FUTURED. ZAL Magazine 2026

Future. Created in Hamburg.

FROM H 2 TO AI

Check out current research pro jects

at ZAL TechCenter. And discover

promising approaches that will

change aviation soon.

ZAL MAGAZINE

T

u2026

r

2026

WHAT’S IN FOR ME?

Discover the ten fields of action for

leading-edge aviation research by

Dr. Beate Baron, Director-General for

Industrial Policy and Federal Ministry

for Economic Affairs and Energy.

U

e

FOR WORK OR LEISURE?

This FUTURED magazine

provides tech news,

podcasts, a crossword puzzle

and lots of inspiration.

['fju t∫әd]

FUTURED is an adjective … describing what

we do. We shape the future of aviation.

Every day. Together. The FUTURED magazine

is a part of this, showing what we strive

for, what we implement, and how we do it.

We are progressive, passionate, and visionary.

We are futured.


FUTURED.

ZAL MAGAZINE

THROUGH GLOBAL

2

PARTNERSHIPS AND

THE SPECIALIZED

EXPERTISE PROVIDED

BY ZAL, HAMBURG IS

SHAPING THE FUTURE

OF AVIATION.

Dr. Peter Tschentscher

Message by


on ZAL TechCenter’s

tenth anniversary.

Dear readers of the ZAL magazine FUTURED,

Hamburg is one of the world’s leading centers for civil aviation.

The aviation industry plays a significant role in the city’s

econ omy, employing over 48,000 people in more than 300

companies across the metropolitan region. Nearly half of

Hamburg’s total exports are linked to the aerospace industry.

Through global partnerships and the specialized expertise

provided by ZAL, Hamburg is shaping the future of aviation.

In 2016, ZAL TechCenter was established as a place where

research and industry collaborate. Today, ZAL is a recognized

platform for applied aeronautical research, offering modern

laboratories, testing facilities, and collaborative workspaces.

The site has expanded to around 34,000 square meters, reflecting

strong demand and steady growth.

The aviation industry is undergoing major changes aimed at

reducing emissions and improving efficiency. Key fields of

work include new propulsion systems, sustainable fuels, and

digital technologies.

Hamburg is pursuing a leading role in this transformation.

ZAL provides the infrastructure for joint research projects.

Engineers and scientists collaborate on lightweight structures,

cabin technologies, advanced materials, digital design,

and production methods.

laboration. The city of Hamburg provides strategic support and

reliable conditions. Industry contributes experience and market

access. Universities and research institutes provide scientific

excellence and skilled graduates. Small and medium-sized

enterprises offer highly specialized solutions that can be integrated

into large research projects and international networks.

In addition, ZAL supports education and professional development.

Students and young researchers gain practical experience

by collaborating closely with industry experts. This connection

between learning and application helps qualify the

future workforce of our aviation cluster.

Ten years after its founding, ZAL TechCenter stands for a focused

innovation policy with measurable results. The aviation

sector has faced serious challenges in recent years. Strong

networks and solid partnerships have helped the cluster remain

stable.

I would like to thank ZAL’s CEO Roland Gerhards as well as the

ZAL team and all aviation researchers for their work. Your

dedication strengthens Hamburg’s position as a global center

of aviation excellence. I wish you every success in creating the

future of aviation in Hamburg.

3

Bringing partners together under one roof shortens development

cycles and allows research results to enter industrial

projects immediately. This helps innovation and cutting-edge

technology from Hamburg reach international markets successfully.

The success of ZAL is based on comprehensive col-


First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg

CONTENTS.

AI &

DIGITALIZATION

AUTOMATION &

MANUFACTURING

HYDROGEN &

SUSTAINABILITY CABIN MRO

IMPULSES &

OUTLOOK

4

The FUTURED magazine is for reading,

listening and watching!

Article

Audio

Email

Video

Website

06 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK Crossword Puzzle

08 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK H 2 AM Hamburg – Key Milestones for ZAL Techcenter

10 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK An Aviation Research Reset

14 AIRBUS A Quantum Leap for Aerospace

16 HAW, LHT, DIEHL, TUHH Shaping the Future of Sustainable Cabin Design

22 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK Recent Milestones from our Startup Community

26 LUFTHANSA TECHNIK OMCI – Driving Additive Manufacturing for Cabin Interiors

28 DLR, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR & OVERHAUL A Place for Visions

30 ESPLORO PROJECTS The Power of Collaboration in Aviation

32 DELTA VIGO Smart Production

34 IAMT Printing the Future: Dynamically Stressed AM Components

36 TECCON HYDRO-BUNNY: Autonomous H 2 -Refueling for Drones

38 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK The ZAL Association: Why Innovation Needs Partners

40 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK ZAL.award: When Teamwork Meets Innovation

42 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK ZAL.award Winner 2025: jetlite Wins with Chronolite

44 ZAL GMBH Automated Cabin Inspection

46 HAW Mastering H 2 Complexity

48 AIRBUS Demo Factory of the Future

50 SFS Back to the Essentials

52 LIEBHERR Decarbonization is Key

54 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK Wild World of Innovation

56 DLR, SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES IN AERONAUTICS Come on Board – Preparing New Test-bed for Take-off

58 HYDAC Award-winning System Integration

60 MEWS PARTNERS Three Paradoxes: Why Working Harder Slows Down R&D

62 FRAUNHOFER IFAM Pioneering Machine Tool Robot

64 JETLITE Lighting Hardware Designed for Real Cabin Life

66 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK Why Aviation Innovation is Becoming a Team Sport

70 ZAL GMBH Watts & Wires

72 CAPGEMINI Quantum Engineering for Materials

74 AIRBUS Airbus Direct Air Capture Technology Deployed in Canada

76 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK Aviation Podcasts

78 IMPULSES & OUTLOOK proTechnicale: When Trust Meets Talent

80 Imprint

5

Answers consisting of multiple

words are written as

one word without spaces or

special characters – figures

are written out in full.

1. German aircraft seat

manufacturer

2. Command center of an

aircraft

What does ATA23 in

the ATA Airline Handbook

stand for?

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

7

MOST

WIDESPREAD

ELEMENT

IN THE

UNIVERSE

8

3. Name of a Hamburg

funding program for

Green Aviation Technologies

4. The Windrove

network promotes

the commercial use

of …?

5

7

AIRFLOW REGION

WHERE FRICTION

AFFECTS FLIGHT

17

5. British engine

manufacturer

6. Most common drink

on a plane

9

10

3

11

7. Hamburg politician/

former chancellor who

opened ZAL in 2016

16

15

6

8. Burger day at ZAL

canteen

9. What do you

show when boarding

an airplane?

12

6

10. Name of ZAL

magazine

15

11. Aircraft parking

area for airplanes at

the airport

12. CAT stands for this

aviation phenomenon

13. Winner of

ZAL.award 2025

14. Safety light flashing on

fuselage and name of

ZAL meeting room

4

3

NAME OF

HAMBURG

AIRPORT

2

15. How old is the ZAL

TechCenter in years?

6

18

16. Term for passenger

in aviation language

17. How many actively

used terminals does

Hamburg Airport have?

Name of our

city’s aeronautics

cluster

1

8

WRITE OUT: FERRY

NUMBER FROM

LANDUNGSBRÜCKEN

TO FINKENWERDER

13

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

13

First name of

our workshop

supervisor

2

BECOME

LEGEND …

9

14

14

… on our (not yet famous) wall of fame!

Crack the URL of this ultra -challenging

crossword puzzle – and remember: the

toughest challenges are best tackled

as a team. Have fun!

WHICH COMPANY

IS LOCATED AT

“WEG BEIM JÄGER”?

NAME OF

CANTEEN

EXTENSION

16

4

7

5

10

17

3

1

2

What rank does Hamburg

hold as a location

for civil aviation?

11

1

NAME OF THE

ELBE CANAL BESIDE

ZAL TECHCENTER?

19

12

ZAL-STEM

PROGRAM FOR

FEMALES

www.zal.aero/

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

H 2 AM HAMBURG –

KEY MILESTONES

FOR ZAL TECH CENTER

8

2025 2026 2027

LH 2 Liquefier

LH 2 Test Room

Altitude Chamber for Fuel Cell Testing

Identification of potential funding calls for collaborative research.

The timeline illustrates the key milestones

of the ZAL GmbH research project H 2 AM

Hamburg from initiation to operational

readiness. It encompasses the structural

upgrade of the building as well as the planning

and implementation of the liquid hydrogen

LH 2 Test Room and the Altitude

Chamber. Of particular relevance is the capability

to produce small quantities of liquid

hydrogen in-house for experimental

purposes. In addition, the infrastructure already

provides standard access to gaseous

hydrogen, enabling early-stage testing and

progressive technology maturation. This

unique combination of facilities offers an

attractive environment for collaborative

research and invites interested partners to

engage in future R&D activities.

H 2 AM HAMBURG – KEY MILESTONES FOR ZAL TECHCENTER

YOUR BENEFIT

By leveraging our research infrastructures for

the testing and development of components,

modules, and systems as well as for the validation

of scientific concepts and ideas you will

significantly reduce development time and

costs. In addition, you will become part of a

broad innovation network within the Hamburg

metropolitan region, benefiting from interdisciplinary

exchange and collaboration.

2028 2029

9

YOUR INVITATION

As a research organization, SME, or industrial

partner, you are invited to utilize our hydrogen

testing and validation infrastructures within

the framework of research and development

projects. This includes, but is not limited to,

Hamburg-based GATE projects as well as federally

funded aviation research programs,

such as LuFo. Participation within other national

or international funding schemes is also

possible.

CONTACT

Dr. Christoph Heß

christoph.hess@zal.aero

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

AN AVIATION

RESEARCH RESET

Ten fields of action for leading-edge aviation research

10

THE DIALOG FOCUSED ON

FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS:

• How do we intend to use LuFo to tackle the

central challenges of the coming years?

The LuFo aviation research program is a key

component of the German aviation ecosystem.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs

and Energy provides companies and

research institutions with targeted support

to make aviation safer, more efficient, and

more climate-friendly. During more than six

programming periods, LuFo has made a major

contribution to making Germany a

world leader in aircraft construction. Lighter

materials, more efficient engines, new

materials and forward-looking manufacturing

processes – many innovations that set

the standards today derive from projects

funded in the LuFo context.

A look back at the last 30 years shows that

LuFo works! Thermoplastic composite materials,

smart cabin systems and the highspeed

low-pressure turbine are just a few of

LuFo’s success stories recently documented

in the brochure produced by the Federal

Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

entitled “Die Zukunft der Luftfahrt gestalten”

(Shaping the future of aviation).

INNOVATION AS A PERMANENT TASK

The technology advantage which the German

aviation industry has earned through constant

innovation is more important than ever today. In

the face of intensive international competition,

“Innovation made in Germany” is a unique selling

point and a decisive factor for an ongoing strong

aviation industry in Germany. In order to safeguard

this leading position, the Federal Ministry

for Economic Affairs and Energy conducted an

intensive dialog on the future orientation of aviation

research last year together with the industry

and other government ministries.

• Do our LuFo funding lines still cover the right technologies?

• What contribution can LuFo make to an increasingly efficient,

safe, and sustainable air transport system?

• How can we combine environmental protection, climate

action, and industrial success?

Dr. Beate Baron, Director-

General for Industrial Policy

and Federal Ministry for

Economic Affairs and Energy.

AN AVIATION RESEARCH RESET – TEN FIELDS OF ACTION FOR LEADING-EDGE AVIATION RESEARCH

THE LUFO AVIATION RESEARCH PROGRAM PLAYS A

CRUCIAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING GERMANY’S LEADER-

SHIP IN GLOBAL AIRCRAFT INNOVATION. WITH ITS NEW

STRATEGIC FOCUS ON TEN KEY AREAS OF CUTTING-EDGE

AVIATION RESEARCH, WE AIM TO MAKE THE PROGRAM

EVEN MORE ADAPTABLE TO THE FUTURE CHALLENGES

OF THE INDUSTRY.

The outcome of this process is the new document

“A reorientation of the LuFo aviation research

program – ten fields of action for leadingedge

aviation research”, published (in German)

on the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic

Affairs and Energy. This document provides

information for ten central technological

fields of action, setting out our technological priorities

for future aviation research. The “ten

fields of action” form the platform and framework

for orientation on which we will base the

next calls for proposals for LuFo. At the same

time, we regard the ten fields of action as a living

document to be updated at regular intervals –

as this becomes necessary in specific areas. The

aim is to keep LuFo relevant as a dynamic, agile

research program which addresses technological

trends at an early stage and provides

companies in the sector with targeted support

on the technological issues that are of importance

to them.

THREE PILLARS FOR FORWARD-LOOKING

AVIATION RESEARCH

The reorientation is centered around a technological

vision which embraces all ten fields of action

and which rests on three central pillars: the

first pillar is innovative basic technologies. Over

recent decades, aircraft have become steadily

more efficient and quieter. There is still plenty of

potential for efficiency in the coming generations

of commercial aircraft – e.g. with new aerodynamic

concepts, lightweighting and a new

generation of particularly efficient engines. Aviation

research helps the industry to systematically

develop this potential and to further progress

the efficiency and sustainability gains.

The second pillar supports higher-risk, fossil-free

core technologies. The gradual improvement

of existing technologies alone is not

enough to attain the long-term goal of climate-neutral

aviation. For this reason, ideas for

disruptive technologies entailing a high developmental

risk have a firm place in LuFo. These

include climate-neutral propulsion concepts

based on hydrogen, which are not expected to

be deployed until future generations of aircraft

emerge. LuFo is already laying the foundations

for this future market success – because aviation

research requires plenty of stamina.

These two pillars are complemented by crosscutting

technologies which impact an aircraft’s

entire life cycle. They boost efficiency.

11

INTERESTED?

Help us to develop the aviation

research program by sharing

your ideas and opinions.

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

TEN FIELDS OF ACTION FOR

LEADING-EDGE AVIATION RESEARCH

ENGINES

CABINS

The development and industrial realization of

forward-looking aircraft engines is crucial in

order to strengthen Europe’s role in technology

and to maintain total system capabilities.

This transition entails a significant amount of

research.

The aircraft cabin is the central element of civil

aviation: it is where passengers and crew

spend their airtime and it determines their

travel experience. It not only forms the physical

space for safety and comfort, but also

forms a complex interface for a multitude of

technical systems.

12

STRUCTURES AND CON-

STRUCTION METHODS

The structures and construction methods field

addresses issues relating to the primary fuselage,

wing, rotor, and tailplane structures as

well as the secondary structures of passenger

aircraft, general aviation aircraft, rotary wing

aircraft, and industrial additive manufacturing.

FLIGHT PHYSICS

Flight physics delivers the physical and technical

foundation of aviation. It describes the

movement of aircraft through the atmosphere

under the influence of aerodynamic, mechanical,

and thermodynamic forces.

FLIGHT SYSTEMS

In view of increasing global air traffic, rising environmental

requirements, and the need to cut

operating costs, it is crucial to develop advanced

aircraft systems.

The reoriented LuFo remains what it

always has been: a well-positioned industry-focused

research program. At the

same time, it is evolving to become what

the industry now needs more than ever: a

reliable driving force for innovation and a

strategic compass on the path to a climate-friendly,

efficient, and internationally

competitive aviation sector.

AN AVIATION RESEARCH RESET – TEN FIELDS OF ACTION FOR LEADING-EDGE AVIATION RESEARCH

FLIGHT CONTROL

The increasing complexity of air traffic and the

rising ecological, economic, and social demands

being placed on it necessitate both regulatory

changes and technical solutions in the

field of flight control.

HELICOPTERS

Helicopters are characterized in particular by

their large deployment range, and this leads to

specific research needs. The technological developments

aim at growing deployability and

higher cost efficiency, in harmony with the

need for greater sustainability and higher environmental

compatibility.

