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Organization Expand / Hide

• Profile

• Director Expand / Hide

  • Interview with Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden

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• Halle

• Schkopau

• Soest

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• Fraunhofer Lighthouse Projects

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Highlights 2023 Expand / Hide

• Welcome address

• Interviews with Heads of Business Units Expand / Hide

  • Interview with Frank Altmann

  • Interview with Ralph Gottschalg

  • Interview with Thomas Höche

  • Interview with Maik Feldmann

  • Interview with Stefan Schweizer

  • Interview with Christian Schmelzer

• Patents 2023

• Awards 2023

• Publications

The highlights of 2024: The highlights of the year present our most important research projects, publications and collaborations of 2024. Expand / Hide

• Patents 2024

• Awards 2024

• Publications 2024

• Foreword

• Interviews with the business unit managers Expand / Hide

  • Interview with Frank Altmann

  • Interview with Prof. Dr. Ralph Gottschalg

  • Interview with Prof. Dr. Maik Feldmann

  • Interview with Dr. Christian Schmelzer

  • Interview with Prof. Dr. Thomas Höche

Research Fab Microelectronics Central Germany

Electronics_alt Expand / Hide

• Highlights Expand / Hide

  • New evaluation criteria for heavy wire bond contacts

  • Research factory for quantum and neuromorphic computing launched - Fraunhofer IMWS is member of the joint project

  • ALL2GaN - Modular, easily integrable semiconductors made of gallium nitride

• Equipment

• References

Polymer Applications Expand / Hide

• Recent Research Expand / Hide

  • 3D printing with fiber-reinforced plastics designed for load paths

  • Filter stuffing unit with integrated glue application for cellulose fibers

  • Basalt fiber-reinforced plastics for automotive applications

  • What’s in plastic waste? New options for analyzing plastic waste

  • Optimization of carbon fibers for use in UD tapes

  • Water-based inks for industrial digital printing

  • Liquid bio-plastic provides ambient car ride

  • Reliable polymer cases for the protection of power electronic components

  • Biomimetic synthetic rubber BISYKA

  • Semi-automatic evaluation of additively manufactured polymeric components using CT data for quality assurance in 3D printing - "CT4Add2QM"

  • Electrochemical antifouling as protection for the ship's hull

  • Eco-Rudder — More sustainable rudders for short and medium range aircraft

  • Bio-based winding cores made from wood flour and starch

  • Environmentally friendly and resource-saving plastic substitute products made from flour

  • Reliable polymer-based cases for the protection of power electronics components

  • Bio-based packaging nets and color pigments

  • Highly resilient and recyclable UD tapes made from stereocomplex PLA

  • Basalt fiber-reinforced polymer compounds for lightweight construction applications

  • Efficient thermoplastic composite manufacturing methods for the sustainable production of wind turbines

  • Efficient production of sandwich components: Fraunhofer IMWS honored with JEC Innovation Award

  • Efficient recycling and expanded use of plastic waste streams

  • Solutions for sorting and recycling polybutylene succinate (PBS)

• Equipment Expand / Hide

  • Mechanical behaviour of highly loaded fibre composite structures

• References

Health Care Expand / Hide

• Recent Research Expand / Hide

  • Pulsating wound dressings to help extensive wounds heal more quickly

  • Collagen fiber coatings of implant plastics improve biocompatibility

  • The link between chlorhexidine treatment and the choice of beverage in tooth discoloration

  • Materials research for dental care

• Equipment

• References

Photovoltaics Expand / Hide

• Recent research Expand / Hide

  • Engineering innovative multi-layer films for laminated glass

  • Colored solar modules in building facades: Individual designability and improved energy balances

  • Hot-spot avoidance: AESOLAR and Fraunhofer CSP develop PV module optimized for partial shading

