Prof. Frank Walther receives the DGM Prize 2026

Prof. Frank Walther has been awarded the DGM Prize 2026 by the German Society for Materials Science (DGM). With this award, the DGM honors outstanding scientific and scientific-technical achievements that represent a breakthrough in materials science and engineering or have opened up a new field of research.

Prof. Walther’s research focuses, among other things, on fatigue and fracture mechanics, structural and surface integrity, as well as additive manufacturing and structural design. Particular emphasis is placed on complex, application-relevant stress combinations—such as high temperature, corrosion, and hydrogen—as well as the integration of experimental characterization with materials modeling and simulation.

In an interview with the DGM, Prof. Walther discusses the significance of the award, current developments and challenges in materials science and engineering, as well as the role of scientific networks and the support of early-career researchers (ECRs).

The full interview has been published on the website of the German Society for Materials Science: Read the interview with Prof. Frank Walther

Acknowledgments: Prof. Walther extends his heartfelt thanks to the German Society for Materials Science for awarding him the DGM Prize. He also extends special thanks to the TU Dortmund University for the excellent research conditions, to his colleagues in the Chair of Materials Test Engineering, and to his partners in the numerous research consortia for their dedicated, trusting, and constructive collaboration. He also thanks the funding agencies and organizations, in particular the German Research Foundation (DFG), for funding the research projects.

The official ceremony honoring Prof. Frank Walther will take place as part of DGM Day on September 28, 2026, in Darmstadt.