INNOVATIVE AIR

MOBILITY

The concept of “innovative air mobility and

services” means novel aviation concepts.

These include inspection tasks, security services,

medical care, and transport services as

well as passenger and freight transport over

short distances in urban and rural settings.

13

MAINTENANCE, REPAIR,

OVERHAULS

An aircraft is developed over six to eight years,

built in three to six months, and is then in operation

for up to 30 years. During this time, its

technology must be constantly maintained and

modified in order to ensure airworthiness and

air safety. An overhaul can, for example, bring

about swift improvements in the aircraft’s efficiency.

DIGITALIZATION

In the digitalization field, an interdisciplinary

approach is taken to developing enabler technologies

to digitalize aviation methods and

processes. These contribute to a significant

improvement in efficiency throughout the

product’s life cycle.

AIRBUS

A QUANTUM LEAP

FOR AEROSPACE

14

Discussing the potential of quantum technologies for the aerospace industry.

Learn more about

quantum technologies

at Airbus.

CONTACT

Jasper Krauser

jasper.krauser@airbus.com

Quantum technologies are expected to create

a paradigm shift in the way aircraft are

built and flown. Airbus aims to be an early

adopter of quantum technologies to enhance

the performance of our products and

services, and to help us solve the most complex

aerospace challenges.

FROM FUNDAMENTAL QUANTUM PHYSICS

TO TECHNOLOGIES

Fundamental quantum physics describes how

elementary particles behave, often revealing

mind-boggling features that defy our macroscopic

intuition. By harnessing these effects, we

develop quantum technologies, which are currently

moving out of the lab and into real-world

industrial applications at an unprecedented

pace. At the heart of this revolution lie qubits.

Unlike classical bits, which are strictly one or

zero, qubits use superposition to exist in both

states simultaneously. They can also exhibit entanglement,

where particles become so deeply

linked that they share a single existence; whatever

happens to one instantly affects the other,

regardless of distance.

A QUANTUM LEAP FOR AEROSPACE

Watch the video about

the Airbus BMW Quantum

Computing Challenge.

Quantum computing

manipulates a massive number of

possibilities simultaneously to solve

intractable optimization and

simulation problems.

Quantum communication

transmits information via quantum

states, where the laws of physics

guarantee that any eavesdropping

attempt is detected.

Quantum sensing

exploits the extreme sensitivity of

qubits to external stimuli to measure

gravity, time, and magnetic fields with

unprecedented precision.

15

BRINGING COMPUTATIONAL CAPABILITIES

TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Quantum computing is set to overcome modern

computational bottlenecks. Unlike classical systems,

quantum computers use superposition

and entanglement to manipulate a massive

number of possibilities simultaneously. This allows

them to converge on the correct answer in

far fewer steps than a classical computer.

in Earth’s magnetic field. This unique magnetic

fingerprint allows for magnetic map-matching

navigation that is physically unhackable and independent

of external satellites. By bypassing

the drift inherent in classical sensors, quantum

technology provides a cornerstone for air mobility

– a potential game changer for future flight

operations.

Learn more about

quantum’s potential

to accelerate decarbonization

of aviation.

While current quantum systems are constrained

by technical limitations, the advent of fault-tolerant

quantum computers represents the field’s

definitive breakthrough. Once deployed, they

could drastically improve the scale and accuracy

of simulations, boosting material science or

aerodynamic modeling. Airbus is working on new

types of quantum algorithms, aiming to move

from theoretical potential to industrial reality the

moment the quantum hardware is ready.

NAVIGATING WITH QUANTUM SENSORS

Precision and resilience are non-negotiable in

navigating an aircraft, which today relies largely

on satellite navigation. Quantum navigation offers

a transformative alternative, for example,

quantum sensors can detect minute variations

Illustration of quantum navigation on an Airbus aircraft.

HAW, LUFTHANSA TECHNIK, DIEHL, TUHH

Concept of a crew rest compartment for

long-range single-aisle aircraft.

16

SHAPING THE FUTURE

OF SUSTAINABLE

CABIN DESIGN

Learn more about the

Crew Rest Module.

The project RECab (Resource Efficient Cabin)

marks a successful aviation research collaboration

at ZAL with leading industry

partners and academic institutions that

combine their knowledge and strengths.

The four partners from the Hamburg aerospace

cluster have joined forces at the

Center for Applied Aeronautical Research

to develop innovative technologies for sustainable

solutions in aviation. Lufthansa

Technik, Diehl Aviation, Hamburg University

of Technology (TUHH), and Hamburg

University of Applied Sciences (HAW) share

a common vision of effectively implementing

a holistic sustainability approach that

creates ecological, social, and economic innovations.

The goal was to develop sustainable,

resource-efficient cabin concepts for

future aircraft.

This close cooperation enabled the integration

of diverse perspectives and competencies.

Regular workshops, joint development sessions,

and transparent communication fostered a culture

of trust and innovation. The partners

worked hand in hand from the initial ideation

phase through to the implementation and validation

of demonstrators, ensuring that every

solution was both scientifically sound and practically

relevant.

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE CABIN DESIGN

“RECab proves what collaboration

can achieve – innovation powered

by partnership.”

Christoph Lieske, Project Lead RECab, Lufthansa Technik

HAW Hamburg is involved in RECab with its

subproject HEUREKA whose aim is to identify optimization

potential throughout the entire life cycle

of the aircraft cabin and to develop innovative,

sustainable solutions for modules, systems, and

operating processes. As a rule, ecological, economic,

and social aspects of sustainability sectors

were given equal consideration.

Another focus was to examine the extent to

which alternative, decentralized energy sources

can contribute to improving the electrical cabin

supply. A technology-neutral approach was pursued,

considering the physical energy yield as

well as integration aspects, technological maturity

levels, and sustainability criteria. Thermoelectric

generators (TEG), photovoltaic systems

(PV), and piezoelectric and triboelectric generators

were identified as basic technologies. The

selection was based on the forms of energy freely

available in the cabin environment, such as

temperature gradients, light energy, and mechanical

vibrations.

A particular focus of HEUREKA (Holistic Investigations

into Resource-efficient Cabins) was

placed on the development and application of

suitable evaluation methods for sustainable

product development in aviation. With Quick-

Check, a low-threshold evaluation tool for early

development phases was developed that enables

the rapid identification of optimization potential.

Based on the results, potential can be

identified and recommendations for further optimization

be generated, making QuickCheck a

useful addition to proven methods such as life

cycle analysis.

CONTACT

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gordon Konieczny

gordon.konieczny@haw-hamburg.de

17

All results of the project – from modular cabin

concepts to module and process approaches to

energy-efficient system solutions – were integrated

into a virtual cabin demonstrator. The virtual

demonstrator enables the coherent presentation,

analysis, and evaluation of the technical,

operational, and user-related effects of the developed

solutions and thus represents a central

instrument for integrating and communicating

results in the project.

Florian Kalscheuer and Florian Zager-Rode (both at Diehl Aviation) inspect

variant-specific optimization of connecting pipes to the vacuum system.


Katharina Zumach (TUHH), Christoph Lieske (Lufthansa Technik) and Sven Wehrend (TUHH) discussing the advantages

and potential limitations of foldcore technologie combined with AeroFLAX.

Learn more about

environmentally

friendly cabin

concepts.

18

CONTACT

Christoph Lieske

christoph.lieske@lht.dlh.de

In this context, Lufthansa Technik examined

alternative energy sources aimed at decoupling

the cabin’s power supply from fossil fuel based

systems such as the aircraft’s engines and auxiliary

power units. Furthermore, the design of

cabin monuments was analyzed with respect to

sustainable on-board services, with the goal of

enabling future reductions in resource consumption,

weight, and waste. The use of repaired

or refurbished instead of new-built monuments

during aircraft retrofits was also

examined as a sustainability-driven concept.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags were moreover

investigated to support maintenance and service

processes by enabling more efficient tracking,

identification, and monitoring of components

within the aircraft cabin.

Alternate sustainable materials were another focus

topic within the project. A team around

Lufthansa Technik’s non-electric floor path marking

system GuideU, for example, advanced the

development of durable and recyclable cabin

components. By integrating photoluminescent

pigments into glass composite systems, the

team opened new pathways for circular product

design. The AeroFLAX subproject moreover explored

the use of biogenic fiber fabrics and resins

in aircraft interiors. More than 120 fire tests

and numerous mechanical evaluations confirmed

that these materials – based on natural

fibers and bio-based resins – can meet the aviation

industry’s stringent requirements for heat

release and mechanical performance.

WAIC (Wireless Avionics Intra-Communications)

technology was further explored to demonstrate

that essential sensor data can be transmitted

wirelessly across multiple nodes throughout an

aircraft’s interior. This eliminates the need for

additional wiring harnesses in cabin retrofit scenarios

– significantly reducing weight, installation

effort, and overall complexity.

Another objective was the optimization of potable

water tank filling and its contribution to climate

neutral flight by reducing onboard water

storage, aircraft weight, fuel consumption, and

therefore CO 2 emissions. A major emphasis was

placed on retrofit solutions, as this business

area was expected to enable the rapid utilization

of project results. From Lufthansa Technik’s perspective,

this reflected short-term market needs

and complemented systemic approaches to sustainable

aviation.

For the demonstration of the results, Lufthansa

Technik not only used the aforementioned virtual

cabin demonstrator, but also its physical A320

fuselage mock-up in the ZAL’s Hangar E.


For single-aisle aircraft, Diehl Aviation developed

innovative cabin modules with a strong focus

on inclusive design. Central to the effort

were new lavatory concepts that enable people

with visual and mobility impairments to use

them comfortably and independently. Intelligent

space solutions, high-contrast design, and digital

assistance systems contribute to an enhanced

passenger experience. In addition, a novel crew

rest module was developed to provide flight attendants

on long-haul flights with an ergonomic

sleeping and resting area, significantly improving

working conditions.

Technical solutions were also developed to increase

resource efficiency in the washroom. An

innovative gray water system reuses sink water

to flush the toilet, considerably reducing fresh

water consumption. In addition, a newly developed

hand dryer replaces paper towels, contributing

to waste reduction. Ecological lightweight

construction solutions and alternative materials

were researched to save weight and resources.

Various insert concepts for threaded mountings

were developed and tested to optimize structural

strength and increase reparability. Additional

technical highlights included local reinforcement

of inserts, the development of topology-optimized

brackets and the standardization of pipe

geometries.

The development of sustainable products is accompanied

by life cycle assessments (LCAs) that

identify potential savings in weight, emissions

and costs. To assess sustainability, a tool with

24 Key Performance Indicators was developed

that maps ecological, economic and social criteria

and takes into account the United Nations’

Sustainable Development Goals. The results are

incorporated into virtual and real-life demonstrators,

such as the Lufthansa Technik’s A320

mock-up, in which the concepts are tested and

validated. Finally, challenges such as conflicting

goals between ecology and economy, data

availability and methodological uncertainties are

discussed.

CONTACT

Florian Zager-Rode

florian.zager-rode@diehl.com

19

Malte Sanders (Lufthansa Technik) and Mihai Bodolea (formerly HAW) discussing the use of photovoltage as an energy source for BLE tags.


20

Dustin Mohr and Malte Sanders (Lufthansa Technik) perform a BLE tag test on an

aircraft trolley to validate real-time tracking.

CONTACT

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Krause

sekretariat.pkt@tuhh.de

At the TUHH’s Institute of Product Development

and Mechanical Engineering Design

(PKT), research traditionally spans two complementary

fields. On the one hand, PKT develops

methods and tools for the development of modular

product families, on the other hand, it investigates

structural optimization and virtual testing

of lightweight components. Within the RECab

project, these competencies were brought together

to develop an integrated approach to

eco-efficient lightweight design for aircraft cabin

applications.

PKT’s contribution to the RECab project was

threefold. First, the institute’s researchers contributed

to the overall understanding of sustainability

in the project by collecting and analysing

different sustainability criteria and indicators

and mapping these to different levels of the

product architecture. Second, life cycle assessments

were conducted, particularly in the areas

of gray water reuse and alternative materials. In

the context of the life cycle assessment of the

alternative, bio-based materials, these materials

were, in parallel, compared to conventional materials

in physical tests and finite element simulations,

which was the third contribution aimed

at the evaluation of their suitability for cabin applications

in terms of weight-specific mechanical

performance, thereby laying the foundation for

an approach to eco-efficient lightweight design.

For this purpose, an exemplary sandwich structure

was designed for various combinations of

face sheets and core materials using numerical

simulations. This simulation-driven approach ensures

that stiffness and strength are precisely

tailored to the defined requirements, resulting in

a minimum achievable weight for each material

combination considered. Life cycle assessments

conducted in parallel use simulation variables to

maintain a close link with the design process.

This allows sustainability indicators, such as CO 2

equivalents, to be calculated alongside classical

performance metrics already during the structural

layout and optimization phase. As a result,

sustainability is no longer assessed retrospectively,

but becomes an explicit design variable.

This parallel consideration also enables a multicriteria

sustainability evaluation, making tradeoffs

between economic metrics, mechanical performance,

weight, and environmental impact

transparent. Instead of optimizing a single indicator,

different design and material alternatives can

be compared across multiple dimensions. This is

particularly relevant when evaluating innovative

solutions such as bio-based composite materials,

where ecological benefits must be balanced

against structural performance and durability.

Building on this combined evaluation, a structured

potential assessment regarding the ecoefficiency

of structural components can be performed.

Design alternatives are compared based

on both performance and sustainability indicators,

allowing promising concepts to be identified

early and unsuitable options be eliminated.

This supports informed decision-making in early

design phases – where the leverage for sustainability

improvements is highest.

On November 11, 2025, the RECab consortium

presented its results at ZAL Hangar E, featuring

Lufthansa Technik’s A320 aircraft fuselage. The

event highlighted the project’s holistic approach

to cabin design, integrating ecological, economic,

and social sustainability. The project’s success

was underscored by its nomination for the

ZAL.award 2025, where RECab secured a spot

among the top three finalists.


21

The RECab team in front of the Lufthansa Technik A320 mock-up at ZAL.

At the back (left to right): Mihai Bodolea, Merlin Senger, Malte Sanders, Dustin Mohr, Florian Kalscheuer.

At the front (left to right): Katharina Zumach, Christoph Lieske, Sven Wehrend, Florian Zager-Rode.

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

RECENT MILESTONES

FROM OUR STARTUP

COMMUNITY

Over 120 companies from all over the

world have already been part of Sustainable

Aero Lab’s mentorship program. Here are

three major highlights from our “alumni” in

the past months:

22

HAMBURG-BASED ALUMNUS BEAGLE

SYSTEMS RAISED €5M IN A SEED ROUND

LED BY PT1 AND AENU

Hamburg-based startup Beagle Systems uses

a network of long-range drones to provide

on-demand, high-precision geodata, offering a

faster, safer, and more cost-efficient alternative

to traditional inspection methods. From

monitoring pipelines for methane leaks to surveying

power grids, Beagle’s technology is already

making a critical impact.

SPARK E-FUELS SELECTED FOR THE BREAK-

THROUGH ENERGY FELLOWS PROGRAM

Berlin-based Spark e-Fuels is pioneering the

future of SAF production with its proprietary,

demand-responsive, and scalable e-fuel technology.

They first met with Breakthrough Energy

at one of our Hamburg sessions, stayed in

touch, and were eventually selected to join the

Breakthrough Energy Fellows program. The initiative

is part of the Bill Gates Foundation and

helps transformative ideas move from the lab

to real-world applications.

