Research

Sensitive prostheses, long-term stable brain implants, autonomous robots, sustainable energy systems or intelligent, self-healing materials - that's how versatile our projects are.

The Faculty of Engineering is one of the most research-intensive engineering faculties in Germany. With the unique constellation of the Department of Computer Science (IIF), Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) and the Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH), the cooperation with five Fraunhofer institutes and the Hahn-Schickard institutes, the Faculty of Engineering offers an ideal environment for research at the highest level. Research and teaching are closely intertwined; the exchange across the institutes and faculty boundaries is a daily practice.

The University of Freiburg ranks among the ten universities nationwide whose innovations are the strongest advances in scientific and technical progress and have the greatest impact on the global economy (Thomson Reuters Innovation Ranking 2019). Our work with successful publications, patents and spin-offs has contributed significantly to this leading position.

You will find current news and articles about our research on our news portal or Facebook page (German).

Professors

• Ambacher, Oliver | Power Electronics
• Amft, Oliver | Intelligent Embedded Systems
• Ataman, Çağlar | Microsystems for Biomedical Imaging
  
• Backofen, Rolf |  Bioinformatics
• Balle, Frank | Walter und Ingeborg Herrmann Chair for Power Ultrasonics and Engineering of Functional Materials
• Bast, Hannah |  Algorithms and Data Structures
• Biere, Armin | Computer Architecture
• Boedecker, Joschka | Neurorobotics
• Brox, Thomas |  Computer Vision
• N.N. |  Autonomous Intelligent Systems
• Buse, Karsten | Optical Systems
• Cojocaru-Mirédin, Oana| | Multi-Scale Characterization of Materials Systems
• Dehé, Alfons | Georg H. Endress Chair for Smart Systems Integration
• Diehl, Moritz | Systems Control and Optimization
• Eberl, Christoph | Micro & Materials Mechanics
• Egert, Ulrich |  Biomicrotechnology
• Glunz, Stefan | Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
• Grabocka, Josif | Representation Learning
• Henning, Hans-Martin | Solar Energy Systems
• Hiermaier, Stefan | Sustainable Systems Engineering
• Hutter, Frank |  Machine Learning
• Kaiser, Anelis | Gender Studies in MINT
• Kuhn, Fabian |  Algorithms and Complexity
• N.N. |  Databases and Information Systems
• N.N. | Privacy and Security
• Kuhl, Matthias |  Microelectronics
• Nebel, Bernhard |  Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
• Pastewka, Lars | Simulation
• Paul, Oliver |  Microsystem Materials
• Podelski, Andreas |  Software Engineering
• Quay, Rüdiger | Fritz Hüttinger Chair for Energy-Efficient Radio-Frequency Electronics
• Rapp. Bastian | Process Technology
• Reiterer, Alexander | Monitoring of Large-Scale Structures
• Rohrbach, Alexander |  Bio- and Nano-Photonics
• Rühe, Jürgen |  Chemistry & Physics of Interfaces
• Rupitsch, Stefan | Electrical Instrumentation
• Schindelhauer,  Christian |  Computer Networks and Telematics
• Schneider, Gerhard | Communication Systems
• Scholl, Christoph |  Operating Systems
• Stieglitz, Thomas |  Biomedical Microtechnology
• Stolz, Alexander | Resilience of Technical Systems
• Teschner, Matthias | Computer Graphics
• Thiemann, Peter |   Programming Languages
• N.N. |  Sensors
• N.N. | Embedded Systems
• Valada, Abhinav | Robot Learning
• Wallrabe, Ulrike |  Microactuators
• Weidlich, Anke | Control and Integration of Grids
• Wilde, Jürgen |  Assembly and Packaging Technology
• Wöllenstein, Jürgen | Gas Sensors
• Woias, Peter |  Design of Microsystems
• Zacharias, Margit | Nanotechnology
• Zappe, Hans | Gisela and Erwin Sick Chair of Micro-optics
• N.N. | Intelligent Networks
  
• Zengerle, Roland |  MEMS Applications

   

Coopted Professor (Kooptierte Professuren)

