Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM

Welcome to Fraunhofer ITWM!

We are one of the world's largest mathematical research institutes and our goal is to further develop mathematics as a key technology, give innovative impetus and implement it in practice together with industry partners. Methodologically, our research areas are based on modeling, simulation and optimization. Integral parts of our projects are consulting and implementation, support in the application of high-performance computer technology and providing tailor-made software solutions. We not only use simulation software, but also develop it ourselves, often in cooperation with leading software companies.
Nowadays, companies of all sizes use simulations on regular bases which gives them benefit in terms of product innovation and quality assurance. Our customers are mainly in the automotive, mechanical engineering, textile, computer industry and finance sectors.

News

 

Podcast Streuspanne / 07.07.2025

Wine, Data, Truth – What Algorithms Really Taste Like

In this episode, we address the question of whether wine quality can be measured objectively – and whether artificial intelligence can help. Together with our guest Marcel Hensel, we analyze a study that promises to do just that, but has serious methodological flaws. We show why the results are critical and where data-driven approaches reach their limits. [only available in German]

 

News / 02.07.2025

New Management for the High Performance Center

An important change in leadership strengthens the innovative power of Kaiserslautern as a science location: After ten years of successful management, Dr. Konrad Steiner is handing over his role as Managing Director of the High Performance Center for Simulation and Software Based Innovation to Dr. Nicolas Fröhlich.

 

Recap MINT-EC-Girls-Camp / 27.06.2025

Recap: Becoming a Mathematician – Yes or No?

From June 23 to 27, 2024, 23 female students from MINT-EC schools had the opportunity to take part in the MINT-EC Girls Camp. This gave them the opportunity to learn about applied mathematics and work on practical projects in workshops. Among other things, they explored the topology of water supply systems and optimal site planning for rescue stations.

 

Press Release / 20.06.2025

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Extension

The ground-breaking ceremony marked the official start of the extension to our institute. The federal and state governments are investing around 31 million euros in this construction project, which extends to two additional wings of the building. The new building will offer 228 modern office spaces on 3,200 m² to strengthen our research activities and promote teamwork.

 

Book Article »Forscherinnen im Fokus« / 18.06.2025

»On the Way to a Doctorate as a Woman in Mathematics«

This article is taken from our book »Female Researchers in Focus – We Create Change«. Johanna Heidrich wants to make a difference with her research. After studying mathematics, she began her doctorate at our institute, where she uses models and AI to support the energy transition and works on the »AD Net Heat« software.

 

Interview / 05.06.2025

Creating your Own Start-up with Fraunhofer AHEAD

Dr. Petra Gospodnetić, who has been working in our »Image Processing« department since her internship during her studies, is being supported by AHEAD, Fraunhofer's technology transfer program, in founding a start-up. In this interview, she tells us about the successes she has already achieved and how »AHEAD« is helping her to better understand the business world.

 

Press Release / 27.05.2025

More Efficient Development of Active Ingredients with Digital Twins

Together with the chemical and pharmaceutical company Lonza Group AG, we have developed the »Design2Optimize« platform. It uses digital twins and model-based methods to make chemical processes more efficient. This allows active ingredients to be developed faster and with fewer resources – even for complex reactions.

 

Book Article »Female Researchers in Focus« / 16.05.2025

»Keep at it and Don't Be Intimidated!«

This article is taken from our book »Female Researchers in Focus – We Create Change«. Our institute director Prof. Dr. Anita Schöbel is involved in projects such as »LinTim« for optimized timetables in public transport and combines research and teaching with her passion for mathematics. Among other things, she talks about how she overcomes challenges.

Upcoming Events

 

Belgium / Conference / 06.07. – 09.07.2025

ESCAPE Conference

This year's symposium focuses on process system technologies that accelerate the transition to a sustainable circular economy.

Our expert Dr. Sebastian Blauth is on site with a poster on free-form shape optimization for separation efficiency in distillation columns, using a single-phase CFD model and our »cashocs« software.

 

Lyon, France / Conference / 07.07. – 11.07.2025

European Solid Mechanics Conference 2025

The ESMC offers a platform for scientists to exchange ideas on the current state of solid mechanics.

Our experts from the division »Mathematics for Vehicle Engineering« present in two lectures model-based approaches for simulating the behavior of structures under mechanical load.

 

Siegburg / Conference / 08.07. – 10.07.2025

Materials Science and Engineering Research Data Forum 2025 (MSE 2025)

Our experts Dr. Christine Biedinger and Dr. Jochen Fiedler are on site at the MSE Research Data Forum 2025 with a presentation entitled »FAIR Storage of Mathematical Models Used in Materials Science Using the MathModDB Knowledge Graph«.

