The Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology warmly welcomes its newly appointed professor, Dr. Johanna Schröder, from the Institute for Applied Materials – Electrochemical Technologies (IAM-ET), and Professor Dr. Tobias Huber-Loyola from the Institute for Photonics and Quantum Electronics (IPQ), who was newly appointed effective September 1, 2025.

Professor Christian Koos of the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Electronics (IPQ) at KIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology is receiving the 2025 Karl Heinz Beckurts Prize for his groundbreaking research on high-performance optical networks. The electrical engineer is developing new technologies that enable large amounts of data to be transmitted more quickly and with greater energy efficiency—for example, in data centers or during the training of artificial intelligence (AI). His research makes digital infrastructure more climate-friendly. Many of his inventions are already being used in practice.

KIT Press Release 

On November 21, 2025, at 11:00 p.m., Prof. Eric Sax will give an inspiring presentation titled: “From the Coffee Maker to the Robot Taxi: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges of Software-Defined Applications.” Join us and dive into the future of digital mobility and smart transportation solutions!

Program

Our future is electric: Stop by our Open House and learn more about our degree programs in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Medical Technology, or Mechatronics and Information Technology. You can dive right into our exciting topics through introductory lectures, take a look behind the scenes on department tours, or get advice from our students while enjoying a waffle. We look forward to seeing you!

More than 300 first-semester students in the ETIT, MEDT, and MIT degree programs spent two jam-packed weeks during the orientation phase before the start of the semester; this phase was organized and carried out with great dedication by the ETIT student representatives. Fun and networking opportunities included the O-Ralleye through Karlsruhe, the Egg Drop event (which already put engineering talents to the test!), and the get-to-know-you barbecue. The Department also introduced itself, and the “freshmen” had the chance to meet many faculty members and learn about academic advising services at the welcome event or during a relaxed breakfast.

A heartfelt thank you to the student representatives, and we wish all first-year students a great start to their studies!

In the latest “Global Employability University Ranking and Survey” (GEURS) 2026, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) ranks among the universities that have shown the greatest improvement: Ranked 70th worldwide, KIT has climbed 21 spots compared to the previous year and is designated by the publishers as one of the “Top Climbers.” KIT also performs very well in a national comparison: It ranks fifth among all German universities and third within the TU9 group, the association of leading technical universities in Germany. The ranking identifies which universities, in the opinion of companies, produce the best graduates. 

On November 26, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the annual International Fair hosted by the KIT Department of Mechanical Engineering and the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology will take place in the Audimax foyer. The event will feature presentations on both the faculties’ own programs and general exchange and internship opportunities. You can speak directly with program coordinators at their information booths or during the presentations in the seminar room, as well as talk with former outgoing students and current visiting students.

B.Sc. Lena Paula Rothbauer was awarded the 2025 “Applied Photonics Award,” worth 1,000 euros, on September 29, 2025, at the Photonic Days in Jena. The award was presented in recognition of her outstanding accomplishment and her bachelor's thesis, completed at the Institute of Lighting Technology, on the topic “Scalable Hole Transport Layer Deposition for Perovskite Photovoltaics Using Dip-Coating.” The “Applied Photonics Award” is a prize designed to promote young talent for theses that demonstrate particular relevance in the division of applied photonics. The award is organized by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena. The bachelor's thesis was completed under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ulrich W. Paetzold and M.Sc. Raphael Pesch. We congratulate the award winner and wish her continued success in her master’s program!

A hack developed during the KIT Hub’s “Make Your School” Hack Days at Goethe-Gymnasium in Karlsruhe won the Audience Choice Award at the Maker Festival 2025 in Berlin!
With their clever winning project, “Teachers’ Lounge Appointment System by Team GGK—Totally, Totally Awesome,” Frieda, Philine, Annika, and Constantin (8th grade) aim to make everyday school life easier:
Teachers check in with a chip when they enter the teachers’ lounge, and a display shows whether they are available. This saves everyone time and stress—and makes communication a breeze.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the team!
A big thank you to our project partner at KIT, the Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning , and to everyone who made this project possible—and to all the young inventors who show just how creative school and technology can be!
Make Your School is a project by Wissenschaft im Dialog supported by the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (ETIT). The Klaus Tschira Foundation is the national sponsor. The Vector Foundation is the regional sponsor for Baden-Württemberg.

For the first time this year, the celebrations for the 2024–2025 academic year of the two departments—the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and the Department of Mechanical Engineering—took place at the same location. Thus, Mechanical Engineering Day—with its two parts, the “Bachelor’s Degree Conferral” and the “Faculty Colloquium”—was held for the first time alongside the “Faculty Day” of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology in the Audimax. In a festive setting, diplomas were presented, honors were bestowed, and awards were given. We extend our warmest congratulations to all graduates and award recipients.

This year’s department teaching award goes to Dr. Andreas Liske of the Institute of Electrical Engineering (ETI). For many years, Andreas Liske has taught and further developed the courses “Control of Power Electronic Systems,” “Real-Time Systems for Electric Drives,” “Power Converter Control Technology,” and “Circuit Design in Industrial Electronics” in an outstanding manner. His teaching style is characterized by highly intuitive explanations, well-chosen illustrations and diagrams, and an appropriate pace. In addition, all lectures are offered in an excellent hybrid format, broadcast live and recorded for later review.
Link to the Teaching Award video

Congratulations!

In KIT’s anniversary year, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology looks back on a successful, well-attended Campus Day and Open Day. Student ambassadors and guides from the student representatives accompanied prospective students around campus and shared their experiences at KIT. At the information booth, professors provided insights into the degree programs and the societal significance of the “all-electric society.” And in the departments, visitors were able to get a behind-the-scenes look at research. One of many highlights was the research and teaching operating room, where visitors could experience medical technology up close and learn more about the new master’s program in Biomedical Engineering. We are delighted by the enthusiastic interest and thank everyone who helped make this event a success!

On April 3, 2025, the annual Girls’ Day took place once again at KIT. As part of one of the 78 (!) workshops offered at KIT, for example, female students in grades 5–7 had the opportunity to build their own electric motor at the Institute of Electrical Engineering (ETI). All participants tackled the task with great success and enthusiasm, so that in the end, everything ran “smoothly.”

Participants were also able to explore the wide-ranging world of electrical engineering and information technology in numerous other workshops. Among other things, they were able to get hands-on experience with microcontrollers and cellular communications, harness the sun’s energy with solar cells, create magical light effects with optical fibers, and learn more about medical technology.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who made this wonderful day at KIT possible.

Is the current poor reputation of battery-electric cars deserved? No, says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eric Sax in an SWR radio interview. The interview offers interesting insights into the advantages, concerns, and challenges of today’s electric cars.

Link to the interview

Prof. Dr. Olaf Dössel was elected spokesperson for the Health Technologies Thematic Network at the National Academy of Science and Engineering (Acatech), which addresses the opportunities, challenges, and risks of digitalization in the sensitive division of health data.

We also congratulate Olaf Dössel on being awarded the KIT Needle of Merit: With this honor, KIT recognizes his wide-ranging activities as an ambassador for KIT and as the volunteer chair of the KIT Student Housing Association (Studierendenwohnheim e.V.).

It is with deep sorrow that we bid farewell to Prof. Mlynski, who passed away on December 4, 2024. Prof. Mlynski was appointed to what was then the University of Karlsruhe in 1973, where he headed the Institute for Theoretical Electrical Engineering and Measurement Technology from 1973 to 1997. During his nearly 25 years as director of the institute, he remained committed to the historically established fields of teaching and research: theoretical electrical engineering, electrical measurement technology, and the fundamentals of electrical engineering. Within this established framework, he set new priorities and, with great dedication and passion, ensured that the ITM made a significant name for itself in fields such as computer-aided circuit design and liquid crystal technology.

The KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology bids him farewell with sadness and gratitude. We will honor his memory.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his family.

On December 9, 2024, Division 3 of KIT celebrated a decade of success and collaboration. Members of the Executive Board and the Division Council, the faculty, staff from the Dean’s Office, and the student representatives gathered to mark this special occasion.

The evening featured a varied program: Following opening remarks by Division Head Prof. Joachim Knebel and a welcome address by President of KIT Prof. Jan Hesthaven, there were engaging presentations on the past and future of Division 3: The former dean of the KIT Department of Mechanical Engineering (MACH), Prof. Kai Furmans, looked back on the process of the division’s founding, while the dean of the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (ETIT), Prof. Eric Sax, outlined forward-looking perspectives. Martina Huber, Dr. Heiko Maaß, and Dr. Birgit Langer spoke about participation and equal opportunity.

The concluding panel discussion with President Jan Hesthaven and representatives from Division 3 focused on achievements to date, the challenges of the coming years, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between the KIT departments MACH and ETIT. In particular, greater integration and collaboration between the Helmholtz Association and the University Responsibilities were seen as a major opportunity for the future.

