@article{SchmidThiel, author = {Schmid, Michael T. and Thiel, Charlotte}, title = {Is it worth it? Potential for reducing the environmental impact of bitumen roofing membrane production}, series = {Recycling}, volume = {10}, journal = {Recycling}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/recycling10060208}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-86873}, pages = {24}, abstract = {Between 51\% and 72\% of a bituminous roofing membrane used for structural water-proofing consists of organic material, predominantly bitumen - a derivative of crude oil refining - highlighting the strong dependence of this product on fossil resources. Considering that several tonnes of these membranes must be replaced every 30 to 50 years, substantial potential exists for emission reduction through the establishment of circular material systems. This study investigates this potential by analysing 26 Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and life cycle datasets from across Europe covering the period from 2007 to 2023. To ensure comparability, all data were normalised to a declared unit of 1 kg of roofing membrane. The reinforcement layers were categorised into glass and polyester \& glass composites, and their differences were examined using Welch's t-tests. Correlative analyses and linear as well as multiple regression models were then applied to explore relationships between environmental indicators and the shares of organic and mineral mass fractions. The findings reveal that renewable energy sources, although currently representing only a small share of total production energy, provide a major lever for reducing nearly all environmental impact categories. The type of reinforcement layer was also found to influence the demand for fossil resources, both materially and energetically. For most environmental indicators, only multiple regression models can explain at least 30\% of the variance based on the proportions of organic and mineral inputs. Overall, the study underscores the crucial importance of high-quality, transparently documented product data for accurately assessing the sustainability of building products. It further demonstrates that substituting fossil energy carriers with renewable sources and optimising material efficiency can substantially reduce environmental burdens, provided that methodological consistency and clarity of indicator definitions are maintained.}, language = {en} } @article{BedburKampsSchmiedt, author = {Bedbur, Stefan and Kamps, Udo and Schmiedt, Anja Bettina}, title = {A flexible model of ordered random variables for non-metallic inclusions in steels and related statistical inference}, series = {Applied Mathematical Modelling}, volume = {149}, journal = {Applied Mathematical Modelling}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0307-904X}, doi = {10.1016/j.apm.2025.116284}, pages = {15}, abstract = {In a data set of non-metallic inclusion sizes in samples from engineering steel, common order statistics fail to serve as a suitable model for ascendingly ordered measurements within single samples. Therefore, a flexible model of ordered random variables is proposed, which allows for changes of distributions described by model parameters. Joint maximum likelihood estimation of these parameters and the shape parameter of an underlying left-truncated Weibull distribution is considered, and a model test is developed for the null-hypothesis of common order statistics being an adequate model. To overcome small data situations, a link-function approach is examined in order to reduce the number of involved model parameters as well as to propose to use a link-function parameter as a material indicator. An asymptotic test is provided to check for the presence of a linear link function, and tests for hypotheses about two link-function parameters are studied. Moreover, the construction of simultaneous confidence regions for the link-function parameters as well as of confidence bands for the entire graph of the link function are presented. Throughout, the findings are applied to the real metallurgical data set. Similar problems and data structures arise in other fields of material science and applications such as geology.}, language = {en} } @article{SchummBrownAbdelKhaleketal., author = {Schumm, Leon and Brown, Tom and Abdel-Khalek, Hazem and Ueckerdt, Falko and Sterner, Michael and Fioriti, David and Parzen, Max}, title = {The impact of temporal hydrogen regulation on hydrogen exporters and their domestic energy transition}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {16}, journal = {Nature Communications}, publisher = {Nature}, address = {London}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-025-62873-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-84857}, pages = {13}, abstract = {As global demand for green hydrogen rises, potential hydrogen exporters move into the spotlight. While exports can bring countries revenue, large-scale on-grid hydrogen electrolysis for export can profoundly impact domestic energy prices and energy-related emissions. Our investigation explores the interplay of hydrogen exports, domestic energy transition and temporal hydrogen regulation, employing a sector-coupled energy model in Morocco. We find substantial co-benefits of domestic carbon dioxide mitigation and hydrogen exports, whereby exports can reduce market-based costs for domestic electricity consumers while mitigation reduces costs for hydrogen exporters. However, increasing hydrogen exports in a fossil-dominated system can substantially raise market-based costs for domestic electricity consumers, but surprisingly, temporal matching of hydrogen production can lower these costs by up to 31\% with minimal impact on exporters. Here, we show that this policy instrument can steer the welfare (re-)distribution between hydrogen exporting firms, hydrogen importers, and domestic electricity consumers and hereby increases acceptance among actors.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmiedtEmpacherKamps, author = {Schmiedt, Anja B. and Empacher, Christina and Kamps, Udo}, title = {One- and two-sided prediction intervals for future Pareto record values with applications}, series = {Journal of Statistical Theory and Applications}, journal = {Journal of Statistical Theory and Applications}, publisher = {Springer}, issn = {2214-1766}, doi = {10.1007/s44199-025-00119-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-81605}, pages = {26}, abstract = {Based on upper record values in a series of observations over time from a Pareto distribution, an exact and several approximate one-sided and two-sided prediction intervals for the next record value (or for another future record value) to appear are studied and compared by means of an extensive simulation study. The performances of the prediction intervals are evaluated and recommendations are proposed for what method should be used in a given situation with respect to the form of the prediction interval on the one hand and to the tail behaviour on the other. The proposed methods are applied to insurance, environmental and sports data, where the respectively fitted Pareto distributions show a different tail behaviour. As a result, it is seen that although the number of observed record values in the presented real data applications is rather small, as it is usually the case, the selected prediction intervals are of practical use.