Student (m/f/d): Vibration and Damping Characterization of Mineral Cast Materials for High Precision Systems

During your studies, you can contribute to our ongoing research projects. Join us in pushing the limits of what is technically feasible and be part of breaking new ground together. We offer a variety of challenging and practice-oriented topics for mandatory internships, Bachelor’s or Master’s theses or for student research assistants. You will analyse important scientific preliminary questions and support the project teams with development activities.

Place of work: Ilmenau

Team: Mechatronics

Career level:Master thesis

Research field: Magnetic 6D-direct drives with nanometre precision

Time scope: 6 months

Start: As soon as possible

Application deadline: 2026-07-31

Reference number: IMMS_STUD_MECH_0126

The aim of this Master’s thesis is the experimental investigation of the vibration and damping properties of a cement-based mineral cast material and the evaluation of its suitability for precision and nanopositioning systems.

Such systems require structural materials with high dynamic stiffness and effective vibration attenuation to ensure positioning accuracy and long-term stability. The work focuses on the experimental identification of natural frequencies, damping ratios, and modal behavior of material samples. Experiments will be conducted using shaker-based excitation in combination with laser vibrometry, enabling controlled harmonic or broadband excitation and non-contact vibration measurements.

The measured time- and frequency-domain responses will be analyzed to derive frequency response functions (FRFs) and damping parameters. The results will be compared with reference materials commonly used in precision engineering, such as granite. The experimental findings will be interpreted with respect to the requirements of precision systems and, where appropriate, supported by simplified analytical models or numerical simulations.

WHAT TO DO:

Literature review on vibration and damping behaviour of mineral cast materials
Design and setup of an experimental vibration measurement system
Identification of natural frequencies, damping ratios and modal parameters and comparison with granite
Comparison with analytical or finite element models

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:

Fundamental of vibration theory and structural dynamics
Basic knowledge of measurement technology and signal processing
Experience with data analysis tools (e.g. MATLAB, Python, etc.) and finite element modeling
Interest in experimental work and precision engineering

AND THIS IS US:

We strengthen enterprises with application-oriented research and development in microelectronics, systems engineering and mechatronics and transfer the results of basic research into applications and products. We support companies in launching internationally successful innovations for health, the environment and industry and provide solutions from the feasibility study to series production.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU!

We thank you for your interest in working with us.

Please only apply once – for your favourite topic or for the one that comes closest to your interests. This is the quickest way for us to process your application and get back to you. If you are interested in more than one topic, please include this in your cover letter. In case our current suggestions are not suitable, please send us your with a topic you would like to work on.

WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU:

An attractive workplace in a modern, very well-equipped and industry-oriented research institute
Work directly at the interface between university and industry
Work in a flexible and creative team and on innovative and challenging topics

For the tasks described in the job offer and with the existing working conditions, an application is possible irrespective of gender and/or any physical disabilities. We foster professional equality of women and men. We invite women in particular to apply. As women are underrepresented at IMMS, they will be given priority in the case of equal suitability, ability and professional performance.

Address:

IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH)
Ehrenbergstraße 27
98693 Ilmenau
Germany

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