Universität Stuttgart, Institut für Kunststofftechnik

Germany

The University of Stuttgart is one of the top nine technical universities in Germany (TU9). The Institut für Kunststofftechnik (IKT) at the University of Stuttgart is a R&D institute specialized in the fields of material engineering, processing technology and product engineering. Besides the research on conventional polymers, the institute focuses on the development of new bio-based polymers, associated processing techniques and non-destructive testing. The IKT investigates not only the finished and semi-finished parts resulting from the production process, but also the manufacturing process and the compounding of plastic materials and the development of the machines necessary for the production of parts. A main focus of the IKT is the development and advancement of non-destructive testing methods such as thermal imaging (mechanical, ultrasonic and optical excitation), interferometry (ESPI and shearography) and ultrasound measurement (phased array, air-coupled, conventional, laser-scanning vibrometry). The IKT is one of the leading research institutes in the field of plastics and operates in a wide range of research projects at national and international levels. In addition, the IKT offers R&D and other services for the industry, including high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). The University of Stuttgart also runs a transfer company called TTI GmbH that can install and accompany industrial projects. TTI GmbH, of which the IKT is a member, supports the transfer of know-how regarding patents, contracts and administrative issues into industrial environments including the validation of new methods, the preparation of new standards and the implementation of testing methods in in-line production processes.

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