AIT

Austrian Institute of Technology
  • Höhenstrasse
DI Dr. Christian Chimani
Giefinggasse 2
1210 Vienna
Austria
Tel: 
+43 (0)50 550-6233

Austria’s largest non-university research institute and specialist in the key infrastructure issues of the future.

Center for Transport Technologies

Mobility is a core pillar of human society and therefore a central factor in our economic system. At the AIT Center for Transport Technologies, around 200 experts are working on solutions for sustainable, safe, intelligent and thus future-proof mobility. The focus of the research and development work is on material-based lightweight design, on the electrification of the propulsion train and the storage of electrical energy, as well as on a resilient and safe transport infrastructure. This also includes environmentally compatible and intelligent production technologies for mobility components. Comprehensive system know-how, scientific excellence, state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure and many years of international experience enable AIT experts to drive innovations in the field of climate-friendly mobility and thus to serve industry and society already today with the solutions of tomorrow.

Electric Vehicle Technologies: development center for electric vehicle concepts

Our focal point of research is the electric drive train for zero-emission transport as well as the development of novel concepts for energy efficient vehicle cooling, ventilation and heating. Our comprehensive expertise in both domains and experience in the power electronics interface enables our researchers to optimally address the overall system of energy storage and consumption and the interaction between the two. Close collaboration between the different disciplines is indispensable for innovative developments such as solid-state batteries for hybrid electric aircraft.

Battery Technologies: battery systems for tomorrow‘s electric era

The battery is the centrepiece of modern electric drive concepts. This is why we focus our research on developing efficient, powerful, low-cost and safe battery concepts. Our scientists address the entire development chain, ranging from basic research on material optimisation to sustainable production technology on a semi-industrial scale, sensor technology for cell monitoring and battery testing, and finally system design. Our team adopts a holistic research and development approach aimed at improving the key performance indicators of the battery itself while also optimising its integration into the vehicle.

Light Metals Technologies: cutting-edge simulation tools and unique research infrastructure

With many years of experience in advanced lightweight design, LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen holds a leading role in research and innovation in this field. LKR develops high-grade light metal alloys, sustainable and energy efficient processing methods and functionally integrated lightweight components. Recycling is also part of the focus, so the entire value chain is covered.

This holistic research approach, supported by simulations, creates new technologies such as the wire-based additive manufacturing of light metals and innovative casting and forming processes. LKR uses novel methods and expertise across the entire processing chain to develop lightweight components for ground-based transport and in the aeronautics and aerospace sectors.

Transportation Infrastructure Technologies: research for safe and efficient infrastructure

Sustainable, safe and energy efficient mobility requires emissions to be reduced not only in vehicle manufacture and operation but also in the construction, operation and maintenance of the transport infrastructure. Our research for safe mobility includes monitoring the condition of built infrastructure (roads, rails, bridges, tunnels, etc.) and road surfaces and developing solutions which are designed to increase road safety, analyse the environmental impacts of traffic noise and ultimately reduce noise emissions. Our solutions are based on long-standing experience in the modelling and simulation of transport infrastructure, the use of advanced sensor technologies and the application of AI tools for automated characterisation.