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Research in Climate Protection for Greater Resource and Energy Efficiency

SmartPro

Through the SmartPro collaboration network, Aalen University of Applied Sciences is conducting research to find solutions to the societal challenges of climate protection and digital transformation. To improve energy efficiency and conserve resources, the university is working with 60 partners from industry and academia to develop new materials and technologies for future products—for you!

How do we plan to achieve this?

We are laying the groundwork for the energy-efficient and resource-conserving products of the future—to ensure a good quality of life tomorrow as well. To this end, we are researching new materials and technologies while also further developing existing ones and optimizing them for their respective applications.

SmartPro: Smart materials and intelligent production technologies for energy-efficient products of the future

SmartPro: A Strong Partnership

Since 2017, SmartPro has been developing solutions to societal challenges such as climate protection and digital transformation.

The research conducted by the strategic SmartPro partnership focuses on the areas of magnetic materials, batteries, and lightweight construction, complemented and integrated by additive manufacturing (better known as 3D printing) and machine learning (specific methods of artificial intelligence). Industry partners range from small and medium-sized enterprises in the region to global market leaders and hidden champions.

SmartPro serves as a key driver of innovation and bridges expertise in materials and process engineering. Short communication channels and close collaboration pave the way for material and process innovations to be adopted by industry.

But what exactly do the researchers do?

Take a look here!

Corporations and medium-sized companies

SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises)

Other research institutions

Technology transfer partners

Management of the SmartPro Research Network

Dr. Kristina Lakomek
Dr. Kristina Lakomek
Dr. Kristina Lakomek
  • RoomF ZiMATE EG 0.33

Spokesperson & Deputy Spokesperson of the SmartPro Research Network

Prof. Dr. Dagmar Goll
Prof. Dr. Dagmar Goll
Prof. Dr. Dagmar Goll
  • RoomF ZIMATE
Prof. Dr. Volker Knoblauch
Prof. Dr. Volker Knoblauch
Prof. Dr. Volker Knoblauch
  • RoomF ZTN

News

Embodied Industrial AI: Where AI Pays Off in Production
Research

Embodied Industrial AI: Where AI Pays Off in Production

Prof. Dr. Daniel Gartner sitzt mit seinem Laptop unter den Sonnenschirmen auf dem Campus Burren.
Research

Making Production, Services, and the Circular Economy Crisis-Resilient

Kathrin Geiger, eine junge Frau mit langen, dunkelblonden Haaren und gekleidet in einem weißen Kittel, steht im Institut für Materialforschung der Hochschule Aalen an einem Vibrationsmagnetometer. Die Masterandin untersucht Kathrin Geiger die magnetischen Eigenschaften ihrer Materialproben. Die Masterandin forscht am Institut für Materialforschung Aalen (IMFAA) der Hochschule Aalen an neuen Magnetwerkstoffe mit weniger kritischen Rohstoffen.
Research

On the Trail of the Magnets of the Future

In der Maschinenhalle der Maschinenfabrik Alfing Kessler (MAFA) steht fröhlich lächelnd Jan Bolsinger, der frischgebackene Preisträger des 42. Karl-Kessler-Preises. Mit ihm freuen sich Manfred Grimminger, Peter Raubacher, Prof. Dr. Joachim Albrecht, Prof. Dr. Markus Merkel, Konrad Grimm, Prof. Dr. Volker Knoblauch sowie Peter-Hermann Fischer.
University

Jan Bolsinger Receives the 42nd Karl Kessler Prize for His Master’s Thesis

Dr. Moyin Akintunde (4. v. r. 1.R.) von der Hochschule Aalen mit dem Chemie-Nobelpreisträger Prof. Dr. Johann Deisenhofer (Mitte) und weiteren Stipendiatinnen und Stipendiaten der Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung vor der Kulisse des Bodensees.
Research

Young Researcher Attends the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Beim Summer Science Slam der VolkswagenStiftung waren auch die beiden Doktorandinnen der Hochschule Aalen Sophie Dagenbach und Anna Lena Seibel (5. und 6. v.l.) am Start. Mit ihrem humorvollen Beitrag zur Recyclingfähigkeit alter Kunststoffrasenplätze gewann Anna Lena Seibel den dritten Platz.
University