}, language = {en} } @article{DotterHaugSchnelletal., author = {Dotter, Caroline and Haug, Sonja and Schnell, Rainer and Raptis, Georgios and Weber, Karsten}, title = {Sharing health data for research purposes: results of a population survey in Germany}, series = {BMC health services research}, volume = {25}, journal = {BMC health services research}, publisher = {BMC}, doi = {10.1186/s12913-025-12706-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-81622}, pages = {9}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Increased use of health data has the potential to improve both health care and health policies. Several recent policy initiatives at the European and German legislative levels aim to increase the primary and secondary use of health data. However, little is known about general population views on health data access for research. Most studies are based on subsets defined by specific illnesses. METHODS: We commissioned a national computer-assisted dual-frame telephone survey (landline and mobile). Logit estimation models were used to identify predictors of willingness to provide access to health data to different organizations (universities in Germany, universities worldwide, German government organizations, pharmaceutical companies). RESULTS: A high willingness to share health data for research purposes is observed, depending on the specific data recipient. The willingness is highest for research at universities in Germany and German governmental organizations, and lowest regarding research by pharmaceutical companies. The main drivers for sharing health data are the level of trust in public institutions, the respondents' assessment of the seriousness and likelihood of data misuse, and the level of digital literacy. Age, gender, and level of education have small effects and do not determine the willingness to share health data for all organizations. CONCLUSION: We present evidence from a random sample of the German population. The results indicate widespread support among the population for providing access to health data for research purposes. Similar to findings in other countries, the willingness depends strongly on the recipient of the data. This paper evaluates the impact of various determinants - identified in previous qualitative and quantitative research - on the willingness of the German population to share health data. While previous studies have found that patients are generally more willing to share health data, we found that the presence of a medical precondition does not translate into respondents' unequivocal support for health data sharing. We identify privacy concerns, general trust, and digital literacy as key factors influencing the willingness to share health data. Therefore, policymakers and stakeholders need to ensure and communicate the necessary privacy protection measures to increase the willingness of the German population to share health data.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BuglSchneiderSehr, author = {Bugl, Benedikt and Schneider, Viola I. and Sehr, Armin}, title = {Vertical Sound Localization: Precision and Robustness to Reverberation in a Large-Scale Study}, series = {Proceedings of the 11th Convention of the European Acoustics Association Forum Acusticum / EuroNoise 2025 // M{\´a}laga, Spain ; 23-26. June 2025}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 11th Convention of the European Acoustics Association Forum Acusticum / EuroNoise 2025 // M{\´a}laga, Spain ; 23-26. June 2025}, publisher = {European Acoustics Association}, isbn = {978-84-87985-35-5}, doi = {10.61782/fa.2025.0953}, pages = {3431 -- 3434}, abstract = {Vertical sound localization, the ability to perceive the elevation of a sound source, is a fundamental aspect of human auditory perception, yet it remains far less understood than horizontal localization. Existing studies rely on small sample sizes, limiting the generalizability of findings. The presented study bridges that gap by examining vertical sound localization and precision in a cohort exceeding 150 participants, making it the largest investigation of its kind to date.Participants were exposed to broadband noise stimuli from various elevations under controlled anechoic conditions. The elevation localization error was measured by comparing perceived sound source elevations to actual positions of speakers of a curved array. Azimuth angles of arrival were altered between 0°, 45° and 90°. For a small group the experiment was repeated in echoic conditions, to gain insight in reverberation and reflection robustness of vertical sound localization.This large-scale study establishes benchmarks for vertical sound localization precision and robustness, advancing our understanding of human auditory spatial perception. These findings have implications for audio technology development, such as spatial audio rendering and hearing aid design, and lay the groundwork for further exploration into the neural and anatomical underpinnings of vertical localization.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GalkaMeissner, author = {Galka, Stefan and Meißner, Sebastian}, title = {Simulation-Based Digital Twins for Internal Transport Systems}, series = {Procedia Computer Science}, volume = {274}, booktitle = {Procedia Computer Science}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.procs.2025.12.016}, pages = {161 -- 170}, abstract = {The increasing complexity of internal transport systems in industrial applications poses significant challenges for operational decision-making. This paper presents a simulation-based Digital Twin framework developed within the research project TwinTraSys to support the control of such systems. The framework is specifically tailored to the constraints of real-world IT infrastructures, requiring minimal transaction data, while enabling predictive analysis and dynamic scenario evaluation. It consists of a modular architecture divided into four core components: data provision, data preparation, simulation, and decision support. A dedicated simulation framework enables the automated generation of structural models and the integration of real-world operational control systems. The proposed approach has been validated in industrial settings and has demonstrated its ability to support resource planning and transport resource allocation through simulation-based experimentation and multi-criteria evaluation. This paper contributes to the practical advancement of Digital Twin applications in intralogistics by bridging the gap between theoretical models and real-world constraints.