Welcome to the team: Marie Kleinhans investigates intelligent large-size bearings

Since July 2025, Marie Kleinhans has been strengthening the research team at IMKT as part of the DFG Priority Programme SPP 2305 "Sensor-Integrating Machine Elements as Enablers for Comprehensive Digitalization".

Marie completed her Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Leibniz University Hannover in 2025. In her thesis, titled “Experimental Investigations on the Influence of Bearing Geometry and Size on Grease Lubrication in Oscillating Rolling Contacts,” she focused on the tribological design of oscillating axial bearings.

We are delighted to welcome Marie Kleinhans as a new research associate at IMKT and look forward to her contributions to intelligent condition monitoring and the advancement of sensor-integrated machine elements.

Within the ISiG subproject – “Integrated Sensor Technology for Intelligent Large-Scale Rolling Bearings,” conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Microproduction Technology (IMPT) and the Institute of Microelectronic Systems (IMS), Marie will be working alongside Dennis Konopka to transfer insights from the first funding phase to the context of large-scale rolling bearings.

The project aims to develop integrated thin-film sensor technology for tribologically highly loaded machine elements, particularly large rolling bearings, enabling the early detection of critical load conditions and the direct implementation of condition monitoring concepts within the bearing itself. The second project phase will focus on the practical implementation and validation of sensor integration.

We are very pleased to welcome Marie as a new research associate at IMKT and look forward to her valuable contributions to intelligent condition monitoring and the further development of sensor-integrated machine elements.