 

Innsbruck / Conference / 13.07 – 18.07.2025

ECCOMAS Multibody 2025

The European Community on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences conference provides a platform for the exchange of current research, methods and applications in multibody system dynamics.

Our experts Dr. Joachim Linn, Muhannad Hawwash and Dr. Monika Harant from the division »Mathematics for Vehicle Engineering« are each giving a presentation.

 

Kaiserslautern / Fraunhofer ITWM / Conference / 06.10 – 08.10.2025

Save the Date! KLAIM 2025

The KLAIM takes place from October 6 to 8, 2025 and offers a platform for mathematicians to exchange ideas and present current results on the main topic »Coupled Problems«. We look forward to exciting discussions and inspiring contributions!

Deadline for abstract submission: July 14, 2025.

 

Vienna, Austria / Summer School / 14.07 – 18.07.2025

ITSS-TSaT 2025

The Summer School offers all participants the opportunity to exchange ideas and network with leading experts in the field of terahertz technology.

Our expert Dr. Maris Bauer from the »Material Characterization and Testing« department gives a lecture on »Terahertz Technology and Measurement Techniques in Industrial Position« as part of the Summer School.

 

Vienna / Conference / 15.07. – 18.07.2025

VC2025

The Viennese Conference provides a platform for the exchange of modern control and optimization methods and their applications in business and industry.

Our experts Dr. Sebastian Blauth and Leon Baeckare from the department »Transport Processes« are on site with presentation each.

 

Espoo, Finnland / Conference / 17.08. – 22.08.2025

IRMMW-THz 2025

The International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves provides a platform for researchers to exchange ideas.

Our experts from the department »Material Characterization and Testing«  present exciting topics related to non-destructive material testing, charge carrier analysis in semiconductors, and optical terahertz technologies in two lectures and a poster presentation.

 

 

Dresden / Workshop / 25.08.2025

DynResHPC 2025

The EuroHPC workshop on dynamic resources in high-performance computing (HPC) deals with the handling of dynamic resources in high-performance computers and focuses on interdisciplinary challenges.

Our expert Dr. Tiberiu Rotaru presents a paper on the experimental evaluation of planning strategies for dynamic workflow-based applications.

 

Houston Texas, USA / Fair / 25.08. – 28.08.2025

IMAGE 2025

The event offers insights into petroleum science, scientific findings, and current opportunities in the energy market.

Our experts from the »High Performance Computing« department are on site at a joint booth with Sharp Reflections. In addition, our colleague Mario Fernandez gives a talk on the topic »A Review of Foundation Models for Seismic Data Processing« as part of a workshop.

 

Hamburg / Fair / 01.09. – 04.09.2026

SMM 2025

The »Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology« is the leading trade fair for the maritime industry. Experts from the »Material Characterization and Testing« department present terahertz measurement technology for the non-destructive testing of composites. Experts from the »Transport Processes« department present the »MESHFREE« simulation software, which works without a rigid computing grid and is also suitable for maritime applications.

 

Kaiserslautern / Conference / 10.09.2025 – 12.09.2025

EU/ME-Meeting x Quantum School

The conference on innovative optimization methods at the interface of metaheuristics and quantum-based approaches is taking place at our institute. It includes a Quantum and EUME Session as well as a summer academy for PhD students.

Registration is required. Abstracts can be submitted until July 01, 2025.

 

Kaiserslautern / Symposium / 25.03 - 26.03.2026

International Tyre Colloquium 2026

The fifth symposium on »Tyre Models for Vehicle Dynamics Analysis« is taking place on March 25 and 26, 2026 in Kaiserslautern and invites researchers and industry representatives to present the latest scientific innovations and findings.

Deadline for the submission of abstracts: August 31, 2025

 

Kaiserslautern / Conference / 18.03.2026 – 19.03.2026

Commercial Vehicle Technology Symposium Kaiserslautern 2026

The conference on trends and developments in the commercial vehicle industry is taking place at the RPTU campus. It includes specialist lectures and poster presentations and is accompanied by a trade exhibition.

Registration is required. Abstracts can be submitted until August 31, 2025.

 

Regular Seminars

Seminars of the Division »Mathematics for Vehicle Engineering«

In 2026, further training seminars of the division »Mathematics for Vehicle Engineering« will take place again!

We will keep you up to date here:

Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM

Fraunhofer-Platz 1

67663 Kaiserslautern

Deutschland

Phone +49 631 31600-0

Fax +49 631 31600-1099

 

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