Events 2024
EmpowHER - End of Year Celebration
On Monday, December 2, the final networking event “EmpowHER - End of Year” took place at the Stuttgart Vaihingen campus to mark the end of the first funding period of the BMWK program line “EXIST Women”. In addition to the scholarship holders from the six participating universities, their coaches and experienced female founders were also present. The event was opened by Anna Steiger, Chancellor of the University of Stuttgart, who said: “Supporting young female founders is a matter close to my heart and it is very regrettable that only 6% of technical start-ups in Germany and Austria were founded by women.”
The new EXIST-Women program line of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) aims to support women at universities and research institutions through mentoring, individual coaching, networking and funding. Together with the University of Hohenheim, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule der Medien, Hochschule für Technik and Nürtingen-Geislingen University, the University of Stuttgart applied for funding last year. Ten female scholarship holders from each of the universities were supported for one year and some of them had the opportunity to report on their start-up projects in short pitches on this evening. Among them was Katja Thiess, who has developed a measuring device to determine water quality in her start-up Aquaaware and is keen to continue her research next year.“I love the topic of entrepreneurship and the great funding landscape we have in Baden-Württemberg, especially in the field of engineering,” she concluded her pitch. As an experienced founder, Laura Rothgang, who now works as an employee at the TRACES transfer center, first reported on her own company, which she founded as a student and which still exists today.“The production of food from hemp plants,” she explained, ”was very costly and labor-intensive for us as students at the time.”The perspectives of the three start-up coaches present rounded off the program and gave the participants a holistic view of the opportunities and challenges in the life of a female founder.The program was livened up by two improv theater units by the group “Otter im Glashaus” and the subsequent catering provided an opportunity for networking.
The event was supported by the EXIST Women programme, the Stuttgart Partnership Initiative Mass Personalization (SPI-MP) and the Leistungszentrum Mass Personalization (LZMP).
Biointelligence Congres
The second Bionintelligence Congress took place in Stuttgart City Hall on 22 October 2024. In addition to Dr Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of the state of Baden-Württemberg, who gave a welcoming address, the event featured top-claniversity of Stuttgart, Zachi Schnarch, Vice CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) and Head of the Technology Department, ass speakers such as Prof. Dr Thomas Bauernhansl, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA and the Institute for Industrial Manufacturing and Factory Operation IFF at the Und Philipp Heuermann, Associate Director and Co-Head of Europe at Gingko Bioworks.
There were also discussion panels on the topics of biointelligent nutrition research, led by Prof Barbara Lieder from the University of Hohenheim, biointelligent production systems, led by Prof Ralf Takors from the University of Stuttgart, and biointelligent living and design, led by Prof Martin Ostermann from the University of Stuttgart.
In between, start-up companies had the opportunity to pitch their company at the Wittenstein Award.
After the award ceremony, the event ended with a dinner.
Visit by pupils from the biotechnology profile of the Valckenburgschule Ulm
On 18 June, 25 pupils from the biotechnology grammar school at Valckenburgschule in Ulm visited the Vaihingen campus of the University of Stuttgart. After a brief welcome by Mr Laue from the Student Advisory Service and Dr Lohmüller, Programme Manager for Process Engineering, Dr Janina Ulmer, Managing Director of SPI-MP, took over the tour of the group of students. The first stop was the Institute of Interfacial Process Engineering and Plasma Technology (IGVP), where the girls and boys were shown simple experiments on the processing of chitin shells from insects and the production of hydrogels. They then travelled to the Institute for Blasting Tools (IFSW), where they were given a guided tour of the experimental hall and the laser laboratory. The young people were amazed to learn that hydrogels are crystallised here using lasers to produce tissue substitutes. The last stop of the morning was the Fraunhofer IPA, where the movement laboratory, exoskeletons and orthoses were presented. After so much input, the students fortified themselves with lunch in the canteen before attending a lecture on aquaristics at the Institute for Biomaterials and Biological Systems (IBBS) and finding out about the technical biology degree programme.
