In 2023, eight award winners from different departments of RPTU were honored for their outstanding study and research results at RPTU. Paul Breuninger received the award for his excellent research results during PhD work at the Institute of Particle Process Engineering within the framework of SFB 926. In his dissertation, a novel process for the microstructuring and functionalization of metallic component surfaces with particles was developed and basic mechanisms of particle acceleration in the supersonic flow of a Laval nozzle and particle impact on component surfaces were studied.