Outstanding Research Results Prizes and awards acknowledging IKV research
© SAMPE Deutschland e.V.SAMPE Innovation Award
The Innovation Award is given for outstanding scientific studies, bachelor’s, diploma, master’s or doctoral theses. These should deal with innovative material applications, new processing processes or future-relevant material combinations in the field of composite materials.
In recent years, the following IKV staff members have been awarded the SAMPE Innovation Award:
2024: Dr.-Ing. Niklas Lorenz is awarded for his dissertation on “Experimental and numerical analysis of surface waviness of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoset composites”.
2023: Martin Giersberg Sola receives the award for his master’s thesis on “Development of a representative volume element for the consideration of damage processes in fiber-reinforced plastics”.
2022: Daniel Fritsche is awarded for his master’s thesis on “Development of a phenomenological displacement principle for determining the fatigue properties of short glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastics”.
2020: Vera Austermann (née Dahmen) receives the award for her master’s thesis “Development of manufacturing concepts for thermoplastic FRP pressure vessels in the laser-assisted tape winding process”
2019: Jonas Müller is awarded for his master’s thesis “Analytical and numerical investigation of damage development in continuous fiber-reinforced plastics under fiber-parallel loading”
2016: Martin Brust receives the award for his master’s thesis on “Determination of the properties of the fiber/matrix interfaces of CFRP on model composites”
2014: Regina Wagner (née Riedel) is delighted about the award for her master’s thesis on “Production of three-dimensional TP-FRP components by variotherm consolidation of near-net-shape, fiber-sprayed preforms”
SAMPE Europe Student Seminar Award
The SAMPE Student Seminar, held in conjunction with the international SAMPE Europe conference, offers students the opportunity to learn about the work of their colleagues in other European countries. The student program is organized in such a way that a cohesive student group forms during the conference week. The students exhibit posters of their work during the conference.
The students are selected from European countries by local SAMPE chapters or clubs and increasingly also by local student seminars.
In recent years, the following IKV staff members have been awarded the SAMPE Students Seminar Award:
2023: Martin Giersberg Sola is awarded for his outstanding master’s thesis on “Development of a representative volume element for the consideration of damage processes in fiber-reinforced plastics”.
2020: Vera Dahmen receives the award for her master’s thesis “Development of manufacturing concepts for thermoplastic FRP pressure vessels in the laser-assisted tape winding process”.
FSK Innovation Award
The FSK Innovation Award recognizes outstanding innovations in the fields of foam plastics and polyurethanes, promoting both young talents and experienced professionals and companies. The awards are presented in the categories “Technology and Processes”, “Design” and “Sustainability”. The aim of the award is to honour forward-looking ideas and support the development of innovative solutions in the industry.
In recent years, the following IKV staff members have been awarded the FSK Innovation Award:
2023: Eduard Kremer is awarded for his work on sensor-based process monitoring in the PUR-RIM sector.
2022: Philipp Surray receives the award for the innovation “Dry Demolding”.
2018: Daniel Schneider and Matthias Heck receive the award for their research on physical foaming of polyurethane molded parts with CO₂ in the online gas counterpressure process.
2017: Lorenz Wruck and Benedikt Kilian receive the award for the “Industrialization of the pultrusion process with polyurethane”.
2015: Dipl.-Ing. Peter Schneider was awarded for the “Sandwich Pultrusion Process”.
Oechsler Prize
The Oechsler Prize is an award from the Scientific Working Group for Plastics Technology (WAK), presented annually for outstanding theses in the field of plastics technology. The prize is sponsored by Oechsler AG and honours innovative methods and approaches for the development and construction of plastic components.
The aim is to document significant advances in plastics science and technology and to motivate and support young engineers in their work.
In recent years, the following IKV staff members have been awarded the Oechsler Prize:
2023: Martin Giersberg Sola is honoured for his master’s thesis on “Development of a representative volume element for considering damage processes in fiber-reinforced plastics”.
2018: Dr.-Ing. Jan Klein is awarded for his doctoral thesis “Mechanical material characterization of engineering thermoplastics at very high strain rates”.
