Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM

Latest News

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

News

The Optimization in the Annual Report 2020/2021

Our projects in the current annual report:

Video Report / 8.3.2023

Getting a Job as a Mathematician

Between strong coffee, dedicated project work, exciting online meetings and new algorithms – ARD alpha Uni accompanied our colleague Dr. Tobias Seidel in his everyday life at Fraunhofer ITWM. This short report makes one thing clear: even at the beginning of their careers, mathematicians change the world a little bit for the better – in line with our motto »Mathematics for a Good Future«. [Only available in German]

Press Release / 27.2.2023

Faster to Reliable PCR Test Result

It sounds fun, but it is serious science, and that is why it is being funded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science and Health: FAST-MoPPS is the name of a new project for the development of mobile PCR tests. Ministerial Director Daniel Stich handed over the funding notification to the two Fraunhofer Institutes involved, IMM and ITWM, in Mainz.

Research News / 1.9.2022

Algorithms for Manufacturing mRNA-Based Pharmaceuticals

In addition to the development of a Corona vaccine, the company BioNTech is also interested in research on personalized mRNA-based therapy against cancer. For both applications, a team of ITWM researchers has developed two software platforms for the optimal planning and control of the production processes in cooperation with BioNTech.

Press Release / 29.6.2022

Rhineland-Palatinate Looks Ahead to Autumn

For a good two and a half years now, the Corona virus has been presenting our society with ever new challenges. What have we learned so far in dealing with the pandemic and what do we need to prepare for in the coming months? Minister President Malu Dreyer discussed these questions with the Corona team of experts, which includes our Division Director Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Küfer.

to the press release of the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate

Press Release / 22.6.2022

Prof. Rangaraj Is the First Fellow of the Fraunhofer ITWM

Science lives from the exchange, not only with the colleagues on site; equally important are impulses from outside. Therefore, we have established a Fellow Program: Prominent guest scientists come to the institute and dedicate themselves to a topic together with our researchers. We asked our first Fellow Prof. Rangaraj a few questions.

Newsletter / 10.6.2022

Further Develop Corrosion Protection

We are involved in the EU project VIPCOAT for innovative corrosion protection technologies. In a just published newsletter our colleague Dr. Peter Klein talks about his work in the project:

Interviews / 10.6.2022

Is a Corona Summer Wave Coming?

Is the Omikron BA.5 variant threatening another Corona wave this summer? This question was posed by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) to our institute director Prof. Dr. Anita Schöbel, among others.

SWR also looked at the spread of the latest variant and interviewed our »Optimization« Division Manager Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Küfer on the subject.

[both only available in German]

Press Release / 9.6.2022

Using Energy Efficiently With Math

The topic of energy is more present than ever before: Both industry and private households are facing new challenges.

Our Experts have been developing innovative methods and models for the energy sector for several years. From June 21 to 23, the researchers will present the most exciting energy projects at the leading trade fair E-world.

Press Release / 23.3.2022

Ministerial Director hands over funding notification for ENERDIG

The efficient use of energy is becoming increasingly important. The state government of Rhineland-Palatinate also wants to combat climate change and is therefore promoting our »ENERDIG« project. Ministerial Director Daniel Stich handed over the funding notification to Institute Director Anita Schöbel and Project Manager Dietmar Hietel. [Only available in German]

Shortnews / 8.3.2022

Scalable Production of ATMPs (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products)

ATMPs are a groundbreaking development for the treatment of cancer or hereditary diseases as well as regenerative medicine. Our division »Optimization« was involved in the publication of a Fraunhofer position paper on this from the »Pharmaproduction« innovation programme.

German Positions Papier (ipa.fraunhofer.de)

Press Release / 11.2.2022

Funding for AMMONPAKTOR

What is the potential of ammonia as hydrogen storage for the development of a reactor concept? This is what Fraunhofer IMM and Fraunhofer ITWM are investigating in the AMMONPAKTOR project. Funding is provided by the European Regional Development Fund ERDF. Ministerial Director Daniel Stich of the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science and Health handed over the decision.

© Fraunhofer ITWM
Komplexe Netzwerke in der Trinkwasserversorgung

COpt2 – Saving Energy in the Drinking Water Industry

The BMBF sponsored project, H₂Opt, provides prototype software that supports energy efficient design and operation of drinking water plants. It results in energy and cost savings during planning and operations involving the drinking water supply. The software is in daily use at the energy company EWR, located in Worms, Germany. Launched in 2019, a follow-up project is to expand the prototype for the more complex water supply networks in Landau and Jockgrim. We simplify and improve workflows and develop new concepts to prevent water supply shortages. The project is funded by the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE). Initially, the priority is the investigation of pumping operations because that is where an estimated 30 percent on average can be saved in energy costs.

Brachytherapie — © Varian Medical Systems

Decision Support for Brachytherapy

In collaboration with Varian Medical Systems, our multi-criteria decision support system has been embedded in the world's leading radiotherapy planning software for cancer patients. Our goal for next year is to make interactive planning available not only for external radiation therapies (IMRT, VMAT) but also for brachytherapy. This therapy directs the radiation source either on the immediate vicinity of the tumor or into the tumor itself, raising new questions that have to be solved, for example, regarding the optimal positioning of the catheter for directing the radiation.

Events

Kaiserslautern, Workshop / 13. Juni 2023 – 14. Juni 2023

Workshop on the Project »EnerQuant«

At the end of the project runtime, the project consortium organizes a workshop on »Quantum Computing for the Energy Industry«. Please feel free to register for our workshop on the event page by May 14, 2023. If you would like to contribute a lecture, please note this on the registration form by April 14, 2023.

Frankfurt am Main, Conference / 21. – 22.11.2022

Annual Meeting PAAT 2022

The annual meeting PAAT 2022 of DECHEMA addresses interdisciplinary future topics such as climate-friendly and sustainable production, electrification, CO2 and H2 management (e.g. generation, storage, use). Our colleague Prof. Dr. Michael Bortz, Head of Department »Optimization – Technical Processes« will be present with a presentation.

Kaiserslautern / Workshop / 22.11.2022

Trading and Optimization for Flexible Energy Consumers

In the FlexEuro project, researchers from the department »Financial Mathematics« and the division »Optimization« are developing models and methods for the optimal marketing of load flexibilities in various electricity markets. At the end of the project, the project team is organizing a workshop whose goal is to look at the topic of »Flexibility« from different angles.

Kaiserslautern, Workshop / 04.11.2022

Day of Process Engineering 2022

The 6. interdisciplinary exchange of expertise between the TU Kaiserslautern and departments of the Fraunhofer ITWM will take place on November 4, 2022. The event is organized by the High Performance Center »Simulation and Software Based Innovation«.