After the official program, a get-together with snacks in the foyer provided an opportunity to round out the evening in a relaxed atmosphere. The 10th annual celebration impressively demonstrated how much Division 3 has achieved in recent years and underscored the successful collaboration between the KIT Departments MACH and ETIT.

Our future is electric: On November 20, 2024, this phrase came to life for numerous high school students during the College Information Day: They came to KIT in large numbers or participated online to learn about degree programs in electrical engineering and information technology, medical technology, and mechatronics and information technology, among others. Introductory lectures on photovoltaics, medical engineering, and robotics provided technical insights, and guided tours of various institutes offered a behind-the-scenes look at KIT. Anyone who wanted to hear firsthand accounts from students’ perspectives could visit the student representatives’ office, where they could enjoy delicious waffles while asking any questions about their studies, KIT, and Karlsruhe.

We’re thrilled by the enthusiastic interest—see you soon at KIT!

We have received the sad news that Prof. Dostert passed away on November 1, 2024, at the age of 73.

From 1992 to 2016, Prof. Dostert was a professor at the Institute of Industrial Information Technology (IIIT) at the University of Karlsruhe, also known as the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. During this time, he was actively involved in research and teaching in areas such as integrated signal processing and powerline communication. Students, doctoral candidates, and colleagues came to know and appreciate him as a knowledgeable professor, doctoral advisor, and discussion partner.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his family. We will honor his memory.

For more than 40 years, the “Cryoelectronic Devices” workshop has brought together scientists and engineers from Germany to discuss the latest developments in the divisions of superconducting electronics and devices, cryogenic detectors, cryogenics, and related applications. This year’s workshop was hosted by the Institute of Micro- and Nanoelectronic Systems (IMS) in Bad Herrenalb. The 56 participants first attended four introductory presentations by renowned experts in the field. This was followed by three days of intensive discussion of 16 presentations and 16 poster presentations by the participants. Social gatherings in the evenings rounded out the workshop. All participants agreed that the workshop was a great success and are looking forward to meeting again next year.

Six KIT doctoral researchers would like to express their sincere thanks to the KIT Center KCETA for its financial support, which enabled them, as young scientists, to participate in the workshop.

On July 25 and 26, 2024, the Department of ETIT at KIT gathered in Leinsweiler for its annual strategy workshop. In a consistently positive and constructive atmosphere, strategic directions for the next five to ten years were set over the course of these two days. This year’s retreat also focused on designing and finalizing new degree programs, as well as developing a strategy to sustainably increase KIT’s appeal and visibility.

From July 28 to August 2, 2024, it was that time of year again: 24 middle and high school students spent a week at KIT during the fully booked Science Camp and implemented their own control systems project on the topic of “Smart Home.” College students helped them with the project. At the end of the week, family members and KIT representatives were able to admire, among other things, a T-shirt folding machine, a cat activity station, and a shelf-life monitoring system for the refrigerator. Excursions were organized to institutes on the Campus South and to EnergyLab 2.0 on the Campus North, as well as to Siemens. Of course, there was plenty of free time for fun activities, including a visit to Europabad, bouldering, and game nights. The camp, funded by the Schroff and Vector Foundations, is offered by the Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning (ZML) and the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (ETIT) and is carried out in close cooperation with the Karlsruhe Student Academy e.V. Thanks to everyone involved!

On July 23, 2024, KIT and the Karlsruhe Municipal Hospital formalized their vision for a joint medical technology campus at the West Campus (Campus West) with a “Letter of Intent” (LOI).

During the subsequent workshop, held in a “World Café” format, participants developed and refined joint ideas. Initial ideas for potential thesis topics were also already explored.

This collaboration will make the medical technology degree program even more attractive—students will benefit from excursions to the Karlsruhe Municipal Hospital, research collaborations, an extensive selection of courses, and a fully equipped teaching operating room.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration!

On July 19, 2024, numerous master’s graduates and recent Ph.D. recipients celebrated their successful completion of their studies with friends and family at the Department Day, where Dean Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eric Sax warmly welcomed them.
Last year, an impressive 439 graduates received their master’s degrees, while 69 doctoral researchers earned their coveted doctoral degrees. A truly successful conclusion!
Before an eager audience in the packed NTI lecture hall, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eric Sax spoke about the diverse solutions offered by electrical engineering and information technology for the major societal challenges of tomorrow.  The department offers a broad spectrum of innovative degree programs in this area: Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Mechatronics and Information Technology, Optics and Photonics, and Medical Technology.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrike Krewer from the Institute for Applied Materials – Electrochemical Technologies (IAM-ET) delivered the keynote address on “Electrochemical Technologies for the Energy and Raw Materials Transition”—which also served as her inaugural lecture.
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sebastian Kempf from the Institute of Micro- and Nanoelectronic Systems (IMS) provided interesting insights into the application of engineering and physical methods in his lecture titled “Superconducting Quantum Sensors—Key Technology for Precision Applications.”
After an impressive span of 50 years, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rainer Riedlinger was awarded the “Golden Doctorate” diploma in recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements in research and teaching.
The course was enlivened musically by the duo Leon Winkler (saxophone) and Daniel Salzmann (electric piano). At the reception that followed, there was ample opportunity for conversation and networking in the ITIV foyer as the afternoon drew to a close.

On June 8, 2024, many high school students, parents, and prospective bachelor’s students took the opportunity to learn about the curriculum, program structure, and career prospects of studying at the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology.

In summery weather, they attended trial lectures, information sessions, and department tours; chatted with professors and student ambassadors in the Ehrenhof; and tried out exhibits.

Ice cream and waffles were available at the student council booths.

It was a great time!

The KIT Department of ETIT is honoring PD Dr. Ioannis Anapolitanos (Institute for Analysis), upon the recommendation of students, for his outstanding teaching in the field of advanced mathematics in the Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and Medical Technology degree programs. Particular mention is made of his illustrative examples and exceptionally clear explanations of complex concepts, as well as his presentations, which are made easy to follow through the use of colors and animations. The open, personal atmosphere of his courses and the weekly office hours make it easier for students to ask individual questions. Learn more in the video.

Congratulations!

The National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina is honoring Dr. Jingyuan Xu of the KIT Institute of Microstructure Technology with the 2023 Leopoldina Prize for Young Scientists for her teaching and research achievements in the field of climate-friendly cooling. The award was presented on Monday, March 18, 2024, in Halle (Saale).

At KIT, Dr. Xu is investigating novel solid-state cooling methods that utilize the so-called elastocaloric effect in shape-memory thin films specifically optimized for this purpose. The advantages of this technology: It requires no climate-damaging refrigerants, is low-maintenance, silent, can be used anywhere, and is more efficient than conventional compressor systems. Dr. Xu’s work has the potential to pave the way for more efficient and environmentally friendly temperature control.  

We congratulate him on this award!

On April 25, 2024, it was that time of year again: KIT opened its doors on Girls’ Day to female students interested in mathematics fields. As always, the topics of electrical engineering and information technology were also on the agenda: For example, the students were able to harness the sun’s energy using solar cells, build an electric motor, or create a magical LED lamp using optical fibers. They also got to experience mobile communications and discover why the internet is actually (almost) everywhere—whether you’re sitting on a train or on the couch.

Which degree program is the best fit? Through the topMINT orientation semester, prospective students at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) were able to spend a semester getting to know the various STEM bachelor’s programs for the first time during the summer term. They received information about the program requirements, had the opportunity to practice mathematics fundamentals in separate courses, and attended lectures. The KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (ETIT) was also involved: Among other things, in the lecture series “Programs Introduce Themselves,” prospective students learned more about the bachelor’s programs in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Medical Technology, and Mechatronics and Information Technology.

The ETIT Department mourns the loss of its longtime staff member Editha Hein, who passed away suddenly on February 4, 2024. Ms. Hein had worked in the Department’s Dean’s Office since 2012, where she handled a wide range of administrative and organizational tasks. Her tremendous dedication, her broad perspective, and her willingness to help in every situation made her a key point of contact for professors, doctoral researchers, student representatives, and all her colleagues. Her death leaves a huge void in the Dean’s Office team and throughout the entire Department; she will be sorely missed. Our deepest sympathies go out to all those who were close to her.

Following the reorganization of the Council, the first joint meeting took place in December 2023. It provided an initial opportunity to get to know the other members and the Council’s role, as well as to discuss various topics. The Convention of Doctoral Researchers’ new website was presented, and participants discussed the results of the ETIT survey. The doctoral candidates shared experiences on practical topics such as exam management and developed new ideas, such as a flyer for the start of the PhD program. The lively participation in the discussions spoke for itself: It’s great to have an active ETIT doctoral candidate council again!

