ECerS 2025

Traid fair / August 31, 2025 - September 04, 2025

The biennial conference of the European Ceramic Society (ECerS) is one of the most prominent forums for exchange between science and industry in the field of advanced ceramics.

A diverse program of presentations on the latest technologies and developments, alongside an accompanying industrial exhibition, provides ideal opportunities for knowledge sharing.
Visit us at the Fraunhofer IKTS booth (ICD, Hall 1, Booth 6).

We will be showcasing:

Hydrogen technologies,
Additive manufacturing of ceramics,
Transparent ceramics,
Membrane technologies,
Ceramic foams,
Ceramic bone replacement,
Sensor systems and condition monitoring, and much more.

Take advantage of the opportunity to engage in exciting discussions with our experts!

Event details

Location

Dresden, Germany
International Congress Center Dresden (ICD)

Date

August 31, 2025 - September 04, 2025

Hydrogen technologies

With decades of experience in the development and construction of electrochemical reactors for the production and use of hydrogen, industrial electrolysis is one of the most important areas of work at IKTS. The ease with which hydrogen can be stored and transported in pipelines makes it attractive for use in freight transport, mobility, and industrial applications. Fraunhofer IKTS provides support in this area with its solid expertise in materials science and measurement and testing technology for monitoring tanks and pipelines.

Fraunhofer IKTS makes a wide range of contributions to the use of hydrogen in the

conversion of hydrogen into chemical energy carriers or basic chemicals,
regeneration into fuel cells, or
direct use as an energy source in thermal processes or the steel industry.

Fraunhofer IKTS develops and demonstrates these technologies with comprehensive system expertise and prototype and testing capacities.

Hydrogen technologies

Additive manufacturing of ceramics

High-performance ceramics have combinations of properties that other material classes cannot achieve. They are characterized by very high thermal, chemical, and mechanical resistance and generally have a lower density than metals. However, these outstanding properties also make it difficult to process the components and thus to realize complex component geometries.

By adapting additive manufacturing processes for ceramic materials (CerAM), ceramic components can be formed into complex shapes, further functionalized, and miniaturized – as is common with other material classes. As a result, highly complex ceramic components can be manufactured economically, with reduced or even no post-processing. Additive manufactured ceramics are now, for the first time, a real alternative to components made of polymers and metals, especially for applications in harsh environments.

Additive manufacturing

Transparent ceramics

At Fraunhofer IKTS, research and development of high-purity transparent ceramics for optical systems, medical technology, and ballistic protection is being continuously expanded. Based on PERLUCOR^®, a device infrastructure is currently being integrated that will cover the entire value chain for transparent components and parts. The new research and development center will contribute to significantly expanding the existing application scenarios for transparent ceramics with mature technologies:

Optics and sensor technology: Chemically and mechanically stable optics for sensor systems (driver assistance and transport systems, lidar sensors for autonomous driving), active light diffraction and guidance, laser head protection systems, unmanned aerial systems (UAV)
Civil security: Chemically and mechanically protective covers for optical systems under harsh conditions (desert regions, subsea sensor technology, radiation-resistant lidar sensors on satellites, night vision devices, solar energy harvesting), ballistic protective windows and optics for vehicles, large-format scanner discs
Medical technology and biotechnology: Biocompatible and biostable optics for endoscopes in human and veterinary diagnostics
Consumer industries, IoT components: Scratch-resistant displays and interactive buttons for vehicles and mobile devices

Transparent ceramics

Membrane technologies

Fraunhofer IKTS actively contributes its expertise in membrane technology in areas such as CO₂ separation, water treatment, decentralized oxygen production, and hydrogen production and utilization. Key areas of application include liquid filtration, membrane contactors, pervaporation and vapor permeation, gas separation, and membrane reactors.

To this end, Fraunhofer IKTS develops a wide variety of membrane materials and catalysts, for example for energy-saving high-temperature gas separation processes. The ceramic, metallic, and composite components (cermets) developed are suitable for easy integration into pilot plants and are optimized for high packing densities and gas throughputs.

Nanoporous membranes are filters with pores in the nanometer and subnanometer range. By specifically adjusting the pore size, polarity, and surface properties, nanoporous membranes can be used for separation at the molecular level in liquids, gases, and vapors. Flat, tubular (single and multi-channel tubes), capillary, and honeycomb geometries are used as membrane elements. Continuous processing, low energy consumption, modular design, short commissioning times, and no chemical additives are the hallmarks of nanoporous membrane technology.

Porous ceramics and ceramic foams

Fraunhofer IKTS has extensive expertise in the development of porous ceramics and ceramic foams. These materials are robust, heat-resistant, and corrosion-proof, making them suitable for a wide range of demanding applications. For example, porous SiC ceramics ensure the necessary pressure equalization in hollow rolls during metal melting processes, thereby preventing damage caused by expanding gases.

In addition, ceramic foams are used to improve the rigidity and durability of metal components while offering lightweight and cost-effective solutions.

Ceramic foams

Sensor systems and condition

Innovative solutions for condition monitoring that increase the reliability and safety of complex industrial systems are a central pillar of our research. By identifying critical parameters, Fraunhofer IKTS develops customized monitoring and control systems. These optimize processes and enable condition-based maintenance.

Our solutions support flexible manufacturing and are aligned with the goals of Industry 4.0 to ensure high availability of machines and systems.

Condition monitoring and non-destructive testing

Ceramic bone replacement

Fraunhofer IKTS develops and researches implants and implant materials that mimic the human bone structure. The aim of biomimetic material provision is to stimulate the body's own cell structure using either biodegradable and/or bioinert bone replacement materials or natural structural components. The ceramic bone substitute serves as a scaffold and guiding structure into which the body's own cells can grow. Such mechanically stable bone substitute materials are also combined with growth factors and personalized.

Customizable bone replacement materials

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