Press releases

Mouth-to-nose protection has become commonplace during the Covid-19 pandemic. But many of the available products are not tailored for such uses. In the “Next Generation Protective Textiles (NGST)” project, ten Fraunhofer institutes are working on improved solutions that combine high protection with improved wearer comfort.

Sustainable alternatives are needed to reduce the use of petroleum-based polymers. A promising approach is provided by the international OrangeOil project, in which the Fraunhofer IMWS, among others, is also involved alongside the SKZ Plastics Center. The aim is to develop a bio-based epoxy resin system from orange peels - a residual material from the production of juice and jam.

The encapsulation of solar cells is of great importance for the overall performance of a solar module. Only if this has a seamless finish, protection of the solar cells from environmental influences can be guaranteed. In a new project, Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP and its partners are investigating the ideal degree of cross-linking for module reliability in order to increase the stability, reliability of supply, system performance and productivity of photovoltaic systems.

Sensors that function reliably even at extremely high temperatures or in corrosive environments are in demand, for example, for use in energy technology, such as geothermal or turbine applications, or in chemical engineering. In a joint project, eight Fraunhofer institutes have developed a technology platform for the realization of suitable robust sensor systems. The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) contributed its expertise in materials analysis and developed new possibilities for material characterization in the high-temperature range.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) has been awarded as one of "Germany's most innovative companies" for the fourth time in a row. The Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP is also represented with the highest rating in this ranking, which is compiled by the business magazine »Capital« in cooperation with the market research service provider »Statista« and is based on surveys among industry and innovation experts.

Large load carriers (LLC) offer a lot of storage space with a low dead weight and at the same time a large load capacity. They thus provide important services for global logistics. In a new project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, together with Infinex Kunststofftechnik GmbH, HUESKER Synthetic GmbH and TWIN-TEC Packaging GmbH, 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.

Materials scientist Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden has been appointed as director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS. She takes over this post from Prof. Dr. Matthias Petzold, who had successfully led the institute on an interim basis since October 2019. With its expertise in microstructure diagnostics and microstructure-based materials design, the institute in Halle (Saale), Germany, makes important contributions to the optimization of materials and the development of new materials.

Regionally available raw materials are to be turned into plastics that can be used in a variety of ways, thus making Central Germany a showcase region for green chemistry: With this goal in mind, 18 partners have joined forces in the "RUBIO" project, which covers the entire value chain from raw materials to recycling. The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) is contributing its expertise in the development of bioplastics and the characterization of polymer materials.

With 1000 m² of additional space and new facilities for thermoplastic-based lightweight construction, sustainable tire applications, and digital component development and production processes in plastics processing, the polymer processing area at the Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Center for Polymer Synthesis and Processing PAZ in Schkopau has been expanded. Funds from the European Union, the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft were used to invest a total of a good 11 million euros in the extension building, which opened today.

The Fraunhofer Application Center for Inorganic Phosphors and Tailorlux GmbH jointly develop luminescent glasses for product protection. The innovative and patented technology of the Fraunhofer Application Center for Inorganic Phosphors opens up a new class of materials for Tailorlux for marking products such as plastics, fibers or resins. The marking specialist from Münster wants to offer its customers marking that is always individual as well as machine-readable and, to this end, is breaking new ground for optical fingerprinting with the Fraunhofer AWZ Soest.