Highlights

17.6.2025 | The abonocare^® conference impressively demonstrated how great the potential is for innovative recycling paths for organic waste. In inspiring presentations, experts from the food, beverage, wood and paper industries presented practical examples of the sensible use of large waste streams.

March 27–28, 2025 | More than 70 participants from five countries gathered for the SCHALL 25 seminar at Fraunhofer IKTS. The core topics were methods of acoustic emission testing and condition monitoring for a wide range of areas, from medical applications to building diagnostics, which were actively discussed in lectures and interactive workshops.

April 10–11, 2025 | The industry workshop focused on innovative, personalized implants to improve quality of life – from biodegradable hybrid bones to long-lasting small joint implants. Lectures, laboratory tours and personal discussions offered insights into the latest developments in additive manufacturing and implant technology.

April 3, 2025 | Girls'Day 2025 gave schoolgirls at Fraunhofer IKTS exciting insights into everyday laboratory life. In our chemical and environmental laboratories, they manufactured their own ceramic components, tested analytical methods and discovered the versatility of ceramics in a quiz. In discussions with laboratory technicians and scientists, they learned about job profiles and career paths in research.

November 6–8, 2024 | International experts met in Dresden for the 10^th International Symposium on Piezocomposite Applications (ISPA) to discuss new developments, applications and market requirements. The focus was on applications in the fields of HIFU, sonar technology and energy harvesting. The symposium opened with an industry workshop. The next ISPA is planned for 2026.

November 6–7, 2024 | The CMC workshop in Dresden attracted more than 100 participants from ten countries. They took the opportunity to discuss all relevant techniques for correlative materials characterization. In their talks, the speakers presented new developments in the fields of light microscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. 

November 4–5, 2024 | Around 50 doctoral students from Europe met at Fraunhofer IKTS in Dresden for the ESYMS to exchange ideas on materials science, nanotechnology, nanoscale materials, nanoanalysis, multi-scale material characterization and microscopy. The best four presentations and posters were honored with an award.

September 22, 2024 | Together with the Thuringian Water Innovation Cluster ThWIC and the Hermsdorf school laboratory Sensor Space, Fraunhofer IKTS took part in the Long Night of Science in Jena with an interactive offer on water research. For example, visitors were able to test their own water samples, carry out water purification experiments or virtually immerse themselves in a waterworks using VR glasses.

September 17, 2024 | Fraunhofer IKTS and H.C. Starck commemorated Dr. Gerhard Gille and Prof. Waldemar Hermel at a joint memorial event. Both played a decisive role in shaping the history of Fraunhofer IKTS with their contributions to hard materials research and the development of technical ceramics.

September 11, 2024 | At the first “TechVision” technology day, experts from companies, science and politics were invited by Fraunhofer IKTS, Fraunhofer IZM and CONTAG AG to discuss pioneering electronics applications – from printed circuit boards and ceramic circuit carriers to 3D electronics and smart sensors.

September 7, 2024 | At the open day at Fraunhofer IKTS in Hermsdorf, several hundred guests took the opportunity to experience research up close – with laboratory tours, lectures, hands-on experiments and insights into the pilot plants at five institute locations.

May 25/ June 14, 2024 | At the Freiberg Science Night in May, the IKTS sites showcased their research into batteries, battery recycling and plastics recycling. At the Dresden Science Night in June, the IKTS team presented experiments, guided tours and exhibits, such as electrochemical “gold plating”, HoloLens applications, ultrasonic darts and 3D printing.

April 17/ September 28, 2024 | At the seminar in April, Fraunhofer researchers showed how biologized materials can be characterized using OCT and nanomechanical methods. At the seminar in September, taking place in cooperation with Composites United, IKTS presented automated testing methods for CFRP based on ultrasound and eddy current. 

March 12, 2024 | At a joint workshop organized by Fraunhofer IKTS and Fraunhofer IFAM, experts discussed the use of lithographic additive manufacturing methods for ceramic and metallic components in industry, medicine, aerospace and luxury goods.

March 8–9, 2024 | More than 50 research institutions provided insights into their work at the Technische Sammlungen Dresden. In the Exhibit World, Fraunhofer IKTS showed how ultrasound can be used to localize damage in structures that are difficult to access, such as wind turbines or pipelines. Numerous visitors took the opportunity to talk directly to researchers.