THREAD – PhD Program of the European Union

Within the framework of the EU-funded doctoral student network «THREAD – Joint Training on Numerical Modelling of Highly Flexible Structures for Industrial Applications», a total of 14 young researchers are working at twelve universities and research institutions from eight European countries. Over the next four years, the EU will provide €3.6 million in funding for 14 doctoral positions and a very special training environment.

The Institute of Mathematics at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) coordinates the THREAD PhD network. Our institute is a central part of this network. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Linn from our division »Mathematics for Vehicle Engineering« played a decisive role in the conception of THREAD and the composition of the consortium.

The research projects focus on the question of how thin, flexible structures such as ropes, cable bundles or hoses can be better modelled and simulated on the computer in the future. The application spectrum of the simulation models developed ranges from cable cars for ski lifts and cable harnesses in automotive engineering to medical endoscopes or hoses for maritime applications, for example on drilling platforms.

Promoting a Strong Network and Young Talent

A clear advantage is also the strengthening of the existing network. Together, the twelve scientific partners are European leaders in the modeling and simulation of flexible multi-body systems. However, the promotion of young scientists is also very important: »Everyone is interested in well-trained young scientists; this applies to the industrial partners who support the project as well as to the scientific project partners«, says Dr.-Ing. Joachim Linn. 

Our THREAD PhD Candidates

We would like to introduce five of the young researchers from the THREAD network, who are advancing their research in an international and interdisciplinary environment. Each of them brings unique perspectives and experiences, which they apply to their respective fields of study.

Martina Stavole, a civil engineer from Italy, sees research as a way to bring about change. Her focus is on improving the modeling and simulation of structures, particularly in the context of earthquake protection. The close collaboration between academia and industry within the THREAD program has not only provided her with valuable scientific insights but also broadened her international perspectives and networking opportunities. She currently works at Fraunhofer ITWM, focusing on the nonlinear analysis of cables under bending stress.

Denise Tumiotto, also from Italy, combines her passion for mathematics with engineering applications. For her, scientific curiosity is key to improving the world. Her dissertation on numerical simulations of flexible structures has given her valuable insights into both practical applications and international research trends. She is now working at fleXstructures Italy, where she applies her mathematical models to address real-world industrial challenges.

Davide Manfredo, originally from Italy, found his way into applied research later than most. His work at Fraunhofer ITWM focused on modeling highly flexible structures like cables and hoses. The THREAD program gave him the opportunity to engage deeply with the simulation of complex systems while gaining international experience. He now works at fleXstructures GmbH, where he uses his knowledge to develop simulation software for the industry.

Sudhanva Kusuma Chandrasekhara from India discovered his passion for computational mechanics while working on the simulation of wind turbine blades. During his PhD in the THREAD program, he focused on modeling flexible structures and was able to further develop his scientific and communication skills on an international level. Today, he works at our institute, focusing on the dynamic simulation of flexible structures for industrial applications, such as automotive engineering and robotics.

Indrajeet Patil from India developed an early fascination with mathematical modeling of complex structures. His dissertation within the THREAD program focused on the behavior of flexible structures under mechanical loads. The international exchange and close collaboration with industry shaped his research. He is also part of our team of researchers, where he works on the simulation of tires.

For all five of these researchers, the THREAD program has not only served as a springboard into an international scientific community, but also as a valuable opportunity to expand their skills and drive forward innovative ideas. 

Focal Points and Supporting Colleagues

Among these new people (besides Joachim Linn) is also Vanessa Dörlich. She is active in the supervision of doctoral students at the ITWM too. Our focus in THREAD is »Investigation and modelling of the effective structural-mechanical properties of composite cables and cable bundles«. This is Vanessa Dörlich's area of expertise and also the topic of her dissertation.

Armin Bosten is also part of the team. He is a PhD student, although not in the THREAD program, and is supervised together with Prof. Olivier Brüls (University of Liège (ULg) (French: Université de Liège)). He is doing his doctorate with a doctoral scholarship of the ITWM. However, his PhD topic is the detailed modelling of cable bundles and thus complements other PhD theses in THREAD and UrWerk.