Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM

Latest News

News

Short News / 10.02.2026

Notification of Decision on Project »Future«

How can production processes become more flexible, efficient, and sustainable, especially for medium-sized industrial companies? This is precisely what we are working on in the »Future« project together with Fraunhofer IMM. The project specifically strengthens medium-sized companies in the region and contributes to the establishment of Industry 4.0 in chemistry, biotechnology, and energy in Rhineland-Palatinate.

to the German Press Release from the Ministry of Science and Health in RLP

Short News / 06.02.2026

Mathematics in Healthcare

During a visit by State Secretary Nicole Steingaß from the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science and Health, we presented three new projects and demonstrated how mathematics and AI are advancing medicine – from better decision-making and more accurate surgical planning to the virtual development of new aids such as bandages and orthoses. Learn more about »Optimization in the Life Sciences« here:

to the department »Optimization in the Life Science«

Research Article in »gwf Wasser | Abwasser« / 02.02.2026

Warning System Through Wastewater Testing

Wastewater testing has proven to be a helpful early warning system since the coronavirus pandemic. In an article, our experts highlight the opportunities, results, and challenges in relation to current diseases.

Press Release / 10.11.2025

AI and Simulation as Drivers of Innovation in Biotechnology

How can Artificial Intelligence and simulation advance biotechnology? What innovations from research can help companies use resources more efficiently and increase added value? These questions were the focus of the workshop »AI and Simulation in Biotechnology.«

Press Release / 09.10.2025

From Data to Diagnoses: AI in Pulmonary Medicine

In the EU project »AI4Lungs«, we are working with international partners to develop digital tools, methods, and models for the optimal selection of clinical treatment pathways for lung patients. The goal is to provide resource-efficient and medically optimized care.

Press Release / 01.08.2025

Ammonia: Bright Aspects

Ammonia has been traditionally known for fertilizer production. In the future, it could also play a key role in the Energy Transition as an efficient source of hydrogen and a climate-friendly substitute. Fraunhofer IMM, Fraunhofer ITWM, and Fraunhofer UMSICHT are working together on a decentralized cracking technology to make hydrogen available on demand, with low emissions and high energy efficiency.

Press Release / 02.07.2025

Using Material Data Modeling to Develop New Chemical Processes

The energy transition, new raw material sources, and shorter product life cycles pose major challenges for the chemical industry. The DiKey project develops models for chemical processes based on material data in order to reduce time to market and increase sustainability. We at Fraunhofer ITWM are coordinating the project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

to the German Press Release from DECHEMA

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.

to the Press Release from Lonza

Events

Kaiserslautern / Conference / 22.10.2026 – 23.10.2026

MMiPE – Mathematical Methods in Process Engineering

The event brings together leading researchers from universities, research institutions, and companies. It features presentations from the Center of Excellence and industry, and provides an opportunity for professional exchange and new ideas in the field of process engineering.

Registration deadline: October 9, 2026

Kaiserslautern / Academic Colloquium in Honour of the Retirement of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Hasse / 25.09.2026

»The Future of Thermodynamics«

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Hasse, who heads the Chair of Thermodynamics at the RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, is retiring. To mark the occasion, a special academic colloquium will be held, focusing on the current challenges and future prospects of the discipline.

Registration deadline: May 8, 2026

to the event website

Frankfurt am Main / Conference / 10.11. – 11.11.2025

PEMT 2025

The »Annual Meeting of Process Engineering and Materials Technology« conference offers a diverse program with posters, company exhibitions, and networking opportunities.

Our expert Martin Bubel from the »Optimization« division is on site with a poster on »A Machine Learning-Fueled Model Fluid for Flowsheet Optimization.«

Kaiserslautern / Workshop / 07.11.2025

AI and Simulation in Biotechnology

Model-based simulation and optimization enable resources to be used more efficiently and ensure high added value. This workshop is organized by the High Performance Center Simulation and Software Based Innovation and offers presentations and opportunities for discussion about the future of biotechnology.

The registration deadline is October 24, 2025.

Here we will inform you about the latest research topics, upcoming events and other news of the division »Optimization«.

PhD Students

We are permanently looking for PhD students in applied mathematics or process engineering. The offered doctoral theses are located in the fields of mathematical methods in process engineering and logistics.

Focusing is possible within the following topics depending on the interests of the doctoral candidate:

Multicriteria optimization in molecular dynamics
Planning of emergency locations under dynamic conditions
Optimal allocation of marketing budgets
Robust optimization in tactical supply chain management
Planning for the harvesting
Multicritical mixed-integer optimization for the use of renewable energies