05.04.2024 (modified form a press release of the TUM School of Engineering and Design)
The final secret of the “V2”
Experts from the TUM School of Engineering and Design and the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart are currently examining under the direction of the Deutsches Museum München the 14-meter V2 rocket from the Second World War at the Museum Island. They want to clarify what is hidden under the white paint. It is no coincidence that the Nazis' terrorist weapon is surrounded by a spiral staircase and does not visually dominate the entire Aerospace Hall of the Deutsches Museum: the museum curators did not want to give the terrible weapon too much prominence. Thousands of these rockets fell on London and Antwerp during the Second World War. Around 20,000 concentration camp prisoners and forced laborers died in the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp complex, where the rocket was produced under inhumane conditions, and around 8,000 more people lost their lives as a result of the V2 missions. The Deutsches Museum displays the only complete original rocket of this type exhibited in Germany.
Before the rocket can be restored as an exhibit at the Deutsches Museum, it must be examined for its original condition and for damage. That's why three TUM researchers, Dr. Olga Popovych (postdoc), Isabelle Stüwe (doctoral student), and Ana Menéndez Orellana (doctoral student) from the Chair of Non-Destructive Testing, used together with Anna Dohnal from Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart (abk) the thermography method to analyze the rocket. In specific areas, this process is used to look for traces of the previous paintwork under the current white paint. In addition, the aim of this process is to determine whether the components of the rocket were assembled during production and therefore have a uniform “serial number” or whether the object was later combined from original parts. “This is crucial for the restoration,” says the Deutsches Museum’s restoration specialist, Marisa Pamplona. “The more original material we find, the more we want and need to preserve.”
Isabelle Stüwe from TUM explains the process: “Thermography examines electromagnetic radiation in the infrared range that is emitted by the object.” The process generates images on the computer, which allow you to essentially look beneath the surface of the current paintwork.
The initial investigations did not provide any evidence of a camouflage coating, but the experts continue to search to reveal the last secrets of the V2 rocket. The restoration will then begin. So that this weapon and with it the memory of the terror of the Second World War is preserved as a warning. The data is finally evaluated together with the curator Andreas Hempfer, who leads the project.
16.02.2024
AG6 excursion with MSE and civil engineering students to the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin.
Short report on the excursion on 16.02.2024.
Isabelle Stüwe
Work group 6
As part of an impressive excursion to Berlin to the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, 17 students from the fields of engineering and civil engineering, together with three research assistants and Prof. Christian Große, were able to get to know the various specialist areas of Department 8 Non-Destructive Testing. During the comprehensive program with exciting discussions, the students were given a deeper understanding of NDT methods such as eddy current testing, air-coupled, immersion and phased array ultrasound as well as various X-ray methods. Many exciting current applications and projects were also presented, including robotic 3D emissions localization and AI-supported monitoring of pressure vessels.
On behalf of all participants, we would like to thank Department 8 for Non-Destructive Testing at BAM, which spared no expense or effort to realize this great experience and we look forward to future excursions, collaborations and scientific exchange! An equally big thank you goes to the “School of Engineering and Design” (SoED), which financially supported the students’ participation through study grants.
25.05.2023
Lecture by Prof. Zink and Prof. Große in the Nymphenburg Schools, Munich, about ice mummies, pharaohs and hidden burial chambers
Article on the school website:
Eismumien, Pharaonen und verborgenen Grabkammern.
On Thursday, May 25th, it was that time again – we dived back into the current world of science. This time, the sixth graders and selected students from other grades were visited by Prof. Christian Große (TUM) and Prof. Albert Zink (LMU).
In an enjoyable lecture we learned numerous details about the discovery of Ötzi, his life and the circumstances of his death. How was this scientificknowledge obtained? What investigation options are there? We got first-hand answers to all these questions. It's reassuring to know that even Prof. Zink is a bit nervous at times - at least when he's allowed to take DNA samples from Tutankhamun.
Next, Prof. Große took us on an exciting journey inside the Cheops pyramid. He and his team just recently discovered previously unknown cavities in the world-famous pyramid. We were even shown the original images from the endoscope camera. We are all excited to see what further investigations of the pyramid will reveal!