SUSTAINABLE AERO LAB

SUSTAINABLE AERO

LAB SESSIONS 2026

• June 12

• September 17

• November 12

• November 30 – December 1:

Future Aero Festival 2026

DLR-SPIN-OFF MUUV FINDS INVESTOR AT

ZAL SESSION OF SUSTAINABLE AERO LAB

Munich-based startup Muuv is developing extended-electric

aircraft that combine battery-powered

efficiency with a light-weight

range extender to overcome the limits of

all-electric aviation. At a Sustainable Aero Lab

session at ZAL, they met with investor Andreas

Kupke, founder of Sterling Concorde (Isar

Aerospace, Vaeridion, etc.), who first became

their mentor, and later also investor.

23

Find out more about

Sustainable Aero Lab.

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

SPOTLIGHT ON STARTUPS: WHO IS CUR-

RENTLY IN THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM?

More than 20 startups were part of the Sustainable

Aero Lab mentorship program in the past

year. Here are some examples of who we are

working with right now:

Elysian Aircraft (Hoofddorp, NL) is developing

a large-scale battery-powered 90-seater aircraft,

enabling true zero-emission, commercially

viable regional flight.

Find out more about

Elysian Aircraft.

24

Wingbits (Stockholm, SE) is the world’s most innovative,

fully encrypted flight tracking network,

providing unique insights and analysis.

Find out more about

Wingbits.

Celtrix (Itzehoe, DE) provides battery systems for

aviation, MedTech, defence, and other underserved

sectors – removing the need for backup

battery packs in propulsion and other critical applications.

Find out more about

Celtrix.

SUSTAINABLE AERO LAB

MENTORS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The mentors of Sustainable Aero Lab are highly

experienced and accomplished professionals,

dedicated to supporting founders in building

the aviation ecosystem of tomorrow.

MD Aircraft (Friedeburg, DE) is developing a

highly efficient, clean-sheet electric nine-seatplane

designed to be easily certified by EASA.

Propulsion will initially be fully electric, with

ICE range-extenders running on SAF considered

in the future.

Rosemary Cox-Galhotra, Ph.D.,

is a Senior Manager of Technology

Management at Breakthrough

Energy (a Bill Gates initiative),

where she supports early-stage

climate startups and Innovator Fellows on the

technical and commercialization strategies behind

high-impact, low-carbon technologies.

With deep experience across research, commercialization,

and operations, Rose helps accelerate

breakthrough technologies from concept

to market.

Find out more about

MD Group.

Nico Buchholz brings more than

30 years of international experience

in aeronautical engineering,

airline operations, and fleet

management. Over his career,

he has bought and sold more than 1,000 aircraft

and worked with leading airlines. He has

collaborated closely with major OEMs and suppliers

such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Bombardier,

contributing to the development and

entry into service of aircraft programs including

the A220 (CSeries), Embraer E2, A320neo,

A350, 787, 747-8, and 777X.

25

O-Boot (Rome, IT → Hamburg, DE) is developing

a HAPS (High Altitude Platform System) airship

maintaining a quasi-geostationary position

using a novel kite-balloon sail system.

Dr. Michael Winter is Chief Scientist

at RTX. He drives innovation

in next-generation propulsion,

electrification, hy brid-electric

systems, materials, and advanced

defense platforms, while strengthening

RTX’s global engineering capabilities. Michael

holds more than 40 patents. His work

has helped enable major programs such as the

Geared Turbofan and the F-35 Lightning II, and

has advanced technologies in propulsion, fuel

cells, lasers, and combustion.

LUFTHANSA TECHNIK

OMCI – DRIVING ADDI-

TIVE MANUFACTURING

FOR CABIN INTERIORS

26

Müjde Hocaoğlu Gülkaya (ZAL GmbH) and Steffen Deutsch (Lufthansa Technik) examine the first full-scale prototype of a base structure,

stretching over a meter in size.

CONTACT

Steffen Deutsch

steffen.deutsch@lht.dlh.de

Additive Manufacturing (AM) holds enormous

potential for aviation: lightweight organic

structures, sustainable materials,

and efficient production of highly customized

components. While small parts have already

made their way into aircraft cabins,

the next big challenge is certification for

large-scale components.

In a joint effort with ZAL GmbH, Lufthansa Technik

is shaping the future of aircraft cabin production

through OMCI – Optimized Manufacturing

for Cabin Interior. This research project uses

Robot-Guided Additive Manufacturing (RAM) – a

method where industrial robots are transformed

into automated printing systems. It offers high

flexibility, allowing the production of compo-

OMCI – DRIVING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING FOR CABIN INTERIORS

nents well over one meter in size and with complex,

non-planar geometries. This capability is

key to partially automating processes and tailoring

them for VIP completions, where mostly

small quantities of highest-quality cabin parts

are required.

INNOVATION MEETS CERTIFICATION

However, certifying large-scale components represents

a big hurdle. Aviation demands rigorous

safety standards, and OMCI addresses this challenge

head-on by developing processes that

meet certification requirements for structural integrity,

fire resistance, and durability.

Design or functionality? Additive manufacturing removes the need to choose.

LUFTHANSA TECHNIK’S EXPERTISE

As the industrial partner in OMCI, Lufthansa

Technik brings deep knowledge of tailored cabin

interiors and relevant aviation standards, e.g.

from VIP completion projects, where customization

and flexibility are essential. One focus lies

on identifying which types of cabin components

are most suitable for additive manufacturing,

especially those that benefit from lightweight

design, reduced part count, or functional integration.

The company also contributes its

regulatory expertise to clarify the design and

certification requirements that large AM parts

must meet before they can be approved for aircraft

use. Additionally, ZAL GmbH brings in its

robot-guided additive manufacturing expertise

and carries out the printing in its Additive Manufacturing

Cell at the ZAL TechCenter.

Another critical aspect is the examination of

print quality and reliability, particularly when

scaling processes to larger formats where heating

and cooling behaviors as well as potential

distortion must be carefully controlled. The project

team further evaluates how efficient additive

manufacturing can become compared to existing

manual production methods, including potential

savings in engineering effort, material

usage, and assembly complexity. This broad

spectrum of contributions ensures that OMCI

Fast forward – RAM enables automated production of customized components.

not only explores technological potential but also

aligns it with the regulatory and operational

realities of aviation.

LOOKING AHEAD

OMCI envisions a future where large AM cabin

components can be produced efficiently and

certified reliably. As insights grow and certification

pathways mature, additive manufacturing

will help transform aircraft interiors into highly

adaptable, sustainable, and design-oriented

spaces.

27

This project is supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank (IFB Hamburg).

DLR INSTITUTE OF MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL

28

The Vision Lab is centered around an open space that can be designed to suit the research project.

A PLACE FOR

VISIONS

After almost two years of work, the Vision

Lab is now complete. DLR has created a

unique research environment centered on

the human.

The basic idea is simple: humans are a constant

in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) –

and that isn’t going to change. Every system they

use is ultimately designed by them and for them.

It is, therefore, only logical that the interaction

between humans and technology is being closely

examined. The DLR Institute of Maintenance,

Repair and Overhaul has now dedicated a special

laboratory to this field of research: in the Vision

Lab, a team from the fields of engineering,

computer science, and psychology comes together

to investigate MRO processes and develop

solutions aimed at making the work of maintenance

personnel easier and more effective.

Sometimes challenges in established maintenance

processes are obvious. For example,

when damage is found on an aircraft component,

it has to be laboriously recorded in a manual

sketch. This can be inaccurate and time-consuming.

DLR researcher Andreas Wilken is

therefore developing a localization method that

enables the inspected component itself to be

A PLACE FOR VISIONS

“We don’t know the challenges of

the future yet, but the space can be

adapted accordingly.”

Thore Keser, Researcher at Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul

the reference for recorded inspection data.

Markerless and marker-based tracking technologies

are combined to precisely establish a sensor

position relative to the inspected component.

The aim is to connect the digital world with

the real world in the best possible way. It’s the

Vision Lab’s flexibility that makes such projects

possible. According to researcher Rahel

Schmied-Kowarzik, the Vision Lab is a “multifunctional

workshop environment for brainstorming

and innovation.” Thore Keser, who set up the lab

together with his colleague, points out: “We

don’t know the challenges of the future yet, but

the space can be adapted accordingly.”

The team is in close contact with maintenance

specialists, conducting user studies and inter-

views. “These discussions inspire us just as much

as new technologies do,” Schmied-Kowarzik explains

and Keser continues: “The process requires

experience, personal contacts, and trust.

Essentially, we act as translators between users

and researchers.”

Within the Vision Lab, a wide range of equipment

and technology supports the development

of new human-machine interfaces. Subsequently,

projects can be scaled and moved to the institute’s

MRO Living Lab or Project Lab for further

development and testing. DLR designed its Vision

Lab to work with its cooperation partners to

provide the best possible support for maintenance

personnel. Perhaps this vision is what

gave the Vision Lab its name.

CONTACT

Rahel Louise Schmied-Kowarzik

visionlab@dlr.de

29

The Vision Lab team brings together expertise from engineering,

computer science, and psychology.

Marker-based and markerless tracking are combined to identify exactly

where a sensor is in relation to a component.

ESPLORO PROJECTS

30

Identifying effective approaches to collaboration and cooperation for European aviation projects.

THE POWER OF

COLLABORATION

IN AVIATION

Learn more about

esploro here.

Aviation is undergoing one of the most

profound transformations in its history.

Digitalization is changing how aircraft are

developed, tested, and validated. European

research initiatives, such as Clean Aviation,

exemplify how digital tools enable collaboration

at an unprecedented scale. Projects

like ODE4HERA in Hamburg at ZAL and UP

Wing in Bremen at ECOMAT are leading

the way. However, experience shows that

technology alone does not drive progress –

people do.

Digital platforms create structure and efficiency.

They allow partners to share and communicate

data, models, and results across borders and or-

THE POWER OF COLLABORATION IN AVIATION

Watch the video

to learn more about

the projects.

Watch the video

to learn more about

UP Wing’s second

workshop.

Second thematic workshop by UP Wing hosted by esploro projects in Bremen, November 18 – 19, 2025.

ganizations. However, these tools’ true value

emerges only when they are embedded in strong

human networks. Complex research questions

require dialogue, trust, and the willingness to

learn from different perspectives. This is where

human interaction remains indispensable.

At esploro projects GmbH, we focus on establishing

the connection between digital excellence

and human collaboration. With our work in

European research projects, we bring partners

together, connect new stakeholders, and foster

secure environments where ideas can flourish.

In-person workshops, physical consortium

meetings, and physical thematic sessions remain

central to our approach. These events allow

experts to step outside their usual circles,

challenge established thinking, and develop a

shared understanding of goals and challenges,

paving the way for new project initiatives.

These encounters are more than just formal

meetings. They foster mutual learning and longterm

trust – essential ingredients for successful

cooperation. By encouraging direct exchange

and structured interaction, we generate new

project ideas, strengthen partnerships, and

build resilient networks across the aviation ecosystem.

Everyone is welcome to join us in our

shared offices at esploro spaces, which enables

physical meetings in a digitalized world.

Looking ahead, aviation research’s competitive

advantage will lie not only in advanced digital

tools but also in the ability to meaningfully connect

people. Digital tools are just that – tools.

They cannot replace physical human interaction.

At esploro projects, we see our role as a bridge

between both worlds, supporting a collaborative

culture that turns digital potential into a lasting

impact on the future of aviation.

Stay up-to-date

on projects and

esploro news.

CONTACT

Carsten Dörgeloh

31

carsten.doergeloh@esploro.com

Connecting Europe’s

Aerospace Ecosystem

With offices in Bremen, Hamburg, and Toulouse,

esploro connects stakeholders across Europe’s aerospace

hubs. Complementing this, esploro spaces fosters

collaboration through tailored co-working spaces

and meeting rooms designed for the aeronautic community

in ECOMAT Bremen.

esploro spaces GmbH co-working space at ECOMAT Bremen.

DELTA VIGO

SMART

PRODUCTION

Since late 2025, Delta Vigo has been present

at the ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical

Research in Hamburg with the aim of

strengthening commercial and technical

ties with our customers.

As a family-owned company based in Vigo (Galicia,

Spain), we have always considered close personal

relationships with our strategic partners

essential to succeed together. This new location

allows us to maintain the essence of our roots

while expanding our reach.

helped to shape one of our company’s most important

hallmarks: the ability to execute 100 percent

of all project phases in-house.

A significant part of our success is based on the

group’s organic growth, supported by continuous

investment in R&D projects. This has enabled

us to enhance the added value we deliver

to our customers year after year. As a result,

among other achievements, we have developed

unique patents and production processes in the

field of composites.

32

CONTACT

Pablo Bartolomé Cela

pbartolome@deltavigo.es

With 79 years of industrial activity in both national

and international projects, Delta Vigo has

established itself as a benchmark company in

the field of process engineering. The know-how

acquired over all these years by our team has

Within our wide range of activities – from serial

part production to turnkey automation projects

and customized solutions – we would like to

present in the following two examples of industrial

projects based on our in-house R&D.

Automated press-forming line for composite materials.

SMART PRODUCTION

Find out more about

Delta Vigo.

Automated

Guided Vehicle

A bespoke solution designed to support assembly

operations involving the handling of heavyduty

components. Developed and implemented

entirely by our team, this solution optimizes cycle

times, repeatability, ergonomics, and the resources

required for the operation.

Automated Guided Vehicle.

Key features:

• 6-degree-of-freedom kinematics for

payloads of up to 1,500 kg, fully developed

and manufactured in-house by Delta Vigo

• High-precision automatic guidance using

machine vision

• Optionally: remote control of the complete

system

33

Bin-Picking Cell 2.0

This product has been developed by integrating

hardware design: a gripper with tactile functionality,

automation, a handling robot and control

algorithms, and artificial vision and a camera

system. It is designed to feed individual parts into

a serial production line when those components

are supplied in bulk condition.

Key features:

• Artificial vision

• PC-based control interface

• Connectivity with the surrounding

environments (logistics or MRO)

• Deep learning with neural networks (AI)

This product has been developed by integrating hardware design (a gripper with tactile

functionality), automation (a handling robot and control algorithms), and artificial vision

(a camera system). It is designed to feed individual parts into a serial production line

when those components are supplied in bulk.

IAMT

PRINTING THE FUTURE:

DYNAMICALLY STRESSED

AM COMPONENTS

34

IAMT (represented by Franz Baumgärtel) at the ZAL Innovation Days 2026.

Learn more about

the IAMT Group.

IAMT has been successfully established on

the market for over 30 years and is now one

of the leading development service providers

for safety-critical structures and systems.

In the Aviation division, IAMT works

in areas such as landing gears and fuselage.

The focus is on the design, simulation and

testing of components under demanding

lightweight construction and service life requirements

as well as on the delivery of

prototypes and small series. IAMT covers

both ground and flight systems in the OEM,

supplier, and aftermarket environments.

The objective in the projects we work on is

comprehensive customer satisfaction. This

requires excellent engineering expertise in

the field of durability. The process itself necessitates

the constant expansion of our

know-how with regard to innovations in

methods, materials, and requirements.

One radical innovation in recent years is the additive

manufacturing of components. Industries

such as medical and dental technology and the

aviation sector are playing a pioneering role in

this regard. The currently relatively high costs of

printed individual components are significantly

compensated by the elimination of the expensive

tooling costs of conventional manufacturing.

Another interesting aspect is the reduction

in delivery times through 3D-printed components

during time-critical development periods.

In addition, there is great potential for weight reduction,

as geometric restrictions resulting from

the manufacturing process are practically eliminated.

In the future, 3D printing will even make

it possible to tailor local material properties to

specific requirements and integrate functions directly

into the component.

These clear advantages led to the IAMT project,

which aims to investigate the potential of additively

manufactured, dynamically stressed components

produced by additive manufacturing. To

do this, the entire development chain is traced

in-house using a component as an example.

