![Kickoff of the ['skai]-lab collaboration with representatives from BAM, BTU, and the DLR Institute of Electrified Aero Engines.](/_SharedDocs/EN/Images/Press-images/cooperation-btu-dlr-bam-aviation.png?__blob=poster "Kickoff of the ['skai]-lab collaboration with representatives from BAM, BTU, and the DLR Institute of Electrified Aero Engines.")
Kickoff of the ['skai]-lab collaboration with representatives from BAM, BTU, and the DLR Institute of Electrified Aero Engines.
Source: BAM
With the new collaboration['skai]-lab, the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), the DLR Institute of Electrified Aero Engines, and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) are pooling their expertise in quality control, analysis, and operational safety of additively manufactured components for electrified aviation propulsion systems. The goal is to train the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists in the field of aviation research and to make a significant contribution to more sustainable aviation technology in the future.
Innovative Research for Low-Emission Aviation
To reduce emissions, aviation needs new and lightweight propulsion technologies. Additive manufacturing plays a key role here, as it enables the production of complex and weight-optimized components that are crucial for electric propulsion systems. This is precisely where the ['skai]-lab collaboration comes in, strategically combining expertise in additive manufacturing (BAM, BTU) and non-destructive testing (BAM) with the application requirements for novel propulsion concepts and components in aviation (DLR, BTU).
The focus is on additively manufactured components for electric propulsion systems—from electric motors and gearboxes to heat exchangers. By combining state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies with non-destructive testing methods and data-driven process optimization, high-performance, durable, and resource-efficient components are created.
“With ['skai]-lab, we are setting new standards for 3D printing in aviation. Our goal is to jointly develop innovative materials and manufacturing processes that not only meet the highest quality and safety standards but also contribute to low-emission aviation through more efficient use of resources,” explains BAM President Prof. Dr. Ulrich Panne.
Ph.D. Students at the Center
At the heart of the program is a unique training program for Ph.D. students that provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire value chain—from manufacturing and quality control to regulatory frameworks. This is complemented by soft skills courses, summer schools, and international research stays. The goal is to train highly qualified experts who will play a pioneering role in science, industry, and the public sector in the future and who possess precisely the skills that the industry needs for technological transformation.
BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande: “The collaboration in the ['skai]-lab offers our Ph.D. students a unique opportunity to acquire interdisciplinary expertise in manufacturing technologies and quality assurance, enabling them to actively contribute to a sustainable aviation industry of the future.”
Networking and International Visibility
['skai]-lab is closely integrated into the international research network of DLR, BAM, and BTU. As a result, Ph.D. students benefit from intensive interdisciplinary exchange, comprehensive scientific expertise, and access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure. Collaborations with leading companies such as Airbus and MTU, as well as support from national professional associations and an external advisory board, bridge the gap to industrial practice.
“The close collaboration among research institutions at ['skai]-lab, with a focus on future industrial needs, creates a unique environment for advancing the use of electric propulsion technologies in aviation and thereby significantly reducing CO₂ emissions,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Lars Enghardt, Director of the DLR Institute of Electrified Aero Engines and Head of the BTU department of the same name.
Research projects with real added value
The program will initially launch with nine projects, three at each participating research institution. They cover the entire process chain: from the development of additively manufactured heat exchangers and waveguide windings for electric motors to data-driven optimization using Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINN) and robust methods of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Particular emphasis is placed on sustainability, resource efficiency, and the reduction of CO₂ emissions.
The first doctoral degrees are expected to be completed by 2030. In this way, ['skai]-lab creates an excellent foundation for new scientific insights, the further development of innovative technologies, and sustainable knowledge transfer. At the same time, the program contrib-utes to the training of highly qualified scientists.