In a groundbreaking achievement, materials scientist Professor Frank Mücklich has been honored with the Albert Keil Prize by the German Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE) for his pioneering work in enhancing the reliability of electrical contacts in cars. With the increasing complexity of today's vehicles, boasting over 2000 electrical connectors for various driver comfort and safety features, Professor Mücklich's laser surface texturing procedure stands as a revolutionary step towards ensuring uninterrupted electrical contact under diverse conditions.

Modern vehicles face numerous challenges related to electrical systems, with faults often stemming from defects in electrical connections rather than complex circuit boards. Professor Mücklich's innovative laser surface texturing, known as direct laser interference patterning (DLIP), reduces electrical contact resistance by up to 80 percent compared to conventionally engineered surfaces. This breakthrough holds significant implications for the functional reliability of vehicles, particularly in adverse weather conditions like high humidity, extreme heat, or cold.

The DLIP method creates biomimetic, microstructured surfaces by utilizing interference patterns produced when multiple laser beams spatially overlap. The resulting microscopic structuring, with heights smaller than the thickness of a human hair, enhances the performance of plug connections, ensuring reliability even after repeated manual opening and closing during regular servicing.

Professor Mücklich, the head of the Steinbeis Material Engineering Center Saarland (MECS) at Saarland University, expressed the industrial efficiency of DLIP, achieving speeds of up to one square meter per minute. The technology, inspired by natural surfaces exhibiting special effects, has matured into a marketable solution ready for deployment in industrial mass production.

The Albert Keil Prize not only acknowledges Professor Mücklich's work on DLIP but also recognizes several other technologies that address challenges posed by the shift to electromobility. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, the reliability and operational safety of electrical components, especially in autonomous vehicles, take on crucial importance. Professor Mücklich's contributions in understanding material changes at microscopic, nano-, and atomic scales under various stresses, such as high current densities during electrical contact switching, pave the way for more robust and durable electrical components.

As the automotive industry undergoes a significant transition towards sustainable energy and the rise of electric vehicles, Professor Mücklich's research emerges as a pivotal force in ensuring the continued advancement, reliability, and safety of modern automotive technology. 

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