Meeting POINT HEALTH INDUSTRY
rom 10 to 11 June, the meeting point health industry event took place in Ulm under the motto "The future of medicine: precise, digital - for everyone?". The central networking event for Baden-Württemberg's healthcare industry was organised by the state company BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH. Current trends and strong innovation drivers, challenges and future-oriented developments were highlighted. In addition, cross-industry players from business and science were brought together to engage in dialogue, exchange experiences and generate new ideas.
The highlight was the final panel discussion "Innovations in medicine - for everyone?" This focussed on the question of how innovations can improve healthcare and keep healthcare affordable for everyone. What challenges need to be overcome and what framework conditions need to be created. Together with Christiane Bardroff from Rentschler Biopharma SE, Prof. Dr Klaus-Dieter Debatin from BioPharma Cluster South Germany e.V. and the German Centre for Child and Adolescent Health and Prof. Dr Axel Olaf Kern from Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences and the Steinbeis Transfer Centre for Health and Social Systems Research, Dr Janina Ulmer, Managing Director of SPI-MP, sat on the panel.
Science Day 2024
On this year's Science Day, there were all sorts of exciting things for interested visitors to discover at the joint stand of the Institute of Interfacial Engineering and Plasma Technology (IGVP), the Stuttgart Partnership Initiative Mass Personalisation (SPI-MP) and the Leistungszentrum Mass Personalization (LZMP) from 1 pm to 7 pm. Visitors were invited to generate their own plasma using a household microwave, find out about phase transitions in interface and plasma technology research and get to know the biorefinery area with hands-on algae and insect exhibits. One of the highlights was Dr Alf-Köhn-Seemann's lecture "Bringing the sun to earth" on fusion research. SPI-MP and LZMP presented personalised products, particularly from medical technology research such as cartilage and tendon implants. There were colourful helium-filled balloons for young visitors.
Girls Day 2024: Exciting facts from the world of interfaces and phase transitions
The Germany-wide Girls Day took place again on 25 April 2024. The SPI-MP and the IGVP took part with an exciting guided tour of the plasma and microwave laboratories in the Pfaffenwaldring and with interesting, hands-on chemical experiments in the Allmandring. The schoolgirls learnt what interfaces and phase transitions are, how plasma can be generated from gas using a normal microwave and that this becomes visible in a vacuum in the form of violet flashes. The girls found it particularly exciting to work with hydrogels, a gummy bear-like substance that is used to produce artificial cartilage and tissue substitutes, for example. In simple experiments, the girls were allowed to change the properties of hydrogels so that they became more fluid or more solid and could be processed differently.
In between, the eight girls aged between 12 and 15 had the opportunity to ask questions to the scientists present over drinks and snacks.
Additive Production Technology User Forum 2024
The Additive Production Technology User Forum took place on the campus of the University of Stuttgart from April 16-17, 2024. The event was organized by Konradin Mediengruppe and Fraunhofer IPA in cooperation with the University of Stuttgart, ARENA 2036, the Stuttgart Partnership Initiative Mass Personalization (SPI-MP), the Leistungszentrum Mass Personalization (LZMP), the other Fraunhofer Institutes and the Institute of Aerospace Engineering.
The specialist forum for 3D printing offered visitors from various industries, including mechanical engineering, automotive and medical technology, insights into the latest developments along the entire 3D printing process chain.
Participants experienced exciting presentations, workshops and lab tours, ranging from innovative materials to quality control. The sessions were divided into the thematic focus areas of metal, plastics, software and medicine as well as mobility, medicine and aerospace.
In addition to technical content, the focus was also on networking. The relaxed atmosphere with food and drinks during the accompanying exhibition and the evening event encouraged exchanges between exhibitors, speakers and visitors.
The lab tour on biotechnology and medical technology was particularly impressive, offering insights into the use of 3D printing in medicine.
Pitch Innovationprojects
On 08.04.2024 from 12:00 am to 1:45 pm, 17 scientific teams that applied for funding as an innovation project of the LZMP pitched. Each team consisted of employees from at least two Fraunhofer Institutes or one Fraunhofer Institute and one university institute. The jury consisted of the core team of the High-Performance Center, the TACs and the SPI-MP management team.