}, language = {en} } @article{AfanasevHoeferHoltmannspoetteretal., author = {Afanasev, Anna and H{\"o}fer, Philipp and Holtmannsp{\"o}tter, Jens and Zimmer, Felix and Ehrlich, Ingo}, title = {Development of a continuous fiber-reinforced 3D printing process with a 6-axis robot arm: Process design and equipment}, series = {The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology}, journal = {The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology}, publisher = {Springer}, issn = {0268-3768}, doi = {10.1007/s00170-025-17263-3}, pages = {20}, abstract = {The utilisation of 3D printing processes in the fabrication of continuous fiber-reinforced composites confers a multitude of advantages, in particular flexible design based on structural requirements. In order to achieve greater flexibility, there is a necessity for 3D printing systems that allow for customisable material selection and fiber positioning. This paper presents the design of a robot-based 3D printing system that incorporates an in-situ impregnation line and flexibility regarding the machine code generation for fiber positioning. The development of the system enabled the attainment of an average fiber volume content of up to 37.12\%. In the tensile tests, material characteristics up to E1 = 24.7 GPa and strength of up to RM1 = 0.51 GPa were determined.}, language = {en} } @article{WolfgrammAbbSampetal., author = {Wolfgramm, Alex and Abb, Valerius and Samp, Artur and Samp, Rafal and Hoffmann, Jens Christoph and M{\"u}ller, Rainer and Kammler, Martin}, title = {Structural and functional evolution of HKUST-1 nanoparticles induced by ball milling}, series = {Next Materials}, volume = {10}, journal = {Next Materials}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.nxmate.2025.101544}, pages = {7}, abstract = {In this study, the effect of post-synthetic ball milling on the structural and functional properties of as-synthesized nanoparticles of the copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) HKUST-1 was investigated for the first time. Nanoparticles were synthesized using sodium formate as a capping agent. The crystalline particles were subjected to a controlled ball milling process, which induced significant structural changes. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) revealed a reduction in crystallite size from 91 nm to 21 nm and the introduction of microstrain, partially disrupting the MOF's long-range crystalline order, as evidenced by peak broadening and the diminished intensity of high-angle reflections. Particle morphology pre- and post-milling was further studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, verifying a narrow particle size distribution of ± 22 nm after milling. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated protonation of carboxylate groups in the larger pores of the framework, likely due to moisture incorporation during milling. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis showed a substantial decrease in specific surface area from 521 m²/g to 226 m²/g, suggesting a partial collapse of the porous framework. We discuss the applicability of ball milling as a versatile means of post-synthetic approach to reduce MOF particle sizes, a key element in the preparation of MOF-based thin films using inks or polymers.}, language = {en} } @article{SchummHaasPeeretal., author = {Schumm, Leon and Haas, Jannik and Peer, Rebecca and Sterner, Michael}, title = {The role of hydrogen offtaker regulation in highly renewable electricity systems}, series = {Energy}, volume = {342}, journal = {Energy}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.energy.2025.139513}, pages = {13}, abstract = {The growing demand for green hydrogen necessitates a rapid scale-up of production and exports to meet decarbonization targets globally. However, current ramp-up efforts remain insufficient, calling for policies that unlock the potential of hydrogen as a low-carbon energy carrier. A key lever is the offtaker regulation, which impacts the pace and sustainability of export projects. This study investigates minimum renewable share requirements for hydrogen exports in countries with high renewable electricity shares. Using New Zealand as a case study, we develop a fully sector-coupled capacity expansion and dispatch model, integrating hydrogen and electricity network planning based on PyPSA-Earth. The model optimizes New Zealand's energy system under varying export scenarios, renewable electricity shares, and resulting system impacts. We find that domestic electricity demand and renewable expansion rates dominate long-term outcomes, while progressive regulation enables short-term hydrogen and Power-to-X exports. Relaxing the renewable threshold from 80\% to 60\% triples export volumes from 2.5 TWh to 8.2 TWh by 2030. We propose a two-stage requirement: an initially progressive threshold to attract investment with low consequential emissions, followed by stricter regulation to prevent high emissions, rising domestic electricity prices, and declining hydrogen competitiveness. This framework, demonstrated for New Zealand, can guide hydrogen-exporting countries worldwide.}, language = {en} } @article{HeinzSchildgen, author = {Heinz, Florian and Schildgen, Johannes}, title = {Experience Report: Hey LLM, Generate SQL!}, series = {Datenbank-Spektrum}, volume = {25}, journal = {Datenbank-Spektrum}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Wiesbaden}, doi = {10.1007/s13222-025-00512-w}, pages = {95 -- 101}, abstract = {Large Language Models have advanced to a resourceful tool with many applications. One particularly interesting use case is the LLM-aided generation of ad-hoc database queries and the possibility of subsequent processing of the results in a way suiting the users intents. In this article, practical ways and experiences are described on how to effectively use LLMs to map a natural-language user query to an SQL query conforming to a specific database schema and post-processing the results of this query in order to, for example, create an appealing visualization. Best results are achieved under favorable circumstances, as, for example, a clean and meaningful named database schema.