The new school year also marks the start of the next funding phase of the Make Your School project. The ETIT Department and the Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning are pleased to welcome six schools from Karlsruhe and the surrounding region to the KIT network. During two- or three-day hack days, students can implement their own technical projects—projects they have previously developed through a creative process. The target of each project is to improve everyday school life. For the implementation of their ideas as “proofs of concept,” the students are provided with technical resources such as tools, sensor and actuator units, and microcontrollers.

The new round kicked off in December at Helmholtz-Gymnasium Karlsruhe, with the other schools to follow through the summer break. The students are working on a wide variety of projects, ranging from a “relaxation chair” for breaks to an automated seating assignment system for the cafeteria and a tracking system for teachers. 

“Make Your School” is a project of Wissenschaft im Dialog. The Klaus Tschira Foundation is the national sponsor. The Vector Foundation is the regional sponsor for Baden-Württemberg.

Prof. Elena De Momi of the Politecnico di Milano (Italy) will be conducting research at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBT) from December 2023 through January 2024, with funding from KIT’s International Excellence Grants. Prof. De Momi is renowned in the fields of medical robotics, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. She will collaborate with Prof. Francesca Spadea’s group to develop an explainable, artificial intelligence-based system for predicting surgical outcomes for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Dr.-Ing. Alexander Marek was awarded the 2023 Dissertation Prize by the VDE Information Technology Society on November 23, 2023, in Berlin for his dissertation titled “New Type of Sub-THz Oscillator and Amplifier Systems.”

The generation of ultrashort pulses with high coherence in the lower terahertz (THz) frequency range and with power levels exceeding just a few watts is key to the development of entirely new systems in the fields of THz spectroscopy and THz diagnostics. The dissertation was completed at the Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology (IHM). Congratulations!

The ETIT Department is delighted with the high level of interest in this year’s College Information Day on November 22, 2023. At well-attended information sessions and introductory lectures, high school students learned about the degree programs and exciting research topics, and there were plenty of opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussions—both in person and online. Numerous groups also took advantage of the opportunity to take guided tours of the departments to get a behind-the-scenes look at electrical engineering and information technology at KIT. Over delicious “student council waffles,” participants were able to chat with current students and ask their questions.

On October 10, 2023, a new Board was elected by the KIT Department Council. The new dean of the department is the former Vice Dean, Prof. Eric Sax (ITIV). Prof. Thomas Zwick (IHE) succeeds him as the new KIT Vice Dean, while Prof. Marc Hiller (ETI) was reappointed as the Dean of Studies.

In his closing remarks, outgoing Dean Prof. Ulrich Lemmer addressed the particular challenges of his three-year term: The Department weathered the COVID-19 pandemic well, a period in which rapidly changing conditions required exceptional flexibility. The development of online formats, which had become necessary during this time, has now become an integral part of teaching—to the benefit of the students. Likewise, the major shift toward budget-based management in recent years has taken shape, and the Department has grown encouragingly through the appointment of numerous new professors. Collegial cooperation and effective communication within the Board and across the entire ETIT Department had been crucial to all of this. Prof. Lemmer expressed his gratitude to his colleagues on the Board—Prof. Hiller, Prof. Holzapfel, and Prof. Sax—as well as to the entire Department.

In his remarks of thanks, the newly elected dean, Prof. Sax, reaffirmed this assessment and promised to continue on the path already charted. Regarding further strategic targets and directions, the new Board will first convene and then consult with the faculty team.
 

The KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (ETIT) mourns the loss of

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus D. Müller-Glaser,

who passed away at the end of September 2023 at the age of 75 following a long illness.

Since 1993, Prof. Müller-Glaser headed the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV) and served as director of the “Electronic Systems and Microsystems” research division at the FZI Research Center for Information Technology. In addition, he served on the FZI Board as a part-time member from 1996 to 2002 and was Dean of the KIT Department of ETIT (2002–2004).

We have lost an outstanding scientist, highly regarded both nationally and internationally, and a truly influential figure.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, loved ones, and close colleagues.

In early August, 18 students spent a week of their summer vacation at KIT, where they worked together to imagine what life will be like in 2050. Based on this question, they designed small projects and, working in small groups, developed electronically controlled water dispensers, stove controls, weather stations, and sound controllers. In addition to visiting EnergyLaB 2.0 on the Campus North, they toured the Research Smart Home on the Campus South with IEH staff and learned more at the ITIV about research on “smart” objects in everyday life and automated driving. An excursion to Siemens, bouldering, swimming, and game nights rounded out the camp week. On the last day of camp, the participants were able to present their projects to their families and Dean of Studies Prof. Marc Hiller at the closing ceremony. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved at the ZML, the Karlsruhe Student Academy, and the KIT Department of ETIT, as well as to all the students who contributed!

"The Future of Analog Integrated Circuits According to Gordon Moore" was the topic of this year’s keynote address at the ETIT Department Day on July 21, 2023. For Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ahmet Cagri Ulusoy (IHE), who has held the W3 Chair in High-Speed Integrated Circuits at the KIT ETIT Department since January 1, 2019, this served as his inaugural lecture.

On Friday, July 21, 2023, Dean Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lemmer welcomed the invited guests to Department Day, an event honoring those who successfully completed their master’s degrees and doctorates, as well as recipients of awards.

Numerous master’s graduates and recent doctoral graduates accepted the invitation along with friends and family and celebrated their successful completion of their studies at the event. In total, approximately 300 master’s degrees were awarded over the past year, and 58 doctoral procedures were successfully completed with the conferral of the title Dr.-Ing.

In his welcoming remarks in the packed NTI lecture hall, Prof. Lemmer highlighted the diverse solutions offered by electrical engineering and information technology to today’s major societal challenges and promoted the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology’s degree programs. With the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Mechatronics and Information Technology, Optics & Photonics, and the recently established Medical Technology degree program, the department offers a broad portfolio of future-oriented degree programs.

The keynote lecture on “The Future of Analog Integrated Circuits According to Gordon Moore” —which also served as his inaugural lecture—was delivered by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ahmet Cagri Ulusoy, who holds the Chair of High-Speed Integrated Circuits at the Institute of Radio Frequency Engineering and Electronics (IHE).

Bachelor’s graduate Hans Kieninger received the Rohde & Schwarz Award for his outstanding bachelor's thesis in the high-frequency engineering division.

The annual celebration featured musical performances by a trio of graduates from the Karlsruhe University of Music.

The KIT ETIT Department is pleased to announce the successful completion of the habilitation process by PD Dr. rer. medic. Dr. rer. nat. Michael Hirtz, which was honored at the 2023 Department Day. As part of the habilitation colloquium on April 26, 2023, Michael Hirtz delivered a public lecture at KIT on the topic “Scanning Probe Lithography for Biomaterials and Bioelectronics.” With his authorization to teach/lecture in the field of nanotechnologies in biomedical engineering, the course offerings in medical technology will be further expanded.

Welcome to the KIT ETIT Department!

The OSKar student group at the Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics (KSOP) has won the 2023 Student Chapter Award from the Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE)!

OSKar is a student-run chapter of the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) and Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Its target is to offer students educational and networking opportunities in the divisions of optics and photonics and to promote awareness of Optica and SPIE within the broader university community.
Throughout the year, the dedicated OSKar members organize numerous courses for students and the general public.

The award recognizes the group’s “outstanding activities” in 2022 (the Board from that time is pictured).

Congratulations!

Our M.Sc. graduate Raphael Pesch was awarded the 2022 SEW EURODRIVE FOUNDATION Academic Prize on May 11, 2023.
The award was presented in recognition of his outstanding academic accomplishment and his master's thesis on “Deformation Sensing and Object Identification with Elastochromic Photonic Materials.” The master's thesis was written during a study abroad program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Mathias Kolle (MIT, LBPE) and Prof. Dr. Uli Lemmer (KIT-LTI). We congratulate the award recipient and wish the doctoral student at the Institute of Lighting Technology continued success.

At the KIT Campus Day, many students and parents took the opportunity to learn about the degree programs in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Mechatronics and Information Technology, and Medical Technology. They participated in hands-on activities, attended introductory lectures, engaged in conversations sparked by exhibits, and attended information sessions about the degree programs. During numerous, highly popular department tours, they were also able to get a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge research and technology.

We’re delighted by the tremendous interest!

We congratulate Florian Schade, Christian Maximilian Karle, and Iris Walter on winning the 2023 department teaching award from the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology!

At this year’s annual celebration, Prof. Wanner presented them with diplomas in recognition of their outstanding course, “Circuit Design Lab.” This successful course will be offered again in the next winter term. 

Congratulations!