For the first time, three projects involving the University of Stuttgart were submitted and all three were also funded.
Science Speed Dating
On March 18, 2024, researchers from the University of Stuttgart, the Stuttgart Fraunhofer Institutes, the German Aerospace Center DLR and the Hahn Schickard Institute met for Science Speed Dating at ARENA 2036 in Stuttgart from 12 noon to 2 pm. This unusual networking format as part of a lunch break event attracted over 50 interested people.
After a short welcome and introduction, the participants were able to get to know each other in five ten-minute dating rounds. Table numbers and routing slips were used to ensure that the scientists mostly had new encounters. The event was moderated by Dr. Janina Ulmer and Volkher Onuseit.
Afterwards, the participants had time to deepen their encounters over snacks and drinks, make further contacts or visit the themed tables.
Lisa Rössler, Technology Accelerator Consultant at the Leistungszentrum Mass Personalization (LZMP), Sannah König and Ulrich Haase from the university's Makerspace Universum, Dr Janina Ulmer from the Stuttgart Partnership Initiative Mass Personalization (SPI-MP), Thilo Zimmermann from the Innovation Campus Mobility of the Future (ICM) and Jannik Lind from ARENA2036 were in charge of the themed tables. In addition to information on the various research networks, there was also information on cooperative funding programs and hands-on exhibits from a wide variety of manufacturing processes in the Makespace. "An event like this was long overdue!" praised one of the participants, while another participant thanked us for "the great idea and the international focus thanks to the English language".
A big thank you also goes to ARENA2036 for providing the premises, LZMP for sponsoring the drinks and SPI-MP for taking care of the catering.
Successful meccanica feminale 2024 with a focus on "Energy and the environment"
The 25th meccanica feminale took place at the University of Stuttgart from 27.02. to 02.03.2024. Around 100 female students, doctoral candidates and professionals took part in the event on the Vaihingen campus. The aim of the further education week is to promote women from the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, medical technology and industrial engineering. The courses and workshops on offer are therefore aimed exclusively at women. The course leaders and lecturers are also exclusively women. The main theme of this year's meccanica feminale was "Energy and the environment".
In her opening speech for the event week, Melanie Vogelpohl from the German Federal Environmental Foundation gave the participants and the interested public important food for thought.
Under the title "Great Transformations - Environment, Energy, Women", she presented, among others, winners of the German Environmental Award and their research.Among them was the physicist Prof. Dr. Friederike Otto.The winner of the German Environmental Award 2023 is researching the links between climate change and extreme weather events.
Melanie Vogelpohl encouraged the audience that women in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and IT) are needed with their knowledge and skills to achieve the United Nations' sustainability goals and overcome the challenges facing society.This is because women repeatedly face particular hurdles in technical fields. Dr. Ulrike Weinrich, Dr. Aline Defranceski, Dr. Christina Korntreff and Maike Lambarth made this clear during the panel discussion "Career in STEM - I do it my way!", moderated by Dr. Janina Ulmer, Managing Director of SPI-MP.
Further information on the event can be found here.

EmpowHER - Women Entrepreneurs
"With only 20 percent of founders being female, women are still severely underrepresented in our start-up landscape," said Dr. Anna Christmann, the Start-up Commissioner of the German Bundestag. The new EXIST-Women program of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) aims to change this. Women at universities and research institutions are to be supported through mentoring, individual coaching, networking and funding. And: "There is a strong start-up network at the University of Stuttgart that supports women with their start-up projects as part of EXIST-Women."
During a panel discussion, the 45 participants listened to the different experiences of experienced and aspiring female founders. Moderator Hannah Boomgaarden (Startup Autobahn) concluded by emphasizing: "Women take a different approach to founding a company, but that doesn't mean less success!"
After a short break with snacks and drinks, a World Café followed, in which it was discussed what support women need to facilitate the start-up process as a whole, to gain more visibility, to receive greater financial support and to stand by their (financial) success.It became clear that successful role models are necessary to increase visibility and convince male investors in particular to invest in female-led start-ups. Statistically, such companies last longer on the market than companies run by men.