}, language = {en} } @article{HollweckLeidingerHartmannetal., author = {Hollweck, Christoph and Leidinger, Lukas and Hartmann, Stefan and Wagner, Marcus and W{\"u}chner, Roland}, title = {An analysis of the critical time step size for explicit dynamics using trimmed B-splines, LR-splines, and THB-splines}, series = {Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering}, volume = {450}, journal = {Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0045-7825}, doi = {10.1016/j.cma.2025.118656}, pages = {36}, abstract = {Isogeometric analysis (IGA) combined with explicit dynamics is increasingly used in academia and has already been successfully applied in industrial simulations, including crash and sheet-metal forming. Since explicit schemes are only conditionally stable, accurate estimation of the critical time step is essential for both stability and efficiency. Adaptive mesh refinement is widely used to balance accuracy and computational cost. In IGA, THB- and LR-splines break the tensor-product structure of standard B-splines and enable local refinement, but their effect on the critical time step under trimming has not been systematically studied - a key requirement for reliable time step estimation. We investigate the critical time step in explicit dynamic simulations using trimmed B-splines, LR-splines, and THB-splines, based on a lumped mass matrix obtained by simple row summation. One-dimensional bar, two-dimensional membrane, and trimmed shell models are analyzed to determine how trimming and local refinement influence element and system eigenfrequencies, which directly control the stable time step. Refined boundary elements in open knot vectors are identified as the main bottleneck. Trimming these elements can increase the stable time step, though certain trimming configurations introduce new restrictions. Results show that LR- and THB-splines impose time step constraints similar to B-splines, making them equally suitable for explicit simulations. We also present a general method for computing element-wise B{\´e}zier extraction operators for LR- and THB-splines, enabling straightforward integration into standard finite element solvers. The findings are validated through nonlinear sheet-metal forming simulations in LS-DYNA using shells discretized with trimmed B-, LR-, and THB-splines. This represents the first such application and demonstrates their practical feasibility for industrial use.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AlbrechtThielKaramara, author = {Albrecht, Sophie Viktoria and Thiel, Charlotte and Karamara, Merve}, title = {Decoding concrete's environmental performance: A detailed analysis of global EPDs across the entire life cycle}, series = {MATEC Web of Conferences}, volume = {409}, booktitle = {MATEC Web of Conferences}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, doi = {10.1051/matecconf/202540913001}, pages = {10}, abstract = {Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for concrete are essential tools to quantify the environmental impact of this versatile building material throughout its life cycle, supporting sustainable choices in construction. Concrete is made up of raw materials like cement, water, aggregates, additives, and admixtures, which can be mixed in diverse ways. This variability often necessitates site-specific EPDs, as emissions and environmental impacts depend greatly on cement type, transport routes, and specific production processes. This study analyses various data sources, focusing on EPDs according to ISO 14025 and EN 15804. The life cycle phases A1-A3, B1-B7, C1-C4 and D are considered and compared. The results demonstrate that factors such as scenario assumptions, methodological choices, and allocation procedures significantly influence concrete's environmental impact. Transparent EPDs improve assessment reliability, while allocation methods, especially in phases D and end-of-life, significantly influence reported benefits, underscoring the importance of careful allocation for accurate impact evaluations. Improved standardisation, transparency, and alignment with EN 16757 would enhance EPD comparability and reliability. Overall, the study identifies key parameters such as recycling potential, production stage and allocation methods as substantial factors in the environmental performance of concrete.}, language = {en} } @article{QiaoGradNonn, author = {Qiao, Yu and Grad, Marius and Nonn, Aida}, title = {Toward an Efficient and Robust Process-Structure Prediction Framework for Filigree L-PBF 316L Stainless Steel Structures}, series = {Metals}, volume = {15}, journal = {Metals}, number = {7}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2075-4701}, doi = {10.3390/met15070812}, pages = {22}, abstract = {Additive manufacturing (AM), particularly laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), provides unmatched design flexibility for creating intricate steel structures with minimal post-processing. However, adopting L-PBF for high-performance applications is difficult due to the challenge of predicting microstructure evolution. This is because the process is sensitive to many parameters and has a complex thermal history. Thin-walled geometries present an added challenge because their dimensions often approach the scale of individual grains. Thus, microstructure becomes a critical factor in the overall integrity of the component. This study focuses on applying cellular automata (CA) modeling to establish robust and efficient process-structure relationships in L-PBF of 316L stainless steel. The CA framework simulates solidification-driven grain evolution and texture development across various processing conditions. Model predictions are evaluated against experimental electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data, with additional quantitative comparisons based on texture and morphology metrics. The results demonstrate that CA simulations calibrated with relevant process parameters can effectively reproduce key microstructural features, including grain size distributions, aspect ratios, and texture components, observed in thin-walled L-PBF structures. This work highlights the strengths and limitations of CA-based modeling and supports its role in reliably designing and optimizing complex L-PBF components.}, language = {en} } @article{RueckertRauberMaerkletal., author = {Rueckert, Tobias and Rauber, David and Maerkl, Raphaela and Klausmann, Leonard and Yildiran, Suemeyye R. and Gutbrod, Max and Nunes, Danilo Weber and Moreno, Alvaro Fernandez and Luengo, Imanol and Stoyanov, Danail and Toussaint, Nicolas and Cho, Enki and Kim, Hyeon Bae and Choo, Oh Sung and Kim, Ka Young and Kim, Seong Tae and Arantes, Gon{\c{c}}alo and Song, Kehan and Zhu, Jianjun and Xiong, Junchen and Lin, Tingyi and Kikuchi, Shunsuke and Matsuzaki, Hiroki and Kouno, Atsushi and Manesco, Jo{\~a}o Renato Ribeiro and Papa, Jo{\~a}o Paulo and Choi, Tae-Min and Jeong, Tae Kyeong and Park, Juyoun and Alabi, Oluwatosin and Wei, Meng and Vercauteren, Tom and Wu, Runzhi and Xu, Mengya and Wang, An and Bai, Long and Ren, Hongliang and Yamlahi, Amine and Hennighausen, Jakob and Maier-Hein, Lena and Kondo, Satoshi and Kasai, Satoshi and Hirasawa, Kousuke and Yang, Shu and Wang, Yihui and Chen, Hao and Rodr{\´i}guez, Santiago and Aparicio, Nicol{\´a}s and Manrique, Leonardo and Palm, Christoph and Wilhelm, Dirk and Feussner, Hubertus and Rueckert, Daniel and Speidel, Stefanie and Nasirihaghighi, Sahar and Al Khalil, Yasmina and Li, Yiping and Arbel{\´a}ez, Pablo and Ayobi, Nicol{\´a}s and Hosie, Olivia and Lyons, Juan Camilo}, title = {Comparative validation of surgical phase recognition, instrument keypoint estimation, and instrument instance segmentation in endoscopy: Results of the PhaKIR 2024 challenge}, series = {Medical Image Analysis}, volume = {109}, journal = {Medical Image Analysis}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {1361-8415}, doi = {10.1016/j.media.2026.103945}, pages = {31}, abstract = {Reliable recognition and localization of surgical instruments in endoscopic video recordings are foundational for a wide range of applications in computer- and robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (RAMIS), including surgical training, skill assessment, and autonomous assistance. However, robust performance under real-world conditions remains a significant challenge. Incorporating surgical context - such as the current procedural phase - has emerged as a promising strategy to improve robustness and interpretability. To address these challenges, we organized the Surgical Procedure Phase, Keypoint, and Instrument Recognition (PhaKIR) sub-challenge as part of the Endoscopic Vision (EndoVis) challenge at MICCAI 2024. We introduced a novel, multi-center dataset comprising thirteen full-length laparoscopic cholecystectomy videos collected from three distinct medical institutions, with unified annotations for three interrelated tasks: surgical phase recognition, instrument keypoint estimation, and instrument instance segmentation. Unlike existing datasets, ours enables joint investigation of instrument localization and procedural context within the same data while supporting the integration of temporal information across entire procedures. We report results and findings in accordance with the BIAS guidelines for biomedical image analysis challenges. The PhaKIR sub-challenge advances the field by providing a unique benchmark for developing temporally aware, context-driven methods in RAMIS and offers a high-quality resource to support future research in surgical scene understanding.}, language = {en} } @article{GlavanBelyaevaShamoninChamonine, author = {Glavan, Gašper and Belyaeva, Inna A. and Shamonin (Chamonine), Mikhail}, title = {Multiferroic Cantilevers Containing a Magnetoactive Elastomer: Magnetoelectric Response to Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields of Triangular and Sinusoidal Waveform}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {22}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/s22103791}, pages = {1 -- 17}, abstract = {In this work, multiferroic cantilevers comprise a layer of a magnetoactive elastomer (MAE) and a commercially available piezoelectric polymer-based vibration sensor. The structures are fixed at one end in the horizontal plane and the magnetic field is applied vertically. First, the magnetoelectric (ME) response to uniform, triangle-wave magnetic fields with five different slew rates is investigated experimentally. Time and field dependences of the generated voltage, electric charge, and observed mechanical deflection are obtained and compared for four different thicknesses of the MAE layer. The ME responses to triangular and sinusoidal wave excitations are examined in contrast. Second, the ME response at low frequencies (≤3 Hz) is studied by the standard method of harmonic magnetic field modulation. The highest ME coupling coefficient is observed in the bias magnetic field strength of ≈73 kA/m and it is estimated to be about 3.3 ns/m (ME voltage coefficient ≈ 25 V/A) at theoretically vanishing modulation frequency (f→0 Hz). Presented results demonstrate that the investigated heterostructures are promising for applications as magnetic-field sensors and energy harvesting devices.}, language = {en} } @article{KuettnerFischerLaumer, author = {Kuettner, Andreas and Fischer, Samuel and Laumer, Tobias}, title = {Mechanical and structural characterization of heat-staked parts realized by selective laser sintering of polyamide 12}, series = {The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology}, journal = {The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology}, publisher = {Springer}, doi = {10.1007/s00170-025-17319-4}, pages = {20}, abstract = {Heat staking is a joining process in which thermoplastic pins are formed by heat and pressure in a form-fitting and insoluble way. This study evaluates the mechanical performance and microstructure of selective laser sintered (SLS) polyamide 12 (PA 12) components before and after heat staking, compared with conventionally turned reference specimens. The components were characterized using tensile tests, micrographs, microscopy, and micro-CT measurements. For the tests, the forces and temperatures during heat staking were varied to determine the best process parameters. Tensile tests revealed that SLS joints achieved strengths of up to 33.6 MPa, approaching the 39.9 MPa of the turned references. Microstructural analysis showed a marked reduction in porosity due to heat staking. Porosity decreased from 3.9\% to 1.56\% at a staking force of 300 N and from 4.29\% to 0.81\% at 1000 N, highlighting the beneficial effect of increased force. These results demonstrate that heat staking parameters significantly influence local densification and mechanical performance, and that, under suitable conditions, SLS components can achieve joint strengths comparable to conventionally manufactured parts. The study shows that the heat staking process parameters have a significant influence on the local microstructure and thus on the mechanical performance and provides a basis for optimizing SLS components for new heat staking applications.}, language = {en} } @article{GlavanBelyaevaShamoninChamonine, author = {Glavan, Gašper and Belyaeva, Inna A. and Shamonin (Chamonine), Mikhail}, title = {Transient Response of Macroscopic Deformation of Magnetoactive Elastomeric Cylinders in Uniform Magnetic Fields}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {16}, journal = {Polymers}, number = {5, Special Issue Magnetic Polymer Composites: Design and Application II}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel, Schweiz}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym16050586}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-71067}, pages = {17}, abstract = {Significant deformations of bodies made from compliant magnetoactive elastomers (MAE) in magnetic fields make these materials promising for applications in magnetically controlled actuators for soft robotics. Reported experimental research in this context was devoted to the behaviour in the quasi-static magnetic field, but the transient dynamics are of great practical importance. This paper presents an experimental study of the transient response of apparent longitudinal and transverse strains of a family of isotropic and anisotropic MAE cylinders with six different aspect ratios in time-varying uniform magnetic fields. The time dependence of the magnetic field has a trapezoidal form, where the rate of both legs is varied between 52 and 757 kA/(s·m) and the maximum magnetic field takes three values between 153 and 505 kA/m. It is proposed to introduce four characteristic times: two for the delay of the transient response during increasing and decreasing magnetic field, as well as two for rise and fall times. To facilitate the comparison between different magnetic field rates, these characteristic times are further normalized on the rise time of the magnetic field ramp. The dependence of the normalized characteristic times on the aspect ratio, the magnetic field slew rate, maximum magnetic field values, initial internal structure (isotropic versus anisotropic specimens) and weight fraction of the soft-magnetic filler are obtained and discussed in detail. The normalized magnetostrictive hysteresis loop is introduced, and used to explain why the normalized delay times vary with changing experimental parameters.