Engineering’s Secret Design Tool: Topology Optimization

Faglige nøgleord: Design, Structural design, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Oplæg tilgængeligt på: Engelsk og tysk

In my presentation, I’ll introduce students to Topology Optimization which is a powerful tool that helps engineers design smarter, more efficient structures. I used it during my time in the automotive industry, and now I’m extending it through my PhD at DTU.
We’ll explore how algorithms can “think” about design problems and come up with solutions that even experienced engineers might not imagine. To make this interactive, students will be invited to guess their own optimal design and compare it to the algorithm’s result. This leads us into the core idea of distributing materials optimally which can be applied not only to structures but also designing biological systems or heat exchangers.
My research focuses on micro-flow systems and how to optimize them under uncertainty, meaning we try to design systems that still work well even when things go wrong, like manufacturing errors or unpredictable operating conditions. This is crucial for creating robust and sustainable technologies that can perform reliably in the real world. To make my personal research topic relatable, I’ll include a thought experiment: What if we could redesign the human heart to prevent heart attacks?
I’ll also share my personal journey: how I went from high school in Germany to studying in Singapore and Sweden, working experience in the automotive industry and what inspired me to pursue research in this field.
Student involvement:
Throughout the session, students will be invited to:
 
 
Make their own design guesses in a simplified optimization challenge.
Compete in a short quiz about design intuition vs algorithmic solutions.
Discuss real-world applications
Ask as many questions as they have about anything
 
No prior technical knowledge is required — just curiosity and a willingness to think creatively!
 

Fag og faglige nøgleord

Dette oplæg passer for eksempel godt til:

 

Matematik

Fysik

Teknologi

 

Nøgleord:

  • Design
  • Structural design
  • Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Sprog og form på besøget

Klassebesøg eller foredrag?

Dette oplæg kan tilpasses enten til en klasse (op til ca. 28 elever), hvor den ph.d.-studerende har mulighed for at have dialog med eleverne, eller til en større forsamling, så det får karakter af foredrag.

 

Sprog?

Dette oplæg er tilgængeligt på engelsk og tysk.

 

Digitalt eller fysisk besøg?

Den ph.d.-studerende kommer gerne ud på jeres skole til et fysisk besøg, men møder jer også digitalt via platformen Zoom, hvis I foretrækker det.

Øvrig information

 

Er du interesseret i dette oplæg?

Kontakt

Taja Andersen Brenneche
Kommunikationsmedarbejder
AKM
45 25 10 57
https://bookphd.dtu.dk/find-foredrag/alle-foredrag-liste/engineerings-secret-design-tool-topology-optimization
8 NOVEMBER 2025