbeitung eines Konzepts für die Entwicklung eines Peptid-basierten Biomaterials, welches die biosorptive Rückgewinnung von Lanthanoiden aus belastetem Bergbauabwasser ermöglicht. Die Selektion und Identifizierung Europium-Ion-bindender Peptide erfolgte durch gerichtete Evolution in Form des Phagen-Oberflächen-Displays unter verschiedenen Versuchsbedingungen. Eine Auswahl an Peptiden wurde in optimierungs- und anwendungsorientierten Experimenten umfassend hinsichtlich ihres Bindungsverhaltens und Selektivität charakterisiert. Anhand zweier vielversprechender Peptide, wovon eines (GC22) Seltene Erd-Ionen direkt präzipitieren und das andere (GC12-Q/D) in seiner Matrix-immobilisierten, funktionalen Form als biosorptives Material dienen kann, wurden zwei Wege gezeigt, um derzeit unzureichend genutzte Sekundärressourcen wie komplexe, stark verdünnte wässrige Lösungen potentiell für die Extraktion kritischer Rohstoffe wie Lanthanoide im Sinne der angestrebten Kreislaufwirtschaft zu verwenden.

• Herr Shakeer Khan Mohammed, M.Sc.
• Freitag, 16. Oktober 2026, 10:00 Uhr
• Hörsaal Formgebung, FOR-0270, Haus Formgebung, Bernhard-von-Cotta-Straße 4, EG

The Polyurethane Cold Box (PUCB) process is widely used for sand core production in metal casting. During sand core production, curing parameters are often determined through a trial-and-error approach, leading to excessive amine consumption than required and inconsistent core quality. This research investigates the relationship between amine flow behavior and core-curing dynamics in porous sand–binder systems. A modular experimental test bench was developed to study the curing process under controlled laboratory and semi-industrial conditions. Amine flow measurements were recorded using a non-invasive ultrasonic Time-of-Flight and temperature-based sensor system. The measurement approach was validated through visual observations and analytical calculations. Results show that amine transport is strongly influenced by adsorption–desorption interactions, thereby delaying flow. These delays were found to be largely independent of the supplied amine mass but rather dependent on the flow paths. Furthermore, complete (100%) amine removal from the core requires disproportionately long purging times, highlighting the need for practical residual concentration limits. By correlating local amine concentration with curing time, a quantitative concentration–time relationship was established. Based on this relationship, a predictive curing equation was formulated to determine the minimum local amine concentration required to achieve complete curing within a specified time. Semi-industrial-scale validation confirmed the applicability of the proposed methodology and analytical approach. These findings provide a scientific basis for finding alternative curing strategies and developing monitoring and control systems for the machines. Overall, it can help reduce amine consumption, optimize curing and purging cycles, and improve the productivity and consistency of the PUCB System.

• Dr.-Ing. Sergey Guk
• Donnerstag, 21. Januar 2027

• Hörsaal Formgebung, FOR-0270, Haus Formgebung, Bernhard-von-Cotta-Straße 4, EG

  10:30 Uhr - Öffentliche Probevorlesung zum Thema:
  „Tiefziehen: Prozessprinzipien und Steuerung des Werkstoffflusses“

  14:00 Uhr - Wissenschaftlicher Vortrag zum Thema:
  „Stress-state-driven local instabilities in metal forming processes"