At this year’s WorldPM in Montréal our research associate Stefan Müller represented LWT with a presentation on the influence of process parameters during hardening on the microstructure of powder-metallurgical high-speed steel. Organized by the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), the conference is one of the world’s most important events in the field of powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing, bringing together the international expert community for a global industry gathering where scientists and industry partners from around the world come together.
Dr.-Ing. Louis Becker was awarded this year’s Gebr. Eickhoff Prize for his outstanding scientific achievements. The award ceremony took place for the 37th time at the headquarters of the Bochum-based company that established the prize, “Gebr. Eickhoff Maschinenfabrik u. Eisengießerei GmbH,” continuing a long-standing tradition. Read the official press release: Fire Alarms and Steel for Additive Manufacturing
On June 11, 2026, Ruhr University Bochum welcomed interested school students as part of “InsideRUB.” The event offered insights into various engineering degree programmes, including mechanical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, sales engineering and product management, and materials science. The Institute for Materials also presented a varied programme with illustrative experiments. Visitors explored the role of modern materials in technology and everyday life, for example through light microscopy and mobile X-ray analysis of jewellery, 3D-printed knives, and bicycle components. Additional highlights included turbine blades made from high-temperature-resistant materials and a live demonstration of the shape memory effect.
The paper titled “Additive Manufacturing of Hot-Work Tool Steel by In Situ Alloying Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Directed Energy Deposition—Strategies to Improve Chemical Homogeneity,” authored by researchers at LWT, was selected as one of the top 20 publications in the journal “Steel Research International” for the year 2025 and included in the special issue “Best of Steel Research International 2026.”
A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES
A virtual tour through the different laboratories and rooms of our chair as well as the associated halls and the equipment located there can be found here.
FUTURE-ORIENTED RESEARCH
The research focus of our chair lies in the new and further development of metallic materials with the inclusion of the relevant processes.
SUSTAINABLE AND INNOVATIVE
Our concept is characterized by innovative research under the responsibility for sustainable development and responsible use of energy and resources.
INNOVATIVE COOPERATION
The LWT is staffed by a diverse team of PostDocs, PhD students and student employees, supported by technical and administrative staff.
