Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS

Cleaning agents may damage photovoltaic modules

Photovoltaic modules must be cleaned regularly to optimally utilize the sunlight. Chemical additives are intended to enhance the cleaning effect. However, these can bring with them a high potential for damage. The Fraunhofer CSP has developed a test method to investigate the material compatibility of such cleaning agents and effects on the functionality of modules.

© Fraunhofer CSP

Erica Lilleodden takes up professorship at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

Novel high-performance polyamide tapes with unidirectional glass fiber reinforcement

Glass-fiber polyamide tapes for use in innovative and cost-effective lightweight structures for high-volume production have been developed by DOMO Engineering Plastics GmbH and the Fraunhofer IMWS. The high-performance semi-finished products offer a wide range of applications from automotive to aerospace.

© Fraunhofer IMWS

Modular, easily integrable semiconductors made of gallium nitride

In the EU-funded project "ALL2GaN", 45 partners from twelve European countries are working together on easily integrable, energy-saving semiconductors made of gallium nitride (GaN). The aim is to fully exploit the energy-saving potential of highly efficient power semiconductors made of gallium nitride (GaN), and thus to reduce CO2-emissions by up to 30%.

© Infineon Technologies AG

Efficient, stable and application-ready reactors for climate-neutral hydrogen production

In cooperation with seven partners from industry and research, the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP in Halle (Saale) is scaling up climate-neutral photoelectrochemical generators separating hydrogen from water to commercial capacity.

New methods to reduce inverter failures in PV systems

Inverters are the essential key component for feeding the electrical energy generated by solar modules into the power grid. How can failures and malfunctions of these inverters be reduced? The Fraunhofer IMWS is investigating this question in cooperation with DiSUN Deutsche Solarservice GmbH and DENKweit GmbH as part of the "robStROM" project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

© Fraunhofer IMWS

Innovative water-based inks for industrial printing

Digital printing is increasingly important in industrial production due to its higher cost-effectiveness, flexibility and speed. However, printing on industrial products poses special challenges for the inks used in the process. In the project "Innovative Printing Inks for Industrial Digital Printing” (InDiPrint) the Fraunhofer IMWS in cooperation with Printing Inks Technology GmbH (PIT GmbH) worked on the development and comprehensive evaluation of high-performance printing inks for industrial digital printing.

Eco-Rudder — More sustainble rudders for short and medium range aircraft

EconCore works with Airbus, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Fraunhofer on a new technology for a more sustainable type of rudder for short and medium-range aircraft, based on thermoplastic honeycomb sandwich composites.

Novel method for characterizing nanometer-sized defects in GaN semiconductors

The Fraunhofer IMWS along with 79 partners from 14 countries have joined forces in the EU-funded project "iRel 4.0" (Intelligent Reliability 4.0) to find solutions to improve the reliability of electronic components and systems along the entire value chain.

© Fraunhofer IMWS

Digital twin can reduce operating costs of solar parks

In their joint “VR4PV” project, the Fraunhofer CSP, the Fraunhofer IFF, DENKweit GmbH and Dexor Technology GmbH conducted research on how to reduce the operating costs of solar parks and thus generate solar energy more cost-effectively in the future. Using a digital twin, novel measurement methods and machine learning, the research partners succeeded in optimising the operational management of photovoltaic parks.

© Fraunhofer IFF