Radically lightweight, property-optimized structural solutions

Lightweight construction is one of the most important cross-sectional technologies of the future. With our research, we are deliberately pushing the limits of what is feasible and developing property-optimized, particularly lightweight structural solutions. This is based on our holistic knowledge at the material, component and systems engineering levels. We conduct interdisciplinary research, pool our expertise in the research areas of plastics, fatigue strength and adaptronics, and develop novel solutions for functionally integrated, intelligent lightweight construction, always taking into account the reliability, sustainability and affordability of the technical product solution.

More efficiency for commercially successful products thanks to lightweight technology

Lightweighting has long since ceased to be a “technical niche solution” for aircraft and innovative sports vehicles. Rather, affordable lightweight solutions for the best possible mass and energy efficiency in all mobile systems – such as in the production and operation of products – are key to achieving climate policy goals in vehicle manufacturing, mechanical and plant engineering, energy and the construction industry. Without lightweight construction, the possibility of commercially successful products, such as those in electromobility, would become less and less, perhaps rendering them impossible. What is more, successful, safe lightweight construction requires comprehensive expertise in reliability and structural durability.

In the Lightweight Design area of expertise, LBF is pushing the limits of what is possible even further. This is based on holistic knowledge at the level of materials, components and systems technology. In addition, methods of material construction as well as those of constructive and systemic lightweight construction are combined. Fraunhofer LBF pools its expertise in the research areas of plastics, structural durability and smart structures and develops novel solutions from function-integrated, intelligent lightweight construction, always taking into account the reliability, sustainability and affordability of the technical product solution. Scientists conduct interdisciplinary research and develop solutions, for example, for functionalized polymers, functionally integrated fiber composite systems, monoand multi-material systems, numerical and experimental methods of reliability and durability assessment of lightweight solutions, and the use of integrated sensors and actuators for the monitoring and property optimization of structures.