Ph.D. student Anna Lena Seibel wins 3rd place at the Volkswagen Foundation’s Summer Science Slam

Materials science in the heart of Nördlingen's old town

Materials science in the heart of Nördlingen's old town

New to the Team: Four Questions for Cecilia Uber
University

New to the Team: Four Questions for Cecilia Uber

The new Endowed Chair in Micro-Optical Systems, Prof. Dr. Andrea Toulouse, sits in front of an experimental setup, illuminated by reddish light.
Research

When light becomes a tool within the body: Prof. Dr. Andrea Toulouse is the new Endowed Professor in the field of photonics

Aalen University of Applied Sciences’ Children’s University at the Ellwangen State Garden Show: Hands-On Materials Science
University

Aalen University of Applied Sciences’ Children’s University at the Ellwangen State Garden Show: Hands-On Materials Science

The Superpower of Knowledge: The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science at Open Campus
University

The Superpower of Knowledge: The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science at Open Campus

Children's University with Prof. Dr. Gerhard Schneider at the State Garden Show in Ellwangen
University

Children's University with Prof. Dr. Gerhard Schneider at the State Garden Show in Ellwangen

IMFAA Contributes Research Expertise to New Reference Book on Battery Cell Manufacturing

IMFAA Contributes Research Expertise to New Reference Book on Battery Cell Manufacturing

Prof. Dr. Thomas Schwarzbäck, who researches and teaches in the field of laser material processing, sits at an experimental setup that is illuminated in red.
University

With the power of light: Prof. Dr. Thomas Schwarzbäck is the new endowed professor for photonics

Two new endowed professorships strengthen photonics research
Research

Two new endowed professorships strengthen photonics research

A year full of "KRAFt".
Research

A year full of "KRAFt".

Bild zeigt Scheckübergabe bei der Eröffnung von KRAFt (v.l.n.r.): Prof. Dr. Iman Taha (Hochschule Aalen), Prof. Dr. Dorit Schumann (Präsidentin der Hochschule Trier), Prof. Dr. Michael Wahl (Hochschule Trier, Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld), Prof. Dr. Joachim Knebel (Bereichsleiter Maschinenbau und Elektrotechnik am Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)), Dr. Karla Hillerich (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (CZS)), Prof. Dr. Henrik te Heesen (Vizepräsident der Hochschule Trier), Prof. Dr. Frederik Zanger (KIT), Prof. Dr. Harald Riegel (Rektor Hochschule Aalen), Matthias Stolzenburg (CZS)
Research

Sustainable innovations for industry and the environment

Hang Liu received the "Best Talk" award for her technical presentation.
Research

Hang Liu receives award for best presentation at the online conference "Bioplastics"

Selina Burkert works in the cleanroom laboratory at Aalen University of Applied Sciences. Special yellow light is used there, which is filtered to prevent sensitive materials from unintentionally hardening prematurely due to UV light.
Research

Research at the limits of the visible

Portrait von Prof. Thomas Schwarzbäck im LaserApplikationsZentrum (LAZ).
University

New to the team: Six questions for Prof. Dr. Thomas Schwarzbäck

Two Indian students conduct research at IMFAA
International

International talents for securing skilled workers

Zwei Forschende der Hochschule Aalen haben Beiträge im Magazin "Physik Journal" veröffentlicht.
Research

FINO results appear in two articles in the renowned "Physik Journal"

Freedom for scientific breakthroughs: Prof. Dr. Anne Stumper (left) and Prof. Dr. Christina Schwarz from Aalen University of Applied Sciences are sponsored by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. Photo: © Aalen University of Applied Sciences | Saskia Stüven-Kazi
Research

Success in a double pack: Carl Zeiss Foundation supports two female professors at Aalen University of Applied Sciences

International magnet research meets in Aalen
Research

International magnet research meets in Aalen

New to the team: Three questions for Dennis Niklas
Research

New to the team: Three questions for Dennis Niklas

New to the team: Four questions for Jonas Schneider
Research

New to the team: Four questions for Jonas Schneider

Research instead of the classroom
Research

Research instead of the classroom

ZIM funding approval for joint research project "EXOrem"
Research

ZIM funding approval for joint research project "EXOrem"

Aalen University of Applied Sciences launches research project on sustainable drinking water extraction from the deep sea
Research

