Chemnitz University Research Articles

International Women-in-Science Day at Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC): report of a meeting held in February 2024.

International Women-in-Science Day at Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC): report of a meeting held in February 2024.

Virtual-tutoring-supported teaching for Geometrical Product Specification

The digitalisation of education has developed in many areas in recent years with applications like web-based training and virtual seminars. In technical teaching areas, however, they are often only available as stand-alone solutions. Due to the possibilities brought about by the rapidly progressing development of artificial intelligence, the potential for digital teaching must be recognised and used. It is necessary to establish demand-oriented, intelligent control loops that support communication, knowledge transfer and learning level control. This will enable future generations to learn individually and thus increase the efficiency and sustainability of the teaching-learning process. As part of a current research project, a multimedia study format for the field of production measurement technology is being designed at Chemnitz University of Technology. A virtual tutor is an innovative element that guides, reminds, supports, informs, collects points and motivates learners individually with gamification elements.This paper presents the requirements, implementation possibilities and transferability of the current research of virtual-tutor-supported teaching to Geometrical Product Specification. It shows how knowledge elements of the ISO GPS system are linked with new digital teaching-learning methods that promote interaction between the participants and especially the transfer into applicable knowledge. In addition, examples of gamification elements are presented.

Introduction to the Proceedings of the ISCSET 2023

The 12th International Symposium on Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Educational Technologies (ISCSET 2023) is published in a special issue of the Embedded Self-Organizing Systems journal of the Chemnitz University of Technology for the second time. In a significant first, ISCSET 2023 utilized the EasyChair conference management platform for paper submissions. Each submission underwent thorough review by three esteemed professors and researchers from our partner universities, resulting in 27 submissions with an acceptance rate of 62%. But ISCSET 2023 was more than just papers; it was a dynamic symposium that featured engaging keynote presentations, thought-provoking talks by invited speakers as well as lively paper presentations. We had participants from 18 countries: Germany, Mongolia, China, France, Jordan, Algeria, Japan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran, Tunis, Pakistan and Syria. Thus, with ISCSET 2023 we celebrated a true global convergence of knowledge and ideas.

Guest Editorial: Polymer electrets and ferroelectrets

Guest Editorial: Polymer electrets and ferroelectrets

Impact of Planar and Vertical Organic Field‐Effect Transistors on Flexible Electronics (Adv. Mater. 11/2023)

Flexible Electronics In article number 2204804, Ali Nawaz, Carlos C. B. Bufon, and co-workers compare the performance of planar organic transistors the emerging vertical-transistor technology, outlining the critical device fabrication and material-design strategies, and discussing their role and function in a wide range of flexible electronics applications. Showcasing research from the Micro Nano Facility (MNF-SD), Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK), Trento, Italy, in collaboration with Mackenzie Presbyterian Institute, Chemnitz University of Technology, and Queensland University of Technology.

Introduction to Proceedings of ISCSET 2022

For the first time in its history, the proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Educational Technologies (ISCSET-2022) is published in a special issue of the Embedded Self-Organizing Systems journal of the Chemnitz University of Technology

User Interface Design of Humanoid Robot at Library: Case of Chemnitz University of Technology

The university library is one of the key places for students at higher education institutions. Some universities support their students with their literature search and research with humanoid robots. The Chemnitz University of Technology (CUT) is one of pioneer universities where a humanoid robot will assist at the university library. This paper describes user interface requirement and its programming, testing and implementation of humanoid robot at the university library. The programmed humanoid robot should support students and visitors with useful guidance and hints in finding materials they need for their research and study. For programming of the robot, the programming language Python was used and the implementation was tested with limited number of users due to the pandemic situation.

AMARETO – Saxon Alliance for MAterial‐ and Resource‐Efficient TechnOlogies

AMARETO – Saxon Alliance for MAterial‐ and Resource‐Efficient TechnOlogies

Electronic skin anticipates and perceives touch from different directions for the first time

Scientists from Chemnitz University of Technology and Leibniz IFW Dresden develop a new approach for miniaturization of soft ultra-compact and highly integrated sensor units for directional tactile sensitivity in e-skin systems

Effects of a Drums Alive® Intervention versus Hand-Foot Coordination Training on Motor, Cognitive and Motivational Parameters in Seniors

