At the invitation of the State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Prof. Schröder visited the renowned Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) in Shaanxi for a research stay. The focus of this interinstitutional exchange was the scientific examination of current challenges in coupled magneto-electro-mechanical systems. In this context, he presented key research findings and discussed forward-looking methodological approaches with local experts.

His technical presentation focused on the following research topic: “Magnetic-electrical-mechanical coupled problems: Algorithmic scale-bridging with the FE² method”

The presentation specifically highlighted innovative approaches to the algorithmic bridging of different length scales based on the FE² method. In addition, current scientific challenges in the modeling and numerical treatment of multiphysical coupled systems were discussed. This academic exchange provided valuable insights for the further development of cross-scale simulation methods and their application to complex multiphysical problems.

The scientific exchange with Xi’an Jiaotong University underscores the high relevance of international research collaborations and interdisciplinary dialogue. At the same time, close networking with international scientists opens up important avenues for further collaboration and the sustainable transfer of scientific knowledge.

We would like to extend our special thanks to the State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures at Xi’an Jiaotong University for the invitation, the stimulating professional dialogue, and the valuable scientific exchange.

17th World Congress on Computational Mechanics & 10th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering

The 17th World Congress on Computational Mechanics, held in conjunction with the 10th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, took place at the ICM International Congress Centre, Messe München, from 19 to 24 July 2026. The Institute of Mechanics presented the latest results of its scientific research in nine talks. Prof. Schröder, together with Prof. Balzani (University of Bochum, Germany), Prof. Kouznetsova (Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands) and Prof. Terada (Tohoku University, Japan), coordinated the mini-symposium entitled “Computational Scale Bridging in Materials and Structures”.

The WDR Lokalzeit Duisburg program reported on the inauguration of the new high-performance computer, amplitUDE, on December 2, 2024. In the data center, Dr. Dominik Brands demonstrated some of the new system’s technical features. Afterward, Prof. Dr. Jörg Schröder appeared as a studio guest to answer questions. He vividly illustrated the system’s capabilities and explained the importance of amplitUDE for researchers at the UDE.

WDR Interview with Jörg Schröder

On December 2, 2024, the Center for Computational Sciences and Simulation (CCSS) and the Center for Information and Media Services (ZIM), together with Ina Brandes, Minister of Culture and Science for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and UDE Rector Prof. Dr. Barbara Albert, inaugurated the new high-performance computer amplitUDE. Following welcoming remarks by the minister, the rector, and the manufacturer MEGWARE, Prof. Dr. Jörg Schröder, together with Prof. Dr. Pedro José Marrón, Vice Rector for Transfer, Innovation, and Digitalization, welcomed the participants to a series of exciting scientific presentations on high-performance computing.

The system was secured through a major equipment grant application for more than 7 million euros submitted to the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in collaboration between CCSS and ZIM, coordinated by the principal applicant, Prof. Dr. Jörg Schröder. This success was made possible above all by the close cooperation of several UDE researchers from the STEM faculties under the umbrella of the CCSS.

As part of the University of Duisburg-Essen’s Dies Academicus 2024, the outstanding achievements of graduates from all faculties were honored on October 29, 2024. On behalf of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Sonja Hellebrand’s dissertation, titled “Numerical Simulation of Microstructural Residual Stresses in Hot Bulk-Formed Parts with Targeted Cooling,” was recognized.

On October 14, 2024, Mr. Mohammad Sarhil defended his dissertation titled “On the Finite Element Realization, Boundary Conditions, and Parameter Identification of the Relaxed Micromorphic Model.” He successfully earned his doctorate under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Renatus Widmann, together with the reviewers Prof. Dr. Jörg Schröder, Prof. Dr. Patrizio Neff, Jun.-Prof. Dr. Lisa Scheunemann, and Prof. Dr. Matti Schneider, and the examiners Prof. Dr. Carolin Birk and Prof. Dr. André Niemann. We wish Dr. Mohammad Sarhil all the best for the future.

On October 7, 2024, Ms. Julia Nicolina Sunten defended her dissertation, “Dynamic TPM Models for Mass Transport in Elastoplastic Soil.” She successfully defended her dissertation under the chairmanship of Adjunct Professor Dr. Vladimir V. Shvartsman, together with the reviewers Prof. Dr. Jörg Schröder and Prof. Dr. Tim Ricken, and the examiners Prof. Dr. Doru Lupascu and Prof. Dr. Eugen Perau. We wish Dr. Julia Nicolina Sunten all the best for the future.

Multi-Field Problems Across Diffrent Scales- Materials for the Development of Green Technologies

he 27th CISM-IUTAM International Summer School on ‘Multi-Field Problems Across Different Scales - Materials for the Development of Green Technologies’ was held at the International Centre for Mechanical Sciences (CISM) in Udine, Italy, from 24-28 June 2024 under the direction of Prof. Dr Michele Marino and Prof. Dr Jörg Schröder. In addition to the lectures by the course leaders, participants were able to attend lectures by Prof Dr Vikram Deshpande, Prof Dr Laurent Stainier, Prof Dr Heiko Wende and Prof Dr Hongbin Zhang. Institute members Dr Maximilian Reichel and Usama Ashfaq were also among the participants.

