Fibers are one of the most important reinforcing materials for polymers. The combination of fibers and polymer resins increases the polymer materials' mechanical properties considerably. Owing to their relatively low weight, fiber-reinforced polymers are often used for construct lightweight components, especially those characteristically found in the automotive or aerospace industries.

Within the research area "Producing Composite Components", we focus on manufacturing continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite components. The components are made using so-called unidirectional (UD) fiber-reinforced tapes which are used to reinforce the components in a more customized manner to attain the required component mechanical properties with a minimum use of fibres.

Research in "Plastics Recycling" focuses on the circular economy for plastics and polymers. While we only cover specific topics in the area of chemical recycling and dissolution, we focus on mechanical recycling as part of the entire process chain, conducting research on the pre-treatment of plastic waste, the conversion of plastic waste into recyclate granulate, the quality control of process steps and material states, and the post-treatment of recyclate granulate. In addition, our research includes digitalization and digital transformation of all of the process steps, as well as linking offline and online data.

The research area "Digitalization" focuses on the challenges, opportunities and requirements of digitalization as it relates to plastics production/recycling. We are examining the various options to collect machine data and analyze this data in an effort to improve production processes and product quality. These approaches must not, however, be designed and applied without the involvement of people working in production. We are also focusing on involving people in the process to support their work and responsibilities.

The Locomotion Lab focuses on motion analysis and personalized technologies. We are looking for individual, mobile and lightweight solutions that can seamlessly interact with human movement in the fields of health, medicine, sport and entertainment. We are conducting research into new product development methods, exoskeletons, mobile robotics applications involving drones and new manufacturing processes to facilitate these applications.

Smart System Engineering Lab's (SSEL) primary activities involve adapting and implementing various modules within the methodology of "Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME)".

The modules include both physical model-based and data science-based modeling, and simulation tools to support descriptive, predictive and perspective simulation models.