In short - we got insights into science "at its best" and hope that both researchers will visit us often in the future.
(Emily, 5th grade)
(Editor's note: Prof. Große leads the Chair for Non-destructive Testing at the Technical University of Munich and was instrumental, together with his team, in the discovery of previously unknown burial chambers in the Cheops Pyramid earlier this year. Prof. Zink conducts research at the LMU, leads the Institute for Mummy Research in Bolzano and was one of the first researchers to examine Ötzi, as well as the mummy of Tutankhamun).
01.06.2023
Student Prize for Ms. Menéndez and Mr. Maier
Ms. Ana Menéndez Orellana and Mr. Benedikt Maier were nominated earlier this year for the Student Prize 2023 of the German Society of Non-Destructive Testing (DGZfP e.V.). After examining all the received suggestions, the DGZfP e.V. announced today that both, Ms. Ana Menéndez Orellana and Mr. Benedikt Maier, have been awarded with the opportunity to take part in the basic course for non-destructive testing (BC Course) from August 21st to September 1st, 2023, in Berlin.
We congratulate our candidates on this award, wish them every success, and a lot of fun while learning!
05.03.2023
Prof. Christian U. Grosse receives award from Cairo University
On March 5, 2023, Prof. Christian U. Grosse received an award from the President of Cairo University for his achievements in connection with locating a chamber in the Great Pyramid of Giza (Cheops Pyramid). He accepted the award on behalf of the entire team from the Technical University of Munich.
Significant Discovery in the Great Pyramid of Giza
TUM-Researchers Confirm Suspected Chamber
02.03.2023
An international research team has discovered a previously unknown chamber in the Cheops pyramid of Giza. As early as 2016 measurements had given reason to suspect the existence of a hidden hollow space in the vicinity of the chevron blocks over the entrance. Now scientists from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have used ultrasound and endoscopy to make an important contribution to confirm this assumption. The status of the Egyptian pyramid as one of the most investigated structures in the world makes this find particularly important.
07.08.2022
Prof. Hany Helal honored as TUM-Ambassador 2022
Upon the recommendation of Prof. Christian U. Grosse, TUM Department of Materials Engineering, Prof. Hany Helal of Cairo University was named TUM-Ambassador 2022. This honorary title is awarded to selected top international researchers who enrich the Technical University of Munich with their expertise and experience.
(Link to the news report of the School of Engineering and Design)
10.05.2022
Non-destructive evaluation of pipes in the field of gas and oil transport
Dr. Olya Popovych is a specialist in the field of non-destructive testing and is conducting research at TUM at the Chair of Non-Destructive Testing of the Department of Materials Engineering. She is one of ten researchers who have been accepted for the Fellowship Program of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) due to the war in Ukraine. (Link to the Report of the TUM School of Engineering and Design)
09.02.2022
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) report on a lecture given by Prof. C.U. Große while in Egypt as part of the lighthouse project “Clusters of Scientific Innovation in the Middle East and North Africa” (COSIMENA) at the Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir. (link to the DAAD news report "Non-Destructive Testing in Cultural Heritage and Other Applications").
25.11.2021
Scientists from Egypt Participate in Winter School
In November 2021, a team of researchers from the Faculty of Engineering-Cairo University (Rock Engineering Laboratory and Non Destructive Techniques Center of Excellence) participated in a winter school organized by our Chair of Non-destructive testing. Both partners are successfully collaborating since 2020 in the investigation of the Great Pyramid in the framework of ScanPyramids Project.
11.10.2021
New Seminar in WS 2021-2022 from the Chair of Conservation-Restoration, Art Technology and Conservation Science in collaboration with the Chair of Non-destructive Testing:
Science in Cultural Heritage (Interdisciplinary Thinking)
The goal of the new seminar “Science in Cultural Heritage. Interdisciplinary thinking” is to introduce students to the discipline of Heritage Science. Heritage Science is the science and technology used to understand and preserve objects of our cultural heritage such as documents, paintings, sculptures, and buildings. The physics, chemistry, and material-science properties of these objects and the devices used for evaluation, the biology of organisms that cause degradation, the understanding of the climate and environment – all of these contribute to the short- and long-term strategies for preservation.