9th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering

The 9th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering took place in Lisbon (Portugal) from 3 to 7 June 2024 at the Lisbon Congress Centre. The Institute of Mechanics presented the latest results from ongoing research activities to an international audience of experts in five presentations.

What effects does climate change have on the ice masses in the marginal ice zone of the Antarctic and on which topics are currently being researched in the Antarctic? In order to answer these and other questions about the Antarctic and to give students from different countries the opportunity to better study the conditions in the Antarctic, an international Summer School was held at the UCT Cape Town from 22-28 January. Students and lecturers from the University of Duisburg-Essen were among the participants. The event was organized in cooperation between the University of Uppsala and the University of Cape Town.

The progress of climate change in the Arctic is widely reported in the media. Everybody knows the pictures of ice masses breaking and falling into the water at the North Pole, but what is the situation in the southern hemisphere? The Summer School in Cape Town gave 22 participants the opportunity to get to the bottom of these and other questions. The students had the opportunity to compare the differences in conditions between the Arctic and Antarctic. Over five days, insights were provided into important topics that are necessary to understand the marginal ice zone of the Antarctic. The Marginal Ice Zone is the transition between the open ocean and a closed ice cover. Topics included climate models, the interaction of ocean, ice, and atmosphere, large and small scale simulations of sea ice dynamics, sea ice growth, predictions of iron development and algae growth. The different thematic blocks made it clear that these cannot be considered in isolation from each other, as each thematic area has complex interactions with the others. After the theories of the different areas were presented in the morning, in the afternoon there was the opportunity to do research on small projects. A highlight was the hands-on in the polar laboratory of the University of Cape Town. The students measured temperature profiles and the elasticity modulus of the ice samples. The determined modulus of elasticity, which indicates the stiffness of a material, is necessary, among other things, to assess and simulate large ice fields in Antarctica. The Summer School builds on the existing cooperation between the participating universities, in the context of which researchers from the University of Duisburg-Essen have already participated twice in expeditions to the marginal ice zone of Antarctica. "We are pleased about the good cooperation with the University of Cape Town", said Professor of the Institute of Mechanics, Jörg Schröder. His colleague and head of the Institute of Materials Science Doru C. Lupascu added: "The Summer School offered students and lecturers the opportunity to intensively exchange views on Antarctic research across the continents".

From 17 to 22 August 2019 Dr.-Ing. Lisa Scheunemann and Dr.-Ing. Alexander Schwarz were invited as lecturers at the AGYA Summer School in "Numerical Simulations" at the Palestine Polytechnic University in Hebron in the West Bank. The twelve courses consisting of lectures and programming exercises covered the basics of the Finite Element Method. The Summer School equips students from different disciplines such as Math, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental, Health and Aerospace Engineering with know-how on the topics of continuum mechanics, numerical methods for solids and fluids, iterative solvers and error estimates. The event is organized by the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (AGYA) in cooperation with Palestine Polytechnic University (PPU), Bethlehem University (BU), and Palestine Academy for Science and Technology (PALAST).

SCALE Winter Cruise 2019: A Journey into the Antarctic Sea Ice

The scientists Dr.-Ing. Tommy Mielke, Felix Paul, B.Sc. from the Institute of Material Sciences, as well as Prof. Jörg Schröder and Dr.-Ing. Carina Nisters from the Institute of Mechanics were part of an interdisciplinary project funded by the SA National Antarctic Project (Southern Ocean Seasonal Experiment – SCALE) to investigate the conditions in the Antarctic region in particular during the winter months.

The Earth's polar regions are covered by sea ice, which is driven by atmospheric movements, wave movements and ocean currents and is subject to constant dynamics. Sea ice plays an important role in determining the polar climate and is believed to have a significant impact on the global climate. The forces within the agglomerate of the ice lead to the formation of pancake ice. The exploration of this region is an important task for many scientific and engineering disciplines.

The multidisciplinary research project of the Cruise was led by Professor Marcello Vichi, the director of the Department of Oceanography at University of Cape Town (UCT), and included 17 different research groups with different research interests in biology, chemistry and engineering. The Sea-Ice team led by Professor Sebastian Skatulla (UCT) was one of the research teams. The Sea-Ice group successfully took cores from both consolidated and pancake ice. These cores are used to determine the physical and mechanical properties of the ice. Strength tests, tests of thermal conductivity and salt content as well as hardness tests were carried out. In addition, samples of the so-called frazil ice were taken using equipment specially designed for this expedition. Frazil ice is a mixture of ocean salt water and the first crystalline structures of ice between the ice floes. In addition to salt content and temperature, viscosity was measured for this mixture. Electro engineers were also part of the Sea Ice team, who measured the movements of the ice floes using buoys. Another project was the observation of sea ice movements to define the limits of the MIZ.

Report of the UCT on Winter Cruise 2019.