Automated driving is particularly beneficial for public transit—both environmentally and economically. The current shortage of drivers further reinforces this trend. Researchers at the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV) are therefore collaborating with Stadtwerke München and the vehicle manufacturer EBUSCO to develop electric buses that automatically follow a lead vehicle. “Conventional articulated buses or those with passenger trailers consume too much energy and lack the flexibility needed to respond to widely fluctuating passenger numbers,” says Professor Eric Sax, director of the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV) at KIT. The solution is called “platooning.” In this system, multiple vehicles drive in close formation behind one another using electronic controls, as shown here in the video. These convoys can be adapted as needed to meet specific demands. “With platooning, only the lead vehicle needs to be driven by a driver; all others follow automatically,” explains Sax. The first prototypes of this concept, known as “platooning,” are already on the road. 

The researchers will present the project from April 17 to 21 at the 2023 Hannover Messe—at the KIT booth in the FutureHub (Hall 2, Booth B45).

Karazin Kharkiv National University in Ukraine has awarded an honorary doctorate to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Manfred Thumm of the Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology (IHM) with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his many years of successful collaboration in the fields of plasma physics and microwave tube technology.
The decision to award this honor was made on January 24, 2022.

Due to the war in Ukraine, the diploma was presented on March 9, 2023, during a ceremony in the KIT Senate Hall by the Dean of the School of Physics and Technology, Prof. Igor Girka, on behalf of the Rector of Kharkiv University, Prof. Tetyana Kaganovska. The ceremony was opened by KIT’s Vice President for Technology Transfer and International Affairs, Prof. Thomas Hirth, and featured musical accompaniment by the German-Ukrainian Mixed Choir of Karlsruhe.

Finding available bike racks—buying the cheapest pretzel near the school—listening to Mozart in the school restroom... For these and other “hacks” from everyday school life, 44 students from the Bismarck Gymnasium in Karlsruhe developed electronic solutions. They had access to technical tools such as equipment, sensor units, and microcontrollers. For two days, they worked in small groups on eight projects, supervised by KIT students who provided technical guidance as they assisted with the implementation of their projects.

The Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning (ZML), which led the organization, was on site to provide support with its Science Camp team, and at the end, certificates were presented by the Dean of Studies of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Prof. Marc Hiller.

“Make Your School” is a project of Wissenschaft im Dialog. The Klaus Tschira Foundation is the national sponsor. The Vector Foundation is the regional sponsor for Baden-Württemberg.

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded an Advanced Grant to optoelectronics researcher Uli Lemmer of the Light Technology Institute (LTI). The ORTHOGONAL project aims to develop and test a cost-effective and scalable process for manufacturing thermoelectric generators (TEGs). TEGs directly convert ambient heat into electrical energy and offer a wide range of possibilities for recovering unused waste heat. The ERC will fund the project with 2.4 million euros over the next five years.

“Uli Lemmer has been driving the development of new technologies for a sustainable and resource-efficient society for many years,” says Professor Oliver Kraft, Vice President for Research at KIT. “His projects in printed electronics combine world-class materials research with new concepts for electronic components.”

Link to the KIT press release

Congratulations!

Photovoltaic technologies are cornerstones of all future scenarios for a sustainable energy supply. Currently, the class of materials known as perovskite semiconductors is considered particularly promising for the solar cells of the future. With the “LAMI-PERO” project, tenure-track professor Ulrich W. Paetzold (Institute of Microstructure Technology) aims to develop a radically new and promising fabrication process for this technology and has been awarded the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant for this work.

The target of the project is to gain a fundamental understanding of how perovskite thin films form under high pressure, as well as to discover more stable and novel compositions of perovskite semiconductors, thereby enabling the production of highly efficient perovskite solar cells and tandem solar cells.
Congratulations!

Link to the KIT press release

On January 16, 2023, Division Head Joachim Knebel and ETIT professors Sebastian Kempf (IMS), Christian Koos (IMT/IPQ), and Ulrich Lemmer (IMT/LTI), along with other colleagues from KIT, kicked off the active construction phase of the Karlsruhe Center for Optics and Photonics (KCOP) research infrastructure (FIS) with a groundbreaking ceremony. A state-of-the-art infrastructure platform for micro- and nanofabrication is being built on KIT’s Campus North. Starting in 2026, it will provide research groups in the fundamentals of engineering and engineering basics with more than 2,000 square meters of cleanroom and laboratory space.

This will open up unique opportunities for students and researchers in the ETIT Department to fabricate high-frequency photonic components, novel solar cells, sensors, and quantum technology components.

On January 1, 2023, Prof. Maria Francesca Spadea assumed the professorship in Modeling and Simulation in Medical Technology at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (succeeding Prof. Olaf Dössel). Her research focuses on the development of image-guided methods for planning and simulation in high-precision radiation therapy (including proton and carbon-ion therapy). In addition, she works on the implementation of AI-based computational tools to improve strategies for patient stratification in diagnosis and therapy. Her teaching focuses on medical imaging, biomedical instruments, and image processing techniques.

On November 25, 2022, Prof. Eric Sax, director of the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV), and Frank Heusch, principal of Balthasar-Neumann School 1 in Bruchsal, signed a cooperation agreement in the presence of District Administrator Dr. Christoph Schnaudigel. The idea is that students who get a taste of college life while still in school or learn about the university through internships will develop an early enthusiasm for the fields of electrical engineering and information technology.

Prior to the event, Prof. Sax gave a presentation on the electrical and information engineering programs at KIT as well as the institute’s research areas. The ITIV team discussed the degree program with the interested and highly motivated students, presented its research demonstrator on the topic of “automotive OTA updates,” and answered questions.

Giovanni De Carne has led the Helmholtz junior research group on Real-Time System Integration for Energy Technologies at the Institute of Technical Physics (ITEP) since 2020 and was appointed to a W1 tenure-track professorship in November 2022. As part of the Energy Lab, he will focus on real-time simulation, Energy Storage Systems (Department), and the integration of power electronics into power grids, as well as Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop technology.

Giovanni De Carne was also honored as “Researcher of the Month” for November 2022 by the Helmholtz Association’s Energy Research Division. Learn more about his research in this interview.

Effective October 1, 2022, Prof. Mike Barth will assume the Chair in Networked Secure Automation Technology (SEW Endowed Chair) at the Institute for Control and Regulation Technology (IRS). His research interests include information modeling in the engineering and operation of automation systems. These include, among others, digital twins, AI in automation, robotics, and modeling and simulation. He will also cover these topics in his teaching, for example in Digital Twin Engineering and in the fundamentals of automation technology.

Basic chemicals, which are needed as raw materials for a wide range of products such as medications and detergents, can currently only be produced with enormous amounts of energy and raw materials, often relying on fossil fuels and raw materials. The target of the ETOS Future Cluster, co-led by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), is to develop more sustainable processes based on electrolysis. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding ETOS as one of seven projects in the Clusters4Future competition. 

Using specialized electrolysis processes for the production of fine chemicals, ETOS aims to make a significant contribution to the defossilization of the chemical industry. The KIT team led by Ulrike Krewer brings an engineering perspective to the project. “The advantage is that no waste is produced when a reaction is triggered using electricity. It’s a ‘clean’ process, allows for mild synthesis conditions, and is inherently safe,” says Dr. Philipp Röse from the Institute for Applied Materials – Electrochemical Technologies (IAM-ET). “This involves improving individual components, such as electrodes, as well as entire demonstrators and even the complete process chain in large-scale plants,” explains Röse.

Read more in the KIT press release

On Friday, September 23, 2022, the Light Technology Institute (LTI)—one of KIT’s “flagship institutes”—had every reason to celebrate, according to Prof. h.c. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Knebel, Head of Division III – Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Dr. Thomas Hirth, KIT Vice President for Technology Transfer and International Affairs, praised the LTI’s innovative strength, which has given rise to numerous spin-offs.

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Uli Lemmer and Prof. Dr. Cornelius Neumann shed light on the highs and lows of the LTI’s 100-year history before an audience of numerous former and current doctoral candidates and LTI staff members. The two keynote speakers, Dr. Matthias Wissert (“CO₂ Laser Systems for EUV Lithography”) and Dr. Wolfgang Huhn (“The Future of Automotive Lighting”), provided fascinating insights into current areas of application.

Dr.-Ing. h.c. Franz-Josef Bierbrauer, Chairman of the University Association for Lighting Technology (HfL), moderated the ceremony.

Click here for the program of the LTI’s 100th-anniversary celebration.

In the end, the basil plant hadn’t dried up despite the intense heat: 21 students successfully designed and programmed automated irrigation systems as part of the ETIT Science Camp. From July 31 to August 5, 2022, they worked in groups on this project, supported by students and staff from the Student Academy and the ZML. In addition, there were excursions to Campus North and Siemens, as well as a guided tour of the Institute for Information Processing Technology. A dip at the Europabad was a must, and of course, there was plenty of fun to be had at the youth hostel.

We’re looking forward to the next Science Camp!

On Faculty Day, the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (ETIT) looks back on the notable events, appointments, degrees awarded, and honors from the past academic year.