Röchling Prize
The prize is awarded by the Scientific Working Group for Plastics Technology (WAK) for outstanding scientific work in the field of plastics technology. It aims to promote innovations and resource-conserving processes in plastic recycling. The prize is awarded for both doctoral and master’s theses, with the best doctoral thesis receiving 5,000 euros and the best master’s thesis 3,500 euros.
In recent years, the following IKV staff members have been awarded this prize:
2020: Phil Knupe-Wolfgang, M.Sc., receives the Röchling Prize for his master’s thesis “Development of a simulation model for calculating the temperature and residual stress distribution when joining metal-plastic hybrid connections”.
2019: Dr.-Ing. Maximilian Adamy is awarded for his dissertation “Use of graphene as a functional filler in melt compounding”.
2018: Dr.-Ing. Christian Holz receives the prize for his dissertation “Process development for the production of continuous fiber-reinforced polyurethane hollow bodies using projectile injection technology”.
2015: Dr.-Ing Andreas Neuß is honoured for his dissertation on the topic “Process development of hybrid multi-component injection molding for the production of components for electrical and electronic applications”
Brose Prize
The Brose Prize for Injection Molding Technology is an award given by the Scientific Working Group for Plastics Technology and sponsored by the company Brose. Brose is an international company operating in areas such as automotive technology and industrial applications. The prize recognizes outstanding scientific work or innovations in the field of injection molding technology that lead to technical advancements and practical applications.
2017: Awarded to Dr.-Ing. Torben Fischer for his doctoral thesis entitled “Machine-technical development of an alternative plasticizing process for injection molding of micro-molded parts made of plastic”.
SPE – Fellows of the Society Awards
Selected individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science, technology, or management in the field of plastics technology are named “Fellows of the Society”. The first award took place in 1984. Since then, candidates have been nominated by one of the SPE’s Technical Divisions and finally selected by the Fellows Election Committee.
2019: Professor Hopmann is honoured as an SPE Fellow of the Injection Moulding Division.
ANTEC Best Paper Award
The ANTEC Best Paper Award is a recognition presented at the Annual Technical Conference (ANTEC) of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE). The conference is one of the most significant events in the field of plastics technology. The award honours outstanding scientific and technical works presented at the conference. The selection is based on criteria such as:
- Innovation and originality of the topic,
- scientific quality and methodology,
- relevance to the plastics industry,
- as well as clarity and precision in the presentation.
The winning contributions are considered groundbreaking in their field and often contribute to the further development of technologies and processes in plastics technology.
In recent years, the following IKV staff members have been awarded the ANTEC Best Paper Award
2018: Martin Facklam, M.Sc., Philipp Schäfer, M.Sc., Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann and Dr. Thorsten Hickmann are awarded for the paper “Infrared welding of highly filled graphite composites”. 2018: Florian Petzinka, M.Sc., and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann are awarded for the paper “Investigation on the effects of the processing parameters on the replication quality of micro-structures in the extrusion embossing of polycarbonate films”.
2015: Dipl.-Ing. Daniel Kaltbeitzel and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann receive the award for the paper “Degradation of Microcellular PLGA-PEG Copolymers for the Use in a Drug Delivery System for the Urinary Bladder”.
2012: Dipl.-Ing. Matthias Weber, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Walter Michaeli and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann are awarded for the paper “Laser Welding of Incompatible Semi-crystalline Thermoplastics by Means of Intermediate Layers”.
2009: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Walter Michaeli and Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Neuß receive the prize for the paper “Multi-component technique: Hybrid primary forming of plastics parts with electrically conductive tracks”. 2008: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Walter Michaeli, Dipl.-Ing. Laura Flórez and Dipl.-Ing. Dominik Oberloer are awarded for the paper “Effects of the Foam Morphology in the Mechanical Properties of Injection Molded Thermoplastic Foams”.
ANTEC Best Presentation Award
The ANTEC Best Presentation Award is presented annually by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) at the ANTEC conference. This award recognises outstanding technical presentations, which are evaluated and selected by the respective technical programme committees of the SPE divisions.