}, language = {en} } @article{WeindlerLehnerEcksteinetal., author = {Weindler, Jeremy and Lehner, Hannes and Eckstein, J. and Dawoud, Belal}, title = {Performance assessment of a green hydrogen-based household energy system supported by a battery storage at different resolutions of the electrical load profile}, series = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {144}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0360-3199}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.04.431}, pages = {30 -- 41}, abstract = {Hydrogen deems quite suitable for medium- and long-term energy storage of surplus renewable electricity. Nowadays, all-in-one solutions consisting of an electrolyzer, a compressor, pressurized hydrogen storage tanks, a fuel cell (FC) and the necessary peripheral components are available for single family houses. This work presents a comparative assessment of the system's key performance indicators in a household system with three market available FCs with the nominal powers of 0.8, 1.4 and 7.8 kW. The design tool developed for the assessment of the hybrid energy system along with two energy management system configurations are introduced. An electrochemical and thermal model widely applied in the literature is used to model the FCs, which is validated against the available experimental data in the literature for all three FCs. The influence of the FCs' nominal power, their power dynamic operation range, the use of a battery storage with different capacities and the load profile's resolution have been technically assessed regarding the system's self-sufficiency (SS), the FC's efficiency, full-load operating hours, and number of on/off cycles. It turned out that, the system performance is strongly dependent on the nominal power of the FC and its power dynamic operation range. If no battery-storage is applied, the complete grid independence is not possible, and a high resolution of the load profile is indispensable in the assessment of the system design. A hybrid energy system comprising the 1.4 kW FC, a PV system of 10 kW peak power and a battery of 15 kW storage capacity showed a degree of SS of 98\%. The number of the full-load operating hours and on/off cycles of that FC amount to 768 and 116 cycles, respectively. Such promising results are referred to the high dynamic operation range of the battery, and its high discharge power capacity, which makes it more suitable to cover a remarkably higher fraction of the load deficit, if compared to a system without a battery.}, language = {en} } @article{LinnerdeSotoElMahdyetal., author = {Linner, Thomas and de Soto, Borja Garc{\´i}a and El-Mahdy, Deena and Gonzalez, Vicente A.}, title = {Topical collection: robotic solutions for digitally enabled production processes in construction}, series = {Construction Robotics}, volume = {10}, journal = {Construction Robotics}, publisher = {Springer}, issn = {2509-811X}, doi = {10.1007/s41693-025-00174-w}, pages = {1}, abstract = {Across the global construction sector, a new generation of robotic systems is rapidly entering the market. Solutions for on-site drilling, spraying, masonry, logistics, and finishing are now being piloted at an unprecedented pace. Their deployment in emerging construction robotics hubs in Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Denmark, Switzerland, and Germany demonstrates both the momentum of this technological shift and the considerable challenges that remain. In real-world testing environments, the integration of these robots into digital construction pipelines—particularly BIM-to-robot workflows, semantic task modeling, and robust digital twins—continues to be a bottleneck. These challenges position digitally enabled fabrication and robotics as a priority topic within academia, motivating research on methods, techniques, algorithms, and workflows that can accelerate adoption in construction. This Topical Collection brings together research spanning the emerging landscape of digitally enabled construction robotics. The contributions advance robotic fabrication, from flexible timber processes to innovative formwork, reinforcement, and earth-based additive methods, alongside computer vision, BIM integration, and sensing approaches that improve monitoring and quality assurance. The collection also includes mobile and aerial systems for inspection and mapping to support system autonomy in construction. Together, these works show how integrated perception, planning, and sociotechnical understanding of human-robot collaboration are becoming essential for reliable robotic performance in construction. While current construction robots still focus on simple, structured tasks, the advances in this topical collection point toward a more capable generation. Contributions outline principles for robot-compatible buildings through new fabrication logics and BIM-linked task data, while work on perception, BIM integration, and data fusion reduces interoperability gaps. Research on sensing and adaptive processes supports more consistent workflows, and mobile and aerial robotics provide insights for deployment and site logistics. Collectively, these developments show how digitally enabled production processes can help to overcome key systemic barriers and enable future, scalable construction robotics.