Dean Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ulrich Lemmer welcomed participants and guests to this year’s annual celebration on Friday, July 22, 2022, and made a passionate appeal to the graduates and award recipients to commit to the successful implementation of the Energy transition and to promote the study of electrical engineering, mechatronics, information technology, and medical technology at KIT.

This year’s keynote address on the topic “Liquid Hydrogen, Superconductivity, and Electrical Engineering—A Team with High Levels of Sustainability” —which also served as her inaugural lecture—was delivered by Prof. Dr. Tabea Arndt (ITEP), who has held the W3 Chair in Superconducting Magnetic Technology at KIT’s ETIT Department since October 2019.

For their outstanding bachelor’s degrees, B.Sc. graduates Fabian Osterberg, Sven Norbert Becker, and Marco Gast were awarded the IPP Prize by the Kronmüller Foundation. The graduates of the master’s programs and the doctoral candidates of the KIT ETIT Department were also honored at the ceremony. For her outstanding dissertation titled “Machine Learning Tool for Transmission Capacity Forecasting of Overhead Lines based on Distributed Weather Data,” Dr.-Ing. Gabriela Molinar received the 2021 Dissertation Prize from the Friedrich and Elisabeth Boysen Foundation.

The annual celebration was accompanied by a wonderful musical performance by a trio of graduates from the Karlsruhe University of Music.

For her outstanding dissertation titled “Machine Learning Tool for Transmission Capacity Forecasting of Overhead Lines Based on Distributed Weather Data,” Dr.-Ing. Gabriela Molinar was awarded the 2021 Dissertation Prize by the Friedrich and Elisabeth Boysen Foundation. The KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (ETIT) honored the award winner during the 2022 Department Day and extends its warmest congratulations!

Magnetic resonance is the most chemically specific and, at the same time, the most versatile measurement method for obtaining detailed information about the structure and function of molecular matter. The KIT’s HyPERion Collaborative Research Center (CRC) aims to improve the method in terms of sensitivity, robustness, and applicability. The German Research Foundation (DFG) will fund the interdisciplinary consortium for four years starting July 1, 2022, with more than 10.6 million euros. Among other goals, the volume of high-performance magnetic resonance systems is to be reduced from two cubic meters to the size of a 10-liter bucket—a reduction by a factor of more than 200. This miniaturization would make magnetic resonance accessible even to those with smaller budgets, such as chemical and pharmaceutical plants, medical practices, or border crossings. “Ultimately, the goal is to explore new and exciting applications ranging from chemistry and biology to chemical process engineering,” said SFB spokesperson Professor Jan G. Korvink of KIT’s Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT).

Read more in the KIT press release

Anyone who decides to pursue a degree in the sciences today can expect not only to earn the desired academic qualification but also to gain skills in addressing ethical dilemmas. This topic is the focus of the new, KIT-wide, modular online course “ARs ReflecTIonis,” which was developed by the KIT Academy for Responsible Research, Teaching, and Innovation (ARRTI), which also oversees the course. The course covers the fundamentals of ethics and responsibility, normative reasoning, and the methodology of ethical reflection. It also focuses on understanding and evaluating issues of responsibility within one’s own field of study. The course can be taken at the HoC as a key competency(-ies) worth 2 LP. It can be started at any time and consists of videos, additional study materials, and optional Q&A sessions and workshops with the instructors.

More information about the Ars Reflectionis course

For his outstanding scientific achievements in the field of efficient design of dynamically reconfigurable embedded systems, particularly for safety-critical applications, Professor Jürgen Becker was awarded the 2022 Robert Piloty Prize by TU Darmstadt President Prof. Dr. Tanja Brühl. The award, which TU Darmstadt presents biennially to two recipients for outstanding achievements in computer science, electrical engineering and information technology, and applied mathematics, comes with a total prize of 10,000 euros and a medal. Congratulations!

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Olaf Dössel and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ellen Ivers-Tiffée were honored by the department council for their outstanding scientific achievements.

KIT approved the request from the Division and faculty leadership to appoint Prof. Dössel, who recently retired, as a Distinguished Senior Fellow. Prof. Dössel is active in three academies of sciences and international professional associations, among other things, and serves as a reviewer in his field of medical technology.

Prof. Ivers-Tiffée’s status as a Distinguished Senior Fellow was extended in recognition of her excellent contributions to date: Among other things, she has served as a senator for the DFG, maintained active membership in the Leopoldina and acatech, and provided various expert reviews in her field of batteries and fuel cells.

Prof. Dössel and Prof. Ivers-Tiffée are highly regarded in the scientific community both nationally and internationally and contribute significantly to KIT’s visibility.
We congratulate them on this special honor!

On May 28, 2022, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Zwick was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Informatics at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) in Hungary. The ceremony, which included the formal presentation of the diploma, took place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the auditorium of BME in Budapest, Hungary.

Congratulations!

The new bachelor's program in Medical Technology focuses on electrical engineering and information technology. It recognizes that research and development of new medical devices take place at the intersection of engineering, computer science, the natural sciences, and medicine: Students learn the engineering fundamentals while also gaining practical experience in clinical settings early on and engaging with the unique perspectives of medical professionals.

The degree program has restricted admission, and students can enroll at any time during the winter term. The application deadline is July 15.

More information is available in the KIT press release

At the students’ recommendation, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marc Hiller (ETI) is being honored for his outstanding teaching and exceptional dedication as Dean of Studies to the continuous improvement of hybrid instruction. Particular recognition is given to the courses “Electric Machines and Power Converters” and “Practical Power Electronics Systems and High-Power Converters.”

Through the department teaching awards, the KIT Executive Board recognizes research- and application-oriented teaching modules as well as courses at the KIT departments that are distinguished by new forms of teaching and learning, interdisciplinarity, and the high relevance of the subject matter taught.

Watch the video to learn more about the department teaching award.

Congratulations!

On Saturday, May 14, amid glorious summer weather, the ETIT Department presented exciting topics in electrical engineering, information technology, mechatronics, and medical technology at a vibrant hands-on fair for prospective students.

From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., high school students, parents, and other interested visitors could try out the hands-on exhibits and learn about the subject areas and their applications through introductory lectures and informational sessions.

In addition, there were numerous guided tours of the departments, and many advisors were on hand to answer questions about the degree programs in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Mechatronics and Information Technology, and Medical Technology.

We look forward to the next Campus Day!

On May 12, 2022, 50 students from the bachelor’s and master’s programs in Electrical Engineering and Mechatronics visited PCIM Europe 2022, the world’s largest and most important trade show in the field of power electronics, held at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center. The students set off in two tour buses, accompanied by ten doctoral candidates and workshop staff from the ETI (Institute of Electrical Engineering). At the trade show, the students were able to gain an overview of new technologies and trends in the field of power electronics. This industry, which is central to the implementation of the energy and mobility transition, is currently experiencing strong growth; as a result, after two trade shows were canceled due to the pandemic—with the exception of Chinese companies—all major manufacturers were once again represented in the exhibition halls. While visiting the exhibition booths, which featured many practical examples and products, the students were also able to speak directly with development and application engineers and ask them questions about current products as well as their roles within the companies. As part of the supporting program, the European Center for Power Electronics (ECPE) organized informative lectures for the students and provided ample refreshments.

Due to the event’s great popularity and the many positive impressions it left, PCIM 2023 will once again be the target for an excursion for interested students—date: Thursday, May 11, 2023.

The jury of the Josef Wund Foundation unanimously decided to award Prof. Dr. Bryce Richards and Prof. Dr. Andrea Schäfer the 2022 Undine Award and 20,000 euros in prize money for their research project on producing drinking water from salty brackish water. For over 20 years, the team has been dedicated to producing drinking water using newly developed membrane technology and harnessing wind and solar energy. Prof. Bryce Richards of the ETIT Institute of Microstructure Technology is responsible for the energy supply and emphasizes: “Drinking water shortages and a lack of access to electricity often go hand in hand. That’s why a self-sufficient energy supply was a central part of the development.” Schäfer and Richards plan to invest the prize money directly into the implementation of their project: The next step is a “living lab” as a long-term study involving ten plants in Africa. 

Read more in the KIT press release.

The “Strategic Career Planning for Women” initiative for female students and (post-)doctoral candidates in KIT’s Division 3 has entered its second round. On the topic “Role Model or Quota Woman?” on Monday, January 24, 2022, featured an interview in which two role models from the scientific community were interviewed by a doctoral candidate and an undergraduate student. In addition, small networking groups of 10 to 15 people were formed, which will continue to meet independently going forward.

The Gender Equity 1 initiative, “Strategic Career Planning for Women,” successfully kicked off with its launch event on Monday, December 13, 2021. At the online event, 110 interested female students and (post)doctoral candidates from KIT’s Division 3 gathered to discuss entering the workforce, career planning, and the importance of networking. Four role models from industry and academia shared their experiences during a panel discussion. The newly founded women’s network will now meet regularly for informal get-togethers and networking events. The next course will take place on January 24, 2022, starting at 7:00 p.m. Interested women from Division 3 are welcome to contact Annika Frede (annika frede ∂does-not-exist.kit edu) or Janika Wagner (janika.wagner@kit.edu).