2025: Pia Wagner, M.Sc. for the presentation of her paper ‘Segregation of immiscible polymers during injection moulding and the consequences for PCR processing’ in the Injection Moulding Division of the SPE
Richard-Vieweg-Medal of Honour of the VDI
The Richard-Vieweg-Medal of Honour is awarded by the VDI Society Materials Engineering and recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions in the field of plastics technology. This award was first presented in 1978, inspired by the extraordinary personality and achievements of Richard Vieweg. The medal is a minted gold coin featuring Richard Vieweg’s portrait on the front, along with his name, birth and death years, and the inscription “VDI – Kunststofftechnik” (VDI – Plastics Technology). The reverse side of the medal corresponds to the design of the VDI medals of honour.
2023: This medal of honour is awarded to Prof. Dr. Christian Hopmann for his outstanding contributions to the field of plastics technology.
VDI Young Talent Award in Plastics Technology
The VDI Young Talent Award in Plastics Technology is presented by the VDI Plastics Technology Department and aims to recognize outstanding university theses in the field of plastics technology. The award has been regularly presented at important technical events since 2013 and emphasizes the importance of plastics technology as well as the promotion of young scientists. The evaluation of the works is carried out by a special jury appointed by the VDI Society Materials Engineering.
In recent years, the following IKV employees have been honoured with this award:
2020: Max Weihermüller, M.Sc., was awarded on August 11, 2020, at the Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) for his master’s thesis “Identification of a suitable inline measurement method for detecting manufacturing defects in the laminate structure of wound type 4 pressure vessels”.
2015: Jakob Onken, M.Sc., received the award on March 18, 2015, in Mannheim for his master’s thesis “Development of conductive plastic compounds with increased impact strength”.
Young Researcher Award
The Young Researcher Award of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Internet of Production Excellence Cluster is an award given to young scientists who conduct outstanding research in the field of production sciences. This award is presented as part of the “Internet of Production” Excellence Cluster, led by RWTH Aachen University.
In recent years, the following IKV employees have been honoured with this award:
2022: Yannik Lockner is honoured for his research contribution on the topic “Secure Exchange of Production Parameters”.
2014: Nafi Yesildag and Dr.-Ing. Christian Windeck received the Young Researcher Award on November 21, 2014, in Aachen for the research project “Individualized Production in Die-Based Manufacturing Processes Using Numerical Optimization”.
Springorum Medal
The commemorative coin is named after Eugen Springorum (1859-1952), a significant German industrialist and long-time supporter of engineering sciences. The aim of the award is to honour outstanding scientific work, innovations, or achievements in engineering education. With this distinction, the Friends of RWTH Aachen University honour graduates who have passed their master’s examination, teacher training examination, or state examination with distinction. The Friends of RWTH Aachen (proRWTH) and the university present the award annually as part of the RWTH Graduation Ceremony. Since 2006, the Springorum Medal has been awarded in the form of an honourary pin.
These IKV employees have been awarded the commemorative medal in recent years
2014 to Eva Nettesheim: For her outstanding final thesis “Theoretical consideration of the development process of plastic components and transfer to the practice of a development service provider”
2014 to Maria Regina Riedel: For her outstanding final thesis “Production of three-dimensional TP-FRP components through variotherm consolidation of near-net-shape, fiber-sprayed preforms”
2014 to Nafi Yesildag: For his outstanding final thesis “Analysis and modeling of the heating and cooling behavior in variotherm temperature control of injection molding tools using laser radiation”
CAMX Outstanding Technical Paper Award
The CAMX Outstanding Technical Paper Award is presented annually at the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX). This award recognizes outstanding technical papers that make significant contributions in the fields of composites and advanced materials.
The award-winning papers address critical issues from business, application, and research perspectives and are distinguished by their quality, innovation, and relevance to the industry.
In recent years, the following IKV employees have been awarded the Best Paper Award at CAMX:
2020: Fabian Becker, M.Sc. He receives the award for his paper titled “Fatigue Life Assessment of GFRP for Longitudinal Leaf Springs”.