}, language = {en} } @article{WeindlerDawoud, author = {Weindler, Jeremy and Dawoud, Belal}, title = {Experimental investigation of a small-scale continuous flow ohmic heating reactor for a highly effective conversion of renewable electricity surpluses into heat}, series = {Applied Thermal Engineering}, volume = {242}, journal = {Applied Thermal Engineering}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {1359-4311}, doi = {10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.122401}, pages = {15}, abstract = {Sector coupling is expected to play a decisive role as a key technology to realize the energy transition towards green energy supply. This work introduces, therefore, a comprehensive experimental study on a new power-to-heat system based on the continuous-flow, ohmic heating principle, which aims at utilizing renewable electricity in green processes. The ohmic heating technology, which is widely applied in the food industry, has been adapted and evaluated for delivering heat and domestic hot water to a single-family house. The introduced prototype is designed to convert renewable electricity into heat in the power range between 1000 and 3000 W with a typical electrical household installation (230 V, 50 Hz and 16 A fuse). A dedicated test rig has been developed and a comprehensive experimental campaign has been carried out to investigate the performance of the introduced system under typical operating conditions of a single-family house. Both the conversion efficiency and the dynamics of the thermal response of the introduced system have been assessed. It turned out that, the temperature lift between the return and supply of the reactor, and consequently, the conversion efficiency of electrical into thermal energy, are independent on the return temperature, for a fixed value of the volume flow rate of the electrolyte solution. A remarkable steady-state conversion efficiency of 97.5\% has been measured. In addition, the dynamic response of the ohmic heating system has been found to be strongly dependent on the desired temperature lift. By an implemented controller, 95\% of the steady state temperature lift of 44.5 K can be realized in 50 s, which marks an exceptionally rapid thermal response. The obtained results pave the way towards a field test study of the developed technology in a real household installation as well as to extend the focus on new fields such as green chemical processes.}, language = {en} } @article{SittlMarburgDeckersetal., author = {Sittl, Christopher and Marburg, Steffen and Deckers, Elke and Wagner, Marcus}, title = {Model order reduction for unbounded second-order vibroacoustic systems using infinite elements and Dirichlet-to-Neumann map}, series = {Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering}, volume = {453}, journal = {Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.cma.2026.118846}, pages = {22}, abstract = {This work addresses the efficient numerical simulation of time-harmonic vibroacoustic problems in unbounded domains, with a focus on fluid-structure interaction. The underlying mathematical model is a second-order dynamical system arising from the coupling of structural and acoustic domains, incorporating material damping effects, relevant in structural acoustics and noise control applications. A central novelty of the proposed method is its unified computational framework that supports two distinct strategies for treating unbounded fluid domains: (1) non-local absorbing boundary conditions based on Dirichlet-to-Neumann map, and (2) infinite elements, which extend the computational domain rather than truncate it. Both approaches are integrated into a consistent formulation that enables flexible and accurate modeling of exterior wave propagation. To efficiently evaluate frequency-domain transfer functions, the method employs model order reduction using the Pad{\´e}-via-Lanczos technique. While this algorithm typically targets first-order systems, the present approach uses a Schur complement strategy to reduce the second-order system in a way that maintains computational efficiency and storage requirements comparable to first-order formulations. Importantly, the framework seamlessly embeds both interior structural damping and the additional dissipation introduced by the acoustic-domain truncation into the model-order reduction process. The exterior acoustic field is represented via spherical harmonic expansions, with expansion coefficients computed from the reduced system. Numerical results demonstrate the method's accuracy, efficiency, and scalability, making it well-suited for high-fidelity vibroacoustic analysis in unbounded domains.}, language = {en} } @article{SchiekSolntsevNeshev2025, author = {Schiek, Roland and Solntsev, Alexander S. and Neshev, Dragomir N.}, title = {Measurement of the cubic nonlinear susceptibility in lithium niobate}, series = {Optical Materials Express}, volume = {15}, journal = {Optical Materials Express}, number = {5}, publisher = {Optica Publishing Group}, issn = {2159-3930}, doi = {10.1364/OME.557516}, pages = {1100 -- 1117}, year = {2025}, abstract = {We measured the cubic nonlinear susceptibility tensor elements ( χ(3)) for polarization along the primary crystallographic axis in titanium-indiffused lithium niobate waveguides, assessed through self-phase modulation using picosecond-duration pulses at telecommunication wavelengths. A dominant, highly temperature- and wavelength-dependent contribution from a cascaded second-order nonlinearity is observed. Through careful extraction of the cascaded effect, we quantify the intrinsic third-order susceptibility tensor elements as χ(3) zzzz(ω; ω, ω, -ω) = (5.2 ± 1.3) × 10-21 m2 V2 and χ(3) xxxx(ω; ω, ω, -ω) = χ(3) yyyy(ω; ω, ω, -ω) = (3.6 ± 0.8) × 10-21 m2 V2 . These measurements underscore the substantial impact of the cascaded nonlinearity in enhancing the effective cubic nonlinearity in lithium niobate and offer precise values essential for the design of nonlinear photonic devices.}, language = {en} } @article{BuerknerWestner, author = {B{\"u}rkner, Leonhard and Westner, Markus}, title = {KI erfolgreich einf{\"u}hren: Status quo und Erfolgsfaktoren in deutschen Großunternehmen}, series = {Wirtschaftsinformatik \& Management}, journal = {Wirtschaftsinformatik \& Management}, publisher = {Springer}, doi = {10.1365/s35764-026-00593-6}, pages = {10}, abstract = {Viele deutsche Großunternehmen experimentieren derzeit intensiv mit k{\"u}nstlicher Intelligenz (KI), stehen aber vor der Frage, wie sich erste Pilotprojekte in einen nachhaltigen, wirtschaftlich wirksamen Einsatz {\"u}berf{\"u}hren lassen. Eine empirische Studie mit 34 Chief Information Officers (CIO) und IT-Entscheidern in deutschen Großunternehmen zeigt: 112 identifizierte KI-Use-Cases, ein klar erkennbarer Reifezuwachs - aber auch deutliche H{\"u}rden bei Daten, Kompetenzen und Akzeptanz. Der Beitrag fasst den Status quo zusammen, validiert zentrale Erfolgsfaktoren aus der Forschung und leitet konkrete Empfehlungen f{\"u}r die Praxis von IT- und Fachbereichsverantwortlichen ab.}, subject = {K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz}, language = {de} } @article{SchulzGranessWeinzierletal., author = {Schulz, Carsten and Graneß, Henry and Weinzierl, Stefan and Nicklas, Johannes}, title = {Eigenvalue perturbation in drivetrain analysis and redesign}, series = {Multibody System Dynamics}, journal = {Multibody System Dynamics}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, issn = {1384-5640}, doi = {10.1007/s11044-026-10155-8}, pages = {17}, abstract = {The optimisation of the dynamic behavior of drive systems often involves targeted modifications of the system characteristics. Structural and parametric modifications are used to satisfy the constraints of the dynamic requirements. However, many optimisations are still achieved by intuition or parameter variations, even though more streamlined and easy-to-implement tools such as the eigenvalue perturbation method are available. In this article, the eigenvalue perturbation method in the form of an eigenvalue sensitivity analysis is used to efficiently optimise the dynamic behavior for two different use cases using different optimisation measures. This paper demonstrates how eigenvalue perturbation theory can efficiently optimise drivetrain dynamics by systematically modifying system parameters. Two case studies show how eigenvalue sensitivity analysis achieves targeted frequency shifts to avoid resonances: (1) adapting shaft stiffness and control parameters in a torsional drivetrain, and (2) adjusting structural modifications in a wind turbine bedplate. The study introduces the eigenvector tensor product as a weighting matrix, identifying key parameters for effective redesign. Compared to conventional parameter studies, this method enables precise control over system dynamics with minimal computational effort, making it highly applicable for vibration mitigation and drivetrain optimisation.