Each of the planned themes for the Winter semester 2021-2022 are given in this pdf-file file.
01.10.2021
Since October 2021, the Chair is a member of the newly established TUM School of Engineering and Design and is allocated to the Department of Materials Engineering.
12.08.2021
Second Edition of the book on Acoustic Emission Testing (written in English) has been published.
The Second Edition of the book “Acoustic Emission Testing, Basics for Research - Applications in Engineering," edited by Christian U. Grosse, Masayasu Ohtsu, Dimitrios G. Aggelis, and Tomoki Shiotani, has been published.
Further information on the book can be found in SpringerLink.
18.06.2021
View inside the Cheops Pyramid
Geophysics doctoral student Johannes Scherr reports from Egypt
One of the best researched buildings of antiquity: the Cheops Pyramid. Still, its structure has not yet been investigated in its entirety. Using non-destructive testing methods, doctoral student Johannes Scherr took a closer look at the inside of the pyramid. For us he wrote down his experiences:
02.05.2021
From Hydrophobic Concrete to Towering Pyramids – Interview with Professor Große
Online Artikel in REISSWOLF, the Periodical of the Student Association for Mechanical Engineering
An interview with Professor Christian Große about the TUM Chair for Non-destructive Testing: What do concrete with bacterial spores, a BMW Wendler and pyramids have in common? They all were all examined by Professor Große using nondestructive testing methods. The measurement technology is particularly interesting and ranges from Georadar to Computer Tomography. Professor Große founded and built the Chair for Non-destructive Testing in 2010 with only two staff members. Today, the Chair has over 20 employees and his research has lead him to the most unique investigations.
20.01.2021
New Data about the structure of the Pyramid of Cheops
Interview with Prof. Christian Große on the ScanPyramid project team’s investigation of the Pyramids of Giza
Measuring a height of 139 meters (455 ft.), the largest of the three pyramids of Giza is one of the oldest edifices in the world. Yet, even after 4,500 years, this architectural masterpiece still leaves some questions unanswered. Christian Grosse, Professor for Non-destructive Testing at Technical University of Munich (TUM) has performed fascinating measurements at the Pyramid of Cheops in coordination with Cairo University. In this interview, he presents his experiences.
14.07. - 17.07.2019
The Fifth International Conference on Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies (SCMT5), was held from July 14 -17, 2019 at Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, London, UK. Professor Christian Grosse was one of three honoured guests at the SCMT 2019. Two Technical Sessions were held in honour of Prof. Grosse. Professor Große also presented a keynote address at the opening Plenary Session of the Conference.
A summary of the conference by Kingston Universty is shown on this webpage.