This study was conducted to compare the effects of two different interventions on the physiological, cognitive, and motivational parameters in seniors; and, how they would be accepted as alternative forms of exercise in the senior population. The facilitators recruited 26 randomly selected participants from two senior care facilities in Chemnitz, Germany who were required to complete two 45-minute exercise periods a week for 30 days. The first group completed the Drums Alive intervention which included a multi-dimensional approach using music, movement, drumming choreographies, games, and activities. The second intervention group completed a series of Hand-Foot Coordination exercises that used beat-keeping patterns on various parts of the body. Each intervention group had three divisions of participants, i.e. “healthy” to define those with no diagnosed malady, “dementia” for those with varying degrees of diagnosed dementia, and, “wheelchair” and those requiring a wheelchair for movement. The pre- and post-testing measurements consisted of age, heart rate, blood pressure, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), bar-drop test, chair-raise test, 6-minute walk test, memory, concentration, balance, reaction, coordination, and cognitive flexibility. In addition, to measure the level of motivation, i.e. fun, the participants used a tool that was developed by the Psychology Department of the Chemnitz University. The results demonstrated that both interventions were suitable alternates for senior-focused conventional sports offerings, however, the Drums Alive intervention outperformed the Hand-Foot Coordination intervention in a majority of the measured domains by an overall average of 9.45 percent. Of note, the data, vis a vis motivation, demonstrated a 38.4 percent increase for Drums Alive vice a 13.3 percent increase for Hand-Foot Coordination, suggesting the Drums Alive intervention offered more effective protocols that could inspire seniors to make this a part of an overall health and wellness plan to improve their quality of life.

The assessment of the ISO GPS system implementation with a GPS maturity model

For more than twenty years, the international system for the geometrical tolerancing of components has been reformed. With the aim for a non-verbal specification and verification of components, the ISO system for Geometrical Product Specification and Verification (ISO GPS system) has emerged. Due to the necessary extensive specification language, which additionally contains mathematical descriptions, references, 3D specifications, defaults, rules for manufacturing and measurement etc., the ISO GPS system has now reached a complexity, which cannot easily be understood and decoded by the different engineers and departments in the companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises as well as handicraft businesses. This makes an application in the entrepreneurial practice almost impossible. A structure and guidelines for the application are currently missing. Furthermore, there is a lack of requirements and a general approach for a necessary multi-layered training of specialists like engineers or machine workers as well as managers. There are also no generally accepted standards for the application of the ISO GPS system in companies. Often, small businesses, as contractors to large companies, have to deal with the challenges due to ISO GPS conform specifications. This problem has recently been amplified by the rapid progress of digitization and the increased use of 3D data including PMIs or application of 3D model-based definitions.For this reason, an implementation strategy for an integrated GPS system for small and medium-sized enterprises has been developed as part of a current research project at the Chemnitz University of Technology. To overcome the difficulties caused by the complexity of the ISO GPS system, an agile training concept based on GPS competencies, a roadmap for the integration process, and a GPS maturity model for the assessment of the process have been developed. Fundamental results of the research project with focus on the development of the GPS maturity model for a transparent agile implementation process are presented in this paper.

Education for sustainable development at Chemnitz University of Technology

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the current state of education for sustainable development (ESD) at Chemnitz University of Technology (CUT) and to propose a guide for analysing sustainability at higher education institutions (HEI) in terms of implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and sustainability dimensions in the cognitive domain of education.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a new combination of two frameworks, the “Phase Model of Sustainability in MBA (Master of Business Administration) Education”, developed by Hart et al. (2017), to classify sustainability-focused topics and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO’s) learning objectives for ESD (UNESCO, 2017) to classify sustainability-related topics. This paper analysed CUT’s study programs and faculties, the websites of the study programs and the (junior) professorships, using documentary analysis with a new set of keywords relating to the topic of incorporating sustainability in curricula.FindingsThe faculties and study programs of CUT are at different stages of integrating ESD. However, topics such as sustainable energy and production, recycling, sustainable management and innovation are prominent in the educational offerings of CUT. As the university is a technical university, the focus on these topics reflects the general direction of the organisation. Based on this study results, this study gives recommendations for further development for ESD at CUT.Originality/valueThis paper presents the case of CUT and a new guide for analysing sustainability at HEI, including recommendations for further development in relation to ESD.

