The “Institut für Füge- und Schweißtechnik (ifs)” (Institute of Joining and Welding) at the Technische Universität Braunschweig specialises in research and teaching in the development of joining solutions for joining a wide variety of materials. In view of the increasing importance of lightweight design and multi-material construction methods, the relevance of joining processes is growing in many industries; the ifs therefore aims to continuously adapt joining processes to new materials and application situations and at the same time to qualify the next generation of scientists. Under the direction of Professor Dr Klaus Dilger, the institute works on both fundamental and application-oriented issues and cooperates closely with research partners and industry.