Dr.-Ing. Willi Zschiebsch and Dr.-Ing. Philipp Johst have successfully completed their PhDs at TU Dresden
Two research assistants, Dr.-Ing. Willi Zschiebsch and Dr.-Ing. Philipp Johst, from Prof. Robert Böhm’s ‘Lightweight Construction’ research group at the Faculty of Engineering at HTWK Leipzig, successfully completed their doctoral degrees in engineering at TU Dresden in August 2026.
On 13 August 2026, Dr Willi Zschiebsch (Dr.-Ing.) successfully defended his doctoral thesis entitled ‘Design of structural batteries taking into account coupled, multi-scale effects’. The thesis focused on the selection of materials and the development of simulation methods for multifunctional composite materials capable of both bearing high loads and storing energy. Structural battery technology is regarded as a breakthrough technology for electric flight.
The defence took place before an examination committee chaired by Prof. Dr Thomas Wallmersperger (TU Dresden). The external examiners were Prof. Dr Niels Modler (TU Dresden), Prof. Dr Robert Böhm (HTWK) and Prof. Dr Alexander Bismarck (University of Vienna). Prof. Dr Niels Modler and Prof. Dr Markus Kästner (TU Dresden) acted as examiners.
One day later, on 14 August 2026, Dr.-Ing. Philipp Johst defended his doctoral thesis. He successfully defended his thesis entitled “On the repurposing of large-scale fibre-reinforced composite structures, using end-of-life wind turbine rotor blades as an example”. Dr Johst’s research focused on the large-scale reuse of decommissioned large-scale fibre-reinforced composite structures, with an emphasis on characterising the properties of wind turbine rotor blade materials at the end of their service life, their allocation to suitable recycling scenarios, and the assessment of their condition to ensure safe reuse.
The defence took place before an examination committee chaired by Prof. Dr Jens Krzywinski (TU Dresden). The external examiners were Prof. Dr Niels Modler (TU Dresden), Prof. Dr Robert Böhm (HTWK) and Prof. Dr Jens Friedrich (Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences). Prof. Dr Niels Modler and PD Dr Robert Kupfer (TU Dresden) acted as examiners. Dr Johst’s thesis was awarded the highest grade, summa cum laude.
The entire team at the Lightweight Construction Research Group would like to extend their warmest congratulations to Dr Willi Zschiebsch and Dr Philipp Johst on the successful completion of their PhDs and to commend the academic quality of their theses.