Digitalizing Higher Education in Light of Sustainability and Rebound Effects—Surveys in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention not only on health and social issues, but on the issue of digital transformation as well. Within a very short time, universities had to convert their courses to digital formats and university life was reduced to a minimum. To shed light on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected universities, we investigated the following questions: How was this transformation accomplished? What advantages and disadvantages did it bring with it? How sustainable was this transformation? and What can the future of higher education look like? This study is based on the responses to two questionnaires for university staff and students conducted at the Chemnitz University of Technology between mid-July and September, 2020 (n = 369), and between February and March, 2021 (n = 252). Both questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The results show wide variations in response to digital teaching and learning. Digital teaching and working/learning from home have brought both multiple benefits and multiple challenges at the same time. Working and learning from home was perceived as both enriching and overwhelming—even for the same individual. Respondents appreciated the flexibility associated with digital teaching, even though digital teaching was perceived as imposing excessive demands. This study reveals striking gaps in our knowledge and our actions linking digital transformation and sustainability and highlights how digital teaching can be further developed.

Fatigue behaviour of material-adapted fibre-reinforced polymer/metal joints

By regarding the needs and requirements in modern multi-material joining, the Flow Drill Joining Concept (FDJ) was developed at the Chemnitz University of Technology. The technology allows an efficient and material-adapted joining of thin metal sheets with continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastics, as required in modern lightweight engineering. For a better understanding of their fatigue behaviour, single-lap FDJ joints were examined in quasi-static and dynamic tests regarding shear loads, cross tension and superimposed shear/cross tension loads. By way of example, joints between micro-alloyed steel with high yield strength for cold forming and a continuous glass/carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide 6 were investigated. The fatigue curves show inclinations between k = 8.01 (shear loads) and k = 5.17 (cross tension loads), depending on the applied load angle. The results of the fatigue testings represent a basis for the enhancement of a failure criterion for FRP/metal joints in highly stressed multi-material designs.

Preface

The Institute of Materials Science and Engineering (Institut für Werkstoffwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik, IWW) of Chemnitz University of Technology is proud to have hosted the Chemnitz Seminar on Materials Engineering – Werkstofftechnisches Kolloquium – for the 22nd time. Due to the long-lasting COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s conference was staged as a one-day online-live event in late March.Scientists and engineers, members of academia and industry, presented their most recent research results in 28 scientific talks, organized in two parallel webrooms.The topics of our – from now on biennial – meeting ranged from general challenges in materials and surface engineering to specific applications of transmission electron microscopy for analysis of materials’ surfaces. Further key sessions of this year’s event were focused on the engineering of high-entropy alloys, shape memory alloys, composite materials, additive manufacturing as well as material and process simulation.In addition to the scientific talks, interdisciplinary lectures were given on the key topic “Industry 4.0” (“4th industrial revolution”). Prof. Detlev Zühlke, who was the main initiator of the technology initiative SmartFactory KL e. V. and is now retired, spoke about the necessary framework to bring the industrial revolution from vision to reality. Dr. Franziska Bocklisch, commissionary head of the professorship General Psychology and Human Factors of Chemnitz University of Technology, highlighted the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration for successful implementation of human-technology cooperation.Following the encouraging trend of the last years, most of our contributors again decided to publish their work in this international, peer-reviewed journal. Consequently, this issue of IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering provides an excellent overview of the main topics of the Seminar.Chemnitz, March 2021List of Editors Conference photography are available in this pdf.

Perface

14th International Forum on Strategic Technology (IFOST), October 14-17, 2019, Tomsk, Russia, organized by National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University (Russia).International Forum on Strategic Technology (IFOST) is a nonprofit organization composed of member institutes located in Asia: University of Ulsan (Korea), Novosibirsk State Technical University (Russia), Tomsk Polytechnic University (Russia), Harbin University of Science and Technology (China), Mongolian University of Science and Technology (Mongolia), Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC) Germany.The main purpose of the forum is to engage researchers into the discussion of strategic technologies, broaden their experience of participation in international events and giving an opportunity to find new colleagues and co-authors. IFOST is a meeting point for researchers from multiple countries. Plenary speakers of the forum were the distinguished experts in the field from universities of Germany, Brazil, and France.IFOST-2019 proceedings cover a wide range of topics:1. New Materials and Nanotechnologies2. Information and Communication Technologies3. Mechanical Engineering, robotics, and automation4. Power Engineering and Renewable Energy5. Ecology, Environmental Engineering, and Civil Engineering6. Applied Engineering and Management7. High Energy Physics8. Chemistry and Biotechnologies9. Aerospace Engineering Committee General Chair: Prof. Dr. Petr S. Chubik, acting rector of Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, RussiaDeputy Chair: Dr. Roman Ostvald, Deputy Vice-Rector for Research and Innovations, Tomsk Polytechnic University, RussiaTechnical Program Committee Chair: Prof. Oleg Stukach, HSE Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics, IEEE Senior Member, Moscow, RussiaTechnical Program Committee Co-chair: Prof. Jayakody Dushantha Nalin Kumara, Research Laboratory for Information and Telecommunication Systems, Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, IEEE Senior Member, Russia Editors Roman Ostvald, Tomsk polytechnic universityDaria Gvozdeva, Tomsk polytechnic universityAnastasia Ryabikina, Tomsk polytechnic university

