About Dresden University of Technology
- Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) is one of Germany’s leading universities, with a long-standing tradition of academic excellence and innovation. Located in the vibrant city of Dresden, the university offers a broad spectrum of disciplines, with particular strengths in engineering, natural sciences, and technology. Through a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and a collaborative academic environment, TUD addresses complex global challenges, including sustainability, digital transformation, and mobility. The university maintains robust quality assurance mechanisms and fosters innovation through its state-of-the-art research infrastructure and close cooperation with industry. Its international orientation is reflected in a wide network of partnerships, joint programmes, and research initiatives across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. As a member of the German Universities of Excellence initiative, TU Dresden continues to expand its global footprint, while cultivating a dynamic and diverse academic community.
- TU Dresden contributes to the NH3CRAFT project through two key departments: the European Project Center (EPC) and the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK). The EPC is responsible for the administrative coordination and management support within the project, ensuring compliance with European funding regulations and facilitating smooth communication between partners. The ILK is a leading research institute with strong expertise in lightweight structures, composite materials, and integrated design approaches. It combines simulation, manufacturing, and testing capabilities under one roof, enabling efficient development from concept to prototype. The ILK leads the technical contributions from TU Dresden and is responsible for developing advanced storage solutions and digitalisation capabilities within the NH3CRAFT project. This includes the detailed engineering design of composite tanks for ammonia storage, as well as the creation of a digital tool that integrates key aspects of the tank and auxiliary systems.
Meet the Experts Driving NH3CRAFT Forward
- Dr. Georgios Tzortzinis / Technical Manager- Researcher
Georgios Tzortzinis is a researcher and Head of the Intelligent Structures Group at the Institut für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik (ILK) at Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), where he has been working since 2021. He holds a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the University of Patras, an MSc in Computational Mechanics from Swansea University, and a PhD in Structural Engineering and Mechanics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is currently involved in several EU-funded projects, including NH3CRAFT, LH2CRAFT, and SAFeCRAFT.
In NH3CRAFT, Georgios Tzortzinis serves as the Work Package Leader for WP5, where he coordinates and contributes to the development of a digital design platform. He also oversees the design and structural development of composite storage tanks in WP3.
- Kaushik Abhyankar/Researcher
Kaushik Abhyankar is a research associate at the Institut für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik at Technische Universität Dresden, where he has been working since June 2021. Kaushik’s research centers on the design and testing of structural optimization algorithms, specifically for fiber-reinforced composite structures. He investigates functional composite structures and contributes to the development of optimized fiber-reinforced plastics for the aerospace sector.
In the NH3CRAFT project, Kaushik has been involved in multiple work-packages. For WP1, he established a framework for managing and storing research data at TU Dresden, as outlined in deliverable 1.2. In WP3, he performed a comprehensive design and structural analysis of type-4 composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPV) for ammonia storage. Additionally, in WP8, he assisted NTUA by conducting parametric structural analyses on composite tanks of various sizes and orientations as part of desktop studies.
- Dr. Bruno Christoff / Researcher
Bruno Christoff is a researcher at the Institut für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik (ILK) at Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), where he has been working since 2024. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Brazil, and earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics from the University of São Paulo (USP), including a research stay at Texas A&M University, USA. His expertise lies in numerical methods for engineering problems, lightweight materials, and optimization techniques. Currently, he contributes to the technical development of the NH3CRAFT and SAFeCRAFT research projects.
Bruno Christoff is contributing to the development of a digital design platform (WP5) within NH3CRAFT. He integrates key results from WP3 (tank design) and WP4 (auxiliary systems) into a unified, parameterized software environment, which serves as the backend for the project’s online platform.
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Habil. Maik Gude
Prof. Maik Gude is the Chair of Lightweight Systems Engineering and Multi Material Design at Technische Universität Dresden (TUD). He is a member of the Board at the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) and the Director of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) Dresden for “Lightweight Structures and Materials and Robust Design.” He also serves as the Scientific Head of the high-technology cluster ECEMP – European Centre for Emerging Materials and Processes Dresden, and the affiliated International Graduate School (IGS), as well as the BMBF-funded beacon project FOREL. In addition to his academic leadership, he acts as a consultant for institutions such as the DFG, DAAD, and the Polish NCBR. Prof. Gude is also Chairman of the Board at juniorIng. Sachsen e.V. and a member of the Scientific Alliance of Plastics Technology (WAK).
Prof. Maik Gude is the main coordinator of TUD’s activities within the NH3CRAFT project and is responsible for both the administrative and technical coordination of TUD’s involvement.
How TUD is Powering NH3CRAFT’s Success
- [WP1 administrative management] – The EPC plays a central role in the administrative coordination of the project, while the ILK is responsible for data management activities.
- [WP3 Engineering design process for the composite tank storage systems] – The ILK carried out the detailed engineering design of composite tanks for ammonia storage.
- [WP5 digital integration and virtual demonstration] – TUD acted as the Work Package leader, contributing to the development of a design tool in the form of a software system. The tool integrates key components and findings related to the tank containment and auxiliary systems, enabling end-users to run simulations and obtain preliminary solutions at the conceptual design stage.
- [WP8 Assessment of operational and modularity characteristics] – TUD supported the conceptual design of composite tanks, contributing to the scalability and modularity assessment of the developed technologies.
- [WP11 Dissemination, Exploitation and communication] – TUD participated in the establishment of the External Advisory Board.
NH3CRAFT is a Co-funded by the European Commission Project. UK participation in NH3CRAFT Project is funded by UK Research and Innovation(UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe guarantee [grant numbers 10038548 and 10037828].
