Hof University of Applied Sciences will be represented in the CARE Cluster of Excellence by Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Lars Hahn. He was unanimously accepted as a collaborating member by the cluster’s Executive Board. Key factors in the decision included his commitment during the application phase, his technical expertise, and the potential for joint activities in research and technology transfer.
For Hof University of Applied Sciences, this participation opens up new opportunities for academic networking and collaboration. At the same time, it underscores the university’s commitment to contributing to solutions for key issues of the future.
CARE: Rethinking Construction
CARE stands for “Climate-Neutral and Resource-Efficient Construction.” The Cluster of Excellence aims to fundamentally advance the field of construction and accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral and resource-efficient construction industry. CARE is jointly led by TU Dresden and RWTH Aachen University, two of Germany’s leading technical universities.
Its activities focus, among other things, on climate-neutral building materials, resource-efficient and material-optimized construction principles, as well as digital and automated manufacturing processes. In this way, CARE combines basic and cutting-edge research with the question of how new technologies and materials can actually be applied in construction practice.
Combining Cutting-Edge Research and Practical Application
This is precisely where the participation of Hof University of Applied Sciences adds significant value.
“As a university of applied sciences, we have a strong focus on knowledge transfer and practical application. Research results should not only be scientifically relevant but should also yield concrete applications and solutions for business and society. Through our collaboration with CARE, we can bring this perspective to an internationally oriented research network.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Lars Hahn
Through his research at the textile hub in Münchberg, Prof. Hahn contributes, in particular, his expertise in the development of multi-axial, load-adapted high-performance textile structures, as well as in their application-oriented manufacturing and further development. The focus is on translating textile technologies into concrete, resource-efficient design and manufacturing solutions for the construction industry.
At the same time, new opportunities are emerging for joint research projects, scientific exchange, and the transfer of innovative approaches into practice.
In line with the Green Tech University’s profile
Thematically, this collaboration fits perfectly into Hof University’s profile. As a Green Tech University, Hof University is deeply engaged with issues of sustainability, resource and energy efficiency, and technological solutions for the transformation of the economy and society.
In particular, the development of sustainable materials, resource-efficient production and construction methods, as well as the digitization and automation of processes, offer numerous points of intersection with Hof University of Applied Sciences’ research activities.
The admission of Prof. Hahn as a collaborating member is an important step for us toward linking Hof University’s application-oriented research even more closely with internationally recognized cutting-edge research. At the same time, we can contribute our particular strength: not only conducting research, but also translating innovations into concrete applications together with partners.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann
Next Meeting in November
The collaboration is set to be further deepened as early as the cluster’s upcoming activities. The next major working meeting, the EXC CARE Autumn Retreat 2026, is scheduled for November in Hanover. This will provide another opportunity to expand existing contacts and develop new joint research and technology transfer prospects.
