Once a year, the Dr. Wilhelmy Foundation and the VDE award a prize to young female engineers in electrical engineering and information technology. The award, which is endowed with €3,000, recognizes outstanding dissertations. With a proportion of women of only 19%, the subject is at the bottom of the list of engineering degree courses. The award ceremony is also intended to show that women are successfully pursuing their careers in electrical engineering and helping to shape the future. Mona Fuhrländer, Dr.-Ing. Isabella Jolanda Lau and Dr.-Ing. Iulia Dan were honored for their work at the VDE Capital Forum at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities in 2023.
Dr.-Ing. Isabella Lau (left) and Dr.-Ing. Iulia Dan (right) Image: VDEFuhrländercombined classic computer simulations with an approximation model based on machine learning in her dissertation in order to be able to take uncertainties in product design caused by inaccuracies in the manufacturing process or variable material properties into account more quickly and precisely than before. The method helps to quickly obtain an overview of such uncertainties and rule out problems.
Lau shows how simulation errors can be reduced in the development of high-frequency components. In her dissertation, she dealt with the question of how systematic errors in the measurement of dielectrics can be minimized. Material samples differ greatly, and at the same time the measurement itself has to meet different requirements. As a result, no universally usable measuring device is available. Her dissertation aims to facilitate the use of material measurements in combination with accurate simulations. This can save redesigns, time and resources in the development of RF components.
Dan's dissertation is dedicated to the question of which architectures are used in a terrahertz communication system for 6G networks and which essential components could be used.
