Professorship for Digital Manufacturing
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Vittoria Laghi, Ph.D, P.E has been appointed to the professorship of Digital Manufacturing. As Junior Assistant Professor for Structural Design at the University of Bologna in Italy, she is an expert in the application of new 3D printing methods for metal, with the aim of reducing environmental impact in the construction industry. Dr Laghi is one of the world's most renowned experts in the application of wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology in steel construction. Her research focuses on additive construction – from the mechanical properties of the printed material to the structural performance of the printed parts. As part of her part-time professorship, she will develop new projects and applications for WAAM for offshore and wind power plants, with a focus on hybrid manufacturing, which combines WAAM with conventional steel manufacturing techniques to produce special parts. The professorship is closely linked to wind energy research at the Institute of Steel Construction and to the Collaborative Research Centre 1463 "Offshore Megastructures’"
Professorship for Real-time Remote Sensing
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Viktoriia Hnatushenko has been appointed to the professorship for real-time remote sensing. The professor at the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies in Dnipro has been conducting research as a visiting professor at the Institute of Photogrammetry and GeoInformation since May 2022 with the support of a Philipp Schwarz Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. In 2023, she received the Remote Sensing Award from the German Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for her research. Prof. Hnatushenko's research focuses on real-time remote sensing, which combines positioning and navigation techniques in satellite-based remote sensing and is becoming increasingly important for communication and image evaluation. This technology allows the current conditions at a location to be recorded without having to be there in person. This is particularly helpful in disaster management, for example in the case of forest fires, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, to coordinate rescue services or firefighting operations, for example. However, the technology can also make a significant contribution to saving lives and planning reconstruction in Ukraine.
Professorship for Sustainable Energy Systems
Prof. Dr. Charalampos Baniotopoulos has been appointed to the professorship of Sustainable Energy Systems. Prof. Baniotopoulos is a professor and holder of the Chair of Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Birmingham, UK. His research focuses in particular on wind energy and related topics such as risk and safety, sustainability and social acceptance. His most recent research work deals with the effects of wind turbulence on the performance of wind energy systems, digital twins for the design and construction of extremely tall onshore and offshore wind turbines, and AI-supported techniques for safety in multi-hazard scenarios and floating wind energy systems.
Students at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy will also benefit from the expertise of the new professorships. The new professors will supplement the range of face-to-face and online courses with attractive elective modules and summer schools.