Rehau Technology Award
The REHAU Technology Award is a distinction from the polymer specialist REHAU, which has been awarded since 2002. It is aimed at students and young scientists who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the categories of bachelor’s thesis, master’s thesis/diploma thesis, and dissertation. The awarded works deal with topics such as sustainability, recycling, energy efficiency, lightweight construction, and 3D printing. The aim of the award is to promote collaboration between science and industry and to honour innovative ideas.
In recent years, the following IKV employees have been awarded the REHAU Technology Award:
2021: Dr.-Ing. Peter Schneider for his dissertation on “Thermoplastic coating of pultruded profiles through inline extrusion”.
2017: Dr.-Ing. Christian Windeck is awarded for his dissertation “Simulative and experimental determination of viscoelastic swelling and numerical flow channel optimization in extrusion”.
2014: Sarah Schäfer, M.Eng., receives the award for her master’s thesis on “Investigations on blow molding of solid silicone rubbers in combination with platinum-catalyzed crosslinking systems”.
ECEI Silver Label
The Silver Label of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) is an award for cluster management organizations in Europe that demonstrate high quality in their organizational and management practices. It is part of a three-tier certification system that evaluates the excellence and performance of clusters. The three levels are: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
2018: This award recognizes IKV for its professional cluster management.
Study Prize of the SEW-Eurodrive Foundation
The Study Prize for Plastics is an award that recognizes outstanding academic achievements and innovative work in the field of plastics technology. It is offered by various organizations, foundations, or professional associations to promote young talent in the plastics industry. The prize is often aimed at students, graduates, or doctoral candidates who focus on topics related to plastics in their theses, dissertations, or projects.
This prize is won by IKV scientists three times in 2014
2014: Nicolai Lammert, M.Sc., is awarded for his master’s thesis “Development of a continuous fiber-reinforced, in-situ polymerized, thermoplastic lightweight component and the required tool technology”.
2014: Regina Riedel, M.Sc., receives the award for her master’s thesis “Production of three-dimensional TP-FRP components through variotherm consolidation of near-net-shape, fiber-sprayed preforms”.
2014: Nafi Yesildag receives it for his master’s thesis on “Analysis and modeling of the heating and cooling behavior in variotherm temperature control of injection molding tools using laser radiation”
DKG Advancement Award
The Advancement Award of the German Rubber Society (DKG) is a distinction awarded for outstanding scientific or technical work in the field of rubber and elastomer research.
The aim of the prize is to promote young talent and recognize innovative contributions to the industry.
In recent years, the following IKV employees have been awarded this prize:
2014: Florian Lemke is honoured for his master’s thesis on the topic “Fundamental investigations into the production of continuous fiber-reinforced high-performance components from liquid silicone rubbers (LSR)”
SFB 1120 Best Paper Award
The SFB Best Paper Award is a distinction awarded within the framework of a Collaborative Research Center (SFB). Collaborative Research Centers are long-term research projects funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and are interdisciplinary in nature. The award recognizes outstanding scientific publications that have emerged from such a research network.
In recent years, the following IKV employees have been awarded this prize:
2017: 1st place: Jens Wipperfürth, M.Sc., received the award for his paper on “Ultrasound tomography for spatially resolved melt temperature measurements in injection moulding processes”.
2016: 2nd place: Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Philipp Nikoleizig was awarded for his paper “Inverse thermal mold design for injection molds”.
Hanns Voith Foundation Prize in the field of “New Materials”
The Hanns Voith Foundation Prize is a prestigious award given by the Hanns Voith Foundation. The foundation was established in 1961 and bears the name of entrepreneur Hanns Voith, who co-founded the Voith company in the 19th century, which today operates globally in various sectors of the energy, paper, and transportation industries.
In recent years, the following IKV scientists have been awarded this prize
2015: Awarded to Nicolai Lammert. He was recognised for his master’s thesis titled “Development of a continuous fiber-reinforced, in-situ polymerizing, thermoplastic lightweight component and the required tool technology”.