Nonlinear Experimental Techniques for Self-Excited Vibrations (NExTSelfVib)

Focus:	Resource efficiency Talents
Type of funding:	Individual funding programmes
Programme:	CZS Nexus \| Changed application process
Funded institution:	University of Stuttgart

Dr. Maren Scheel conducts research on vibrational modes in lightweight construction. She is an engineer who studied mechanical engineering at the University of Stuttgart and earned her Ph.D. in aerospace engineering. She has worked as a visiting researcher at universities in the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States.

Goals

To increase the efficiency of aircraft, their wings are constructed using lightweight materials. However, lightweight, flexible wings are susceptible to dangerous vibrations, particularly flutter. To date, flutter safety has been assessed based on the assumption of linear behavior. However, this approach excludes the detection of flutter vibrations that occur well below the critical airspeed and can have potentially fatal consequences.

Dr. Scheel’s research aims to close this gap by developing innovative vibration measurement methods. These methods will be used to systematically and experimentally investigate self-excited vibrations in engineering structures. The research employs methods from mechanics, systems engineering, and applied mathematics. This will lay the foundation for understanding the actual vibration behavior of modern lightweight wings – and thus make future aircraft safer and significantly more resource-efficient.