• Professorship in Communication Systems and Adjunct Professorships in Telematics | Prof. Günter Müller, IIG
• Applied Physics and Solar Energy | Prof. Eicke Weber, FhG-ISE
• Peter Osypka Professor for Neuroelectronic Systems | Prof. Ulrich Hofmann, Neurosurgery
• Medical Physics | Prof. Hennig, Department of Radiology
  
• Functional Nanosystems | Prof. Moseler, FhG-IWM
• Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine | Prof. Peter Kohl

Adjunct Professor (Außerplanmäßiger Professor)

• apl. Prof. Hanemann, Thomas | Materials Process Technology
• apl. Prof. Ronneberger, Olaf | Image Analysis
• apl. Prof. Schuierer, Sven
• apl. Prof.  von Stetten, Felix | Hahn-Schickard Insitute of Mikroanalysis Systems
• apl. Prof. Dr. Wimmer, Ralf
• apl. Prof. Ziegler, Cai-Nicolas

Associate Professor

• Brandenburg, Albrecht
• Breunig, Ingo
• Gombert, Andreas
• Paust, Nils

Junior Research Groups

• Dincer, Can | Disposable Microsystems | Junior Research Group Lead
• Osorio, Anayancy│Bioinspired Materials for Biomedical Engineering│Emmy-Noether Junior Research Group Leader
• Vierrath, Severin | Electrochemical Energy Systems | Junior Research Group Lead

Professors of Universities of Applied Sciences with equal rights in Ph.D. affairs

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Sikora, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences

• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mescheder, Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bahman Azarhoushang, Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences
• Prof. Dr. Knut Möller, Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences
• Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Hadi Mozaffari-Jovein, Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences

Former Groups

• Arras, Kai |  Social Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction
• Asplund, Maria | ElectroActive Coatings group | BrainLinks-BrainTools Research Group Lead
• Basin, David | Sodtware Engineering
• Becker, Bernd | Computer Architecture
• Behnke, Sven | Humanoid Robots
• Bennewitz, Maren | Humanoid Robots
• Burgard, Wolfram |  Autonomous Intelligent Systems
• Burkhardt, Hans | Pattern Recognition and Image Processing
• De Raedt, Luc | Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing
• Fischer, Peter |  Web Science
• Haußelt, Jürgen |  Materials Processing
• Korvink, Jan G. |  Simulation
• Kuhl, Matthias | Modeling and Design of Integrated Interface Circuits
• Lausen, Georg |  Databases and Information Systems
• Lienkamp, Karen | Bioactive Polymer Synthesis and Surface Engineering | Emmy Noether Research Group Lead
• Manoli, Yiannos | Microelectronics
• Meier, Matthias | Microfluidic and Biological Engineering | Emmy Noether Research Group Lead
• Menz, Wolfgang | Process Technology
• Nebel, Bernhard | Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
• Ottmann, Thomas |  Algorithm and Data Structures
• Ragni, Marco | Cognitive Computation
• Reindl, Leo | Electrical Instrumentation
• Reinecke, Holger | Process Technology
• Riedmiller, Martin |  Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing
• Schwarz, Ulrich T. |  Optoelectronic
• Tangermann, Michael | Brain State Decoding Lab | BrainLinks-BrainTools Research Group Lead
• Van Laerhoven, Kristof | Embedded Systems

Main research areas

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Cyber-Physical Systems
• Information Systems for Life Sciences
• Neurotechnology and Robotics
• Optical Systems
• Microanalysis Systems and Biomedical Technology
• Intelligent Materials and Bio-inspired Systems
• Sustainable Energy Systems
• Network
• Resilience

Excellence Initiative / Excellence Strategy

The Faculty of Engineering participates in:

Excellence Strategy (2019–2026)

• Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS) / Contact: Prof. Jürgen Rühe, Department of Microsystems Engineering
• CIBSS – Zentrum für Integrative Biologische Signalstudien / Contact: Prof. Thomas Brox, Department of Computer Science

Excellence Initiative (2005-2019)

