Sustainable, Resource-Optimized Systems
In the “Sustainable, Resource-Optimized Systems” research focus area at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg, researchers develop sustainable, resource-efficient, circular, and resilient systems for the entire life cycle of raw materials, materials, products, buildings, and infrastructure—application-oriented and interdisciplinary.
Description of the Research Focus
The research focus area “Sustainable, Resource-Optimized Systems” brings together the interdisciplinary, application-oriented research activities at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg aimed at developing, evaluating, and implementing sustainable, resource-efficient, and resilient systems. The starting point is the major transformational challenges of our time, particularly climate change, resource scarcity, the energy transition, and the shift toward a circular economy. The goal is to simultaneously ensure the performance, economic efficiency, and adaptability of the systems under consideration. To this end, the research focus combines perspectives from engineering, the natural sciences, economics, and design sciences, bringing them together in application-oriented research and technology transfer projects.
The focus is on circular value creation systems, resource- and energy-efficient production and supply systems, sustainable materials and construction methods, as well as data-driven methods for analysis, planning, and optimization. The research approach encompasses the entire life cycle of raw materials, materials, products, buildings, and infrastructure—from extraction and development through manufacturing and use to reuse, treatment, and recycling. In addition to technical and environmental criteria, the research takes into account economic success factors, viable business models, transfer potential, and requirements for design, use, and societal acceptance.
Research is conducted in the following areas
Raw Materials and the Circular Economy
This research examines strategies for closed-loop material and product cycles. The focus is on recycling and reuse concepts, remanufacturing, the development of products suitable for the circular economy, and the digitization and optimization of value chains to increase resource efficiency.
Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainability Assessment
We analyze the environmental, economic, and social impacts of products, technologies, buildings, and infrastructure throughout their entire life cycle. The goal is to provide a scientifically sound assessment of sustainability and to develop a basis for decision-making for businesses, public sector actors, and society.
Energy
The focus is on the development, integration, and optimization of sustainable energy systems. Research areas include renewable energy, energy storage, hydrogen technologies, smart energy supply systems, and cross-sectoral approaches for a resilient and climate-neutral energy supply.
Materials and Construction Methods
Research focuses on resource-efficient materials, lightweight construction concepts, and sustainable building and construction methods. Key areas include innovative material technologies, wood-based and hybrid construction methods, circular construction, and the development of durable and adaptable structures and products.
Economic Success Factors and Transfer
Research focuses on how sustainable innovations can be successfully implemented in companies, markets, and regions. The focus is on new business models, transformation processes, innovation strategies, and the economic framework conditions for sustainable development.
Design
User-centered and sustainable products, processes, and living environments are developed. Design methods help to align technological innovations with ecological requirements, societal needs, and high levels of acceptance.
Resilience
The focus is on the resilience and adaptability of technical, economic, and social systems in the face of environmental changes, crises, and uncertainties. To this end, data-driven methods, digital twins, AI-supported analyses, and simulation-based decision-making models are used to design robust and future-proof systems.
Outlook
Key future topics in the research focus area “Sustainable, Resource-Optimized Systems” are:
- AI-supported resource efficiency,
- digital product passports and data rooms,
- regional cycles,
- energy-flexible production,
- sustainable lightweight construction/hydrogen, and
- renewable construction and mobility systems.