Sandra Göttisheim, KIT

On April 20, 2026, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the KIT booth at the Hannover Messe. Together with Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche, he focused his attention on the so-called First Wall, the tritium breeding blanket, which represents a crucial step toward a future fusion reactor. Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, President of KIT, presented the state of research and the significance of the First Wall to the Chancellor and thanked the federal government for its support. Fusion research at KIT is unique worldwide, Hesthaven said. Merz praised the work being done at KIT. “We need fusion technology!” said the Chancellor. He reiterated his goal that the first fusion reactor should be located in Germany. KIT’s research is indispensable for this. (from KIT News ckö/tsc, April 20, 2026)

Breig, KIT

Innovative material system for 3D printing technology enables high-performance ceramic components.

A research team at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has developed a material system as part of the CeraMMAM project that enables the production of high-performance components made of multiple materials using a universal binder system in a single process. The technology opens up new possibilities for industrial applications—particularly in medical technology, mechanical engineering, and aerospace. From April 20 to 24, 2026, the researchers will present industrial prototypes and demonstrators for the first time at the Hannover Messe at the KIT booth (Hall 11, Booth B06), along with the potential applications of additive multimaterial manufacturing. KIT Press Release

Marco Lorenz

The KIT Department of Mechanical Engineering warmly welcomes Dr. Marco Lorenz from the Institute of Thermal Fluid Machinery (ITS), who was newly appointed as Professor of Thermal Turbomachinery effective April 1, 2026.

KIT

With the Department Teaching Awards, the Executive Board recognizes courses that stand out in particular for their research- and application-oriented teaching modules, as well as new forms of teaching and learning, interdisciplinarity, or the high relevance of the subject matter taught. This year, the introductory course “Information Technology and Automation Technology” in the second semester of the bachelor’s programs in Medical Technology, Electrical and Information Technology, and Mechatronics—taught by Prof. Mike Barth, Marwin Madsen, Marcel Auer, and Jakob Pfefferle—received the Department Teaching Award in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. The Department Teaching Award in Mechanical Engineering went to Prof. Sven Matthiesen, Oliver Liewerenz, and Christoph Wittig from the Institute for Product Development (IPEK) and Prof. Sören Hohmann and Armin Teltschik from the Institute for Control and Regulation Systems (IRS) for the course “Mechatronic Systems and Products.”

Amadeus Bramsiepe, KIT

Four funded projects strengthen research infrastructures in production technology, climate research. Battery recycling and quantum communication. KIT has been extraordinarily successful in the current competition for EFRE funding organized by the state of Baden-Württemberg. For three projects as an applicant and another as a partner, KIT has raised a total of 5,855,000 euros. The funds will be used for the targeted expansion of modern research infrastructures in strategic future fields.

KIT Press Release

Yvonne Bliestle, KIT

At the end of the winter semester on February 20, 2026, the Department of Mechanical Engineering held its traditional department colloquium. In a festive setting, letters of congratulations were presented to the master's graduates, prizes were awarded, and honors were bestowed. This year's keynote speech, entitled "Shaping Movement – Robotic Intelligence in a Dynamic World," was given by Professor Arne Rönnau from the Institute for Information Management in Engineering (IMI). We would like to congratulate all graduates and award winners.