Aalen University of Applied Sciences launches research project on sustainable drinking water extraction from the deep sea

International specialist event on magnets takes place in Aalen for the first time
Research

International specialist event on magnets takes place in Aalen for the first time

Experience laser technology up close
Application & Studies

Experience laser technology up close

Successful research sprint practical project with PAUL HARTMANN AG: Masters (UK)/master's (US) present project results
Application & Studies

Successful research sprint practical project with PAUL HARTMANN AG: Masters (UK)/master's (US) present project results

Dr. Vanessa Frank, Prof. Dr. Nicola Marsden von der Hochschule Heilbronn und Prof. Dr. Guido Baltes von der Hochschule Konstanz (v.l.n.r.)
International

"My hunger for knowledge has grown more and more over the years"

Aalen research group, research unit develops high-performance alloys for energy converters
Research

Aalen research group, research unit develops high-performance alloys for energy converters

Die Beratungsteams der Ausländerbehörde der Stadt Aalen sowie der Hochschule Aalen.
International

IMPAACT strengthens integration of international students

Between crises and opportunities: modern risk management in companies
Application & Studies

Between crises and opportunities: modern risk management in companies

Bones under the magnifying glass
Research

Bones under the magnifying glass

Four future projects for materials research secured
Research

Four future projects for materials research secured

New Momentum for FINO
University

New Momentum for FINO

Researchers from the Aalen Institute of Drive Technology at the KES Conference 2025 in Osaka
Research

Researchers from the Aalen Institute of Drive Technology at the KES Conference 2025 in Osaka

Experiment, marvel, understand - materials science inspires students
University

Experiment, marvel, understand - materials science inspires students

AASAP Optics Conference 2025
Research

AASAP Optics Conference 2025

"The aesthetics of metallic structures are almost like art"
Research

"The aesthetics of metallic structures are almost like art"

International workshop week on sustainable composites in Naples
International

International workshop week on sustainable composites in Naples

Intelligent condition monitoring for screw compressors
Research

Intelligent condition monitoring for screw compressors

"I am super curious"
Research

"I am super curious"

Sustainable innovations for industry and the environment

Sustainable innovations for industry and the environment

Visit to BAUMA 2025
Research

Visit to BAUMA 2025

Prof. Markus Merkel, Dr. Cornelia Brucklacher, Teresa Werner, Andreas Kisselbach, Dr. Dieter Japs stehen nebeneinander

Sponsorship award from the Brucklacher Family Foundation goes to Teresa Werner

Very good doctorate by Florian Köhn at the University of Jena
Research

Very good doctorate by Florian Köhn at the University of Jena

AI workshop hands over "Geochecker" to digiZ in Aalen
University

AI workshop hands over "Geochecker" to digiZ in Aalen

Technical design and makerspace inspire at the Gallery Walk in the explorhino Science Center
University

Technical design and makerspace inspire at the Gallery Walk in the explorhino Science Center

FINO celebrates its tenth anniversary
Research

FINO celebrates its tenth anniversary

Novel method for fighting tumors
Research

Novel method for fighting tumors

International researchers and their path to Aalen
International

International researchers and their path to Aalen

Bild zeigt Dirk Schuhmann bei der Verleihungszeremonie
Research

Doctorate successfully completed

2.5 million euros for biomedical imaging
Research

2.5 million euros for biomedical imaging

Bild zeigt Dr.-Ing. Christof Ocker, Felix Czwielong und Julian Benz
Research

Best Poster Award for the Aalen University of Applied Sciences and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen (Chair of Fluid Mechanics)

A deep look inside
Research

A deep look inside

Funding for multimodal imaging
Research

Funding for multimodal imaging

The future of photonics in Aalen
Research

The future of photonics in Aalen

Bild zeigt Prof. Dr. Markus Merkel bei seiner Rede zu Ehren des DAAD-Preisträgers Dishant Kavathia.
Research

International Christmas party with awarding of international prizes

Start-up aid for sustainable plastics and biomedical imaging
Research

Start-up aid for sustainable plastics and biomedical imaging

EU-funded COMULIS meeting in Aalen
Research

EU-funded COMULIS meeting in Aalen

Development status and potential of bioimaging modalities and microscopy techniques
Research

Development status and potential of bioimaging modalities and microscopy techniques

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