• BrainLinks-BrainTools (2012–2019) / Contact: Prof. Wolfram Burgard, Department of Computer Science

• BIOSS Center for Biological Signalling (2007–2019) / Contact: : Prof. Roland Zengerle, Department of Microsystems Engineering

Collaborative Research Centres, Collaborative Training Groups, Doctoral Programs

Collaborative Research Centres

• Medical Epigenetics - From basic mechanisms to clinical applications (SFB 992, 2012-2024) / Contact: : Prof. Rolf Backofen, Department of Computer Science

Concluded:

• Planar Optronic Systems (SFB/TR 123, 2013-2017) / Contact: Prof. Dr. Hans Zappe, Department of Microsystems Engineering

• Automatic Verification and Analysis of Complex Systems (AVACS) (SFB/TR 14, 2003-2015) / Contact: : Prof. Dr. Bernd Becker, Department of Computer Science

• Spatial Cognition: Reasoning, Action, Interaction (SFB/TR 8, 2003-2014) / Contact: : Prof. Dr. Bernhard Nebel, Department of Computer Science

Research Training Groups

• MeInBio - BioInMe: Exploration of spatio-temporal dynamics of gene regulation using high-throughput and high-resolution methods (en) (GRK 2344, 2017-2022) / Contact: Prof. Rolf Backofen, Department of Computer Science
  
• Soft Matter Science: Concepts for the Design of Functional Materials (GRK 1642, 2010-2019) / Contact: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rühe, Department of Microsystems Engineering

Concluded:

• Micro Energy Harvesting (GRK 1322, 2006-2015) / Contact: Prof. Dr. Peter Woias, Department of Microsystems Engineering

• Embedded Microsystems (GRK 1103, 2004-2014) / Contact: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard, Department of Computer Science

State-funded structured doctoral programs

• Graduate School of Robotics / Contact: Prof. Wolfram Burgard, Department of Computer Science
• Cooperative graduate program: "Decentralized sustainable energy systems" (DENE) / Contact: Prof. Dr. Leonhard Reindl, Department of Microsystems Engineering
• Cooperative graduate program "Mechanisms of Microstructure Generation" (GEnMik II) / Contact:: Prof. Dr. Claas Müller, Department of Microsystems Engineering

DFG Priority Programs
Concluded:

• Concluded: Active Micro-optics (SPP 1337, 2008-2015) / Contact: Prof. Dr. Hans Zappe, Department of Mcrosystems Engineering

Research Networks

The Faculty of Engineering is embedded in several regional, national and international research networks. The Faculty’s most important partners include the five institutes of the Fraunhofer Society in Freiburg, the Hahn-Schickard Institute and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) together with its Professorship of Materials Process Technology.

The Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) is also key member of the Technology Cluster MicroTEC Southwest.
 

EU Projects

ERC Advanced, Consolidator and Starting Grants

ERC Advanced Grants

• VSSC – Verifying and Synthesizing Software Compositions (2013) / Prof. Dr. Andreas Podelski, Department of Computer Science
• NMCEL - A modular micro nuclear magnetic resonance in vivo platform for the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (2012) / Prof. Dr. Jan Korvink^#, Department of Microsystems Engineering
• LifeNav – Reliable Lifelong Navigation for Mobile Robots (2011) / Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard, Department of Computer Science

ERC Consolidator Grant

• CaLA - The Capillary Lock Actuator: A novel bistable microfluidic actuator for cost-effective high-density actuator arrays suitable for large-scale graphical tactile displays (2018) / Tablets für sehbehinderte Menschen (2018) / Prof. Dr. Bastian E. Rapp, Department of Microsystems Engineering
• MicroAdiPSChip - Micro-Fat Tissue on Chip (2017) / Dr. Matthias Meier^#,Department of Microsystems Engineering

ERC Starting Grants

• SPEEDER - Supercapacitive Polymer Electrodes for Directing Epithelial Repair (2017) / Dr. Maria Asplund, Department of Microsystems Engineering
• ShapingRoughness – Emergence of Surface Roughness in Shaping, Finishing and Wear Processes (2017) / Prof. Dr. Lars Pastewka, Department of Microsystems Engineering