Video by Kingston University on the SCMT Conference with Prof. Grosse
The proceedings of the Sessions in honour of Prof. Grosse may be purchased through Amazon (link to Amazon)
Honour Sessions of Professor Große:
Session 1 HONOUREE FOR PROFESSOR GROSSE, July 15, 14:00 - 15:30 Room: JG0001 Chair: Rudi Kraus
| Paper ID | Paper Title and Authors |
| IDSCMT5167 | Material characterization via contact-free detection of surface waves using an optical microphone Wolfgang Rohringer, Ryan Sommerhuber, Lukas Csaszar, Nils Panzer, Sebastian Wald, Balthasar Fischer, Harald Garrecht,Friedrich Grüner, Jürgen Frick |
| IDSCMT5127 | Insight into the application of computed tomography to building materials research Christiane Hadlich, Andrea Osburg, Franziska Vogt |
| IDSCMT5134 | Reactivity of modified iron silicate slag as sustainable alternative binder Pithchai Pandian Sivakumar, Elke Gruyaert, Nele De Belie, Stijn Matthys |
| IDSCMT5155 | Next Generation Building Diagnostics – Corrosion Detection Ralf W. Arndt |
| IDSCMT5182 | Non-destructive Inspection and Monitoring of Fractures in Concrete with Self-Healing Properties Fabian Malm, Fabian Diewald, Katja Pinkert |
Session 2 HONOUREE FOR PROFESSOR GROSSE (Part 2), July 16, 9:00 - 10:30 Room: JG0001 Chair: Rudi Kraus
| Paper ID | Paper Title and Authors |
| IDSCMT5059 | Inert material with binding rim by reactive milling Frank Schmidt-Döhl, Gabriel Glück and David Schulenberg |
| IDSCMT5087 | Ultralight mineral foams for sustainable insulation applications Albrecht Gilka-Bötzow, Sha Yang, Eduardus A.B. Koenders |
| IDSCMT5131 | Characterization of fresh cementitious media through wave dispersion Sokratis Iliopoulos, Dimitrios G. Aggelis |
| IDSCMT5160 | Sensitivity of the various parameters in the prediction of the voids ratio of mixes with fine and coarse particles according to Dewar’s model S.Q. Liu, P. Minne, J. Li, E. Gruyaert |
| IDSCMT5184 | Air-coupled Impact-Echo Scanner: Fast and Contactless Non-destructive Testing of Concrete Pavements Robin Groschup and Rudolph N. Kraus |
27.03.2019
In cooperation with the Chair of Non-destructive Testing and the Chair of Conservation-Restoration, Art Technology and Conservation Science of the TU Munich as well as the Fraunhofer Institute EZRT - Fürth, the Deutsches Museum examined a Messerschmitt Me 163 "Comet". The museum wished to examine various components, surface paint, and internal construction without having to disassemble the plane.
The Chair examined the aircraft using various nondestructive test methods, including Lock-in infrared thermography, flash thermography, phased-array ultrasound, eddy current and video endoscopy.
Press Release of the TUM Department of Mechanical Engineering (in german)
19.09.2017
HEALCON - Self-healing Concrete (in german), published in DETAIL - Magazine of Architecture + Construction Details, Report on the HEALCON-Projekt.
11.09.2017
Computer Tomography Reveals the Interior Construction of Otto Lilienthals Glider:
Press Release of the TUM (in english)
CT measurments were conducted by Michael Mosch und Denis Kiefel, doctoral candidates of the Chair of Non-destructive Testing, TU Munich, in cooperation with the compaies Airbus Group Innovations, Airbus Helicopters and Testia, as well as the Deutsches Museum and the Chair of Conservation-Restoration, Art Technology and Conservation Science, TU Munich.
29.07.2017
ARD-program "W wie Wissen" refers to the HEALCON-Projekt in its report on roadway construction.
The Chair of Non-destructive Testing is involved in the TUM "REUSED Initiative".
See www.reused.tum.de.
26.02.2016
Self-healing Concrete - A radio broadcast on the HEALCON Project from SWR2 Impuls - Audio (in german). (audio no longer available)
11.-15.02.2016
International spotlight on TUM medical and engineering research, information on the 16th Anual Meeeting of the American Assoication for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) held in Washington D.C.
13.02.2016
TUM at AAAS: Concrete with self-healing powers Information on the HEALCON Project at the 16th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington D.C.
13.02.2016
Press release of the Technical University of Munich "HealCON investigates innovative materials, Concrete with self-healing powers"
09.05.2015
BBC-Program "Horizons" reports on the research of the TUM, Report on the HEALCON project (Concrete with self-healing properties) (Series 5 Episode 1 Clip 5)
02.02.2015
"Programmed Deterioration (in german)" Article in the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" Media report on the project HEALCON (concrete with self-healing properties)
Nov.-Dez. 2014
"But there is even more" (in german) Article in "Zeitcampus" (No. 6 November/December 2014) Media report on the project HEALCON (concrete with self healing properties)
Nov.-Dec. 2014
Thermographic-Images for the magazine „aktiv Radfahren“
The Chair took thermographic images used in the November/December 2014 edition of the magazine "aktiv Radfahren." The images were used to evaluate the insulating properties of winter clothing for cyclists while in a cold-chamber.