CHAIN OF DEVELOPMENT

When designing the printed component, there is

no need to take into account any restrictions resulting

from the conventional manufacturing

process (like forging). Draft angles, possible undercuts

or material flow are therefore irrelevant.

The aim is to design a component that is as light

as possible and can compete with series-produced

components. This requires the designer

to adapt the design process to AM principles. By

using alternative design program tools, so-called

PRINTING THE FUTURE: DYNAMICALLY STRESSED AM COMPONENTS

“Next-generation engineering powered

by precise additive manufacturing and

comprehensive expert services – for a

future where technological possibilities

are redefined.”

Dr. Robert Schliebner, Team Leader Finite Element Simulation

polynurbs can be derived directly from the result

of the topology optimization. A bionic geometry

is developed by combining both methods. Component

manufacturing using the laser-based

PBF process is carried out in close consultation

with the designer. The original series component

has a mass of 753 g. The mass of the bionic

component shown in the image below is 650 g.

This represents a weight saving of 13.7 percent

with identical stiffness values.

are currently still caused by manual activities

and separate sub-processes. 3D printing is ideally

suited for a closed digital process chain. This

is expected to result in significant cost reductions.

Looking further into the future, we see an

area of application for artificial intelligence in order

to respond effectively to our customers’

challenges.

35

In a further step, the calculation of static and dynamic

strength was examined numerically and in

the test field. A finite element model was created

for the numerical analysis. This was used to verify

the operational strength and damage chain.

The proof of fatigue strength was based on a

multiaxial damage calculation. Material specimens

were taken from the finished component

in order to verify the characteristic values used

for the design. It was noticeable that a significantly

higher elongation at break can be

achieved with the printed component. This is

primarily due to the homogeneous, flawless

structure of the additive material. The dynamic

component strength was tested in the IAMT Engineering

test field on a multi-axial test bench.

The result is a fatigue strength for the component

that exceeds that of conventionally manufactured

components.

CONTACT

Robert Pohle-Simon

robert.pohle-simon@iamt-gruppe.de

CONCLUSION

The study confirmed the outstanding suitability

of additively manufactured components. With

regard to the manufacturing process, the potential

of additive manufacturing must be continually

reevaluated. A significant percentage of costs

Additively manufactured (PBF printed) component.

TECCON

HYDRO-BUNNY in operation: enabling autonomous, emission-free drone flight.

36

HYDRO-BUNNY:

AUTONOMOUS H 2 -

REFUELING FOR DRONES

CONTACT

Jörg Manthey

joerg.manthey@teccon.de

With HYDRO-BUNNY, the project consortium

demonstrates how hydrogen technology,

automation, and aviation can be combined

to enable truly autonomous and

infrastructure-independent drone operations.

The project was selected as a finalist

for the ZAL Award, underlining its relevance

for sustainable aviation and advanced hydrogen-based

systems.

HYDRO-BUNNY addresses one of the central

challenges of drone operations today: limited

endurance and the need for manual refueling or

fixed infrastructure. While hydrogen-powered

drones already offer significantly longer flight

times compared to battery-powered systems,

their operational potential has so far been constrained

by complex logistics and the need for

human presence on site. HYDRO-BUNNY aims to

overcome these limitations by developing a fully

automated, energy self-sufficient hydrogen refueling

solution for fixed-wing drones.

A CLOSED OPERATIONAL CYCLE

At the heart of the project is an autonomous

ground unit that produces green hydrogen on

site using renewable energy, stores it safely, and

transfers it to the drone via a robotic refueling

interface. Combined with the patented REALISE

rail-based launch and landing system, the solution

enables a closed operational cycle: landing,

automated refueling, and immediate relaunch –

HYDRO-BUNNY: AUTONOMOUS H 2 -REFUELING FOR DRONES

“Our goal with HYDRO-BUNNY is

to take human operators out of routine

ground processes.”

Jörg Manthey, Project Lead at TECCON

all without human intervention. This makes longterm,

continuous drone missions possible even

in remote or hard-to-access areas.

From the perspective of UAV operations, the

project represents a decisive step forward.

“HYDRO-BUNNY brings together exactly the elements

that are needed to unlock the next level

of drone operations,” says Jan Binnebesel, partner

at Ingenieure Marquardt & Binnebesel

(mb+Partner). “Hydrogen technology enables

significantly increased range, while the autonomous

and infrastructure-independent concept

allows operations beyond today’s limitations.

This combination opens up new levels of flexibility

and scalability for drone-based services.”

The project is driven by a strong consortium that

combines industrial implementation expertise

with applied research. TECCON Consulting &

Engineering GmbH leads the project and is responsible

for system integration and the design

of the autonomous hydrogen infrastructure. ZAL

GmbH contributes its extensive experience in

hydrogen storage, fuel-cell systems, and testing

through its Fuel Cell Lab. mb+Partner provides

the UAV platform and the REALISE launch-andlanding

system, while Hamburg University of

Technology’s Institute of Aircraft Production

Technology (TUHH – IFPT) supports the project

with research in robotics, sensor technology,

and automated handling processes.

ably and sustainably on its own. This is a crucial

step toward scalable, climate-neutral drone operations

that are economically viable and technically

robust.” The potential application areas are

wide-ranging. HYDRO-BUNNY enables new concepts

for environmental monitoring, early wildfire

detection, infrastructure inspection, offshore

logistics, and other missions where long endurance,

low noise, and zero emissions are essential.

At the same time, the project contributes

valuable insights into the safe automation of hydrogen

systems – knowledge that is relevant far

beyond drone applications.

The recognition at the ZAL Award highlights

HYDRO- BUNNY’s relevance for the future of aviation

and hydrogen technologies. As the project

continues, the consortium aims to further

demonstrate the system under real-world conditions

and to lay the groundwork for scalable,

autonomous hydrogen infrastructure for aerial

systems.

Find out more about

HYDRO-BUNNY.

37

UNLOCKING NEW DRONE CAPABILITIES

From a system perspective, autonomy is the key

innovation. “Our goal with HYDRO-BUNNY is to

take human operators out of routine ground

processes,” explains Jörg Manthey, Project Lead

at TECCON. “By combining renewable hydrogen

production with an autonomous refueling unit,

we are creating a system that can operate reli-

Hydrogen production with an autonomous support unit to enable a closed

operational cycle.

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

THE ZAL

ASSOCIATION:

WHY INNOVATION

NEEDS PARTNERS

38

Get in touch with

the ZAL Association.

In aerospace, collaboration is no longer a

nice-to-have. It is a survival strategy. Technological

complexity is increasing, development

cycles are under pressure and innovation

rarely happens within the boundaries

of a single organization. Even the most capable

R&D teams depend on access to partners,

infrastructure, and perspectives beyond

their own walls. This is exactly where

the ZAL Association (ZAL Förderverein e.V.)

comes in.

The Association was founded in the same year

as ZAL and has been closely connected to

it ever since. Today, the Association holds an

18 percent share in ZAL. This is more than a

symbolic role. Through its shareholder position,

the Association actively contributes to

strategic orientation and investment decisions

of ZAL and helps ensure that the interests of

its members, especially those of small and

medium-sized enterprises, are reflected at the

highest level. The Association exists to

strengthen collaboration, innovation, and

knowledge transfer at the ZAL TechCenter in

Hamburg, one of the most important research

centers for aviation in the world. With about

800 researchers, numerous laboratories, and

close cooperation between industry and science,

ZAL forms the heart of the Hamburg Aviation

cluster. Globally, the region ranks as the

third largest location for civil aviation in the

world, after Seattle and Toulouse.

Dr. Michael Gerstle, (partner at Mews Germany) moderating the 2025 ZAL.award

that is presented by the ZAL Association.

The ZAL Association gives its members a structured

way to actively participate in this ecosystem.

It represents the interests of SMEs, supports

applied research, promotes initiatives

such as the ZAL.award, and creates a platform

where industry and research institutions meet

as equals. Membership is not about passive

visibility, it is about participation. Members

THE ZAL ASSOCIATION: WHY INNOVATION NEEDS PARTNERS

CONTACT

Dr. Michael Gerstle

michael.gerstle@mews-partners.com

In 2024 and 2025 the ZAL.award ceremony was combined with the ZAL Christmas Market.

benefit from free and prioritized access to

most ZAL events, including flagship formats

such as the ZAL Innovation Days, the ZAL Science

Slam and the ZAL.award ceremony. These

events combine technical insight, networking,

and open exchange across organizational

boundaries – a core element of at ZAL.

Become a member of

the ZAL Association.

39

In addition, membership in the ZAL Association

opens the door to a broader network.

Members may apply for additional memberships

in closely connected organizations within

the local aviation ecosystem, such as Hamburg

Aviation e.V., Hanse-Aerospace e.V., and HECAS

e.V. Depending on the individual setup, this allows

members to expand their reach across

complementary networks, from industry platforms

and working groups to engineering and

human-factors communities.

DID YOU KNOW?

Members of the ZAL Association benefit from free and prioritized

access to most ZAL events, including the ZAL Innovation

Days, the ZAL Science Slam, and the ZAL.award ceremony.

Members may also apply to join in key organizations such as

Hamburg Aviation e.V., Hanse-Aerospace e.V., and HECAS e.V., to

extend their reach across the Hamburg aviation ecosystem.

The ZAL Association is not a lobby organization,

and it is not a marketing platform. It is a working

community of organizations that believe innovation

emerges where expertise meets openness

and where collaboration is actively shaped.

Innovation complexity will not decrease. The

question is whether you face it alone or as part

of a strong ecosystem. If you want to explore

what membership in the ZAL Association means

in practice, get in touch with us.

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

ZAL.AWARD:

WHEN TEAM WORK

MEETS

INNOVATION

40

TIMELINE

OF THE

ZAL.AWARD

June to

September 30, 2026:

Submission deadline

November 2026:

Evaluation round

December 2026:

Announcement of finalists

Mid-December 2026:

Public announcement

of winners

The ZAL.award is presented by the ZAL Association

(ZAL Förderverein). It recognizes a

wide range of innovations in aviation, from

comprehensive aircraft redesigns to small

improvements that enhance the lives of

passengers, crew, and aircraft developers.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The award honors projects that embody the

core values of ZAL: Collaboration, Application,

and Innovation. Each submission is evaluated

holistically against these three central criteria.

• Path to Application: How convincingly does

the project move toward a validated proof of

concept, a scalable prototype, and ultimately

market readiness? The jury evaluates both

the current maturity level and the credibility

of the development roadmap.

• Quality of Collaboration: Successful innovation

requires strong partnerships. Submissions

are reviewed for the diversity and complementarity

of their consortium, including

companies of different sizes, academic partners,

and research institutions, as well as

their alignment with the distinctive ZAL spirit

of open, forward-looking collaboration.

• Grade of Innovation: The focus here is on

relevance and impact. Does the project introduce

meaningful advancements and contribute

to driving the aviation industry forward?

Finally, clarity matters. A well-structured and

compelling presentation ensures that the project’s

key elements and benefits are communicated

effectively. Together, these criteria ensure

that the ZAL.award recognizes initiatives with

real potential to shape the future of aviation.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE WINNERS

The winner of the ZAL.award not only receives

the ZAL.award trophy, but also the prestigious

“Winner ZAL.award,” a seal that can be used in

marketing and public relations. Furthermore,

ZAL GmbH produces a professional video about

the winning project and provides it free of charge

to use in social media and at events in collaboration

with the winner. The winner will also be given

the opportunity to present the concept on the

main stage at the award ceremony in December

2026, where all of ZAL’s community and stakeholders

will come together. The winning project

will also be prominently featured on the monitors

on public display at the ZAL TechCenter and

in the ZAL Magazine FUTURED.

ZAL.AWARD: WHEN TEAM WORK MEETS INNOVATION

Eligibility to enter

You may enter the ZAL.award if your background

is one of the following:

• You’re a member of the ZAL Association

(ZAL Förderverein)

• You’re a member of another network entitled to vote

in the ZAL Association (stimmberechtigtes Netzwerk-

Mitglied; e.g. Hanse-Aerospace, HECAS)

• You’re a tenant at ZAL TechCenter

Find out more about the

ZAL.award participation

conditions.

THE

ZAL.AWARD

JURY

41

The ZAL.award jury is composed of highly acclaimed

individuals drawn from the ZAL Association

network, academia, media, and the

aerospace supply chain.

KATHRIN HAUG

Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

Vice President and Head of the

Committee for Innovation and

Research

CARSTEN LAUFS

Diehl Aviation

Senior Vice President Product

Innovation & Digitalization

WOLFGANG BORGMANN

AERO International

Aviation Journalist and Book Author

VICTORIA HEINEMANN

proTechnicale

Student proTechnicale Classic

YANN JUANEDA

Liebherr Aerospace and Transportation

Engineering Director, R&T

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

ZAL.AWARD

WINNER 2025:

JETLITE WINS

WITH CHRONOLITE

42

Chronolite, a collaborative research project

led by jetlite at ZAL TechCenter, received

the ZAL.award 2025 for its innovative

approach to connected, chronobiologically

effective lighting along the Passenger Journey.

The project combines chronobiological

research, intelligent lighting technology,

and system integration to create adaptive,

personalized light environments from terminal

to aircraft. Developed in close

collaboration with research and industry

partners, including Lufthansa Technik,

Chronolite demonstrates how interdisciplinary

collaboration and practical application

can turn scientific insights into realworld

solutions for aviation.

Celebrating as the winner is announced.

Congratulations on winning the ZAL.award

2025 with Chronolite. How did it feel to receive

the award?

ACHIM Thank you – it was a very special moment

for us. Chronolite has been a long and

intensive journey, bringing together many disciplines,

partners, and perspectives. Given the

strong and inspiring finalists in this year’s competition,

we were genuinely surprised and

honored to receive the ZAL.award. It is a strong

validation of our collaborative approach and of

our vision to rethink lighting as an active, connected

element along the Passenger Journey.

Watch the winning

project video.

CONTACT

Dr. Achim Leder

pr@jetlite.com

Chronolite addresses a topic that is often

underestimated in aviation: light. What motivated

jetlite to initiate this project?

ACHIM Light is the strongest driver of the human

inner clock, yet in aviation passengers

and crews are exposed to artificial lighting for

long periods and across multiple time zones.

At jetlite, we have been working on chronobiologically

effective lighting in aircraft cabins for

years and have seen its measurable impact on

alertness, comfort, and recovery. Chronolite

builds on this experience as a connected lighting

ecosystem that supports biological rhythms

ZAL.AWARD WINNER 2025: JETLITE

ZAL.award

WINNER

jetlite team (left to right): Dr. Achim Leder, Ajay Mehra, Inga Meyenborg, Yagiz Yürüker.

across aviation environments – from terminal

to aircraft and onward transit – extending lighting

beyond the cabin.

The project brings together a wide range of

partners. How important was interdisciplinary

collaboration for Chronolite?

ACHIM It was absolutely essential. Chronolite

was conceived as an interdisciplinary project

from the very beginning. Chronobiological

research, lighting technology, software development,

system integration, and applied research

all had to come together. By collaborating

with partners from research, industry,

and aviation – including Lufthansa Technik and

academic institutions – we were able to approach

the topic holistically and test concepts

in realistic environments.

Chronolite was not only a concept but also

demonstrated in practice. What role did application

and testing play?

ACHIM Application was a core element of the

project. A key milestone was the integration of

Chronolite into a full-scale aircraft mock-up

equipped with Lufthansa Technik’s so-called

“nice” system, where jetlite’s lighting scenarios

were successfully operated within the cabin

system environment. This demonstrated how

personalized lighting profiles can be synchronized

via the Chronolite Cloud and executed

locally during flight – even offline – showing

how the shared project goals could be achieved

through close collaboration. In addition, the

Chronolite Experience Walk at Dortmund Airport

made the Passenger Journey tangible, allowing

visitors to experience adaptive lighting

across different mobility environments.