• BeyondBlackbox – Data-Driven Methods for Modelling and Optimizing the Empirical Performance of Deep Neural Networks (2016) / Dr. Frank Hutter, Department of Computer Science
• Regenerate – Self-regenerating Functional Surfaces – Towards a Technology Platform for New Materials and Devices (2015) / Dr. Karen Lienkamp, Department of Microsystems Engineering
• ACDC – Algorithms and Complexity of Highly Decentralized Computations (2013) / Prof. Dr. Fabian Kuhn, Department of Computer Science
• VIDEOLEARN – Video and 3D Analysis for Visual Learning (2012) / Prof. Dr. Thomas Brox, Department of Computer Science
• HIGHWIND – Simulation, Optimization and Control of High-Altitude Wind Power Generators (2011) / Prof. Dr. Moritz Diehl, Department of Microsystems Engineering

 Horizont 2020

• DEEPER – DEep brain photonic tools for cEll-type sPEcific targeting of neural diseases– Collaborative Project (CP)
• StretchBio – Continuous two-dimensional Stretch monitoring of fresh tissue Biopsies – Collaborative Project (CP)
• Moore4Medical – Accelerating Innovation in Microfabricated Medical Devices - Joint Untertaking Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (ECSEL)
• TAILOR – Foundations of Trustworthy AI - Integrating Reasoning, Learning and Optimization (CP)
• PHAST – Photonics for Healthcare: Multiscale Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy, Marie Sklodowska Curie (ITN)
• ELO-X – Embedded learning and optimization for the next generation of smart industrial control systems, Marie Sklodowska Curie (ITN)
• IMMORTAL – IMproved lifetiMe stacks fOR heavy duty Trucks through ultrA-durabLe components (CP)
• PROSCOPE – Point-of-care instrument for diagnosis and image-guided intervention of Colo-Rectal Cancer (CP)
• OpenDR – Open Deep Learning Toolkit for Robotics (CP)
• CAMELOT – Understanding Charge, Mass and Heat Transfer in Fuel Cells for Transport Applications (CP)
• Human AI – Toward AI Systems That Augment and Empower Humans by Understanding Us, our Society and the World Around Us (CSA)
• EOSC-Live – Providing an open collaborative space for digital biology in Europe (CP)
• i-Grape – Integrated, Low-Cost and Stand-Alone Micro-Optical System for Grape Maturation and Vine Hydric Stress Monitoring (CP)
• MICROCOMB – Applications and Fundamentals of Microresonator Frequency Combs, Marie Sklodowska Curie (ITN)
• SuperPests – Innovative tools for rational control of the most difficult-to-manage pests (super pests) and the diseases they transmit (CP)
• MIB – Multi-modal, Endoscopic Biophotonic Imaging of Bladder Cancer for Point-of-Care Diagnosis (CP)

• FBI – Multimodal, Functional Bio-Photonic Imaging Marie Sklodowska Curie (ITN)
• Flourish – Aerial Data Collection and Analysis, and Automated Ground Intervention for Precision Farming – Collaborative Project (CP)
• RobDREAM – Optimising Robot Performance while Dreaming – Collaborative Project (CP)
• AWESCO – Airborne Wind Energy System Modelling, Control and Optimisation – Collaborative Project (CP)
• RootBook – Systems analysis of peptide-mediated cell-cell communication in the plant root by in situ sequencing – ERA-Net for Applied Systems Biology (ERASysApp)
• STREAMS – Smart Technologies for eneRgy Efficient Active cooling in advanced Microelectronic Systems – Collaborative Project (CP)
• TrimBot2020 – A gardening robot for rose, hedge and topiary trimming – Collaborative Project (CP)

7. Forschungsrahmenprogramm

• CogX – Cognitive Systems that Self-Understand and Self-Extend – Collaborative project CP

• OpenTox – An Open Source Predictive Toxicology Framework – Collaborative project CP

• AutoCast – Automatic Cancer Screening Based on Real-time PCR – Collaborative project CP