Nov. 2014 - Nov. 2018
The chair was a member of the COST TU1404 project from November 2014 - November 2018, “Towards the next generation of standards for service life of cement-based materials and structures,” which is funded by the European Commission. The basis for a modern and reliable quality assurance tests for fresh concrete were established. The project coordinator is Prof. Azenha, University of Minho, Portugal. The Chair of Non-destructive testing worked closely with Work Group WG 1 - Testing of cement-based materials, which was led by Prof. Trtnik (IGMAT Building Materials Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia) and dealt with interlaboratory-tests where the suitability of various NDT tests (including ultrasound) for fresh concrete analysis were evalated.
15.05.2014
"TU Munich - Wind- and Energy-Science (first broadcast on 15.05.2014 on BR alpha) - (in german)" (Video no longer available)
09.12.2013
Press statement regarding project MEMIN
The collaborative research project MEMIN (Multidisciplinary Experimental and Modeling Impact Crater Research Network) sponsored by the Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft will be financed for three more years. The Corporate Communications Center of the TU München released a press statement on this occasion.
17.10.2013
"Crumbling Columns" Article in "Zeit Online" (in german) article on the HEALCON project (Concrete with self-healing properties)
15.08.2015
„Small but fine: More wind energy throughout Bavaria - Does the energy transition always require huge wind farms?“ (First broadcast on 15.8.2013 on SAT1.Bayern - report in german (no longer available)
15.05.2013
"Heile, heile Mauer" from the German radio program "Forschung aktuell." Report on the HEALCON project (Concrete with self-healing properties) - in german (Media report no longer available).
29.11.2013
"Forschung aktuell (Current Research)" Report on Bridge Rehabilitation from the television station ZDF, Report on the HEALCON project (concrete with self-healing properties) (Video no longer available)
Project Proposal Approved
The project "Wind Farms" was awarded to the chair by the EuroTech Universities Alliance as part of the Focus Area GreenTech Initiative. Together with Audio Information Processing (Prof. Seeber) biologically-inspired methods are used for the non-destructive testing of rotor blades for wind energy turbines.
01.03.2013
Partner of the project MAIzfp
On the 1st of March the joint project "MAIzfp - Combined non-destructive testing for quality control of composite materials" has launched as a part of the BMBF-funded cluster of excellence MAI Carbon. Through the joint research of the chair with different industrial and research partners competences are brought together in the field of non-destructive testing of CFRP materials. The objective is to improve the confidence level of both individual NDT methods and their combination to ensure an economical manufacturing process for composite materials.
01.01.2013
Partner of the EU project HEALCON
Since 1st January 2013 the Chair is a partner in the EU project HEALCON (Seventh Framework Program). The goal of the projet HEALCON is to produce a smart concrete with self-healing properties in order to enhance the durability and sustainability of concrete structures (for example, concrete infrastructure). The Chair of Non-destructive Testing, in cooperation with the other project partners, is developing a test and monitoring protocol using a variety of NDT methods to observe the healing mechanisms and to assess the condition of the concrete.
22.05.12
Award of the AEWG
Award of the Acoustic Emission Working Group (AEWG) to honor publication activities in the field of acoustic emission.
Presented by Prof. Tomoki Shiotani (Kyoto University, Japan) (middle) to Prof. Masayasu Ohtsu (Kumamoto University, Japan) (left) and Prof. Grosse (right).
02.03.2012
"Building with Rice" (Article) from the television broadcast "ARD Wissen vor 8-Zukunft" (in german) (Video no longer available)
01.09.2011
Additional Offices in Garching:
Since 1st September 2011, the Chair has additional offices at the TUM Garching Research Campus.
Lehrstuhl für Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung
Fakultät für Maschinenwesen
Parkring 37
85748 Garching-Hochbrück
01.05.2011
The Chair is a member of the Carbon Composites e.V. (CCeV)
Wind Energy Researach Alliance (WindForS):
The Chair of Non-destructive Testing is now a member of the Wind Energy Research Alliance WindForS. TUM Announcement (in German)
