Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS
Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS

Highlights 2024

We present research projects, facts and figures, publications and collaborations 2024

 

Table of contents

Welcome address by Institute Director Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden

Dear Readers,

When looking at the most important results and developments in 2024 from the perspective of the Fraunhofer IMWS, the first thing that strikes me is the astonishing parallels between our institute and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft as a whole. A focus on consolidation and strengthening our unique selling points after years of strong growth, an emphasis on entrepreneurial action, flexible management and efficient processes in our research work, an increased international reach and a clear commitment to our mission as an R&D partner to industry - all this unites the goals set by the new Fraunhofer Executive Board and the course I am pursuing for the Fraunhofer IMWS as Institute Director.

Selected research highlights

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Electronics

 

© Pixabay / tjg_3d

Improved methodology for predicting the reliability of PV and battery inverters

more info
 

© Fraunhofer IMWS

Sebastian Brand and Michael Kögel honored with Outstanding Researcher Award from Intel

more info

Facts and figures

Interviews with the business unit managers

 

© Fraunhofer IMWS

Interview with Frank Altmann

Electronics

MORE INFO
 

© Fraunhofer CSP

Interview with Prof. Dr. Ralph Gottschalg

Photovoltaics

MORE INFO
 

© Fraunhofer IMWS

Interview with Prof. Dr. Maik Feldmann

Plastics

MORE INFO
 

© Fraunhofer IMWS

Interview with Dr. Christian Schmelzer

Health Care

MORE INFO
 

© Fraunhofer IMWS

Interview with Thomas Höche

Optical Materials

MORE INFO

New research equipment 2024

© Fraunhofer IMWS

microPREP PRO FEMTO

The device is the next generation of the laser tool developed by the Fraunhofer IMWS together with 3D-Micromac AG from Chemnitz. With the aid of a femtosecond laser, it enables fast and very precise micro-machining and generates cleanly prepared samples with very little thermal stress. At the Fraunhofer IMWS, it is used primarily for preliminary and target preparation for microstructure diagnostic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and is used to remove material, expose hidden structures, and cut and polish samples. Further applications include cross-section preparations and the production of microcolumns, for example for applications with X-ray computed tomography (XCT). As a long-standing development partner of 3D-Micromac AG, the institute is also working on new laser preparation workflows and the further development and testing of new machine components. One of the device's advantages is its easy accessibility. Predefined workflows and recipes can be selected and easily adapted to the task at hand via a touchscreen, which reduces training time despite the high degree of flexibility. Other advantages of the microPREP PRO FEMTO include the laser output with a fast X-Y galvanometer scanner, a precise piezo stage for sample alignment, CAD functionalities (data import, simple geometry creation, overlay navigation), holder-based sample handling, an SEM stub interface, the extraction of ablation products and CO2 snow cleaning. The use of process gases such as compressed air or nitrogen is also possible.
© Fraunhofer IMWS

UD tape annex for 100 mm tape width

UD tapes (unidirectional tapes) are thin polymer films reinforced with endless fibers. They are used, for example, for local component reinforcement as lightweight solutions in the aerospace, automotive and sports equipment industries. Due to the unidirectional orientation of the fibers, very high strengths and rigidities can be combined in the fiber direction with low weight. The Fraunhofer IMWS is playing a leading role in the further development of these materials and their manufacturing technology and now has, in addition to the existing facilities, a facility for the production of UD tapes by means of direct melt impregnation in a width of 100mm (UD 100), which was developed together with partners according to the specifications of the institute. The annex, with its adapted nozzle, extends the possibilities for manufacturing tapes in widths of 50 mm (laboratory scale, in collaboration with Merseburg University of Applied Sciences) and 500 mm (pilot plant at the Fraunhofer PAZ in Schkopau). The plant portfolio makes it possible to conduct targeted and material-specific investigations on the process scale-up in tape production. The modularity of the die also allows it to be adapted for various thermoplastic matrix polymers.
Das Gerät steht im Labor, die Tür des Gerätes ist geöffnet.
© Fraunhofer IMWS

Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer

The Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer expands the possibilities for high-resolution qualitative and quantitative protein analysis at the Fraunhofer IMWS. The device is used primarily for proteomics issues in the sections of Matrix Biology, Biomaterials and Agriculture and Food Industry. In addition, it is used to process medical and pharmaceutical issues, in particular for characterizing complex protein networks and their interactions. The device achieves a resolution of up to 480,000, enabling the precise analysis of isotope patterns and the differentiation of complex mass patterns in a broad mass range from 40 to 8,000 m/z. The mass spectrometer offers a mass accuracy of less than 1 ppm RMS with internal calibration. Further advantages are its suitability for high-throughput applications and its high sensitivity in the identification of proteins. With its precise technology, the mass spectrometer thus enables new insights into the composition and function of biological systems and materials.
© Fraunhofer IMWS

