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About us

The Leibniz-IWT stands for research in the field of new materials, new processes and optimised components. Our work is interdisciplinary, international and practical. The scientific questions in our institute range from the production of materials, such as powder production for additive manufacturing, to the analysis of the final machined components, for example high-precision gears. This is how we shape the requirements of tomorrow.

Research into highly stressed metallic structural materials has been carried out at the Leibniz Institute for Materials Engineering - IWT in Bremen since 1950. As a unique international feature, the Leibniz-IWT combines the five program areas of materials engineering, process engineering, manufacturing technologies materials testing and digitization technology under one roof. This interdisciplinary cooperation enables the scientists to map and research overarching issues with particular practical relevance along the entire process chain. With a view to new materials, innovative processes and optimized components, the Leibniz-IWT is dedicated, among other things, to the research foci of additive manufacturing, digitization and hydrogen technologies.

Scientists from various disciplines conduct joint research at the Leibniz-IWT with a focus on classic metals such as steel and aluminium, but increasingly also on hybrid composite materials. The Bremen institute's fields of expertise include the production of nanomaterials and metal powders, the process of spray compacting, and all heat treatment processes. Other fields of work include surface technology, materials characterization and modeling and service life testing, gearing technology, ultra-precision machining and cooling lubricant application. With its main topics, the Leibniz-IWT addresses issues of research data management, resource and energy efficiency, lightweight construction as well as materials, process and production development, especially in the drive technology industry. The institute is active in both basic research and application-oriented research, including the direct transfer of results and knowledge to companies and society.