For the current 2021–22 winter term, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has introduced hybrid course offerings that combine in-person courses with digital participation. The target is to offer as much in-person teaching as possible despite the current infection control measures. At the same time, the goal is to ensure that students who cannot attend in person can still make progress in their studies. “It was important to me to be able to offer in-person teaching again this semester,” says Professor Marc Hiller of the Institute of Electrical Engineering. He delivers his lecture “Electric Machines and Power Converters” as a live stream via the Zoom video conferencing software and subsequently makes the recording available to students.

Read more in the KIT press release.

A smart digital pen designed to help students learn handwriting is being developed as part of the German-French project “Kaligo-based Intelligent Handwriting Teacher” (KIHT). KIT is coordinating this collaborative project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. As part of the project, KIT researchers are investigating artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that make it possible to reconstruct a handwritten trace and interpret handwriting. The smart learning tool is intended to benefit as many students as possible. 

“Using the intelligent digital pen in conjunction with appropriate computer programs makes it possible to provide automated support for learning handwriting. This gives teachers and parents more freedom to focus on creative and communicative tasks,” explains Professor Jürgen Becker, director of the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV).

Read more in the KIT press release.

The share of renewable energy in the electricity mix is increasing.

Since solar and wind energy are fluctuating—that is, they vary depending on the time of day and weather conditions—high-performance energy storage systems are needed in the public power grid to ensure a stable supply. Conventional approaches using established technologies combine many battery cells into a single large energy storage system. 

The research project “Lifespan-Optimized Integration of Modular Energy Storage Systems into Power Grids” (LeMoStore) is pursuing a new approach: It aims to flexibly combine multiple small battery modules based on different storage technologies and connect them efficiently to the power grid. “Charging and discharging power are strategically allocated to maximize the service life of the battery modules while simultaneously meeting the application-specific requirements of the power grid,” explains Prof. Dr. Marc Hiller of the Institute of Electrical Engineering (ETI).

Read more in the KIT press release.

Some vehicles today are equipped with over 100 control units. The high complexity of electrical and electronic systems continues to increase, yet these systems must remain safe and manageable. The “Software-Defined Car” (SofDCar) project aims to establish standardized rules and processes for this interaction among electronic components in the vehicle.

The research group led by Prof. Eric Sax (ITIV) is contributing to the SofDCar project by addressing topics such as vehicle control via the air interface (“Control over the Air”) and corresponding adjustments to the EE architecture.

Read more in the KIT press release.

In very personal remarks, ETIT Dean Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ulrich Lemmer welcomed participants and guests to this year’s annual celebration on Friday, October 15, 2021—one of the Department’s first major in-person courses/lectures in over two semesters—with 3G checks and a mask mandate. The event looked back on notable events, appointments, achievements, and awards from the past two academic years.

Focusing on the major, socially relevant ETIT topics of the future—information and communication, automation and digitalization, mobility, energy, and health—Prof. Lemmer provided insight into the institutes’ application-oriented research, such as their participation in the BMBF-funded Open6GHub project, and current developments at the KIT ETIT Department, such as the introduction of a new degree program in medical technology, scheduled to launch in the winter semester of 2022/23.

This year’s keynote address on the topic “Communication at the Limit—Data Transmission at the Boundary” was delivered by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Laurent Schmalen (CEL), who has held the W3 Chair in Communication Systems at the KIT Department of ETIT since April 2019.

For their outstanding bachelor’s degrees, Timo Kappler (2020) and Jonathan Mandelbaum (2021) each received the Rohde & Schwarz Prize, worth 1,000€. Also honored for their outstanding bachelor’s degrees were B.Sc. graduates Ludwig Haide, Jonas Linkerhägner, Erion Syla, Franz Kaschner, Lukas Rapp, and Olaf Dünkel. They received the IPP Prize from the Kronmüller Foundation, worth 800€. The graduates of the master’s programs as well as the doctoral candidates of the KIT Department of ETIT were also honored at the ceremony.

The annual celebration was accompanied by a wonderful musical performance—a classical arrangement by a trio of graduates from the Karlsruhe University of Music.

Colleagues from Prof. Eric Sax’s research group effectively represented the ITIV at ELIV (Electronics in Vehicles), which took place in Bonn on October 20–21, 2021.
ELIV is the industry gathering for automotive electronics in Germany and a meeting place for OEMs, suppliers, and tool manufacturers looking to learn about the latest developments and innovations.
With the further-optimized demonstrator of the lane-keeping assist system on the treadmill and, for the first time, a display of the TEMPUS bus platooning project in Munich (on a 1:87 scale), conversations quickly turned to background information and technical topics.

Prof. Dr. Ulrike Krewer (IAM-ET) has been appointed to the “Battery Research Germany” Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The advisory board’s responsibilities include developing and evaluating proposals, as well as formulating recommendations on funding programs and thematic clusters.

More on battery research

Effective October 1, 2021, Prof. Dr. Jasmin Aghassi-Hagmann was appointed to the W3 professorship in “Electronic Components and Systems in Future Technologies.” Her current research focuses on 2D and 3D printed electronics. Knowledge of manufacturing using digital processes such as inkjet printing, laser writing, and thin-film technology, as well as research into device physics—including the interfacial properties of thin films—plays a crucial role in this work. In her research group, she also addresses theoretical questions regarding electronic transport in order to develop complete design systems through empirical modeling and thereby describe electronic systems in terms of their overall functionality. As part of the newly established professorship, Dr. Aghassi-Hagmann intends to address, in addition to the topics mentioned above, interdisciplinary questions regarding future information technologies in which additively manufactured electronic components are intelligently integrated with and interact alongside silicon systems.

At the start of summer break, a group of students gathered at KIT to explore topics related to regulation and control at the ETIT Science Camp. The students were supported by ETIT student ambassadors, mentors from the Karlsruhe Student Academy e.V., and the Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning. The target was to develop their own automated irrigation system. At the end, all teams were able to present their successful solutions to ETIT Dean of Studies Prof. Hiller.

The week’s program also included, among other things, a guided tour of the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV) and a visit to EnergyLab 2.0 on Campus North.

The science camp was organized by the Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning (ZML) in cooperation with the KIT ETIT Department.

Reliable and high-performance communication networks are of great importance to an economy and society that are becoming increasingly digital. Seventeen partners are collaborating on the Open6GHub project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with approximately 67 million euros. Under the headship of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Zwick (IHE), KIT is participating with a total of ten research groups in the development and implementation of intelligent communication networks and the next generation of mobile communications, 6G, and is receiving 12 million euros in funding.

“At KIT, our research in this project includes mobile access points in the terahertz range with direct fiber-optic connections, for example for applications in modern manufacturing environments,” says Thomas Zwick.

Link to the KIT press release

Electric and automated buses could make local public transportation safer and more efficient. The problem: Articulated buses or those with passenger trailers consume too much energy and aren’t flexible enough to respond to widely fluctuating passenger numbers. The solution: platooning. In this system, multiple vehicles travel in close formation behind one another using electronic controls. These convoys can be adapted as needed to meet current demand.

“With platooning, only the lead vehicle needs to be driven by a driver; all following vehicles can follow automatically,” explains Professor Eric Sax, director of the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV) at KIT.

A purely electronic and IT-based connection—rather than a physical one, as in platooning—allows entire vehicles to be linked. “Since standard vehicle types are used, electrification is simpler and more cost-effective,” says the expert. “We are now developing concepts for the platooning of city buses and, subsequently, the corresponding algorithms for automation,” says Nicole Rossel of the ITIV.

The TEMPUS project “Munich Test Field – Pilot Project for Urban Automated Road Traffic,” involving project partners such as KIT, SWM, and EBUSCO, among others, launched in early 2021 and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) with approximately 12 million euros for a duration of two and a half years. “Our target is to get the new vehicles on the road by the middle of the decade,” says Prof. Sax.

Read more in the KIT press release.

The automated, driverless, electric vehicle concept developed as part of the U-Shift project—in which the ITIV (Prof. Sax’s group) is participating—was honored with the German Innovation Award in the category “Excellence in Business-to-Business Automotive Technologies.” What makes it unique is the trailer-swapping principle in the form of a capsule, which allows for the transport of both passengers and cargo as needed. ITIV is responsible for designing the electrical/electronic architecture of this highly innovative vehicle.

Kristina Geistert, M.Sc., was awarded the 2020 SEW EURODRIVE FOUNDATION Academic Prize on May 7, 2021.

The award was presented in recognition of her outstanding accomplishment and her master's thesis on “The Fabrication of Perovskite Solar Cells Using Non-Hazardous Volatile Solvent Systems.” We congratulate the award recipient and wish the doctoral candidate at the Institute of Lighting Technology continued success.

