From sustainable building materials to smart solutions for seniors and novel materials for medical technology — the TU Ideas Competition 2025 showcased practice-oriented concepts grounded in scientific excellence. Six teams were recognized for outstanding projects.
As a key driver of research-based venturing and cross-disciplinary innovation, the competition once again set strong impulses. Embedded in INNODAY25, the best projects were honored at the final on 30 October 2025 at the darmstadtium.
Category: Researchers
1st Prize – “NanoTi – Rethinking Titanium” (Lukas Kluy, Nick Philippi, Institute of Production Engineering)
A nanostructured titanium material that makes implants more robust, antibacterial, and biocompatible. The jury praised the clear process, high impact, and compelling market potential. The team also received the Special Science Award from the Thomas Weiland Foundation for exemplary transfer from fundamental research into application.
2nd Prize – Zenaris
A solution for digital inclusion of older adults: a TV box with camera and an intuitive tablet that simplifies access to digital content. The jury highlighted the strong societal benefit and hands-on approach. (Team: Tim Jefferys, TU Darmstadt; Hakan Evcek, Goethe University Frankfurt)
3rd Prize – autonomIQ (“simplymill”)
Deep-tech software that automates CNC programming to address skilled-labor shortages and improve energy efficiency in manufacturing. (Team: Erkut Sarikaya, Felix Hoffmann)
Category: Students
1st Prize – “Coalymer” (Emanuel Nowak)
A process that transforms biochar from waste into novel building materials with a negative CO₂ balance. The jury praised the tangible prototype, high implementability, and clear contribution to decarbonizing the construction sector. The team also convinced the jury of the annually awarded Merck Sustainability Prize, due to the strong relevance for decarbonization by combining CO₂ removal with clear scalability.
2nd Prize – “ZM WirePrint” (Julius Zwickler, Marius Merten)
A powder-free metal wire 3D-printing process. The team stood out for technical depth, enthusiasm, and a clear vision.
3rd Prize – “Coach AEye” (Markus Reuter, Tobias Lingenberg)
An AI-powered app that brings professional match analysis to amateur football — with automatic tactic boards, heatmaps, and key scenes generated from simple smartphone videos. The jury praised the intuitive execution, clear user feedback, and social value.
Focused on scientific and societal priorities
Focused on scientific and societal priorities
With 107 submissions (64 from students and 43 from research staff), the TU Ideas Competition 2025 once again reflected the creativity and diversity of TU Darmstadt.
Prof. Thomas Walther, Vice President for Innovation and International Affairs at TU Darmstadt, summarized:
“Of the 107 ideas submitted this year, 63 had a connection to AI and 57 to sustainability. Innovation made at TU Darmstadt once again proves that our university’s compass points clearly to the future. The ideas emerging here make a decisive contribution to the future viability of our institution, our region, and beyond.”
Open to all members of the university — students, researchers, alumni, and staff — the competition supports the further development of research results or product ideas with commercialization potential. An expert jury from academia, industry, start-ups, and policy assessed the entries based on degree of innovation, feasibility, and societal relevance. Many award-winning ideas have, in recent years, progressed successfully or led to company foundations.