Dr..-Ing. Nicole Vorhauer

Nicole Vorhauer

Contact Information: 

Dr.-Ing. Nicole Vorhauer
Head of group Transport in Porous Media

Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg
Institute of Process Engineering
Universitätsplatz 02
39106 Magdeburg

Phone: +49 (0) 391 - 67 - 51684
Fax:       +49 (0) 391 - 67 - 11160

E-Mail: nicole.vorhauer@ovgu.de

 

Career

Studies: 2002-2007 Dipl.-Ing. Process Engineering,
Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg
Doctorate: 2010-2018 Cotutelle internationale (OVGU Magdeburg und Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse/ Université de Toulouse, Frankreich)
Habilitation: since 2018 Habilitation at the Chair of Thermal Process Engineering

Occupation:

since 2007 Research Associate at the Chair of Thermal Process Engineering (Parental leave: 2010 and 2013),
Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg
2008-2015 Acting Equal Opportunities Officer of the Faculty of Process Engineering and Systems Engineering
since 2014 Anchor of Ladies Night for Women in Engineering Sciences
since 2016 Equal Opportunities Officer of the Faculty of Process and Systems Engineering,

 

Why Process Engineering?

I wanted to study something that is unusual and multi-faceted with a large probability of a solid position and a good salary. Intense supervision during my studies and a guaranteed good seat in the lecture hall were important to me. Less competition during my studies meant more room for my own success. Both bloomed - I belonged to the best of my class and now conduct research as a Research Associate at the Uni Magdeburg in an environment of high-profile research centers and internationally known scientists.

 

My research?

My research focuses on the drying of porous materials. Drying is an energy intensive process that is important in many branches of industry - porous bricks or ceramics only receive their strength due to drying, foods acquire a longer shelf-life, and coal and biomass, for example, wood pellets, are rendered combustible. I study the processes that occur during drying in order to understand how certain effects, e.g. Temperature, influence the result of drying. The results of this research may be of great use for future industrial applications and can contribute in making the drying process more efficient. In addition, there are many starting points and much cross-over to other areas of expertise: material transport in porous media plays an important role in geology, in fuel cell technology, or in baby wipes, for example.

 

What is exciting about science?

It offers room for individuality and a certain freedom. As a scientist, I can concentrate on things that are important to my research. I especially like the very varied work at the university, the self-reliance and independence in research. In addition, the collaboration with other scientists from various fields is incredibly exciting. This, especially, causes new aspects to constantly arise in one's own work, with new questions and solutions constantly emerging. The work at the university is also very intercultural - my colleagues come from five continents! Furthermore, cooperation at home and abroad as well as international conferences offer many opportunities to travel.

 

Can anyone do it?

For someone interested in developing and testing new things, he or she will find that process and systems engineering has a large variety to offer. It combines various disciplines such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer sciences, but also linguistics and social competences. The occupational fields reach from the chemical industry to the automotive industry all the way to pharmaceuticals and food engineering - from research to application - process engineering is everywhere!

Last Modification: 11.04.2022 - Contact Person: Manuela Dullin