Manfred Klüppel is a retired German Institute for Rubber Technology department head of Material Concepts and Modeling group known for his development of theories of

contact mechanics Contact mechanics is the study of the Deformation (mechanics), deformation of solids that touch each other at one or more points. A central distinction in contact mechanics is between Stress (mechanics), stresses acting perpendicular to the cont ...

on fractal surfaces and of reinforcement by

fillers In animal feed, a filler is an ingredient added to provide dietary fiber, bulk or some other non-nutritive purpose. Products like corn fiber (corncobs), fruit fibers (pulp), rice bran, and whole grains are possible fillers. Purpose As source ...

of elastomers.

Early life and education

Klüppel completed undergraduate studies in physics at

Philipps University of Marburg Philipps is an English language, English, Dutch language, Dutch, and German language, German surname meaning "lover of horses". Derivative, patronym, of the more common ancient Greek name "Philippos and Philippides." Notable people with this surnam ...

in 1982, and a doctorate in theoretical physics in 1987.

Career

Klüppel started as a research associate with the German Institute for Rubber Technology in 1989 working on rubber's rheological behavior. In 2002, he became the head of the material concepts and modeling department. He was simultaneously a lecturer at the

Leibniz University Hannover Leibniz University Hannover (), also known as the University of Hannover, is a public university, public research university located in Hanover, Germany. Founded on 2 May 1831 as Higher Vocational School, the university has undergone six period ...

, where he taught elastomer physics and rubber technology. He was promoted to full Professor of Polymer Materials in 2013. His long collaboration with Gert Heinrich produced a multi-scale contact mechanics theory for fractal surfaces, which was recognized by the tire industry for its predictions of tire traction in both dry and wet conditions. Also a

fractal In mathematics, a fractal is a Shape, geometric shape containing detailed structure at arbitrarily small scales, usually having a fractal dimension strictly exceeding the topological dimension. Many fractals appear similar at various scale ...

theory of rubber reinforcement by

Awards and recognitions

* 2013 - Honorary Professor at

* 2017 - Colwyn medal * 2019 -

Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award The Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award is a professional award conferred by the ACS Rubber Division. Established in 1983, the award is named after Melvin Mooney, developer of the Mooney viscometer and of the Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic ...

from the

ACS Rubber Division ACS or Acs may refer to: Aviation * ACS-3, the military version of Raybird-3, a Ukrainian UAV * Aerial Common Sensor, a Lockheed Martin reconnaissance aircraft airframe for the US Army and Navy * Air Cess, a cargo airline based in Sharjah, Uni ...

*2022 - Carl-Dietrich-Harries Medal of the German Rubber Society

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Klüppel, Manfred German polymer scientists and engineers Year of birth missing (living people) Living people