Looking back, what insights and challenges

emerged from the project, and what does

winning the ZAL.award mean for jetlite?

ACHIM Complementary research demonstrated

clear benefits of chronobiologically effective

lighting in aviation, including reduced tiredness

and negative affect compared to standard

conditions. At the same time, the project highlighted

key challenges such as connectivity,

standardization, and user acceptance across aircraft

and mobility environments. Winning the

ZAL.award encourages us to continue developing

this vision and aviation research along the

Passenger Journey.

THE CHRONOLITE PROJECT

WAS SUPPORTED BY THE FED-

ERAL MINISTRY FOR DIGITAL

AND TRANSPORT.

Learn more

about jetlite.

Learn more

about Chronolite.

43

ZAL GMBH

44

Equipped with eight cameras, the “DrumView Gate” is a working prototype for AI-powered damage detection.

AUTOMATED

CABIN INSPECTION

CONTACT

Thilo Fryen

thilo.fryen@zal.aero

Before a new aircraft takes off for the first

time, its cabin undergoes a meticulous inspection

during handover to the airline. A

scratch on an armrest or a small dent in a

sidewall may seem minor, but such defects

can lead to significant costs. If damage is

discovered too late, deliveries may be delayed

and compensation claims can arise.

Today, cabin inspections are still performed

manually and are time-consuming.

FROM MANUAL CHECKS TO

INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION

Currently, inspections are carried out by trained

personnel who need to travel to the aircraft location

and spend several hours manually examining

the cabin. The joint research project Drum-

View, conducted by ZAL GmbH in cooperation

with Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)

and 3D.aero, explores an alternative approach

based on AI-powered image analysis. In the as-

AUTOMATED CABIN INSPECTION

See the robot

in action.

Inspection Process

1.

The mobile robot with movable arms

scans the entire cabin automatically

(kinematic concept by TUHH).

pired process, a mobile robotic system navigates

through the cabin, capturing even hard-to-reach

areas with an array of 23 cameras. The collected

data is then used both to perform damage detection

and to generate a 3D model.

ANOMALY DETECTION WITHOUT

EXTENSIVE TRAINING

Unlike many AI systems today, DrumView relies

on anomaly detection rather than extensive

training on large datasets of known defects. Instead

of teaching the system what scratches,

dents, or discolorations look like, it is shown

o nly images of components in their normal,

undamaged condition. Any deviation (called

nonconformities) from this reference state is

automatically identified and highlighted in the

form of a heatmap.

2.

Even barely visible defects are

detected (e.g. seam defects, minor

discoloration).

45

This approach was successfully tested with real

aircraft seats waiting for installation (using an

early demonstrator, the DrumView gate shown

in the image on the left). In one example, images

of just three flawless aircraft seats were sufficient

for the system to detect all nonconformities

on on a full shipset with full accuracy. These

included very small irregularities, such as slight

folds or imperfect seams, which are barely visible

to the human eye. Identified areas can then

be reviewed and verified by an inspector. In the

future, inspectors may not need to be physically

present at the aircraft at all. The automated inspection

process creates a detailed 3D model of

the cabin, which can be explored remotely.

3.

The 3D model of the

cabin can be remotely

inspected via VR.

DrumView is part of the GATE2 roadmap, which

aims to promote sustainable aircraft systems

through digital development methods and automation,

reducing the ecological footprint across

the entire product lifecycle. The project is a finalist

for the crystal cabin award (in the category

cabin technologies).

DrumView is funded by the European Regional Development

Fund (ERDF). #ERDFhamburg

HAW

MASTERING

H 2

COMPLEXITY

46

SENSING THE INVISIBLE

Liquid hydrogen (LH 2 ) offers high energy density

but demands respect. Stored at –253 °C, measuring

the fuel quantity is notoriously difficult

because the difference in dielectric properties

between liquid and gaseous hydrogen is minimal.

Standard sensors simply lack the sensitivity.

With project PRECISE, HAW Hamburg is engineering

the next generation of cryogenic sensors.

In our labs, we are validating a novel capacitance

probe designed to maximize sensitivity in

these low-permittivity environments. To ensure

robustness under dynamic conditions, we utilize

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to simulate

the mechanical impact of fuel sloshing on these

sensor structures. But we go further: we are pioneering

Acoustic Modal Gauging. This non-invasive

method analyzes the frequency response

of the tank itself. As the fuel mass changes, the

tank’s “sound” shifts. By tracking these eigenmode

shifts, we can determine the fill level without

penetrating the tank shell, eliminating potential

leak paths. Following successful validation

in liquid nitrogen (LN 2 ), the technology is scheduled

for real liquid hydrogen testing in 2026.

Tobias Albrecht and Adrian Winter inspecting a multi-string propulsion motor.

Learn more about

the PRECISE project.

Hydrogen is a promising pathway to sustainable

aviation. Yet the path from concept

to certification is paved with extreme

challenges – from handling cryogenic temperatures

to managing complex powertrain

architectures. At HAW Hamburg, we employ

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

to bridge the gap between virtual designs

and physical reality.

EVOLVING THE OPTIMAL ARCHITECTURE

While PRECISE masters the fuel, BeHyPSy optimizes

how that energy is converted into thrust.

A hydrogen-electric powertrain is a complex network

of fuel cells, batteries, and inverters. Determining

the ideal size and number of these components

is a multi-dimensional puzzle. To solve

it, we move beyond traditional design methods.

Using genetic algorithms, we simulate thousands

of potential architecture variants. This

evolutionary process automatically identifies Pareto-optimal

solutions – revealing the distinct

trade-offs between a lightweight “Eco” configuration

and a high-power “Performance” setup. We

don’t just guess the best system; we mathematically

evolve it.

REAL-TIME VALIDATION

A model is only as good as its verification. That is

why HAW Hamburg established a state-of-theart

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test rig. Integrat-

MASTERING H 2

COMPLEXITY

“We integrate our research findings directly

into the curriculum. This ensures

that our students are well-prepared to

understand and master the complexities

of future hydrogen aviation.”

Professor Kay Kochan, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg)

ed with industry-standard real-time platforms,

this facility allows us to run our optimized architectures

live. We couple physical hardware –

such as the novel fault-tolerant multi-phase motor

architecture – with our digital models. This

setup enables us to test failure scenarios and

control strategies safely on the ground before

any flight hardware is built.

TRANSLATING ACADEMIC CONCEPTS

Innovation needs a solid foundation. HAW Hamburg

strengthens the ZAL ecosystem by grounding

theoretical concepts in physical reality. Our

combination of digital system optimization and

hardware-based validation significantly reduces

development risks. We actively contribute this

methodological depth to publicly funded research

consortia, helping to transform ambitious

hydrogen concepts into certifiable aviation

solutions.

Partial view of the hydrogen periphery at the BeHyPSy test rig.

47

PRECISE

• Focus: cryogenic fuel gauging & sensor optimization

• Tech: acoustic modal gauging, 3-cylinder capacitance

probes, CFD sloshing analysis

• Status: validation complete; LH 2 tests scheduled for 2026

• Partners: AUTOFLUG

BeHyPSy

• Focus: hydrogen-electric powertrain architecture

• Tech: pareto-optimization, real-time HIL-testing,

multi-string architectures

• Status: HIL rig operational; real-time control application

in progress

• Partners: ZAL, Breezer Aircraft, RST, ZBT, HSU

Adrian Winter inspecting a cryogenic fill level sensor prototype.

CONTACT

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kay Kochan

kay.kochan@haw-hamburg.de

AIRBUS

48

Live monitoring of energy consumption at actuator level.

DEMO FACTORY

OF THE FUTURE

CONTACT

Jannis Eckhoff

jannis.eckhoff@airbus.com

The global push for sustainable aviation requires

more than new fuels, more efficient

aircraft, or optimized ATC. It also demands

a fundamental shift in how aircraft are

built. At the heart of this transformation is

the systematic reduction of resource consumption

throughout complex, multi-stage

production lines. A dedicated Demo Factory

for resource-efficient industrial systems

serves as a real-world testing ground. It’s a

place where innovative methodologies for

energy and material measurement and optimization

are validated under high-fidelity

production scenarios.

OPTIMIZATION STARTS AT

ACTUATOR LEVEL

A major leap toward this vision was achieved

through the so-called iMod 2 research project in

close cooperation with our long-term partner

Helmut Schmidt University. By integrating highprecision

energy measuring devices directly into

DEMO FACTORY OF THE FUTURE

Dashboard with live and historic data.

the Combined Automation Station (CAS), researchers

have enabled the continuous, granular

recording of energy and other environmental

metrics within a live production setting.

Instead of viewing a factory’s energy use as a single

bulk figure, this system captures data at the

individual actuator level. This transparency allows

engineers to see exactly how much energy

a specific robotic movement or machine action

consumes, turning “hidden” costs into actionable

data. By measuring energy at the component

level, it is possible to turn abstract goals

into precise engineering solutions.

This data-driven approach does more than save

costs; it provides a blueprint for the next generation

of aerospace manufacturing, ensuring that

new machines and processes are optimized for

efficiency from the very first day of operation.

The next step will be inviting industry partners to

collaborate on scaling these validated energy

solutions, preparing the next generation of production

facilities. Join us in redefining the standards

of aerospace manufacturing.

49

SMART SCHEDULING AND

INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN

The intelligence of the system lies in its ability to

merge consumption data with real-time variables,

such as fluctuating energy costs and the

current carbon mix of the power grid.

• Robotic path optimization: identifying and

eliminating inefficient motion paths to reduce

idle time and optimize acceleration ramps.

• Clean energy scheduling: shifting energy-intensive

production tasks to time slots with high

renewable energy availability.

• Future-proofing infrastructure: using data

to define optimal electrical grid architectures

(transformers, distribution, and cabling) for future

plants.

The Power of Granular Data

High-resolution tracking

Energy monitoring at the actuator/

robot level

Grid integration

Syncing production schedules with

renewable energy peaks

Strategic planning

Optimized infrastructure requirements

for suppliers and grid architecture

SFS

Fiber-reinforced lightweight structures with

structural mounts and cable attachments.

50

BACK TO THE

ESSENTIALS

Find out more

about SFS.

SFS is constantly on the lookout for new

and efficient manufacturing methods for

its innovative products. This involves breaking

down existing assemblies into their

component parts and closely examining the

production steps involved. With components

developed and produced over 25

years ago, it may be possible to design and

manufacture them more efficiently now using

other production methods.

FIONA: FUNCTIONALLY INTEGRATED

OPTIMIZED NEW ADDITIVE STRUCTURES

This is the project name given to a group of companies

led by Airbus that has been working hard

to come up with technically mature solutions

that apply additive manufacturing in FLM (filament

layer) and FCM (fused composite) processes.

The aim is to use the example of an A320

cabin partition as a way of designing and testing

new materials and the system technology for

quality-assured 3D-printing of continuous fiber-reinforced

components. As an experienced

partner in fastening technology, SFS has been involved

in the FIONA project, developing structures

and contributing attachment options in

additively manufactured structures.

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

MEANS FASTENING SOLUTIONS

NEED TO BE ENTIRELY RE-

THOUGHT AND REDEFINED.

BACK TO THE ESSENTIALS

The advantages of additive manufacturing are clear;

it offers a high degree of customization and can deliver

tool-free, complex, and weight-optimized geometries.

On the other hand, there are long processing

times and post-machining is required to

achieve high-quality surfaces or meet tight tolerances.

Also, the anisotropy of a component, the direction-dependent

load due to the layered structure,

poses a particular challenge in developing fastening

systems. This makes it difficult to transfer experience

from conventional production to generative

manufacturing methods.

INNOVATIVE STRUCTURES

SFS first had to conduct basic research into the possibilities

of additive manufacturing with continuous

fiber-reinforced structures so a newly developed

cabin partition could be firmly fixed to the aircraft

fuselage and the emerging forces be distributed accordingly.

With the support of partner companies

that defined a topologically optimized basic structure

for the partition, loop structures connected by

continuous CFRP fibers were developed to distribute

the load from the point of introduction across

the entire partition.

51

INTEGRATING FUNCTIONS

Cabin partitions do not just act as a visual barrier,

they provide valuable information and setting options

for the cabin via the flight attendant panel as

well. The electrical cables that supply the panel with

power and data also need to be securely fastened in

the partition. For this SFS integrated cable fastening

in the production process, using the visually unattractive

layer surface for the additive manufacturing

methods. The introduction of fitting pieces with an

identical layer surface ensures sufficient hold for fastening

cables in the partition.

Final FIONA demonstrator of an A320 cabin partition.

SIMULATION AND PHYSICAL TESTING

As part of the FIONA project, SFS also took the opportunity

to investigate a new method of simulation

for additively manufactured components. With combinations

of materials and geometries as yet undetermined,

traditional trial-and-error load tests would

have been very expensive. This meant pioneering

results could be obtained using new simulation software.

Taken together with the material parameters

and a mapping of the additive (anisotropic) layer

structure, it proved possible to simulate the connections

areas in the partition very well.

Simulation result with anisotropic characteristics.

CONTACT

Marc Dibowski

marc.dibowski@sfs.com

LIEBHERR

DECARBONIZATION

IS KEY

52

Working on technology for the next generation of aircraft: test lab at Liebherr-Aerospace in Lindenberg (Germany).

Find out more about

hydrogen solutions

at Liebherr.

The aviation industry faces several significant

challenges, such as environmental impact

and rapid technological change. Yann

Juaneda, Director Engineering R&T at Liebherr-Aerospace

Toulouse SAS (France), and

Sebastian Ziehm, Head of Program Management

Technology Development at Liebherr-Aerospace

Lindenberg GmbH (Germany),

provide insights into how Liebherr is

shaping the future of aviation, how it is

meeting the challenges of decarbonization,

and what solutions the company is already

offering.

What challenges arise in the decarbonization

of aviation?

YANN JUANEDA The challenges are multifaceted

and range from the still limited availability and

high costs of Sustainable Aviation Fuel to regulatory

and policy frameworks to support the transition

and the development and deployment of

new technologies. Decarbonizing aviation is

rather complex and requires tight collaboration

across the entire aviation ecosystem. This includes

aircraft manufacturers, their supply

chain, airlines, airports, and finally the passengers

themselves. What we contribute as one of

the system suppliers to this ecosystem is innovative,

reliable, and more sustainable technology

for todayʼs and the next generation of aircraft.

SEBASTIAN ZIEHM The European Green Deal

Framework and the Strategic Research and Innovation

Agenda are setting the scene for the key

objectives: climate-neutral aviation by 2050,

supported by 30 percent greenhouse gas reduction

by 2030 vs. 2020 aircraft, 90 percent CO 2

net reduction when combined with Sustainable

Aviation Fuel or hydrogen, and zero CO 2 emissions

in-flight for hydrogen-powered aircraft.

How is Liebherr tackling these challenges?

SEBASTIAN ZIEHM We consistently invest more

than the industry average in research and devel-

DECARBONIZATION IS KEY

“Decarbonizing aviation is rather complex

and requires tight collaboration

across the entire aviation ecosystem.”

Yann Juaneda, Director Engineering R&T, Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS

opment activities. Our innovative technologies

will help our customers develop aircraft with

fewer greenhouse gas emissions while remaining

competitive.

YANN JUANEDA We are involved in many research

projects to find solutions together with industry

and academic partners. We are, for example,

one of the many members of Clean Aviation

Joint Undertaking (CA JU), the European Unionʼs

leading research and innovation program. We also

work closely together with industrial partners

under the Conseil pour la Recherche Aéronautique

Civile as well as the Luftfahrtforschungsprogramm,

the German Aeronautical Research Program.

We are of course also continuously

improving our own facilities, production sites,

and processes. This includes, for example, model-based

engineering, the manufacturing process,

and recyclability during the product life cycle,

i.e. what we can reuse.

