Two decades of Cottbus research for aviation

The University Technology Centre (UTC)"Multidisciplinary Process Integration"at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) can look back on 20 years of applied engine research. In 2005, BTU became the first university in Germany to join the worldwide network of University Technology Centres (UTC) of the engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce. Today, a total of 22 leading institutions in their respective fields belong to this exclusive network.

"The close cooperation with Rolls-Royce enables us to combine research at the highest level with industrial applications," says Prof. Klaus Höschler, Head of the UTC in Cottbus.

"Over the past two decades, we have been able to contribute our expertise in Construction and Manufacturing, Automation Technology, Structural Mechanics and Virtual Simulation to the cooperation. Today, our research results are used in engine development worldwide." For example, processes for the design of blisks, highly complex components in which the compressor disc and blades are manufactured from a single piece, were developed at the Cottbus UTC. These are used today, for example, in the TP400 engine for the Airbus A400M transport aircraft and the engines of the successful Pearl family. Numerous Rolls-Royce Innovation Awards presented to BTU scientists also reflect the success of the co-operation.

12 BTU chairs develop and optimise complex engine processes at the UTC. The aim is to further improve the efficiency, reliability and sustainability of future aircraft engines through integrative modelling and simulation. Since the UTC was founded, the scientists in Cottbus have written over 300 publications, 45 dissertations, two post-doctoral theses and over 300 final theses. Since then, 30 scientists with doctorates have moved to Rolls-Royce. Over 38.5 million euros in third-party funds have been invested in research.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, BTU and Rolls-Royce are hosting a festive event to honour the successful partnership and take a look into the future of sustainable drive technologies. State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection (MWAEK), Dr. Friederike Haase, and BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande welcome the participants.