Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS
In the project Keramir the partners InfraTec GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS developed with funding from the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union, the technological foundations for a completely new class of ceramic-based infrared emitters (IR-emitter). These are characterized by a high radiation power in the middle and far infrared region, excellent long-term stability of the optical and electrical characteristics, high reliability and long life and a very compact, surface mount design (SMT). Ceramic multilayer technology (LTCC) is used to meet these complex requirements. As a result, the IR emitter can be realized as a completely monolithic ceramic component. The core innovation is that the radiating surface is designed as a thin, self-supporting ceramic membrane in combination with a metallic conductive layer integrated in the membrane. This is made possible by the development of printable, glass ceramic layers with thicknesses in the range of a few micrometers. The hermetic covering of the metallic conductive layer with another printed glass-ceramic layer creates stable IR emitters for temperatures above 500 °C.