microPREP PRO FEMTO

The device is the next generation of the laser tool developed by the Fraunhofer IMWS together with 3D-Micromac AG from Chemnitz. With the aid of a femtosecond laser, it enables fast and very precise micro-machining and generates cleanly prepared samples with very little thermal stress. At the Fraunhofer IMWS, it is used primarily for preliminary and target preparation for microstructure diagnostic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and is used to remove material, expose hidden structures, and cut and polish samples. Further applications include cross-section preparations and the production of microcolumns, for example for applications with X-ray computed tomography (XCT). As a long-standing development partner of 3D-Micromac AG, the institute is also working on new laser preparation workflows and the further development and testing of new machine components. One of the device's advantages is its easy accessibility. Predefined workflows and recipes can be selected and easily adapted to the task at hand via a touchscreen, which reduces training time despite the high degree of flexibility. Other advantages of the microPREP PRO FEMTO include the laser output with a fast X-Y galvanometer scanner, a precise piezo stage for sample alignment, CAD functionalities (data import, simple geometry creation, overlay navigation), holder-based sample handling, an SEM stub interface, the extraction of ablation products and CO2 snow cleaning. The use of process gases such as compressed air or nitrogen is also possible.
© Fraunhofer IMWS

UD tape annex for 100 mm tape width

UD tapes (unidirectional tapes) are thin polymer films reinforced with endless fibers. They are used, for example, for local component reinforcement as lightweight solutions in the aerospace, automotive and sports equipment industries. Due to the unidirectional orientation of the fibers, very high strengths and rigidities can be combined in the fiber direction with low weight. The Fraunhofer IMWS is playing a leading role in the further development of these materials and their manufacturing technology and now has, in addition to the existing facilities, a facility for the production of UD tapes by means of direct melt impregnation in a width of 100mm (UD 100), which was developed together with partners according to the specifications of the institute. The annex, with its adapted nozzle, extends the possibilities for manufacturing tapes in widths of 50 mm (laboratory scale, in collaboration with Merseburg University of Applied Sciences) and 500 mm (pilot plant at the Fraunhofer PAZ in Schkopau). The plant portfolio makes it possible to conduct targeted and material-specific investigations on the process scale-up in tape production. The modularity of the die also allows it to be adapted for various thermoplastic matrix polymers.
Das Gerät steht im Labor, die Tür des Gerätes ist geöffnet.
© Fraunhofer IMWS

Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer

The Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer expands the possibilities for high-resolution qualitative and quantitative protein analysis at the Fraunhofer IMWS. The device is used primarily for proteomics issues in the sections of Matrix Biology, Biomaterials and Agriculture and Food Industry. In addition, it is used to process medical and pharmaceutical issues, in particular for characterizing complex protein networks and their interactions. The device achieves a resolution of up to 480,000, enabling the precise analysis of isotope patterns and the differentiation of complex mass patterns in a broad mass range from 40 to 8,000 m/z. The mass spectrometer offers a mass accuracy of less than 1 ppm RMS with internal calibration. Further advantages are its suitability for high-throughput applications and its high sensitivity in the identification of proteins. With its precise technology, the mass spectrometer thus enables new insights into the composition and function of biological systems and materials.
© Fraunhofer IMWS

microPREP PRO FEMTO

The device is the next generation of the laser tool developed by the Fraunhofer IMWS together with 3D-Micromac AG from Chemnitz. With the aid of a femtosecond laser, it enables fast and very precise micro-machining and generates cleanly prepared samples with very little thermal stress. At the Fraunhofer IMWS, it is used primarily for preliminary and target preparation for microstructure diagnostic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and is used to remove material, expose hidden structures, and cut and polish samples. Further applications include cross-section preparations and the production of microcolumns, for example for applications with X-ray computed tomography (XCT). As a long-standing development partner of 3D-Micromac AG, the institute is also working on new laser preparation workflows and the further development and testing of new machine components. One of the device's advantages is its easy accessibility. Predefined workflows and recipes can be selected and easily adapted to the task at hand via a touchscreen, which reduces training time despite the high degree of flexibility. Other advantages of the microPREP PRO FEMTO include the laser output with a fast X-Y galvanometer scanner, a precise piezo stage for sample alignment, CAD functionalities (data import, simple geometry creation, overlay navigation), holder-based sample handling, an SEM stub interface, the extraction of ablation products and CO2 snow cleaning. The use of process gases such as compressed air or nitrogen is also possible.

Event highlights in 2024

Discover Fraunhofer IMWS in videos!

 

© Fraunhofer IMWS / Michael Deutsch

Materials Insights – We give an insight in our research

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Fall Festival - we show the highlights of our collaborations with universities

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Thermoplastic Sandwich Molding Technology at Fraunhofer PAZ

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