Press releases

Synthetic rubber is indispensable today, especially for car tires and technical rubber goods. Until now, the raw materials for its production have largely been obtained from fossil sources. Under the leadership of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, four Fraunhofer Institutes are now developing alternative, biobased raw material sources for synthetic rubber, which will enable completely new types of rubber for car tires. The three-year project is being funded by Fraunhofer with 3.25 million euros and starts in April 2024.

The recycling of components from end-of-life solar modules is an important approach to the sustainable use of resources. This allows certain components of solar modules to be reused or converted into new products. The recently launched joint project "RETRIEVE" aims to make this possible: When recycling solar module components, the goal is to improve the material quality so that it meets the current requirements for reintegration into the photovoltaic value chain. The Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP is contributing its expertise in material analysis and process optimization to the project, which will run until March 2027.

Innovative therapeutic approaches to treat periodontitis are being developed by PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Skinomics GmbH, the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in the joint project "Paropaste". They are focusing on blocking the germs responsible for this rather than killing them. This approach, which could help prevent antibiotic resistance, will be presented by the research consortium from Halle (Saale) at the IADR/AADOCR/CADR General Session in New Orleans, USA, on March 14, 2024.

For the sixth time in a row, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) has made it onto the list of Germany's most innovative companies compiled by the market research service provider Statista and the business magazine "Capital". The Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP is also represented in the ranking, which is based on the assessment of innovation and industry experts.

Solar cells made in Europe can set themselves apart from the competition through highly efficient technologies and compliance with environmentally friendly produc-tion processes and standards. This is where the EU-funded joint project PILATUS comes in, which aims to create three digitalised pilot lines for the production of silicon wafers, solar cells and PV modules in Europe by 2025. The aim is to transfer the latest back-contact technology for heterojunction solar cells to mass production. The Fraunhofer Centre for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP is applying its expertise in the field of inline and offline diagnostics and metrology of solar cells using its digitally controlled measurement and classification platform.

With a patented process for micro-nano-structuring, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) has achieved significant improvements in the adhesion properties of polymers. The process, in which structured surfaces are produced by hot imprinting or injection molding, also offers considerable advantages in terms of wettability, optical reflection, hydrophobicity and recyclability.

Daimler Truck AG, ElringKlinger AG, ENGEL Austria GmbH, ThermHex Waben GmbH, Edevis GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS have produced a storage compartment flap for a truck interior in sandwich construction in a recently completed project. 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.

Research institutions from Saxony-Anhalt and South Korea want to intensify their cooperation and exchange on hydrogen topics. The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) and the An-halt University of Applied Sciences have signed a cooperation agreement with the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH). Joint research projects and workshops are planned.

Oceans of Energy together with fifteen leading European partners announce the start of an EU Joint Industry Project, in which offshore solar technology is scaled up to formats of 150 MW enabling to build Gigawatt scale farms. These building blocks are to become a new standard in offshore energy farms. Placing solar farms within offshore wind farms will make better use of the sea space, increase energy output, provide more continuous power over the seasons and drive down costs for green electricity production and the energy system.

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. The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) is involved in projects on heavy-duty components for transportation and light-weight, comfortable orthoses.