Press releases

The competition for two large-scale research centers in Lusatia in Saxony and in the Central German coalfields is currently underway. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Free State of Saxony want to create perspectives for the coal regions. In mid-2022, the players who will be allowed to implement their scientific concept on site will be selected from the national and international applicants.

The use of hydrogen holds great potential for decarbonizing industry and thus makes an important contribution to protecting the climate. Innovative hydrogen technologies are the key to a promising and growing market. The state of Thuringia is therefore supporting the new hydrogen application center at the Erfurter Kreuz research campus “Industrial Hydrogen Technologies Thuringia (WaTTh)” with 6.9 million euros over three years. The state is providing a further 3.4 million euros for the purchase of a building in which Fraunhofer IKTS researchers can develop and test hydrogen technologies.

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the “SAPHIR” innovation concept coordinated by TRIDELTA CAMPUS HERMSDORF e.V. with 12.7 million euros. Including the 19 project members' own contribution, the total financial volume amounts to 17.8 million euros. The funding will be used for research and development by the partners to advance the development of materials as well as products and applications in technical ceramics. The funding plays a significant role in the structural development of Hermsdorf and the entire East Thuringian region.

Due to the energy transition, new technological and resource-strategic challenges arise for the German economy and for society as a whole. Many basic materials for electromobility, fuel cells, electrolyzers, power electronics and information technology will play a much more important role in the future. Often, these high-performance materials must be imported from other countries, which is a risk for material cycles in Europe. In addition, strategically important materials are lost to the economic cycles on a large scale every year because current recycling methods are not yet matured. Fraunhofer Technology Center High Performance Materials THM in Freiberg works on innovative solutions for all of these questions. Saxon Minister of Science Sebastian Gemkow gathered information on site about the progress.

Many devices whose availability and reliability are essential are now electronically controlled. It is simply inconceivable what the consequences would be of the failure of a respirator or a vehicle assistance system. In particular, the soldered joints between the microelectronic components are of special importance. Scientists at Fraunhofer IKTS develop material models based on real measurement data for a wide variety of solder alloys in a uniquely wide temperature range. This makes virtual electronics design more accurate, faster and cheaper.

The reliable operation of safety-relevant structures, such as bridges or pipeline networks, requires holistic lifecycle management. Operators must keep an eye on safety aspects as well as on the reliability of the structure and the safeguarding of the investment. The Canadian-German project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the National Research Council Canada, is entitled "Digital Twin Platform for Infrastructure Asset Lifecycle Management" (DTPIALM) and aims to improve the lifecycle management of critical infrastructure.

The Corona pandemic has greatly increased worldwide interest in rapid yet reliable virus testing. The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS has now developed innovative “μPCR” laboratory modules to significantly accelerate the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for such tests. Rapid temperature changes are required for the samples, which are made possible by a combination of ceramic 3D printing and applied electronics.

Highly persistent plastic waste enters our environment via multiple ways, where it slowly weathers and decomposes into micro- and nanoparticles. Due to their hydrophobicity and small size, these particles can bind and transport pollutants. What toxicity they possess, where they remain and what damage they cause in the human body is being researched by Fraunhofer IKTS together with its partners in the EU project "PlasticsFatE".

The Battery Innovation and Technology Center (BITC), Fraunhofer IKTS site in Arnstadt, presents works by national and international artists in an art exhibition. The current collection at the institute features works by a Russian artist and a painter from Thuringia on the theme of "Viewpoints".

Fraunhofer IKTS is pleased to announce the nomination of Dr. Christoph Zeh for the Saxon Transfer Award 2021. With his know-how, he decisively advanced the spin-off of Senodis Technologies GmbH from Fraunhofer IKTS. He thus paved the way for the transfer of a technology for digital component identification to the market.