}, language = {en} } @article{FranzSchoenbergerStrobletal., author = {Franz, Maja and Sch{\"o}nberger, Manuel and Strobl, Melvin and K{\"u}hn, Eileen and Streit, Achim and Zurita, P{\´i}a and Diefenthaler, Markus and Mauerer, Wolfgang}, title = {From Hope to Heuristic: Realistic Runtime Estimates for Quantum Optimisation in NHEP}, series = {EPJ Web of Conferences; 27th International Conference on Computing in High Energy and Nuclear Physics (CHEP 2024)}, volume = {337}, journal = {EPJ Web of Conferences; 27th International Conference on Computing in High Energy and Nuclear Physics (CHEP 2024)}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, doi = {10.1051/epjconf/202533701282}, pages = {8}, abstract = {Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computers, despite their limitations, present opportunities for near-term quantum advantages in Nuclear and High-Energy Physics (NHEP) when paired with specially designed quantum algorithms and processing units. This study focuses on core algorithms that solve optimization problems through the quadratic Ising or Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimisation model, specifically Quantum Annealing and the Quantum Approximate Optimisation Algorithm (QAOA). In particular, we estimate runtimes and scalability for the task of particle Track Reconstruction (TR), a key computing challenge in NHEP, and investigate how the classical parameter space in QAOA, along with techniques like a Fourieranalysis based heuristic, can facilitate future quantum advantages. The findings indicate that lower frequency components in the parameter space are crucial for effective annealing schedules, suggesting that heuristics can improve resource efficiency while achieving near-optimal results. Overall, the study highlights the potential of NISQ computers in NHEP and the significance of co-design approaches and heuristic techniques in overcoming challenges in quantum algorithms.}, language = {en} } @article{BrunnerVogl, author = {Brunner, Philipp and Vogl, Stefanie}, title = {Extracting Product Improvement Insights from Social Media Comments Using Machine Learning: a Case Study in the Automotive Industry}, series = {Machine Learning and Knowledge Extraction}, volume = {8}, journal = {Machine Learning and Knowledge Extraction}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/make8020042}, pages = {14}, abstract = {This paper presents a scalable machine learning pipeline for extracting actionable, product-related insights from user-generated social media comments. Leveraging sentence embeddings from SBERT and unsupervised clustering (k-Means and agglomerative), the approach structures informal and noisy comments from Instagram and YouTube into topic groups intended to support thematic analysis. A case study on feedback regarding BMW vehicles, comprising more than 26,000 comments, illustrates how the pipeline can reveal recurring user concerns, such as design critiques, usability issues, and technology-related expectations, even in short and unstructured social media comments. The proposed pipeline operates without labeled data or manual annotation, enabling scalable application and transferability across product categories and industries. By transforming large-scale, unstructured consumer feedback into interpretable themes, the pipeline provides product teams with an efficient and structured basis for data-driven product development and improvement.}, language = {en} } @article{PointnerKranzWagneretal., author = {Pointner, Daniel and Kranz, Michael and Wagner, Maria Stella and Haus, Moritz and Lehle, Karla and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Automated deep learning based detection of cellular deposits on clinically used ECMO membrane lungs}, series = {Frontiers in Bioinformatics}, volume = {6}, journal = {Frontiers in Bioinformatics}, publisher = {Frontiers}, doi = {10.3389/fbinf.2026.1771574}, pages = {18}, abstract = {Introduction: Despite the promising application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the treatment of critically ill patients, coagulation-associated technical complications, primarily clot formation and critical bleeding, remain a major challenge during ECMO therapy. The deposition of nucleated cells on the surface has been shown, yet the role of these cells towards complication development is still matter of ongoing research. In particular, the membrane lung (MemL) is prone to clot formation. Therefore, the investigation of nuclear deposits on its hollow-fibers may provide insights for a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms involved in the development of ECMO complications. Methods: To support current research, this study aimed to develop a deep learning-based tool for the automated detection and quantitative analysis of nuclear depositions on MemL hollow-fiber mats. A customized fluorescence microscopy workflow, combined with a semi-automated iterative labeling strategy, was used to generate a high-quality dataset for model training. Results: Six configurations of instance segmentation models were evaluated, with a Mask R-CNN with ResNet 101 backbone using dilated convolution providing the most balanced performance in both nuclei count and area accuracy. Compared with U-Net-based approaches such as Cellpose or StarDist, the proposed model demonstrated superior segmentation of overlapping and low-intensity nuclei, maintaining accuracy even in densely packed cellular regions. Discussion: We present an automated image analysis tool for clinically used MemLs, which exhibit complex three-dimensional hollow-fiber architectures and irregular cellular deposits that challenge conventional tools. A dedicated graphical user interface enables streamlined detection, morphometric analysis, and spatial clustering of nuclei, establishing a reproducible workflow for high-throughput analysis of fluorescence microscopy images. This approach eliminates labor-intensive manual counting and facilitates large-scale studies on cell-fiber interactions and disease-related correlations.}, language = {en} }