Which products is Liebherr-Aerospace focusing

on?

SEBASTIAN ZIEHM Our present research focuses

on several key areas. These include the

development of next-generation electric actuators,

electric environmental control systems,

auxiliary power generation systems, electrical-driven

hydraulic power supply, and thermal

and energy management for increasingly electrically-powered

aircraft.

The powerful, electrically driven 100 kW turbo compressor demonstrates

Liebherr’s pioneering leadership in shaping the future of aviation.

Some examples: the concept of our new small

electro-mechanical actuatorsʼ family allows the

transition from customized design to customized

assembly of standardized modules. Our design

approach offers scalability for small installation

envelopes, beneficial power-to-weight ratio

and high reliability. The remote-control unit is a

perfect match for these electromechanical actuators.

It enables system and position control, data

concentration, monitoring, and signal conversion.

Together with our small electromechanical

actuator family concept, the remote electronic

unit and the small electromechanical actuator

serve as technology enablers for new functions

required for future high aspect ratio, very thin

wings.

YANN JUANEDA One of our projects consists of

a more energy-efficient electrical environmental

control system. Instead of bleeding the air from

the engines, this system will use only air from

outside the aircraft. This means that the engines

will have more thrust available and that the system

will include highly efficient electrically driven

turbomachines.

SEBASTIAN ZIEHM Last but not least, we are

working intensively on advanced materials and

manufacturing techniques, such as additive

manufacturing. In a nutshell, one can say that we

are at the forefront of innovation and that Liebherr

plays a vital role in creating more efficient

and more sustainable next-generation aircraft.

CONTACT

Sebastian Ziehm

sebastian.ziehm@liebherr.com

53

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

WILD WORLD

OF INNOVATION

In 2026, the ZAL TechCenter celebrates

its tenth anniversary.

54

Just in time for this milestone, a new guide film

has been released that captures what lies at

the very heart of ZAL: collaboration across disciplines.

Engineers, robotics experts, and software

developers from research and industry

work side by side, forming what we call the ZAL

ecosystem.

Told in the style of a nature documentary, the

ZAL movie takes new visitors and ZAL newcomers

on a short expedition through this ecosystem,

introducing some of the “species” you

might encounter at ZAL, observed in their natural

habitat. Enjoy the exploration!

The automators: always finding new ways to let machines

do the heavy work.

Watch the full

movie here.

Working side by side:

hardware and software

engineers.

WILD WORLD OF INNOVATION

Sound-tamers in their natural environment: the Acoustic Flight Lab.

55

Reinforcing their nest with flax fibers.

Learning by observation

and imitation: proTechnicale

is ZAL’s STEM orientation

program for young women.

Many thanks to the

species featured in

the ZAL film for their

support:

Airbus, Airbus Robotics, DLR Institute of Maintenance

& Modification, DLR Institute of System Architectures

in Aeronautics, DLR Institute of Technical

Thermodynamics, esploro projects GmbH,

Dassault Systèmes, Lufthansa Technik, proTechnicale,

Helmut-Schmidt University Hamburg (IMOD

Demonstrator funded by dtec).

Film produced by OhMyOrange!

DLR INSTITUTE OF SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES IN AERONAUTICS

COME ON BOARD –

PREPARING NEW TEST-

BED FOR TAKE-OFF

56

Visualization of DLR’s neutral testbed for joint research with partners from industry, SMEs, and academia in Hamburg.

Learn more about

AIRCab+ testbed.

Developing radically new aircraft technologies

is anything but straightforward today.

Many of the technologies and systems required

for future needs in aviation are intended

for aircraft that do not yet exist –

and for which reliable data is still limited or

entirely missing. At the same time, these

parts must be economically viable and

work together seamlessly. How will they interact

at aircraft level – and what effects

will they have across an entire fleet?

A SOLUTION: PREDICTING DIGITALLY

AND TESTING PHYSICALLY

To understand how new technologies interact

with other systems, how they can be optimized,

and where synergies emerge, the DLR Institute

of System Architectures in Aeronautics relies on

established digital, collaborative engineering

methods, tools, and frameworks (see information

box). These are backed by extensive research

and enable very early, system-level assessment

of many future aircraft concepts

almost simultaneously.

COME ON BOARD – PREPARING NEW TESTBED FOR TAKE-OFF

Architecting Aviation

At ZAL, these capabilities are now being systematically

tested, demonstrated and upscaled into

the physical domain. By the end of next year,

DLR will put its first large-scale physical testbed

into operation: a long-range, twin-aisle fuselage

section incorporating the cabin and key cabin

systems, including air conditioning, electrics,

and wastewater. Set up by our institute as a neutral

research lab called AIRCab+, it will allow us

to analyze the complex integration and installation

of new systems under realistic conditions,

directly complementing digital studies with

hands-on experimentation.

COLLABORATION FOR INNOVATION:

LET’S LEARN AND ADVANCE TOGETHER

Why should you care – now? Because AIRCab+ is

not intended as an internal research asset alone.

Instead, we want to support and accelerate European

industrial innovation, particularly within

the Hamburg aviation ecosystem. Given the

scale and urgency of today’s challenges, meaningful

progress cannot happen in isolation.

Collaboration is key and this is why we are part

of ZAL.

Being part of the large-scale research organization DLR

and having many research partners, our institute is capable of

digitally modeling and comprehensively assessing aviation.

What we can draw on to help test and support (collaborative)

decision-making for your future technologies:

DIGITALLY

• Comprehensive digital assessment environment with

engineering methods for multi-disciplinary optimization

and know-how

• Digital models of most promising future

aircraft configurations (TRL 4)

(www.exact-dlr.de) as partially shown on

www.digital-hangar.de

• Co-design and VR-, XR-expertise, including digital twins

• Digital framework for assessing impact and life cycle at three

levels: aircraft, airport, and global air transport system

PHYSICALLY

• Coming soon: AIRCab+ (in ZAL, Hamburg)

57

What would you like to investigate with us? What

should we consider when configuring AIRCab+?

By combining perspectives and exploring ideas

early – digitally, physically, or at an abstract level,

possibly also using extended reality and rapid

prototyping – we aim to identify synergies, uncover

potential, and lay the groundwork for faster,

more efficient product development. Let’s

avoid allowing critical design decisions to become

constraints – let’s explore future architectures

together early instead.

CONTACT

Prof. Dr. Jörn Biedermann

joern.biedermann@dlr.de

Outline of 20m long AIRCab+ testbed with Professor Jörn Biedermann, Head of

Department Cabin and Industrialization.

HYDAC

Christof Gränitz (HYDAC New Technologies) and Professor Julian Jepsen (Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon) with the

Hydrogen Innovation of the Year award.

58

AWARD-WINNING

SYSTEM INTEGRATION

Find out more

about HYDAC.

By winning the “Hydrogen Innovation of

the Year” prize at the German Renewables

Award, a joint development project by

HYDAC, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon and

the Helmut Schmidt University (HSU) Hamburg

has come into the public spotlight. No

theoretical concept was awarded, but a

working hydrogen-based microgrid – an example

of how scientific findings can be

transferred to an industrially resilient system

solution.

Technology transfer between research and application

continues to be a critical hurdle in the

hydrogen economy. Many approaches fail due to

system integration, operational concepts, or

scalability. The project partners deliberately addressed

this gap through close cooperation.

While Hereon and HSU Hamburg brought their

expertise in energy system analysis, electrochemistry,

and storage technologies, HYDAC

took over industrialization and system architecture.

The developed microgrid is designed as a

compact Smart Energy Transform Box. It integrates

electrolysis for hydrogen production,

storage, compression, and reverse current in a

common system architecture. Metal hydride

technology plays a key role in this process. Special

metal powders absorb hydrogen reversibly

in their crystal lattice, enabling not only the storage

but also the compression of the gas.

SPECIAL FEATURE OF METAL

HYDRIDE STORAGE

Unlike conventional solutions, the system does

not require large-scale mechanical compressors

AWARD-WINNING SYSTEM INTEGRATION

“The technical, economic, and applicationrelated

scalability is the key to bringing

hydrogen systems into industrial operation.”

Dr. Helge Heinken, HYDAC in Hamburg/Bremen

or high-pressure tanks. The loading and unloading

of the metal hydride accumulators is carried

out via controlled temperature changes. This

eliminates mechanical wear, high noise levels

and complex maintenance concepts. From a system

point of view, a compact, safe, and operationally

robust solution is created that can be integrated

well into industrial energy architectures.

Further development is also clearly orientated

towards industrial scaling. “The technical, economic,

and application-related scalability is the

key to bringing hydrogen systems into industrial

operation,” adds Dr. Helge Heinken from HYDAC

in Hamburg/Bremen. At the same time, individual

components are further standardized and

prepared for different fields of application.

CONTACT

Andreas Börgmann

andreas.boergmann@hydac.com

INDUSTRIAL SCALING

The modular design of the microgrids allows adaptation

to different performance ranges and application

scenarios. In addition to being applied

in integrated energy systems, metal hydride

modules can also be used in perspective as

stand-alone memory or compression components.

The concept thus addresses requirements

such as scalability, redundancy and functional integration,

which are common in industrial environments.

For the project partners, the award is above all

an external confirmation of the approach taken:

it recognizes the partnership between research

and industrial mechanical engineering, aimed at

transferring hydrogen systems from the laboratory

into real-world operation.

59

“With microgrid, we show how scientifically developed

hydrogen concepts can be transferred

into robust, industrial systems,” says Christof

Gränitz, Head of Hydrogen & Advanced Solutions

at HYDAC. It was crucial to think together

about system design, regulation, and industrial

boundary conditions from the very beginning.

About HYDAC

The HYDAC Group, headquartered in Sulzbach/Saar, is one of

the world’s leading suppliers of hydraulic, fluid, and system

solutions. Since 2006, the company has also been active in

the field of hydrogen and offers a broad product portfolio

along the entire hydrogen value creation chain, from components

to modules to integrated complete systems. HYDAC’s

particular strength lies in its ability to combine a wide range

of products into modular and integrated solutions through

its strong system competence. HYDAC has been represented

at ZAL since 2025 and is active in both aviation and numerous

other industries. The company is committed to sharing its

technical expertise.

HYDAC metal hydride compressor.

MEWS PARTNERS

THREE PARADOXES:

WHY WORKING

HARDER SLOWS

DOWN R&D

60

Learn more about

Mews Partners.

Endless effort, no progress:

working harder can keep the

system stuck.

Based on numerous R&D performance engagements

at Mews & Partners in aerospace

consulting and human-centric change

management, we look beyond tools and

methods to highlight three paradoxes of

modern R&D that we repeatedly encounter.

They help explain why highly capable teams

work harder than ever and still struggle

with speed and focus – and what can be

done to restore momentum.

Most R&D organizations are not failing because

they lack intelligence, effort, or ideas. On the

contrary. Modern R&D is staffed with highly educated,

motivated, and technically skilled people.

They work hard, care deeply about outcomes,

and continuously try to improve what they do.

And yet, frustration is widespread: lead times increase,

costs rise, priorities blur, and everyone

feels permanently behind. This contradiction is

not accidental. Modern R&D is shaped by paradoxes

– situations where reasonable behavior at

the local level produces unreasonable results at

the system level. These paradoxes cannot be

solved by working harder, hiring smarter people,

or adding yet another method. In fact, these responses

often make things worse.

This article looks at the top three paradoxes of

modern R&D that explain why capable organizations

struggle with speed, focus, and innovation

– and why these challenges are easier to address

once the paradoxes are understood.

PARADOX 1

THE SPEED PARADOX – THE HARDER PEOPLE

WORK, THE SLOWER THE SYSTEM BECOMES

From the inside, R&D rarely feels slow. Calendars

are full, projects overlap, and experts are in constant

demand. From the outside, progress

appears sluggish. Both views are correct. R&D

work is highly interdependent. As more projects

are added, coordination effort, waiting times,

and context switching increase. Pressure to

work harder may improve local efficiency, but it

slows the system as a whole. R&D is not slow because

people are lazy – it is slow because it is

overloaded.

THREE PARADOXES: WHY WORKING HARDER SLOWS DOWN R&D

Logically sound at every

corner, impossible as a whole:

when smart decisions block

real movement.

PARADOX 2

THE INTELLIGENCE PARADOX – THE

SMARTER THE PEOPLE, THE HARDER IT

BECOMES TO STOP

Highly intelligent teams are very good at justifying

continuation. For almost every project, there

is a sound argument to keep going. As a result,

projects are started enthusiastically but rarely

stopped deliberately. Portfolios grow quietly

over time, not because anyone decides to overload

the organization, but because stopping

feels harder than starting. Intelligence without

explicit stopping rules turns analytical strength

into an obstacle to focus.

PARADOX 3

THE INNOVATION PARADOX – THE MORE

IDEAS AN ORGANIZATION GENERATES, THE

LESS INNOVATIVE IT BECOMES

Most R&D organizations have no shortage of

ideas. Roadmaps overflow and initiatives multiply.

At some point, idea generation outpaces decision

capacity. Attention fragments, learning cycles

are interrupted, and breakthroughs become

rare. Innovation does not disappear – it dissolves.

Without focus, even strong ideas lose

their ability to become a reality.

WHY THESE PARADOXES ARE SO HARD

TO RESOLVE INTERNALLY

The diagnosis is often clear, yet change remains

difficult. Resolving paradoxes is not primarily a

technical challenge, but a human and organizational

one. Managers must learn to stop initiatives

explicitly. Engineers must trust that stopping

is not failure. Both must unlearn habits that

once felt safe.

THE BENEFITS OF AN EXTERNAL

PERSPECTIVE: CHANGE AND LEARNING

This is where an external perspective can help.

Not by providing answers, but by creating distance

from internal history and politics. External

consultants can make overload visible, force explicit

trade-offs, and support learning-oriented

change. Human-centric learning journeys help

managers make decisions amid uncertainty and

enable engineers to work with clearer focus.

Change is not announced, it is experienced.

When overload is reduced and decisions become

explicit, improvement often follows quickly.

Projects regain momentum, waiting decreases,

and innovation becomes tangible again. Not

because people work harder, but because they

are finally allowed to focus. And that leads to a

simple conclusion worth remembering: R&D

does not become faster by doing more – it becomes

faster by making better decisions.

CONTACT

Dr. Michael Gerstle

michael.gerstle@mews-partners.com

Dr. Michael Gerstle is part of Mews

Partners, a company with more than

30 years of experience in aerospace

performance consulting. In 2024, the firm

joined ZAL Association to reinforce its

role in Hamburg’s aerospace community.

61

FRAUNHOFER IFAM

PIONEERING MACHINE

TOOL ROBOT FOR

MAXIMUM PRECISION

AND DYNAMICS

62

The newly developed flexible milling kinematics on a linear axis mach ines a

CFRP vertical tail plane of an aircraft on a 1:1 scale with high precision.

HIGH PRECISION THROUGH NOVEL

MILLING KINEMATICS

The focus of this development is a new milling

kinematics system specially designed for demanding

machining tasks and suitable for use

on a linear axis. By combining model-based control

strategies, advanced drive technologies, and

an optimized mechanical structure, the system

achieves significantly improved path accuracy –

even at high feed rates and along complex tool

paths. Vibrations are actively damped and dynamic

errors are compensated in real time. This

ensures consistently high precision, even under

varying process forces – a key requirement for

the economical machining of challenging materials,

from fiber composites to aluminum up to

tempered steels.

Learn more about

hybrid drive for

industrial robots.

Watch the video

about the new type

of machining robot.

The demands on flexible, resource- efficient,

and highly precise manufacturing processes

continue to rise. With the globally

unique milling kinematics system, the

Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing

Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM

in Stade, Ger many, provides a solution that

closes the gap between industrial robots

and conventional machine tools. The Machine

Tool Robot (MTR), developed in collaboration

with Siemens AG and autonox

Robotics GmbH, has been honored with the

“Inventor of the Year Award 2025” (Siemens)

and the “Robotics Award 2026” (Hannover

Messe). It has already proven its exceptional

innovative character and its potential to

redefine standards in automated high-precision

machining.

HYBRID DRIVE AS KEY TECHNOLOGY

The hybrid drive of the MTR combines a conventional

gear drive with a high performance direct

drive. While the gear drive manages static loads,

the direct drive compensates dynamic influences

and increases overall system stability.

KEY BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:

• Accuracy in the lower submillimeter

range throughout the entire workspace

• Higher productivity possible through

increased jerk

• Significant improvements in dynamic

behavior and disturbance rejection

• Higher material removal rates with

constant precision

PIONEERING MACHINE TOOL ROBOT FOR MAXIMUM PRECISION AND DYNAMICS

“With this unique milling kinematics system,

we elevate robotics close to the precision level

of conventional machine tools – without their

spatial and economic limitations.”

Stephan Hansen, Fraunhofer IFAM

These enable the versatile, efficient, and highprecision

machining of fiber composites to aluminum

up to tempered steels – capabilities previously

beyond reach for standard robotic

systems.

FLEXIBLE, MODULAR, AND SPACE-EFFICIENT

Thanks to its modular design, the system can be

expanded with additional linear axes or mobile

platforms. This allows flexible workspace enlargement

without the need for expensive foundations

or oversized gantry systems. Various industries

dealing with large lightweight or metallic structures

particularly benefit from this approach.

DRIVING INNOVATION FOR AIRCRAFT

PRODUCTION WITH NEXT LEVEL ROBOTIC

MACHINING

The use of Machine Tool Robots with hybrid

drives is proving to be highly future-oriented, as

they can master the challenges of machining difficult-to-cut

materials while significantly increas-

ing the efficiency of production processes. This

synergy enables highly precise and efficient execution

of complex tasks while maintaining the

flexibility and adaptability that versatile manufacturing

environments demand. These advancements

open new potential in automation

technology and Industry 4.0, with a wide range

of possible applications in aircraft production.

Beyond immediate industrial deployment, the

underlying technologies pave the way for nextgeneration

robotic machining systems. Future

developments are expected to include even

more sophisticated sensor integration, AI-enhanced

motion planning, and real-time adaptive

control. In combination, these innovations will

enable robots to autonomously react to material

deviations, optimize tool wear, and dynamically

adapt to changing production requirements –

capabilities that significantly strengthen resilience

and productivity in smart manufacturing

ecosystems.

63

Technology Overview

The Machine Tool Robot closes the gap between industrial robots

and machine tools – flexible, precise, and efficient. It combines

hybrid drive technology, model-based control, and an optimized

robot structure. The MTR achieves accuracies in the

lower submillimeter range throughout the entire workspace,

allows high jerk values, and supports increased material removal

rates.

The successful high-precision machining of a steel test specimen shows

that the machining robot on the linear axis is able to close the gap

be tween industrial robots and machine tools.

CONTACT

Stephan Hansen, M.Sc.

stephan.hansen@ifam.fraunhofer.de

JETLITE

64

Measuring the LED strip in TUHH laboratory.

LIGHTING HARDWARE

DESIGNED FOR REAL

CABIN LIFE

CONTACT

Jelka Huge

pr@jetlite.com

Light shapes how we experience space,

time, and comfort. In an aircraft cabin, it

does more than provide visibility. Light affects

how people feel, how alert or relaxed

they are, and how well they cope with long

flights and changing time zones. For passengers

and crew alike, light directly affects

well-being and performance, making it a

key element of modern cabin interiors.

For many years, jetlite has focused on the nonvisual

effects of light. The company is known for

“jetlite CabinOne” lighting scenarios, scientifically

proven to help reduce jet lag and support the

well-being of passengers and crew. Through research

projects, laboratory work, and test flights,

jetlite studies how light intensity, spectrum, and

timing perform in real cabin environments.

LIGHTING HARDWARE DESIGNED FOR REAL CABIN LIFE

Find out more about

jetlite.

One key insight has become clear: effective lighting

is not defined by scenarios alone. It also depends

on the hardware that delivers them. This

understanding has initiated the development of

dedicated hardware, with particular focus on

areas where individual light matters most – such

as galleys, business class seats, and first-class

suites.

DEVELOPED AROUND A TRIANGLE

This new generation of cabin lighting follows a

science-based development process built

around a clear triangle of chronobiology, cabin

design, and onboard operations. Chronobiology

defines how light supports the human body. Design

shapes how passengers and crew experience

the cabin. Onboard operations ensure that

the hardware performs reliably in daily airline

service. Only when all three elements are aligned

does the lighting achieve its full potential. Further,

it combines high-quality optics, flicker-free

performance and natural color rendering to ensure

a premium lighting experience, while the

modular construction enables seamless integration

into various cabin environments.

Photometric measurement – warm white.

65

A STRONG PARTNERSHIP FOR AVIATION

To bring this development into certified aircraft

environments, SCHOTT and jetlite have strengthened

their partnership. The collaboration combines

jetlite’s scientifically grounded lighting

concepts with SCHOTT’s decades of experience

in manufacturing and certifying high-quality aviation

components. The result is a lighting solution

developed to meet the highest standards of

both science and aviation, setting a new benchmark

for intelligent cabin lighting.

Photometric measurement – cool white.

Chronobiological effectiveness

Lighting aligned with the human biological

(inner) clock that helps minimize (social)

jet lag and fatigue from red-eye flights,

contributing to a greater sense of

well-being.

Operational focus

Lighting that seamlessly supports cabin

workflows and crew orientation

throughout all flight phases, while also

being technically compatible with existing

aircraft systems and infrastructure.

Design compatibility

Lighting that enhances interior surfaces,

materials, textures, and onboard dining

presentation, while staying true to

corporate identity and scientific needs –

optionally hand in hand with your interior

designers.

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

WHY AVIATION

INNOVATION

IS BECOMING A

TEAM SPORT

66

CONTACT

Lennart Dobravsky

lennart@onechart.co

When ZAL chose “Collaboration, Application,

Innovation” as the theme for its 2026

Innovation Days, it captured a reality the

aviation industry can no longer ignore. Innovation

today is not primarily a question

of internal brilliance, R&D budgets, or institutional

history. It is increasingly a question

of how open organizations are to

collaborating beyond their own walls, especially

with emerging startups and tech-

Guest article by Lennart Dobravsky,

independent tech analyst and founder of

Research+Attitude. Through his newsletter

OneChart, he explores the data signals

shaping aviation, mobility, and emerging

technologies.

nology providers. In that sense, the timing

could not have been better. ZAL has long

been a pioneer in open innovation, creating

an environment in which corporations, researchers,

academia, and startups can

work side by side. What has changed in recent

years is not the idea of open innovation

itself, but the data now proving how

strongly it pays off.

FROM OPEN INNOVATION THEORY TO

MEASURABLE ADVANTAGE

For years, academic research has argued that

open innovation improves learning speed, reduces

risk, and expands access to new technologies.

Yet one key question remained largely

unanswered: does external collaboration deliver

measurable financial returns? New largescale

research by GlassDollar now offers a

clear answer. Based on an analysis of more

than 250,000 corporate–startup partnerships

worldwide, companies that collaborate systematically

with startups and technology providers

significantly outperform their peers in

market capitalization.

WHY AVIATION INNOVATION IS BECOMING A TEAM SPORT

MARKET CAPITALIZATION

(Indexed to 2022 = 100)

MARKET CAPITALIZATION

(Indexed to 2022 = 100)

Top 50 startup collaborators

MSCI World

Top 10 leaders (Travel)

MSCI World (Travel)

220

220

200

109%

GROWTH

200

180

160

69%

GROWTH

180

160

75%

GROWTH

59%

GROWTH

140

140

120

120

67

100

2022 2023 2024 2025

100

2022 2023 2024 2025

Data sources: GlassDollar analysis of 250,000+ corporate-startup relationships, MSCI

This outperformance is anything but marginal.

It represents a structural advantage that persists

across industries and regions, including

the travel industry. Leading collaborators partner

broadly with external partners (especially

startups) across software and hardware domains:

from data infrastructure, AI-powered

personalization, and revenue optimization to

digital twins, advanced materials, robotics,

predictive maintenance, and manufacturing

automation. Crucially, they do not treat startups

as suppliers. They treat them as co-development

partners embedded in their innovation

strategy.

COMPANIES THAT COLLABORATE SYS-

TEMATICALLY WITH STARTUPS AND

TECHNOLOGY PROVIDERS SIGNIFICANT-

LY OUTPERFORM THEIR PEERS.

For more insightful data charts on

the future of aviation and travel,

subscribe to the OneChart newsletter

at onechart.co.

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

68

INNOVATION HAS ACCELERATED, BUT

INTERNAL ROADMAPS HAVE NOT

What is making external collaboration more

important than ever? The urgency of collaboration

has intensified for one fundamental reason:

the speed of technological progress. No

organization, regardless of size, legacy, or engineering

excellence, can realistically lead innovation

across all relevant domains using only

internal resources. This has always been

true to some extent. With AI, it has become unavoidable.

AI is advancing faster than any previous

general-purpose technology. Development

cycles are measured in months, not

years. Capabilities leapfrog established roadmaps.

The knowledge frontier is increasingly

external.

As a result, AI has moved from a “strategic option”

to a baseline requirement. Across industries,

companies have already reacted. Today,

nine out of ten companies use AI in at least

one core business function, including predictive

maintenance systems, quality inspection,

production planning, and autonomous decision

support. Crucially, most of these capabilities

are not built alone. They are integrated

through partnerships with specialized AI startups

and technology providers. Collaboration

has become the dominant path to AI relevance.

AVIATION IS FALLING BEHIND THE

COLLABORATION CURVE

Airlines, however, remain cautious. Among the

150 most active corporate startup collaborators

globally, not a single airline appears. Even

major aviation powerhouses such as Airbus or

Boeing do not rank among the top 100. While

other sectors increasingly rely on external innovation

ecosystems, aviation still tends to

keep experimentation internal.

CHATGPT WEEKLY ACTIVE USERS (IN MILLION)

SHARE OF COMPANIES USING AI IN AT

LEAST ONE CORE BUSINESS FUNCTION

1,000

100

800

80

600

60

400

40

20

200

0

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

0

Jan 23 Aug 23 Oct 24 Dec 24 Feb 25 Sep 25 Dec 25

Data sources: OAG Analysis, McKinsey, OpenAI, Sacra

WHY AVIATION INNOVATION IS BECOMING A TEAM SPORT

Investment data reinforces this picture. Of the

roughly 360 IATA member airlines worldwide,

only 25 have ever made a startup investment,

representing approximately 7 percent of the

global airline industry. A small group of outliers,

such as United Airlines, IAG, All Nippon

Airways, and JetBlue, accounts for most of this

activity. Even more striking: across 28 airline-backed

startup investments over the past

three years, only seven targeted AI-focused

startups. This matters because AI is not a peripheral

technology. It is arguably the largest

structural shift since the introduction of the Internet,

and one that will reshape airline operations,

network planning, maintenance, and

MRO – essentially the entire airline operations

stack.

SHARE OF AIRLINE INVESTMENTS

BY STARTUP CATEGORY

100

Cleantech AI & machine learning Other

80

60

40

18%

22%

23%

THE REAL BOTTLENECK IS HOW AVIATION

ORGANIZES INNOVATION

The challenge for aviation is not a lack of

awareness. Airline leaders understand the im-

20

0

2023 2024 2025

69

Data source: Lufthansa Innovation Hub

SHARE OF 360 IATA MEMBERS THAT

HAVE INVESTED IN STARTUPS

of airlines have

7% 93%

invested in startups

of airlines have not

invested in startups

portance of AI, digitalization, and innovation.

What holds the industry back is how innovation

is organized in practice. As a safety-critical

and highly regulated sector, aviation has

strong reasons to rely on internal solutions.

Certification requirements, operational reliability,

and long asset lifecycles naturally favor

control. But these realities do not argue

against collaboration. They argue for clear

rules, shared standards, and trusted environments

in which collaboration can scale.

Data source: Lufthansa Innovation Hub

This is where structured open innovation

frameworks matter. The aviation industry

needs repeatable models that connect startups,

corporates, researchers, and regulators

around clearly defined use cases. From my

perspective, this is exactly the kind of role ZAL

was designed to play. I’m curious to see how AI

will be operationalized through the ZAL ecosystem

over the coming years.

ZAL GMBH

70

Steffen Rüsch (ZAL GmbH) and Eduard Lomtadze (ZAL GmbH, HAW) testing the first fully functional Smart PSU.

WATTS & WIRES

CONTACT

Learn more

about DAKLIF.

Constantin Deneke

constantin.deneke@zal.aero

Aircraft cabins often feel like a technological

step back. While we are used to ordering food

with the push of a button, streaming entertainment

on demand, and using smart assistants

in daily life, the aircraft cabin often

forces passengers into a digital detox. ZAL

GmbH is working on several collaborative research

projects that show how cabins can become

more digital as well as energy- and

data- efficient, benefiting passengers and

crew alike.

Today’s cabin networks are still shaped by legacy

and often proprietary standards, which make

the development of new technologies difficult.

Separate cables for each device add weight. The

integration of new innovations, such as smart

lighting or active noise cancelling, would further

increase complexity.

LEAN NETWORKS FOR COMPLEX CABINS

Within the joint research project DAKLIF, a different

approach is explored. The goal is to design

a cabin network of the future that is lean, scalable

and consistent. Instead of dedicating a separate

cable to every device, multiple systems

can share a single line. This is comparable to

a daisy-chained architecture. It is enabled by

WATTS & WIRES

The Smart Connected Passenger Service Unit (PSU) offers a dynamic dashboard with flight information and

available services.

See the Smart

Connected PSU.

10BASE-T1S, a networking standard already

widely used in the automotive sector to efficiently

connect large numbers of devices via ethernet

network.

THE DIGITAL UPGRADE

The Smart Connected Passenger Service Unit

(PSU) demonstrates this approach in practice.

The PSU as a component has remained largely

unchanged since the 1980s and now receives a

digital upgrade, replacing static buttons and

signs with an interactive touchscreen. These

flexible dashboards allow passengers and crew

to communicate more easily. They can order

food and drinks, view flight or weather updates,

or access safety-relevant information in emergencies,

such as the location of the nearest exit.

Airlines can customize the interface and implement

individual design concepts without making

any hardware modifications. The system shows

how a simplified setup can enhance both passenger

experience and safety. Thanks to a single

cable supplying both data and power for multiple

Smart PSUs, this upgrade does not add complexity

to the cabin network.

troller that manages connected devices. In parallel,

GreenCode, a separate research project, focuses

on software efficiency. Instead of optimizing

purely for performance, it examines how code

can be designed to minimize energy consumption.

By analyzing software execution in detail, individual

code segments can be evaluated and

compared based on their actual power usage.

Together, smart networking and resource-efficient

technologies form the foundation for future

cabin systems.

Learn more

about Greencode.

71

SAVING ENERGY

An increase in digital devices inevitably raises

questions about energy consumption. DAKLIF

addresses this at the system level through the

ZAL Endpoint Eco, an energy-efficient microcon-

Energy-smart control: ZAL Endpoint Eco powers cabin devices efficiently.

CAPGEMINI

QUANTUM

ENGINEERING FOR

MATERIALS

72

Read more about

Capgemini’s

quantum insights.

Read more about

Capgemini’s work on

future materials.

Quantum technologies are becoming a key

driver of industrial innovation, enabling

deeper insight into materials at their fundamental

level. This guides our work at

Capgemini Engineering, where we combine

engineering expertise with digital capabilities

to turn emerging ideas into practical

applications – with quantum engineering as

a shared focus for transforming how we

compute, predict, and design.

FROM VISION TO REALITY: QUANTUM

ENGINEERING MEETS AVIATION

Aviation has always progressed by understanding

materials – how they behave, fail, and improve.

Together with Airbus, we extend this

knowledge into the microscopic world where

corrosion and surface reactions begin. Instead

of relying solely on physical tests, we simulate

early processes in higher detail and link them to

engineering scale models. This supports components

that last longer, perform better, and enable

more sustainable operations. With quantum

computing, we analyze materials from their

fundamental properties and examine where corrosion

starts – at the level of electrons and

chemical interactions – creating a clearer path

toward multiscale modeling.

BRIDGING SCALES: FROM ELECTRONS TO

AIRCRAFT MATERIALS

Corrosion begins at the atomic level, where electron

transfer and reaction pathways determine

surface degradation. Classical simulations can

handle many processes, but accuracy drops for

transition metals or complex surfaces. Quantum

computing delivers accurate reaction rates and

energetic landscapes for systems previously out

of reach. These quantum-derived parameters

feed into corrosion models and FEM simulations,

closing a long-standing gap between atomic processes

and engineering-scale predictions.

INTEGRATING ADVANCED MODELING

INTO ENGINEERING PRACTICE

At Capgemini’s Quantum Lab, we develop workflows

that combine quantum calculations,

AI-supported analysis, and multiphysics tools.

This enables engineering teams to evaluate material

behavior digitally and test alloy compositions,

surface treatments, or humidity cycles.

Each workflow component has a defined role:

quantum simulations provide atomic scale inputs,

AI streamlines complexity, and engineering

solvers translate parameters into performance

predictions.

CORROSION AS A REPRESENTATIVE

USE CASE

Aircraft materials face stressors such as humidity,

salt, and mechanical loads, while atomic-level

reaction mechanisms remain difficult to measure

experimentally. Traditional corrosion tests

can run for weeks. Digital simulations could deliver

comparable insights within hours. Integrating

quantum-derived values improves accuracy

where classical methods reach their limits. We

are also exploring adjacent areas such as battery

QUANTUM ENGINEERING FOR MATERIALS

“Traditional computing simplifies complex

systems to make them solvable. Quantum

computing allows us to work with that

complexity directly, giving us a more

accurate view of how real-world

systems behave.”

Franziska Wolff, Quantum Lead Strategic Partnership and Portfolio

degradation, enzyme and protein design, MOF

materials, photodegradation, and toxicity prediction

– identifying where quantum steps can

complement established simulation techniques.

QUANTUM AS AN ENABLER OF

KNOWLEDGE-DRIVEN R&D

We see quantum technologies not as a standalone

revolution but as a new layer within knowledge-driven

R&D, where physics-based simulation,

data-driven methods, and quantum

accuracy support better decisions. Key questions

include:

Today, we understand where quantum techniques

offer meaningful microscopic accuracy

and how they integrate with AI and multiphysics

models. As Quantum Engineering evolves, it becomes

a powerful extension to established

methods. By bringing atomic scale precision into

engineering workflows, we move toward more

confident, efficient, and sustainable design. At

Capgemini Engineering, we will continue driving

this transition with our partners to shape the

next generation of intelligent and sustainable innovation.

73

• Where do quantum methods outperform classical

simulation?

• What hardware maturity is required?

CONTACT

Franziska Wolff

franziska-elisabeth.wolff@capgemini.com

• How can quantum steps be embedded into existing

workflows?

• Which components are needed to link quantum

and engineering scales?

Addressing these questions helps create workflows

where quantum algorithms extend established

practices and improve accuracy in mature

modeling chains. Our work across applications

reflects our ambition to connect advanced simulation,

AI, and quantum methods into one coherent

approach.

Building the next generation of materials through knowledge-driven R&D.

AIRBUS

Airbus DAC team from left:

Leon Ketscher, Antje Bulmann, Viktor Fetter.

74

AIRBUS DIRECT AIR

CAPTURE TECHNOL-

OGY DEPLOYED IN

CANADA

CONTACT

Antje Bulmann

antje.bulmann@airbus.com

Direct Air Capture (DAC) may be a positive

contributor to our fight against climate

change, aiming to mitigate its impact by

physically removing carbon dioxide pollution

directly from the atmosphere.

This proprietary Airbus Defense and Space technology

was developed on the International

Space Station, where it helps sustain astronauts’

lives on board. The idea to bring this technology

back to Earth and transform it into a core business

model originated within the pioneering

team, spearheaded by Antje Bulmann (AI), Viktor

Fetter (DS), and Leon Ketscher.

The team developed the first DAC modules in

2023, with removal capacities of ten and 15

tonnes, and subsequently validated them with

pilot and first-adopter customers. Use cases included

Jones Food Company, an indoor farming

company in the UK, Lgem, a photobioreactor

producer in the Netherlands, SemperVere, and

DIRECT AIR CAPTURE IN CANADA

Airbus DAC at Deep Sky facility in Alberta/Canada.

75

Steiner to enhance crop harvest by enriching the

air with atmospheric CO 2 . For its work, the team

was nominated for the prestigious Deutscher

Zukunftspreis from Germany’s Federal President

in 2023 and for the World Sustainability Award

in 2024.

Now, just three years on, the DAC250 module

was engineered, manufactured, and tested at a

construction site near Hamburg, after a record

time of only eight months. After the TÜV certification

and test campaign, the module went on

its voyage to its customer Deep Sky, located in

the heart of Canada. Here it removes, as a prototype

for larger-scale units, the humble

250 tonnes of CO 2 per year and will collect important

data needed to scale Direct Air Capture

in the field.

The deployment of our DAC250 module to Deep

Sky is a key component of a larger carbon removal

initiative spearheaded by the Canadian

project developer, whose backers include Bill

Gates. Deep Sky’s flagship Alpha project, located

in Alberta, operates as a “tech-agnostic” hub

where the world’s best DAC technologies are rigorously

tested. The CO 2 captured with this process

is then safely stored underground to generate

carbon credits.

The Airbus team is working hard to allow the

business grow outside of Airbus. Currently a

smaller DAC module capable of capturing 100

tonnes CO 2 /yr is hosted at ZAL waiting for its

next endeavor.

DAC module at its manufacturing facility near Hamburg.

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

All episodes of the Hamburg

Aviation Green Podcast can

be found here.

LISTEN.

AND BE

INSPIRED.

Tired of reading? Here are three exciting

podcasts for you – enjoy!

LISTEN ON

76

CHRISTOPHER SCHEFFELMEIER

While Hamburg Aviation

Green is on a seasonal

break, we recommend

Aerotelegraph’s LUFTRAUM podcast by journalist

Christopher Scheffelmeier (NDR, NDR 2 Radio).

The podcast delivers exclusive behind-thescenes

insights into aviation in Germany, with

sharp analyses on innovation, sustainability,

and industry challenges. It offers a unique perspective

that connects the local Hamburg ecosystem

with the broader aviation landscape.

AEROTELEGRAPH’S

PODCAST

"LUFTRAUM"

AVIATION PODCASTS

JULIAN KLAASSEN

Hamburg Airport aims to be fully

fossil-free by 2035. In this episode

of Hamburg Aviation Green, environmental

engineer Julian Klaaßen

outlines the airport’s ambitious

sustainability plans: from reducing

80 percent of the emissions since

2009, to investing 70 million euros in its own wind

park, to testing hydrogen technologies – including a

planned demo flight between Hamburg and Rotterdam

– and participating in an EU project to prepare

other airports for hydrogen operations. A comprehensive

look at the airport’s drive toward sustainable

aviation.

HAMBURG

AIRPORT ON THE

PATH TO

SUSTAINABILITY

77

DR. ALEXANDER LAU

CAN SMARTER

FLIGHT PATHS

HELP SAVE THE

CLIMATE?

Innovation isn’t always about building new

aircraft – sometimes it’s about using the ones

we already have, but flying them smarter. Dr.

Alexander Lau from the German Aerospace

Center (DLR) explains in this episode of Hamburg

Aviation Green how slight adjustments

in flight routes could significantly reduce the

climate impact of contrails – and why this

change isn’t happening yet. A fascinating

look at the science, climate effects, and barriers

to smarter aviation.

IMPULSES & OUTLOOK

WHEN TRUST

MEETS TALENT

Inga’s Journey from Orientation Year to ZAL.award Winner

78

In December 2025, product development

engineer Inga accepted the ZAL.award with

her colleagues, a moment that marked the

culmination of a remarkable journey. Her

story began in the summer of 2012 with the

proTechnicale Classic STEM orientation

year, where she discovered her passion for

engineering. She went on to study at Bremen

University while remaining actively involved

with proTechnicale as a volunteer

lecturer, mentoring students and evaluating

project work, including collaborations

with industry partners.

One company, in particular, kept appearing in

her story: jetlite. From its early days at ZAL Tech-

Center in 2016 to becoming her current employer,

jetlite has been a constant presence. She first

discovered jetlite through proTechnicale and

even applied via “cold” call in 2024, getting hired

on the spot.

A WIN FOR EVERYONE

Inga’s story illustrates a key principle of the pro-

Technicale ecosystem: when trust meets talent,

both sides benefit. Although she and jetlite

hadn’t known each other personally, they shared

a commitment to quality, a trust advantage that

translates into economic benefits, top talent,

and faster, more efficient recruitment processes.

The result is a triple win: companies, young

professionals, and the city of Hamburg all benefit.

proTechnicale’s impact is visible across the industry.

Graduates work at Airbus, Lufthansa

Technik, and Lufthansa Industry Solutions. Their

CVs showcase how proTechnicale connects opportunities,

creates paths, and builds networks.

At the center are young female tech talents, ambitious

start-ups, and established companies,

linked by proTechnicale as the interface.

“People and companies I met right after school

still play a major role in my life,” Inga reflects. Her

workplace underscores how perseverance pays

off. “It’s about the long-term perspective,” says

Dr. Achim Leder, CEO jetlite. “It’s about supporting

young people on their career journey.”

Inga Meyenborg and Merle Vespermann on the alumnae panel discussion during

the proTechnicale fundraising gala in 2024 at ZAL TechCenter.

FROM LANDLORD TO LEAD

ZAL GmbH and proTechnicale have collaborated

closely for ten years. What began as a simple

rental arrangement, a small office at ZAL Tech-

Center, and access to meeting rooms for lectures,

quickly evolved into a full partnership.

proTechnicale organized ZAL Girls’ Days, while

ZAL engineers offered students hands-on insights

into robotics, hydrogen, and other technical

fields. Since 2025, ZAL GmbH has taken a

leadership role in proTechnicale, creating a

framework that fosters collaboration, strengthens

talent development, and cultivates an open,

inclusive mindset. The result is an environment

where relationships thrive and grow sustainably.

PROTECHNICALE – WHEN TRUST MEETS TALENT

“Inga exemplifies how the program combines

technical expertise with personal

development. ZAL provides the perfect

foundation for such connections.”

Dr. Achim Leder, CEO jetlite

Today, roughly a quarter of ZAL TechCenter tenants

are actively involved with proTechnicale,

with expansion on the horizon. Recent discussions

with DLR and new workshops by Diehl Aviation

demonstrate the program’s momentum,

while interest from companies like Hamburger

Hochbahn and Hamburger Energiewerke shows

its appeal beyond ZAL.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

Since 2010, over 300 alumnae have completed

proTechnicale programs, and around 90 percent

pursue STEM studies, a remarkable achievement.

proTechnicale’s success lies in its intensive,

individualized, and sustainable approach,

supporting roughly 50 participants across all

programs each year.

79

For companies, this engagement means direct

access to motivated, qualified STEM talent. Students

who experiment in ZAL laboratories, chat

with engineers in the canteen, and experience

technologies first-hand gain not only technical

skills but a deep understanding of the industry.

The tech world needs diversity as a driver of innovation

– and proTechnicale delivers. Young

women come away technically skilled, motivated,

and ready to contribute, equipped with insights,

experiences, and real career prospects.

Together with Caro, also a proTechnicale alumna, Inga accompanied the week-long

excursion of the 12th proTechnicale Classic cohort to Lake Constance for an Art and

Welding workshop.

Companies

connect and

develop

proTechnicale welcomes new collaborations and

ideas to connect more companies with the next

generation of female tech talent.

pT

CONTACT

Marianne Kraus and Wiebke Pomplun

protechnicale@zal.aero

nurture and

discover

Tech

talents

grow and

connect

IMPRINT

ZAL CENTER OF APPLIED

AERONAUTICAL RESEARCH

Hein-Sass-Weg 22

21129 Hamburg, Germany

+49 40 248 595 0

info@zal.aero

zal.aero

linkedin.com/company/zaltechcenter

80

EDITORIAL

Miriam-Joana Flügger, ZAL GmbH

Georg Wodarz, ZAL GmbH

CONCEPT & DESIGN

FORMBA GmbH

info@formba.de

formba.de

PRINT PRODUCTION

RESET ST. PAULI Druckerei GmbH

info@resetstpauli.de

resetstpauli.de

PHOTO CREDITS

Cover: Daniel Reinhardt; p. 3: Dr. Peter Tschentscher; p. 6–7: icons by FORMBA GmbH; p. 10: Dr. Beate Baron; p. 12–13: icons by FORMBA GmbH; p.14–

15: Daniel Reinhardt, Airbus; p. 16–17: Diehl Aviation, Daniel Reinhardt; p. 18–19: Daniel Reinhardt (2); p. 20–21: Daniel Reinhardt (2); p. 22–23: Beagle

Systems, Daniel Reinhardt (2), Muuv/Jelle Draper, Spark e-Fuels; p. 24–25: Celtrix, Elysian Aircraft, MD Group, O-Boot, Wingbits; portraits: Noah Willman,

Nico Buchholz, Michael Winter; p. 26–27: Daniel Reinhardt (3); p. 28–29: DLR, Daniel Reinhardt (2); p. 30–31: Daniel Reinhardt, esploro projects GmbH,

esploro spaces GmbH; p. 32–33: Delta Vigo (3); p.34–35: Daniel Reinhardt (2); p. 36–37: Hydro Bunny / mb+partner, Hydro Bunny / IFPT TUHH, TECCON;

p. 38–39: Daniel Reinhardt (2); p. 40–41: Volker Strey, Kai R Joachim, Wolfgang Borgmann, Victoria Heinemann, Yann Juaneda; p. 42–43: Daniel Reinhardt (2);

p. 44–45: Daniel Reinhardt (2), ZAL GmbH; p. 46–47: Daniel Reinhardt (2),HAW; p. 48–49: Daniel Reinhardt (2); p. 50–51: SFS Group Germany GmbH (3);

p. 52–53: Liebherr (2); p. 54–55: all images by ZAL GmbH, icons by FORMBA GmbH; p. 56–57: DLR (2); p. 58–59: Daniel Reinhardt / EEHH GmbH, Hans Jörg

Voigt / HYDAC; p. 60–61: AI-generated content, Dr. Michael Gerstle; p. 62–63: Fraunhofer IFAM; p. 64–65: Daniel Reinhardt (3); p. 66–69: Lennart Dobravsky,

illustrations by FORMBA GmbH; p. 70–71: Daniel Reinhardt (2), ZAL GmbH; p. 72–73: Capgemini Engineering, Franziska Wolff; p. 74–75: Airbus Operations

GmbH (2), Antje Bulmann; p. 76–77: Alexander Lau, Hamburg Airport, Michael Wallmüller; p. 78–79: proTechnicale (2)

THIS MAGAZINE WAS PRINTED IN A CLIMATE-NEUTRAL AND RESOURCE-SAVING WAY.

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