Rudolf Kessler

“The enjoyment of experimenting and lateral thinking is the essence of science,” says Rudolf Kessler, a professor of Chemistry at Reutlingen University and head of the Steinbeis Technology Transfer Center in Germany. After completing his PhD in spectroscopy, and following several years working in a think tank at Mercedes Benz, he developed a passion for process analytical technology (PAT). “I believe process analysis using spectroscopy is a holistic approach to solving tomorrow’s manufacturing challenges. And I’m privileged to be given the opportunity to think out of the box (and get paid for it!) to help solve the process challenges of developing smart materials in smart factories, using smart sensors to produce smart products... for smart people.”