In nature, plant-based fragrances attract insects, for example. But they are also used in industry, such as in the production of perfumes and flavorings. To reliably, quickly, and objectively distinguish the scents of mint in particular, researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed an electronic nose with an artificial sense of smell as part of an interdisciplinary collaboration: It can identify different types of mint with high precision—making it suitable for applications ranging from pharmaceutical quality control to the study of mint oil as an environmentally friendly bioherbicide.

Link to the KIT press release

The Mu3e experiment, which will study the decay of muons, is currently being set up at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, Switzerland. Muons are elementary particles similar to electrons but with a significantly higher mass. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has now approved a grant application from a research group at the Universities of Heidelberg and Mainz, as well as the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which is playing a key role in the construction of Mu3e. KIT will receive approximately one million euros for its contributions.

Various physical theories predict that, in rare cases, muons can decay into three electrons. However, according to the so-called Standard Model of particle physics, this decay is extremely unlikely. This model describes all known elementary particles and the interactions between them. Observing this decay would therefore point to a new kind of physics.

“Our research group at KIT is responsible for the development and production of innovative sensors for measuring electrons,” explains Ivan Peric, deputy director of the Institute for Data Processing and Electronics at KIT. The research group has developed so-called HV-CMOS pixel sensors. These sensors can measure individual elementary particles as well as photons. In addition to high-energy physics, their applications include medicine and electron microscopy, among others.

At the Hannover Messe, the world’s leading industrial trade fair, which took place this year as a digital event from April 12–16, 2021, topics such as Industry 4.0, the digitalization of industrial processes, supply chain management, and electric mobility took center stage.

Prof. Eric Sax delivered a presentation titled “Software Architecture for Future Car Generations” and participated in the subsequent panel discussion. He outlined the development of vehicle architecture, beginning about 20 years ago with the rain sensor, and provided insights into the future of autonomous driving.

The theme of digital teaching was central to the selection process for this year’s teaching award. From the students’ perspective, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ahmet Cagri Ulusoy stood out particularly in the courses “Electronic Circuits” (Bachelor’s) and “Radio Frequency Electronics” (Master’s) due to his innovative digital approach. In the Bachelor’s course, students praised, among other things, short exercise videos, clear summaries, and active discussion in the forum. The Master’s course impressed with a well-thought-out “inverted classroom” concept.

Congratulations!

Video on the 2021 KIT department teaching award

As the number of electric cars increases significantly, so does the importance of charging infrastructure and grid security strategies. If electric cars are charged primarily at the start of the workday or after work, they cause peak loads on the power grid during those times. These could be avoided if the entire time the vehicle is parked were used for charging. According to a study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the average operating time of passenger cars is only 45 minutes per day. In the SKALE project, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), together with its partners Robert Bosch GmbH and Power Innovation Stromversorgungstechnik GmbH, is therefore developing a scalable charging system featuring a photovoltaic system, a stationary lithium-ion storage unit, and a medium-voltage grid connection.

“The new approach is intended to offer a forward-looking infrastructure solution for any parking area with a large number of charging points and to efficiently integrate decentralized energy sources,” said Professor Marc Hiller of the Institute of Electrical Engineering (ETI) at KIT.
 

Read more in the KIT press release

Since the beginning of the year, a novel neural z-vertex track trigger for the Belle II detector has been developed and put into operation at ITIV by Prof. Jürgen Becker’s team, in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Physics (MPI) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The Belle II experiment is a globally renowned particle accelerator project at the KEK Research Center in Tsukuba, Japan, which achieves the world’s highest luminosities. Inside the SuperKEKB accelerator, electrons and positrons collide to search for rare decay processes. Among other things, this research addresses the question of why there is more matter than antimatter in the universe. The goal of the Neural z-Vertex Track Trigger project is to use FPGA-based neural networks (FPGAs: Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) to develop novel hardware solutions in detector technology for estimating, as precisely as possible in real time, the particle tracks produced by collisions between electrons and protons. These hardware-integrated estimation methods make it possible to determine whether a particle track originates from the collision point or whether it is, for example, background noise. This allows the correct events to be reliably detected in real time during the experiment and unwanted information to be filtered out.

“In such complex physics experiments, we technologists must detect the relevant signals from an immense amount of data within a few millionths of a second, filter them out appropriately, and store them,” explains Prof. Becker, who, together with his team at ITIV, is working to advance these new developments in detector electronics. “In order to achieve the highest possible collision rates and luminosities at SuperKEKB, the unusable data—in particular ‘background noise’—must be filtered out in real time using appropriate selection methods.”

In this context, interdisciplinary, cross-faculty bachelor’s and master’s theses are being conducted at KIT, giving numerous students the opportunity to engage in research directly on a major international research project. With the new, operational neural z-vertex track trigger, a very important and tangible milestone has been reached.

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Effective March 1, 2021, Ulrich W. Paetzold was appointed as a junior professor to the tenure-track position in Next Generation Photovoltaics at the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology in Division III. Ulrich W. Paetzold and his interdisciplinary team are developing and researching new materials, cutting-edge device architectures, and innovative fabrication processes for perovskite photovoltaics. The tremendous progress in perovskite research makes this material system a promising candidate for high-performance and cost-effective solar cells.

On February 4, 2021, Dr.-Ing. Oliver Sander delivered his (online) inaugural lecture on the topic “Heterogeneous Systems as a Key Technology for Tb/s Data Acquisition in Physics,” which was attended by a large number of members of the Department of Physics.

This marks the completion of his habilitation process, and he was awarded the title of “Privatdozent.” Dr.-Ing. Oliver Sander will represent the field of “Heterogeneous Real-Time-Capable Computer Architectures and Systems” in research, teaching, and innovation at KIT.

The Department congratulates him on this distinction and wishes Mr. Sander all the best.

Software and hardware for networked embedded systems must meet the highest standards for security, real-time performance, and energy and resource efficiency. In the XANDAR project, coordinated by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), eight partners from academia and industry—including ITIV with the research group led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Becker—are developing a complete toolchain (toolchain) for software development and hardware-software integration for complex applications on future processor platforms, such as in autonomous vehicles and for future urban air mobility concepts. The European Commission is funding the project with a total of approximately five million euros.

Most computers operate behind the scenes—as embedded systems in a wide variety of applications, ranging from automobiles to industrial machinery, medical devices, and household appliances. For interconnected embedded systems used in complex applications, future development depends heavily on artificial intelligence and machine learning. The software must not only fulfill specific functions but also meet so-called non-functional requirements, such as security, data protection, reliability, accuracy, real-time capability, and energy and resource efficiency. Autonomous vehicles and drones, for example, must be protected against failures as well as unauthorized interference to safeguard people, machines, and the environment from harm. 

Refinement Step by Step

“The parameters relevant to non-functional requirements must be determined early in the software development process and consistently implemented throughout further system development,” explains Professor Jürgen Becker, spokesperson for the Institute’s leadership at KIT’s Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV). The engineering scientist is coordinating the new EU project XANDAR (X-by-Construction Design Framework for Engineering Autonomous & Distributed Real-time Embedded Software Systems).
More in the KIT press release

A team led by Prof. Laurent Schmalen from CEL has won this year's "Best Paper Award" from the IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology. The award honors the paper that has been cited most frequently over the past three years. The award-winning paper focuses on the application of machine learning to optimize novel data transmission formats for optical communications. You can access the paper via this link.

Effective November 2, 2020, the President of KIT conferred the title of “Adjunct Professor” upon PD Dr. rer. nat. Francesco Grilli. KIT thereby recognizes his successful work in research and teaching.

Dr. Grilli is a research group leader at the Institute of Technical Physics and leads the research topic “Modeling of Superconductors and Components” within the research field “Superconducting Energy Technology Applications.”

We are delighted about this honor and wish Associate Professor Grilli continued success.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Laurent Schmalen of the ETIT Institute CEL has received a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for his project “RENEW – Reinventing Energy Efficiency in Communication Networks.” In this project, Professor Schmalen is working to reduce the complexity and energy consumption of communication systems in order to make them more efficient and environmentally friendly. The ERC will fund the project with up to two million euros over the next five years.

The demand for data-intensive communication services, such as video streaming, continues to grow exponentially. The increasing data traffic can only be managed if the complexity of data processing in the networks’ transmitting and receiving devices is radically reduced. In addition, the global communications network accounts for a significant portion of global energy consumption. In the “RENEW” project, Professor Laurent Schmalen and his team are working on solutions to reduce both the complexity and the power consumption of communications technology, enabling higher data rates and greater environmental sustainability. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques, the researchers are streamlining the cost-intensive algorithms in the receivers. These algorithms are broken down into their individual components and reassembled using AI methods to achieve the desired balance between high performance on the one hand and low energy consumption on the other. In preliminary studies, the scientists have already succeeded, among other things, in significantly simplifying the decoding of certain error-correcting codes. Since error correction in the receiver typically consumes the most energy, this approach holds enormous potential for the design and implementation of energy-efficient communication technology.

