With increasing individualization, mass production is evolving towards personalized manufacturing, which is characterized by smaller batch sizes and a greater variety of variants. This increases the need for flexible manufacturing technologies. 3D-swivel-bending is an innovative approach to the low-tool production of complex profile components, particularly due to its ability to realize non-linear and three-dimensional bending edges and free-form surfaces. The development of this process aims to create more efficient and flexible methods for the manufacturing of components with variable cross-sections and load-adapted components. An important aspect is the extension of the swivel-bending principle by additional degrees of freedom to enable the shaping of non-linear bending edges and free-form surfaces. The process is based on a modified process instruction in which the axis of rotation of the bending tool is shifted relative to the bending edge, and adapted tool geometries are developed. The forming mechanisms and effects of 3D-swivel-bending are analyzed in a process design in order to describe the properties of the manufactured parts and the process limits analytically. Various methods for characterizing the mechanical behavior are presented in the process modelling to derive a process window for 3D-swivel-bending. This enables precise characterization of the forming mechanisms. The process window shows the working field of 3D-swivel-bending and can be used to evaluate and design future geometries. A validation of the developed methods evaluates the applicability of 3D-swivel-bending in industrial contexts and demonstrates technological and economic advantages. It shows that 3D-swivel-bending is particularly suitable for small and medium batch sizes in the automotive and aerospace industries, as well as in the construction sector. The process extension focusses on improvements in flexibility and applicability. Hybrid bending kinematics and new technologies for tool production and bending sequence planning are being developed. In addition, a process generator for digital planning and optimization of the production process is introduced. Thanks to its flexibility and efficiency, 3D-swivel-bending offers an innovative solution for complex components. It is particularly suitable for small batch sizes in industrial sectors and combines technological and economic advantages.

Anlässlich der diesjährigen Verleihung des Helge Pross-Preises an Prof.in Dr. Andrea Maihofer erscheint eine ergänzte und aktualisierte Neuauflage des Bandes. Die Soziologin Helge Pross (1927-1984) lehrte von 1976 bis zu ihrem Tod als Professorin an der Universität Siegen und gilt als Pionierin der Familien und Geschlechterforschung. Ihre Arbeiten zur Lebenswirklichkeit von Hausfrauen, zu Bildungschancen von Mädchen und Rollenbildern von Männern beeinflussten öffentliche Debatten und gesellschaftspolitische Reformen der 1970er und 80er Jahre. Als Helge Pross im Alter von erst 57 Jahren 1984 starb, gehörte sie schon seit über zwei Jahrzehnten – wenn auch umstritten – zur ersten Garde der deutschen Soziologie. Parallel dazu war sie all die Jahre als gefragte Journalistin und Politikberaterin tätig. Sie hinterließ ein Œuvre von über 15 – teilweise mit Preisen ausgezeichneten – Büchern, Hunderten von Aufsätzen und einer kaum noch überschaubaren Liste von Gastdozenturen, Vortragsreisen und öffentlichen Auftritten. Durch ihren Tod ist ihr Werk trotz der frühen Erfolge und ihrer schier unerschöpflichen Produktivität zwangsläufig unvollständig geblieben. Es bedarf einer genaueren Betrachtung ihrer Biographie und ihrer Arbeitsschwerpunkte der letzten Jahre, um eine Vorstellung davon zu bekommen, was Helge Pross alles noch tun und schreiben wollte. Eine Biographie, ebenso wie eine umfassende Würdigung ihres Werkes stehen weiterhin noch aus – daran ändert auch der vorliegende Versuch nichts, aus dem Siegener Nachlass eine erste Sichtung ihrer biographischen Spuren zu präsentieren.

Vocational education is facing growing challenges from digitalization, skills shortages, and evolving competence requirements. The first volume of the series Practical and Competent: Vocational Education and COMET Diagnostics explores both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of COMET diagnostics. Contributions address key aspects such as competence assessment, rater training, and the importance of holistic approaches. This book provides valuable insights into current developments and demonstrates how COMET diagnostics can support the advancement of modern and future-oriented vocational education.

The investigation of the response of the immune system, which is influenced by the communication between cells of the same as well as different species (interkingdom signalling), is a crucial part in biomedical research. Especially the sensing of signalling molecules that are produced by bacteria can induce a response of eukaryotic cells present in the immune system. For the studies of cellular response in vitro, the extracellular matrix (ECM), which surrounds the cells in their natural environment, needs to be simulated. The creation of an artificial three-dimensional (3D) environment is essential and affects the cell adhesion, proliferation as well as migration. Thereby, the cell detachment and separation can be induced. In this Thesis, different approaches to generate suitable cell culture platforms were explored and their suitability for future work in cell communication investigated. In particular, polymer brushes as well as lipid bilayers were examined as approaches to spatially and temporally control selective cell attachment and detachment. Furthermore, hydrogel-based scaffolds were prepared and investigated regarding their suitability to create viable environments for cell encapsulation. Thermoresponsive poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PDEGMA) brushes were successfully used for selective separation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from a coculture with macrophages without the use of additional compounds, such as releasing agents or antibodies. The decrease of the temperature below the transition temperature of 35 °C for (5 ± 1) nm thin PDEGMA brushes, resulted in a change of the chain conformation and thus cause a desorption of cell adhesion proteins. HUVECs and macrophages attached and spread in a coculture on (5 ± 1) nm thin PDEGMA brushes at 37 °C. In contrast to macrophages HUVECs, which possess a lower adhesion strength, detached from the brushˈ surface after decreasing the temperature to 22 °C. HUVECs could be reseeded on a new surface with a yield of 71 % and a purity of almost 100 %. Square-shaped, patterned polymeric lipid bilayers that were modified with PDEGMA and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (POEGMA) brushes with brush thicknesses of 26 nm and 20 nm, respectively, were investigated in terms of selective cell attachment. Mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3) cells were able to attach and spread on polymeric lipid bilayer. In contrast, polymer brushes possess cell repulsive properties, so that the cells are only able to attach on bare glass squares. The use of patterned polymeric lipid bilayers, which are modified with polymer brushes, allows a selective cell attachment. The adhesion and spreading of cells inside different hydrogels with various geometries were investigated. The encapsulation of NIH 3T3 cells and pancreatic tumor cells (PaTu 8988t) inside chitosan microbeads cross-linked with glycerol phosphate disodium salt (CS + GP) as well as inside alginate — fibrin microbeads were not successful due to the too harsh conditions of the gelling bath and the lack of cell adhesion properties, respectively. However, a hydrogel consisting of alginate dialdehyde (ADA) with a degree of oxidation of 30 % and gelatine modified with carbohydrazide (GelCHD) in a ratio of 1 : 3 were shown to be useful, afford attachment, spreading, and proliferation of encapsulated cells. Finally, the response of encapsulated NIH 3T3 cells, in the above-mentioned hydrogel, to the signalling molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (HSL) was examined. A pronounced decrease of the cellsˈ viability from 90 % to 71 % and an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration was detected after treatment with HSL, confirming a response of the cells on the signal molecules. Overall, the results reported in this Thesis highlight the potential of polymer brushes, lipid bilayers as well as hydrogel scaffolds for the encapsulation of cells and the investigation of cellular communication processes.