Our fields

The transformation of collective and individual mobility toward sustainability is not solely a matter of vehicle technology or transportation systems. The SEM department operates at the interface of vehicle technology and various transportation systems within the so-called ecosystems of electromobility, contributing to ecological and economic questions regarding energy generation and supply, as well as the design of public and private charging infrastructure.

Furthermore, we apply our expertise in ecological assessment methods to the product development of (electric) vehicles and component concepts. To this end, we collaborate across disciplines with colleagues in vehicle technology, plastics, and wood technology to develop new materials, component concepts, and their circularity. Notable examples include the e-Moticon and aCar projects.

The digitalization of value chains and manufacturing processes offers new approaches for implementing energy, material, and substance flow analyses, thereby unlocking potential to enhance resource efficiency. Technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) enable the implementation of cyber-physical production systems (CP(P)S) and digital twins (DT), facilitating real-time data collection.

Through statistical analysis and AI methods, these data can be utilized to address economic and ecological questions, analyzing, controlling, and optimizing the sustainability of products and manufacturing processes in terms of energy, material, and substance flows. This allows, for example, the early detection of increased material and energy consumption, waste, or defect patterns in production. Additionally, the ecological footprint of product and component concepts can be proactively assessed for product development based on real-world data.

The research group SEM focuses on practical and scientific questions related to small-batch and single-unit production within the context of existing manufacturing and production environments (Brownfield Approach). In doing so, we collaborate with colleagues in production technology and logistics, artificial intelligence for technical systems, and production and manufacturing technology in the wood and wood-based materials industry, as well as plastics technology. At the proto_lab of TH Rosenheim, various colleagues work together to research diverse aspects of manufacturing digitalization and to explore and further develop solutions with students through internships and thesis projects.

Sustainable business incorporates not only economic but also social and ecological considerations into entrepreneurial decisions and activities. This often involves developing new business models in existing or emerging fields such as circular economy or electromobility.

The research group SEM supports companies through research projects in the design and evaluation of sustainable business models and value chains. Notable project examples include e-Moticon and ISAR.

A key focus of the research group SEM is sustainable product development. This involves evaluating products or component concepts to enhance their material recyclability at the end of their lifecycle or to reduce the environmental impact of the product across its entire lifecycle.

The research group employs methods such as Design for Recycling, raw material criticality assessment, and social and ecological Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Our goal is to contribute to the ecological optimization and reduction of environmental impacts of products through student projects and research initiatives. Notable project examples include FSP Wood-Based Bioeconomy and TransBiB.

LCA serves as both a methodology and a tool for the holistic evaluation of products, processes, and value chains. The SEM research group applies LCA methodology to various ecological questions. Examples include the evaluation of product and component concepts in the early stages of the product development process or the comparative assessment of material recycling concepts for components, materials, and substances within the circular economy. In doing so, we collaborate closely within the university with colleagues in plastics and wood technology, building physics, and chemical engineering.

Notable project examples include the FSP Wood-Based Bioeconomy, the FSP Climate-Resilient Bioeconomy, ONEforest, and ReProOrgano. Additionally, the research group contributes to the methodological advancement and scientific exploration of LCA methodology.

Raw material management and circular economy can make a significant contribution to the defossilization and decarbonization of our production and consumption. At the same time, value chains must address supply and availability risks. This applies equally to abiotic and biotic raw materials.

The SEM research group brings its expertise in the conceptualization and implementation of circular economy systems to student projects and research initiatives. Additionally, methods such as energy and material flow analysis, material flow analysis, material flow cost accounting, and system dynamics simulation are part of the group's operational and strategic toolkit. Notable project examples include FRiDAH, ISAR, ONEforest, and OHA-FLIM.