Research
The research activities of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ingo Kühne and his team address the following topics in particular. Further information and examples can be found in the drop-down menu.
- Research, development and production of microfluidic systems for the manipulation of particles by means of electrokinetic effects (e.g. dielectrophoresis)
- Investigation of smart materials of coupled physical domains (e.g. piezoelectric ceramics/polymers) for adaptive actuator structures
- Research into highly ordered sensor structures (e.g. photonic crystals)
- Energy-autonomous microsystems
- Multiphysical simulations based on FEM (COMSOL & Ansys)
- Modelling and simulation of microfluidic systems
- Modelling and simulation of field-assisted particle-fluid interactions (e.g. electrokinetic effects)
- Modelling and simulation of MEMS devices
- Modelling and simulation of passive electronic devices
- Modelling and simulation of hyperelastic and polymeric material behavior for flexible electronics
- Modelling and simulation of generative manufacturing processes (e.g. electrohydrodynamic printing processes)
- Fabrication of porous media using high-resolution generative manufacturing processes (e.g. electrohydrodynamic printing)
- Printed electronics based on flexible and stretchable substrates (e.g. PET, TPU)
- 3D printing of sensor/actuator structures with high resolution using multi-jet modeling
Ongoing Research Projects
As part of the MINERVA project, Heilbronn University - under the project management of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ingo Kühne - is cooperating with the Hohenlohe-based company Wuerth Elektronik eiSos GmbH & Co. KG, Waldenburg.
The primary objective of the project and the close cooperation between science and industry is the modelling and characterization of inductive electronic components. This should lead to a deeper understanding of the components and, in the long term, to new product innovations.
In June 2023, the Foundation for the Promotion of Reinhold Wuerth University approved the project nanoPrint with a duration of 24 months. Under the project management of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ingo Kühne, a prototype laboratory setup for the scientific investigation of a high-resolution generative manufacturing technology based on the principle of electrohydrodynamic printing (EHD) will be designed and implemented.
The project addresses in particular the successively increasing requirements in the field of micro- and nanofabrication for the implementation of customizable and cost-efficient solutions for miniaturized electronic components. In contrast to established photolithographic processes, which are generally associated with time-consuming and cost-intensive process steps in clean room environments, generative approaches are increasingly paving the way for resource-efficient and equally flexible production of micro- and nanostructures. The scientific and technological added value of EHD printing lies in particular in the fact that a variety of printing media (including (bio-) functional inks, dielectric media, biomolecules) can be used, which is associated with significant transfer and innovation potential.
The project is being carried out as part of a cooperative doctoral project. The doctoral supervisor is Prof. Dr. Gabriele Schrag of the Technical University of Munich. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ingo Kühne is the scientific supervisor at Heilbronn University.
Completed Research Projects
The D2P laboratory is an integral part of the Künzelsau campus and is available to students of all engineering student programs (WI/WEM/ET/AE/MEE) as an experimental space. As part of research, the D2P lab is also used intensively by doctoral students to successfully complete their doctoral research projects.
An indispensable basis for the successful implementation of these projects and corresponding prototype concepts is software-supported numerical FE modelling (FEM = finite element modelling) and simulation using software programs such as COMSOL Multiphysics.
In addition to the practical use of such a simulation environment, such tools are also of immense importance for use in teaching. Visual and animated FE models can be used to illustrate issues very clearly and at the same time students come into contact with modern simulation tools. In this way, cross-disciplinary and cross-course issues can be analyzed and investigated (e.g. physics, materials science, FE calculations, modelling of mechatronic systems, simulation of MEMS transducers).
The Foundation for the Promotion of Reinhold Wuerth University is supporting the Sim4Future project by modernizing and expanding the FEM simulation environment in the D2P laboratory, thus making a valuable contribution to the implementation of modern didactic and engineering training for young talents.
The MEPOFERRI project - hybrid metal-polymer filaments for the generative production of ferrites and inductors - funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) addresses the further development of hybrid filaments that enable the generative production of ferrite core components and simultaneously transfer the aspect of design freedom to a completely new level.
Partners in the BMBF-funded project are Wuerth Elektronik eiSos GmbH & Co. KG (Waldenburg/Berlin), the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing and Advanced Materials IFAM (Bremen), Neotech AMT GmbH (Nuremberg) and TRIDELTA Weichferrite GmbH (Hermsdorf).
Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences is providing extensive support to the project on behalf of Wuerth Elektronik eiSos as part of contract research by producing finite element simulations to model the component behavior, taking into account the characteristic values derived from the new material combinations. Prof . Dr.-Ing. Ingo Kühne is providing scientific and technical support for the cooperation.
With this year's "Freiraum 2022" call for proposals, the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education addressed the testing and development of creative and equally innovative teaching concepts at universities of applied sciences and universities. In this context, the project "pioneerING@Home - Space for Visions" was approved, which will be implemented in the D2P laboratory of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ingo Kühne.
The foundation is thus creating an ideal space for the implementation of new ideas for everyday teaching at Heilbronn University - Kuenzelsau Campus!
The project paves the way for the establishment of an innovative subsidiary teaching concept for the situated and decentralized laboratory didactic training of prospective engineers in the field of electronics, measurement technology and sensor technology. The primary objective is to teach a conglomerate of experimental and analytical skills. The project allows asynchronous processing of the content at an individual learning pace and creates the necessary "free space" for the implementation of imaginative projects according to the respective prior knowledge of students or along a complexity gradient (basic, advanced and research level). This differentiation ensures effective consolidation of the learning content across all phases of the course and at the same time offers maximum flexibility.
As part of Nadine Philippin's bachelor thesis, a 3D-printed, microfluidic chip system was developed, on the basis of which the research and investigation of electrokinetic effects, in particular dielectrophoresis (DEP), was made possible.
In addition to the realization of a demonstrator on a laboratory scale, a corresponding measurement setup was implemented for the metrological characterization of the chip system. Supplementary FEM simulations were used to validate the measurement results and investigate the physical laws underlying the electrokinetic effects.
This bachelor's thesis was awarded the Wirtschaftsjuniorenpreis 2019 for the best final thesis in the field of technology at Heilbronn University by the Heilbronn-Franken Junior Chamber of Commerce.
The aim of the student research project was to electrify a recumbent bike. In addition to the conception and design of all necessary components, a main controller based on ATmega was developed.
The electric assistance can be continuously selected by the rider at any time using the hand throttle. This also applies to the strength of the recuperation, so that a significant proportion of potential energy can be converted and temporarily stored in the accumulator, especially on hilly terrain.
In follow-up projects, the aim is to develop a motor controller and a battery management system in-house.
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