Case Study Experiences on Active Learning Methods in Germany

Abstract This article describes the implementation of active learning methods in engineering courses. The implementation was part of the activities of the international Erasmus project DriveMATH, which ran between 2017 and 2020. The active learning methods eduScrum, JigSaw, problem based learning, practical and team-based learning were used for courses for the master’s degree at Chemnitz University of Technology. Research seminar computer science, research internship and internship automotive software engineering were selected as courses for implementation. The students were invited to participate in the implementation on a voluntary basis. At the end of the implementation, the project team asked the students for feedback in the form of an evaluation survey. Criteria for the evaluation were developed in the team of the partner universities of the project. The data obtained were evaluated with the help of the structure-oriented evaluation model (SURE model).

Thin Coatings of α- and β-Bi2O3 by Ultrasonic Spray Coating of a Molecular Bismuth Oxido Cluster and their Application for Photocatalytic Water Purification Under Visible Light.

Invited this month's cover picture are the groups of Professor Michael Mehring and Professor Marc Armbrüster at Chemnitz University of Technology. The cover pictures shows a graffiti displaying a distinctive part of the city center of the town. The artwork is oversprayed with the letters "TUC" (Technische Universität Chemnitz) using an bismuth oxido cluster from solution to obtain a yellow semiconductor coating of bismuth oxide, used to degrade the medicinal drug ethinyl estradiol under visible light irradiation. Read the full text of their Full Paper at https://doi.org/10.1002/open.201900323.

An Implementation and Evaluation Report of the Active Learning Method EduScrum in Flipped Class

This paper describes an implementation and evaluation report of the active learning method eduScrum in flipped class. The eduScrum test class was organized by volunteer participants of the master program Automotive Software Engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany. The “AUTOSAR based software design” seminar was selected as course for implementation the eduScrum method. The eduScrum method applied during the winter semester 2018/19 and the summer semester 2019. In the first round 30 of 80 students registered to the eduScrum class, and during the second round 40 of 85 students selected the eduScrum test class. The selected course is usually taught in a flipped class format. That was a challenging condition for the implementation of eduScrum. Due to this constrain the traditional way of implementing the eduScrum method needs to be modified and adapted to the given situation. Therefore, e-learning materials developed and placed into the university Learning Management Systems OPAL. The OPAL is online-based platform for academic teaching and learning at universities of Saxony. To measure the success of the eduScrum implementation the students within the test class did a self-evaluation based on the structure oriented evaluation method. The structure oriented evaluation model focuses on evaluation goals.

Physiological correlates of discomfort in automated driving

Comfort in automated driving is considered a key issue for broad acceptance of automated vehicles. The research project KomfoPilot at Chemnitz University of Technology aimed to investigate factors that influence comfort in automated driving as well as to identify physiological indicators of discomfort. In an empirical driving simulator study, 40 participants from 25 to 84 years old experienced three highly automated trips including six potentially uncomfortable situations in each trip. Participants reported perceived discomfort continuously by a handset control. The physiological parameters Heart Rate (HR) and Electrodermal Activity (EDA) were assessed using the smartband Microsoft Band 2; pupil diameter and eye blinks were measured by the SMI Eye Tracking Glasses 2. Results showed specific physiological reactions in situations that provoked moderate to high discomfort. Longer lasting and slowly evolving situations with lower reported discomfort did not show associated changes in physiological parameters. HR decreased consistently during uncomfortable situations, which could be related to the phenomenon “preparation for action”. Pupil diameter increased and eye blink rate decreased in uncomfortable situations that were visually monitored. EDA did not show specific effects, which, however could be attributed to measurement procedures of the smartband. The results serve as a basis for developing a real-time discomfort detection algorithm and will additionally be validated on-road.