The Chair of Applied Mechanics at the Technical University of Munich arose from the Institut B of Mechanics by renaming in 2001. The chair was founded by Prof. Kurt Magnus in 1966. The domain of ‘Technical Mechanics’ has been represented in research and higher education since 1966 continuously.
More than 100 doctoral thesis and State doctorate thesis have documented excellent research results, which all are focussed on dynamics, control and optimization of mechanical systems, especially multi-body systems.
Under chair of Prof. Friedrich Pfeiffer, appointed in 1982, the fundamental research has been in strong interaction with applications in automotive industries, space- and aircraft technology, robotics, power train engineering and applications in common mechanical engineering. Interdisciplinary way of thinking, experiments and simulation as well as concentrated efforts of computers have been important methods and tools since the first years of the chair. Consequently, the Chair of Applied Mechanics has been integrated into the Department of Mechatronics in 1997. Many of the ongoing research projects with walking machines and humanoid robots are connected closely to medical science and biology.
Since 2001, Prof. Heinz Ulbrich has been in charge of the chair, enforcing the focus on mechatronics. Besides nonlinear machine dynamics and multi-body dynamics, new research projects were launched. Among these are the developement of actuators and inertial sensor systems. Also, beside the humanoid robots, new types of robot systems were developed such as hexapods, compact high-dynamic camera orientation systems as well as an autonomous harvesting robot. Additional research projects resulted in the develpment of driving simulators and a high-dynamic platform to walk through virtual worlds. Further projects focused on active auxiliary bearings for rotation systems or aimed at the automotive industry in order to optimize the fuel consumption. Specifically, these were projects on active cam phasing systems, active mechanisms to adjust the operating capacity of the valve spring and mechanisms to reduce rotational oscillations in the power train with engines comprising fewer cylinders ("Downsizing").
In 2012, Prof. Daniel J. Rixen assumed leadership of the Chair of Applied Mechanics at the Technical University of Munich. After research stays at the University of Colorado in the USA, he became a professor of Technical Dynamics at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands in 2000. Since joining TUM in 2012, Prof. Rixen has focused on the theoretical, numerical, and experimental dynamics of structures and systems. His research areas include the simulation and measurement of vibrations, model reduction techniques, and the modeling of multiphysical systems. Additionally, he is involved in the planning and control of robots and mechatronic systems. These developments are carried out in collaboration with industry partners and academic institutions in sectors such as aerospace, automotive engineering, mechatronics, wind energy, microsystems, and medical devices.
20 PhD students associated with the chair represent its interdisciplinary orientation being mechanical engineers, mathematicians, physicist or electrical engineers. Another key of success is based on the short and open way of communication between scientists, mechanical workshop and electronic lab of our chair.
Being with the Chair of Applied Mechanics, all engineering skills and qualities are supported but challenged, too. A strong connection of research and study is understood to be very important. Thus, the institut offers various courses during your university career, including fundamental lectures on Technical Mechanics as well as specific classes on robotics, machine dynamics or multi-body systems. Finally, student research work via bachelor and master theses are a vital issue of scientific innovation.