Events 2023
Open doors with the mouse
On October 3, a very special day took place on which the LZMP actively participated in the Germany-wide campaign "Doors open with the mouse". The aim of this day was to give children an insight into the work at the Fraunhofer Institutes of the LZMP and to arouse their curiosity. The LZMP was proud to be part of this exciting initiative and welcomed more than 60 bright children and young people who were able to visit four exciting stations.
You can find a detailed report here (in German).
Science Day 2023: Mini escape puzzles, gas balloons and colorful flower pots
For Science Day on 8 June 2023, the SPI-MP, together with the IGVP and the LZMP, presented a colorful range of different attractions for young and old. The highlight was a mini escape puzzle with four puzzle stations spread across the entire campus. At the end, young visitors had the opportunity to paint clay flower pots, which they could then take home filled with soil and seeds. There were also gas-filled balloons and, of course, lots of scientific exhibits. These included artificial cartilage, exoskeletons and processes for 3D printing of human organs.
You can find a detailed report on the event here (in German).
Pitch Innovationsprojects 2023
On 24.04.2023 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, five scientific teams who had applied for the LZMP's Innovation Projects funding program pitched. Each team consisted of employees from at least two Fraunhofer Institutes or one Fraunhofer Institute and one Institute from the University. The jury consisted of the core team of the Performance Center, the TACs and the SPI-MP management team.
Mit-Kind-Tag: On a treasure hunt with the bee robot
On Mit-Kind-Tag at 06.04.2023, the SPI-MP and the IGVP invited ten children of primary school age to a treasure hunt with the bee robot.
But before the girls and boys were allowed to discover the treasure in the form of sweet treats, they first had to learn how to program a bee robot. "It wasn't so easy to imagine the path and press the right buttons," explains Max. The bee robots, also known as beebots, are small robots in the shape of bees with four buttons on the top. These allow them to navigate forwards, backwards, right and left on the treasure map and other motif mats at the touch of a button.
You can find a detailed report on the event here.
Events 2022
MakeMintCool at IGVP and IFSW
Together with Janina Ulmer, Managing Director of SPI-MP, Antje Lohmüller, Programme Manager for Process Engineering and Angelika Baur, Coordinator of the MINT Region Böblingen, pupils from Böblingen secondary schools visited the IGVP and IFSW institutes on the campus in Vaihingen on 21 November from 3 pm to 6 pm. The young people learnt what interfaces and plasmas are, what exactly is done in process engineering and which lasers are used for research and production purposes.
Science Day 2022: New image film ExzelLÄND of the SPI-MP
Just in time for Science Day on July 2, 2022, the SPI-MP presented its new image film "ExzelLÄND - Excellent Biomedical Basic Research". This film reports on the SPI-MP's current research projects. These include personalized cartilage implants, exoskeletons with and without drive and ecologically optimized production planning.
There were also exciting exhibits on the topic of additive manufacturing (3D printing) in medical technology. Interested visitors were able to view the print head with which personalized cartilage transplants can be produced and examine a sample implant.
You can find the new SPI-MP image film here.
Pitch Innovationsprojects 2022
On 08.05.2022 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, eight scientific teams who had applied for the LZMP's Innovation Projects funding program pitched. Each team consisted of employees from at least two Fraunhofer Institutes. The jury consisted of the core team of the Performance Center, the TACs and the SPI-MP management team.
Girls Day 2022: interfacial process and plasma
On Girls' Day on April 28, 2022, employees of SPI-MP and the Institute of Interfacial Engineering and Plasma Technology (IGVP) took six schoolgirls from 5th to 10th grade into the world of interfaces and phase transitions for three hours.
Together with the scientists, the girls created the fourth aggregate state of plasma through acceleration. "The purple flashes are really impressive and the glass container only got slightly warm!" marveled twelve-year-old Emily. Finally, the pupils were allowed to get hands-on in the chemistry lab and produce simple hydrogels. These swellable, water-insoluble polymer networks are used scientifically, for example, to produce artificial cartilage.