Prof. Herrmann also brings a whole range of topics with him that will enhance the competencies of the IST in the future and add to its expertise in the field of surface technology. A new research field, ”Product and Production Systems”, is being planned, including cyber-physical systems and digital process automation within the context of Industry 4.0 as well as the modeling and simulation of process chains and production systems. Another new focus is integrated life cycle engineering, which means the sustainable design of the entire product life cycle, from raw materials production, production, product to disposal and recycling. A specific goal is, for example, the establishment of a model factory at the Fraunhofer IST, in which the possibilities of modern manufacturing processes and procedures with selected processes of surface technology are to be demonstrated.

The Fraunhofer IST and TU Braunschweig plan to work closely together in the context of the new Cluster of Excellence. In order to enhance excellence, the topic area ”energy transition in aviation” within the Braunschweig region is to be strengthened. One of the strategic measures is the joint promotion of young scientists.

Personal Details

Professor Dr.-Ing. Christoph Herrmann was born in Salzgitter-Bad in 1970. After studying Mechanical Engineering at the Technische Universität Braunschweig, he began his research career at the university, which has already been lasting for 20 years, first as a research assistant at the Institute for Handling and Assembly (IFH) and then at the Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology (IWF). There he became head of department, then in 2005 deputy director of the institute and finally director of the institute in 2012. From 2005 to 2008, Herrmann was also the scientific director of the KERP Competence Center Environment & Electronics in Vienna and, from 2009 to 2013, scientific director and board member of the Automotive Research Centre Niedersachsen (NFF). In addition, Professor Herrmann has been heading the German-Australian research group ”Sustainable Production & Life Cycle Engineering” in collaboration with the University of New South Wales, Sydney, since 2009.

In parallel to his professional career, Herrmann obtained his doctorate in 2003 and his habilitation in 2008 at the TU Braunschweig. In 2011, he was appointed associate professor. In the same year, together with colleagues from Fraunhofer, he received the German Raw Material Efficiency Award from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Technology BMWi. Since 2013, Herrmann has been university professor for Sustainable Production and Life Cycle Engineering at the TU Braunschweig. In 2017, he was elected dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Since 1^st November 2018, he has been a member of the institute management at the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST.