Digital-Physical Testing Lab - Part III: Universal nanomechanical testing system

• Subject Area: Construction Engineering and Architecture
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 575483786

The Digital-Physical Testing Lab is a multifunctional testing laboratory based on the most advanced and innovative principles of measurement technology. It is being proposed for use in various disciplines of civil engineering. Using 3D optical and fibre-optic measurement techniques, the laboratory will enable precise investigation of construction materials and components at various scales. Its equipment offers state-of-the-art measurement methods and novel testing procedures specifically developed for in-depth, comprehensive material and structural analysis. The laboratory will support investigations ranging from chemical-mineralogical analyses at the nanoscale to microstructural formation at the microscale, mechanical testing at the mesoscale, and finally medium-sized test specimens and components at the macroscale. Integrating these different scales enables detailed analysis of the complex relationships between mechanical properties and structural behaviour. With these objectives in mind, researchers from ten departments at TU Berlin have jointly selected the equipment for the proposed laboratory. This includes a small-load testing machine with integrated three-dimensional optical measurement (Part I), a fibre-optical measurement system (Part II) and a universal nanomechanical testing machine (Part III). The proposed instruments in the Digital-Physical Testing Lab is particularly notable for its modern principles of measurement and testing technology. This multifunctional laboratory brings together the latest technologies, setting new standards for non-contact, high-precision measurements. The testing machine uses non-contact optical 3D measurement with image correlation, and a fibre-optic measurement system with a continuously distributed sensing principle significantly expands testing capabilities. This is complemented by a universal nanomechanical testing machine that allows precise measurement of the mechanical properties of the smallest material structures. With these modern and innovative principles, the proposed equipment offers a wide range of applications in experimental investigations. Specially developed interfaces ensure seamless communication between devices, optimising testing and enabling innovative research outcomes. This investment enables the applicants' research groups to explore new and pioneering research areas while making effective use of state-of-the-art technology. The subject of this application (Part III) is the partial funding of a universal nanomechanical testing system. The requested funds will be used to purchase a high-precision measuring device for the mechanical characterization of materials in the micro to nanometer range. The measuring device can be used in a variety of research projects in the fields of materials testing, nanotechnology and thin-film technology.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Digital-Physical Testing Lab - Teil III: Universelles nanomechanisches Prüfsystem
• Instrumentation Group: 2930 Härteprüfmaschinen, Reibungs- und Verschleiß-Prüfmaschinen
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Berlin
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Frank Rackwitz