 

Effective November 2, 2020, the President of KIT conferred the title of “adjunct professor” upon PD Dr.-Ing. Alexander Colsmann. KIT thereby recognizes his successful work in research and teaching.

Dr. Colsmann is a researcher at the Institute of Lighting Technology and represents the research area of “Organic Optoelectronics.” He leads a research group at the Material Research Center for Energy Systems (MZE).

We are delighted about this honor and wish Associate Professor Colsmann continued success.

At its first meeting on October 28, 2020, the KIT Department Council for ETIT elected Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Uli Lemmer as the new dean. Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Bernhard Holzapfel (Vice Dean) and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marc Hiller (Dean of Studies, ETIT) were confirmed in their positions.

As dean, Prof. Lemmer (LTI) succeeds Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fernando Puente León (IIIT), who passed away suddenly this summer. Prof. Holzapfel (ITEP) and Prof. Hiller (ETI) were confirmed as Vice Dean and Dean of Studies, respectively.

We are pleased that this composition ensures continuity in the Department’s leadership. The KIT ETIT Department extends its gratitude to the previous Executive Commission and the Department’s management team for their work over the past two years.

The KIT ETIT Department and the Division 3 leadership warmly congratulate the new department leadership on their election and wish them every success in meeting the challenges ahead!

Connecting business and academia, implementing projects quickly, and successfully bringing them to market: That is the target of the new innovation platform “ITK InnoLab,” which the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), ITK Engineering GmbH, and the Technical University of Kaiserslautern jointly founded in Rülzheim on October 1, 2020.

The platform gives students from the region the opportunity to participate intensively in projects, enabling them to benefit from practical knowledge and apply scientific findings in the business world. Researchers from KIT’s Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV) and the Chair of Pervasive Computing Systems (PCS) are responsible for identifying and selecting suitable students as well as providing them with subsequent academic guidance.

“Linking theoretical knowledge with practical testing is crucial for the feasibility of research results. Together with ITK, we want to show our students how to turn research findings into innovations that create jobs and prosperity, particularly in the South Palatinate region,” says Wilhelm Stork of KIT.  The focus is on the research fields of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, as well as digital platforms and new business models. The project will initially run through 2025.

With the ceremonial laying of the first cornerstone by Professor Olaf Dössel (IBT), chairman of the Studentenwohnheim e.V., along with Ingrid Schroff, chairwoman of the Schroff Foundations and honorary senator of KIT, and Susanne Schroff, vice chairwoman of the foundation, work on the Schroff Kolleg began on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

“We are creating affordable, high-quality housing and fostering intercultural coexistence among all students,” said Dössel in his opening remarks. In total, the new residence hall will accommodate 103 students. It is being built on Hagsfelder Allee, about one kilometer from KIT’s Campus South, with the Hans-Dickmann-Kolleg (HaDiKo) residence halls located in the immediate vicinity. The Schroff Foundations are supporting the construction project with one million euros. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2022.

At 68 years old, KIT e.V.’s student housing association is one of the oldest student housing providers in Karlsruhe and the largest private provider of student housing in Germany. To date, the association operates student housing at four locations in Karlsruhe with a total of 1,276 rooms, 999 of which are in HaDiKo alone. Because they provide affordable housing, the institutions are particularly popular among international students—who currently make up about 35% of the residents.

What makes the association special—and unique in Germany—is that the students largely handle the administration of the dormitories themselves: Residents independently handle organizational tasks such as assigning rooms and planning upcoming renovations.

For their work on the hands-on AI course “Laboratory for Applied Machine Learning Algorithms (LAMA),” Daniel Grimm, Tim Hotfilter, Gabriela Molinar, Marco Stang, and Simon Claus Stock have been awarded the 2020 ETIT Department Teaching Award. Congratulations!

Link to the department teaching award video

The KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology mourns the loss of its dean, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fernando Puente León, who passed away on July 1, 2020, completely unexpectedly.
The news of his death has deeply affected and shaken us all.

Prof. Puente León had served as head of the IIIT since 2008 and had a significant impact on the institute during that time. Under his leadership, numerous research projects and doctorates were produced on a wide range of topics in signal and image processing, measurement technology, and human-computer interaction.

As a teaching faculty member at the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, he was responsible for several courses, including “Signals and Systems” and “Measurement Technology.” Beyond KIT, he enjoyed an outstanding reputation as a dedicated scientist, for example as editor of the journal “tm – Technisches Messen” and as the author of several technical and textbooks.

We have lost an exceptionally dedicated and outstanding colleague, scientist, and professor who tirelessly championed the interests of the Department and its students.
Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, relatives, and friends during these difficult times.
We will miss him dearly.

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Information
Technology at KIT The Faculty Executive Board and the entire team at the Faculty Office and the Dean’s Office

Obituary from the journal tm - Technisches Messen

On April 20, 2020, academic operations will resume with fully digital courses. Information on individual ETIT courses will be made available on the ILIAS platform. Students are asked to check ILIAS and the institute’s websites for updates and to refrain from coming to the campus for the time being. In-person courses/lectures (Lehre) will be reintroduced only gradually, in accordance with regulations aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Further information on the start of the summer term can be found in the KIT press release.

Light sensors, which are already indispensable in many applications—such as cameras, photoelectric sensors, and motion detectors—could also play a role in telecommunications in the future. Scientists at KIT’s InnovationLab Heidelberg have achieved a decisive breakthrough in data transmission using light: printable light sensors that can detect colors. Visible Light Communication (VLC) uses interior lighting in buildings for optical communication. This technology offers a number of advantages over current methods such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in terms of security, speed, and accessibility. “Our research contributes to this technology by combining the advantages of a specific type of material—namely, organic semiconductors—with their fabrication using printing techniques,” said Dr. Gerardo Hernandez-Sosa of the Light Technology Institute (LTI).

Original publication:

Noah Strobel, Nikolaos Droseros, Wolfgang Köntges, Mervin Seiberlich, Manuel Pietsch, Stefan Schlisske, Felix Lindheimer, Rasmus R. Schröder, Uli Lemmer, Martin Pfannmöller, Natalie Banerji, Gerardo Hernandez-Sosa: “Color-selective Printed Organic Photodiodes for Filterless Multichannel Visible Light Communication.” Advanced Materials, 2020. DOI: 10.1002/adma.201908258.

KIT press release dated February 19, 2020

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and the Light Technology Institute (LTI) mourn the loss of the scientist and professor, who passed away on February 18, 2020, at the age of 78.

Prof. Heering made significant contributions to research and teaching at the University of Karlsruhe (TH). From 1967 until his retirement in 2007, he worked at the Institute of Lighting Technology and was appointed professor in 1987. In his scientific work, he devoted himself to a wide range of topics in lighting technology and optoelectronics. For example, he worked on plasma emitters, optical measurement technology, the application of UV technology, and the design of power electronic circuits.

Until last year, he remained active in the ETIT Department by supervising theses and participating in lectures.

Prof. Heering was an outstanding scientist and professor. 

“For more than 50 years, Wolfgang Heering contributed to the Institute’s success with his broad expertise and his calm and humorous demeanor. We mourn the loss of a universally respected scientist to whom the LTI owes a great deal,” says Prof. Ulrich Lemmer, Director of the Light Technology Institute.

At a festive ceremony on February 17, 2020, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology awarded an honorary doctorate to the co-founder of SAP SE and alumnus of what was then the Karlsruhe University of Technology (TH)—now KIT.
Plattner is committed to future-oriented research as well as the education and cultural sectors; he bridges the gap between business and academia, champions the next generation of leaders, and continually develops innovations to drive digitalization forward.

Plattner completed his studies in communications engineering in 1968 at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Karlsruhe (TH) under Professor Karl Steinbuch, one of the pioneers of German computer science. “This is where I acquired the foundational knowledge that still enables me today to develop new innovations and ideas,” he says.

President of KIT Prof. Holger Hanselka honors Plattner not only as one of Germany’s most successful entrepreneurs and most dedicated supporters of startups, but also as a visionary who recognized the importance of digitalization early on and continues to drive it forward with great dedication to this day.

The laudatory address was delivered by Dietmar Hopp, also an alumnus of the University of Karlsruhe (TH) and co-founder of SAP. “His practical approach, which has always allowed him to accurately anticipate change, has made him a visionary in SAP software development,” says Hopp.

“Hasso Plattner is extraordinarily successful in business, yet he also lives up to his social responsibilities. He is thus not only an impressive figure, but also a role model and source of inspiration for the younger generation,” says Prof. Fernando Puente León, dean of the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. Together with Prof. Jürgen Becker, director of the Institute for Information Processing Technology (ITIV), he had initiated the awarding of the honorary doctorate to Plattner.