Highlights

 

21.2.2024

Highly resilient and recyclable UD tapes made from stereocomplex PLA

High-performance technical fibers are used in various applications, but they are often made from fossil raw materials and are not biodegradable. This is where the project comes in, with the aim of creating intrinsically reinforced materials for lightweight construction that are highly resilient, biodegradable and significantly easier to recycle. 

 

21.2.2024

Lightweight construction, efficient and fit for series production thanks to sandwich structures with thermoplastic materials

The flap, made from thermoplastic sandwich semi-finished products, demonstrates the enormous potential for saving weight with thermoplastic sandwich molding technology and its suitability both for molded components and for use in large-scale production.

 

From train carriages to medical devices: solutions for quality-assured 3D printing with plastics

Establishing Central Germany as a "3D printing region", opening up new fields of application and making additive manufacturing with thermoplastics eco-nomically viable for small and medium-sized enterprises: With this goal in mind, 15 partners have joined forces in the "AddiQ" project.

 

14.12.2023

Bio-based packaging nets and color pigments

Plastic-free packaging nets for fruit, vegetables and Christmas trees are the aim of a new project at the Fraunhofer IMWS. Together with partners, the institute wants to develop corresponding waxes, color pigments and compounds that are bio-based and biodegradable.  

 

F3 -Compositor enables 3D deposition and simultaneous joining of thermoplastic UD tape semi-finished products

Load-path-compatible and material-efficient fiber reinforcement of components is made possible by the use of UD tapes. If these are laid down three-dimensionally in the manufacturing process, many design options are available, especially for lightweight components that are manufactured in small quantities. 

 

6.12.2023

Bio-based plasticizers from Central Germany

The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS is working with partners to develop a marketable, completely bio-based and non-toxic plasticizer for use in elastomers and thermoplastics.

 

9.8.2023

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.

 

23.5.2023

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.

 

23.5.2023

Innovative water-based inks for industrial printing

In the project "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.

 

21.4.2023

Innovative structural components with adapted electronics for e-vehicles

The Fraunhofer is conducting research on the manufacturing of innovative lightweight vehicle structures with integrated electronic components for e-vehicles.

 

17.2.2023

Electrochemical antifouling as protection for the ship´s hull

A process patented by bioplan GmbH and further developed by the Fraunhofer IMWS now offers an environmentally friendly solution for preventing biofouling processes.

 

17.10.2022

New Head of Business Unit "Polymer Applications" at Fraunhofer IMWS

Dr.-Ing. Maik Feldmann took over as Head of the Business Unit "Polymer Applications" at the Fraunhofer IMWS on October 1, 2022. As such he is also responsible for the area of "Polymer Processing" at the Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Center for Polymer Synthesis and Processing PAZ in Schkopau. 

 

20.6.2022

Reliable polymer cases for the protection of power electronic components

In a joint research project entitled "PolyLEktronik" Werkzeugbau & Kunststofftechnik Kruse GmbH (WBKT) and the Fraunhofer IMWS have set themselves the goal of developing highly reliable polymer cases for power electronics components that are suitable for series production.

 

15.2.2022

Lightweight sandwich technology for climate-friendly logistics systems

In a new project, the Fraunhofer IMWS is pursuing the goal of optimizing large load carriers. By using thermoplastic-based sandwich constructions, they can combine low dead weight, high stability, flexible design and a CO2-saving life cycle.

 

Liquid bio-plastic provides ambient car ride

Sound damping systems are used inside modern cars. ECOPOX GmbH & Co. KG and the Fraunhofer IMWS want to make a novel, ecological liquid plastic suitable for this application.

 

Water-based inks for industrial digital printing

High-performance printing inks for industrial digital printing and a universal evaluation system are to be developed in a joint project with Printing Inks Technology GmbH.

 

Novel high-performance thermoplastics for economic application in lightweight structural applications

In a joint project with DOMO Engineering Plastics GmbH (DOMO EP), the Fraunhofer IMWS is therefore conducting research into new thermoplastic semi-finished fiber composite products to meet both of these requirements.In a joint project with DOMO Engineering Plastics GmbH (DOMO EP), the Fraunhofer IMWS is therefore conducting research into new thermoplastic semi-finished fiber composite products to meet both of these requirements.

 

Stone as a Reinforcing Component

The Fraunhofer IMWS is working with project partners to develop innovative thermoplastic composites with reinforcement fibers made from basalt stone.

 

A new sustainable material recycling system is to save resources

Too many problems occur in our current global recycling systems. Fraunhofer researchers want to improve this.

 

Development platform facilitates tailored thermoplastics

A virtual development platform is to simulate the processing of tailor-made thermoplastics to find customer-oriented and sustainable solutions for plastic components.

 

Optimised properties for plastic components

Fraunhofer researchers want to allow crystallisation to be specifically adjusted and optimised in future, during the manufacture of injected moulded parts made from plastic.