Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWSWith two new high-performance microscopes, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) is expanding its capabilities for investigating materials down to the atomic level. The innovative devices, including the first scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) of its kind in Europe, were officially put into operation today. They enable more precise analysis and accelerate the development of new materials that are essential for future technologies such as artificial intelligence and climate-neutral mobility.
Application-oriented materials research is central to Germany's competitiveness. It enables the development of new materials as the basis for innovative products and technologies. It finds solutions for a sustainable use of resources. It ensures that materials, components, and systems reliably meet the requirements placed on them.
At Fraunhofer IMWS, the focus is on investigating microstructures and on microstructure-based material and process development. Using cutting-edge electron microscopy methods, materials are analyzed down to the atomic scale, enabling a precise understanding of this smallest level of materials. This makes it possible, for example, to elucidate the failure behavior of microelectronic components, increase their service life, or characterize and optimize the nanostructure of functionalized materials in detail.
"The new high-performance microscopes strengthen the innovative power of Halle and the whole of Saxony-Anhalt. It is particularly valuable that the Fraunhofer IMWS research infrastructure is also available for cooperation projects with companies. An initial joint project with a medium-sized company is already underway. This means that excellent research flows directly into economic value creation and jobs in our region – making Saxony-Anhalt attractive for technology-oriented companies and start-ups," says Sven Schulze, Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry of the State of Saxony-Anhalt.
The two new high-performance microscopes are making important contributions to paving the way for future technologies such as nuclear fusion, power electronics for climate-neutral mobility, and neuromorphic computing for AI. Fraunhofer IMWS is playing a leading role internationally in this field and, with the commissioning of the two devices, is now even better equipped to support its clients with powerful materials diagnostics.
An ion beam preparation system in the best available performance class (Helios 5 Hydra UX from Thermo Fisher Scientific) is used at Fraunhofer IMWS for microinvasive and artifact-free sample preparation and for the creation of nanoscale structures. The new scanning transmission electron microscope (Spectra Ultra from Thermo Fisher Scientific) is the first installation of its kind in Europe. "The two new devices take our already first-class material diagnostics capabilities to a whole new level. We can now examine samples in even greater detail and faster than before and, for example, also comprehensively analyze particularly radiation-sensitive materials. This also accelerates the development of new materials, because precise knowledge of the microstructure plays a decisive role in this process," says Prof. Dr. Thomas Höche, head of the "Optical Materials and Technologies" business unit at Fraunhofer IMWS.
The experts at Fraunhofer IMWS will use the devices for applications in microelectronics, optical materials, rubber development, hydrogen technology, and medical technology. "In terms of the sensitivity of the detection system, the resolution in imaging, the precision in chemical characterization, and the processing speed, the new devices offer outstanding possibilities. This enables us to support our clients even more effectively – including technological developments that will be groundbreaking in the coming years," says Frank Altmann, head of the "Materials and Components for Electronics" business unit at Fraunhofer IMWS.
"The two new devices will be cornerstones of our work, both for our contributions to the development of future technologies and for linking technological advances with sustainable development at the material level. I am therefore very grateful for the funding that has enabled us to implement this significant expansion of our technical equipment," says PD Dr. Christian Schmelzer, acting director of the Fraunhofer IMWS.
The devices were procured as part of the "Research Factory Microelectronics Germany – Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing Modules" (FMD-QNC) project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
(November 26, 2025)