Direct Track students interviewed (1/4)
Maren Werner, Department of Mechanical Engineering
2023/08/07
The Clean Circles Direct Track Programme is aimed at female Bachelor students who would like to do a doctorate on topics in the field of energy research or energy transition. During a two-year Master's phase, they are supported by mentors and prepared for the doctoral phase in the Clean Circles project. Here we introduce some of the students.
Maren Werner
Subject: Mechanical Engineering
Entry into programme: 2021
Mentor: Prof. Andreas Dreizler
Dear Maren, you are studying mechanical engineering in the 10th semester, how did it come about?
It was definitely not easy for me to decide what I wanted to study after school. I was already interested in the energy transition and innovative technologies back then. However, since I didn't want to commit to exactly one subject area so early on, I ultimately decided on mechanical engineering and haven't regretted the decision so far.
Which research projects or specializations in mechanical engineering are you particularly interested in and why?
If I had to choose, I would name the specializations thermodynamics, process engineering and fluid mechanics first. Here I find the connection between engineering science and scientific and mathematical principles particularly interesting. There are many special research projects on these topics at the TU, but of course I have the most contact with the Clean Circles project through the Direct-Track programme.
How did you find out about the Direct-Track programme? Why did you apply for it?
I became aware of programme through the Mechanical Engineering Department's website. I was immediately curious about the idea behind Clean Circles and I could well imagine becoming part of the research project in the future.
Maren Werner,
Direct-Track student since 2021
A special highlight was definitely attending a research conference in Naples. In addition to the Direct Track Scholarship, I have also been working as a student assistant at the RSM since November 2022.
You have been involved for two years now. Are there any particular highlights or lessons learned?
A special highlight was definitely the visit of a research conference in Naples. In addition to the Direct-Track Scholarship, I have also been working as a research assistant at the RSM since November 2022. Together with two other students from Darmstadt, I had the opportunity to experience how such an international conference works and at the same time I got to know Naples as a city.
Did you already have the opportunity to dive into the Clean Circles research? What did you do there?
Absolutely. As part of my job as research assistant, I have been actively involved in Clean Circles research for more than half a year. My tasks vary from literature research to laboratory work. In the lab, for example, we make high-speed recordings of the burning iron particles and can thus determine the flame speed. During my work, I also learned very quickly that rarely does everything work out the way it was planned at the beginning. However, it is all the more fun when you see the results at the end.
Maren, thank you very much for the interview.
Maren Werner left the Direct Track programme on completion of her Master's degree in summer 2024 and is now researching future energy sources at the Institute of Reactive Flows and Diagnostics.
