Discover Germany | Special Theme | Education – The Austrian Way
Educating soon-to-be experts, researching for the future Sustainability is at the core of research, development and teaching at the Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria. The university is unique not only in the German-speaking area, but in Europe with a portfolio focusing on advancing technology and the use of natural resources and raw materials. With 4,000 students, the small university offers the best possibilities to learn, research and develop in cooperation with partners in science and industry worldwide.
the new GTF engine was developed under assistant professor Dr. Svea Mayer at the institute for metallurgy and metallic materials in Leoben. The main focus was on developing a new titanium aluminide alloy using a computer-based method to determine the composition.
TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: MONTANUNIVERSITÄT LEOBEN
Today, the University of Leoben can look back on a long and successful history. Originally founded in November 1840 in Vordernberg, the university moved to Leoben nine years later. The university has a very practical approach and of course a long and proud tradition as a centre of excellence in research and education. With its unique profile, the university has an outstanding and special position in the national and international educational landscape. “We have positioned ourselves consequently as a research institution with the highest aspirations, focusing on the whole value chain: starting with raw ma36 | Issue 56 | November 2017
terial extraction and processing up to environmental technology and recycling,” says university spokesperson Erhard Skupa. Innovative solutions with practical value The University of Leoben advances science and technology – in many fields. To give an example, researchers here developed new materials for Airbus. When in early 2016 the A320neo with new engine architecture went into serial operation, this material came into use making the airplane more eco-efficient. The first customer was the German Lufthansa. The material used for
It was an important development, because the requirements in aeronautics have changed a great deal. Machines need to be quieter, more fuel-efficient and above all they need to be more environmentally friendly than they used to be. The engines are key to that, and if they work more efficiently then passengers fly cheaper and emissions are reduced as well. Sustainability in key technologies Sustainability and sustainable technology are key factors for future developments. Research groups in Leoben constantly develop new processes and technologies that have this idea at heart. They are work-