• COTECH – Converging technologies for micro systems manufacturing – Collaborative project CP

• TIME – Transverse, Intrafascicular Multichannel Electrode system for induction of sensation and treatment of phantom limb pain in amputees – Collaborative project CP

• METOXIA – Metastatic tumours facilitated by hypoxic tumour micro-environments – Collaborative project CP

• MSP – Multi-Sensor-Platform for Smart Building Management – Collaborative project

• FIRST-MM – Flexible Skill Acquisition and Intuitive Robot Tasking for Mobile Manipulation in the Real World
  Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard, Department of Computer Science

• EUROPA – European Robotic Pedestrian Assistant – STREP
  Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard, Department of Computer Science

• EUROPA2 – European Robotic Pedestrian Assistant 2.0 – Collaborative project
  Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard, Department of Computer Science

• RADHAR – Robotic ADaptation to Humans Adapting to Robots – Collaborative project CP

• TAPAS – Robotics-enabled logistics and assistive services for the transformable factory of the future – Collaborative project CP

• SQUIRREL – Clearing Clutter Bit by Bit – Collaborative project

• ROVINA – Robots for Exploration, Digital Preservation and Visualization of Archeological Sites – Collaborative project CP
  Koordination: Dr. Cyrill Stachniss, Department of Computer Science

• STAMINA – Sustainable and reliable robotics for part handling in manufacturing automation – Collaborative project

• NANOBE – Nano- and microtechnology -based analytical devices for online measurements of bioprocesses – Collaborative project CP

• SAWHOT – Surface Acoustic Wave wireless sensors for High Operating Temperature environments – Collaborative project CP

• NASCEnT – Silicon Nanodots for Solar Cell Tandem – Collaborative project CP

• PASCA – Platform for Advanced Single Cell-Manipulation and Analysis – Collaborative project CP
  Coordinator: Dr. Peter Koltay, Department of Microsystems Engineering

• NAMASEN – Neuroelectronics and nanotechnology: towards a Multidisciplinary Approach for the Science and Engineering of Neuronal Networks – Marie Curie (ITN)

• EUJO-LIMMS – EUrope-Japan Opening of LIMMS – INCO

• E2LP – Embedded Computer Engineering Learning Platform – Collaborative project CP

• DiscoGnosis – Disc-shaped point-of-care platform for infectious disease diagnosis – Collaborative project CP
  Coordinator: Dr. Konstantinos Mitsakakis, Department of Microsystems Engineering

• SYSTEMCERV – Systems biology approaches to cervical pre-cancer and cancer – Collaborative project CP

• SPENCER – Social situation-aware perception and action for cognitive robots – Collaborative project CP
  Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Kai Arras, Department of Computer Science

• NeuroSeeker – Investigation of local and global cortical circuits with advanced neural probes for high-resolution electrophysiological monitoring and optogenetic stimulation – Collaborative project CP
  Coordinator: Dr. Patrick Ruther, Department of Microsystems Engineering

• ProxEE – Proximity Enhanced Energy Harvesting of Multi-Axis Motion – Marie Curie (IIF)
  Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Oliver Paul, Department of Microsystems Engineering

• NEBIAS – NEurocontrolled BIdirectional Artificial upper limb and hand prosthesiS – Collaborative project

• EPIONE – Natural sensory feedback for phantom limb pain modulation and therapy – Collaborative project CP

• TEMPO – Training in Embedded Predictive Control and Optimization – Marie Curie (ITN)

• SICTEC – Single Cell Technologies for SMEs – Research for SMEs

• CE-microArray – Cavity Enhanced Microarray as an Ultra-sensitive Tool to aid Sepsis Diagnosis – Research for SMEs

• PHANES – Multi-cellular hybrid bio-MEMS – Marie Curie (IOF)
  Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Oliver Paul, Department of Microsystems Engineering

Publications and Projects

You will find an overview of this year’s publications and projects here:

• Publication list
• Project list

Doctoral / PhD Program and Postdoctoral / Habilitation Program

Information, Forms, Contact persons and Dates you find here.