• Equipment

• References

Phosphors Expand / Hide

• Recent Research Expand / Hide

  • Luminescent light rods – greater luminance for projectors

  • More accurate predictions for thermal management

• Equipment

• References

Carbon Conversion Expand / Hide

• Highlights Expand / Hide

  • New Technology Options for Chemical Recycling of Carbonaceous Waste

Hydrogen Expand / Hide

• Research Topics Expand / Hide

  • Electrolysis and fuel cells

  • Hydrogen tanks

  • Hydrogen sensors

  • Green H2 systems

  • Photoelectrochemical cells

  • Power electronics for H2 applications

• Equipment

• Our Network Expand / Hide

  • FIP-H2ENERGY@KENTECH

  • Fraunhofer Hydrogen Labs

  • Fraunhofer Hydrogen Network

• Recent research

Electronics Expand / Hide

• Research Topics Expand / Hide

  • Packaging and Assembly

  • Automotive Packaging

  • Physical failure analysis

  • Material diagnostics Power electronics

  • Micromechanical testing and simulation

  • Non-destructive defect localization

  • Quality assurance of GaN-based high performance devices

• Services offered

• Publications

• Scientific awards

• Technical equipment

• Highlights

• Recent research Expand / Hide

  • Robust converters for renewable energy generation

  • Faster, higher comparability and increased precision in the failure analysis of microelectronic components through the use of AI

Optical Materials Expand / Hide

• Service Offered Expand / Hide

  • Microstructure diagnostics of optical materials and systems

  • Microstructure-based development of glasses and glass-ceramics

  • Analysis of optical thin-film systems

  • Development of preparation and diagnostic methods for microstructure diagnostics

• Recent research Expand / Hide

  • Simplification of sample preparation using focused ion beams

  • Advances in ion-surface interaction-driven manufacturing of one-dimensional metal oxide heterostructures

  • Laser-based sample preparation for high resolution 3D structure determination

  • Near-surface damage of calcium fluoride when used in optical components

  • Laser writing of microlenses for polymer-based high-performance optics

  • Microstructure of optical materials

  • Evaluation of effect pigments and coatings

  • Production of one-dimensional metal oxide heterostructures based on ion-surface interactions - innovation in the manufacturing process

  • New high-performance mirrors for laser fusion

  • New process to enable the conversion of CO2 into sustainable basic chemicals

• Publications

• Technical Equipment

• References

Press releases Expand / Hide

• The Fraunhofer lighthouse project "MaNiTU" develops material for sustainable tandem solar cells

• 2023 Expand / Hide

  • Bio-based plasticizers from Central Germany

  • Scalable solutions for green hydrogen production in South Africa

  • More efficient solar cells: Stefan Lange receives Heinz Bethge Prize for Materials Science

  • Better thermal management for semiconductor chips: Nils Jonas Ziegeler receives Best Paper Award

  • Novel encapsulation and backsheet films for extreme durability of photovoltaic modules

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

  • How cleaning agents can damage photovoltaic modules

  • Novel high-performance polyamide tapes with unidirectional glass fiber reinforcement

  • New standardizable method for testing PV module back sheets

  • Solarcluster

  • Efficient, stable and application-ready reactors for climate-neutral hydrogen production

  • New methods to reduce inverter failures in PV systems

  • Germany's most innovative companies 2023 - Fraunhofer IMWS achieved top rating

  • Fraunhofer CSP named one of Germany's most innovative companies 2023

  • AI-based solutions to reduce microplastic emissions from tire wear

  • Innovative water-based inks for industrial printing

  • Novel method for characterizing nanometer-sized defects in GaN semiconductors

  • Innovative structural components with adapted electronics for e-vehicles

  • Digital twin can reduce operating costs of solar parks

  • New Methods for Reliable Electronics: Experts Discuss New Trends and Approaches in Microelectronics in Halle (Saale)

  • New method for defect diagnosis in PEM and AEM electrolyzers

  • Power semiconductors made of gallium nitride increase energy efficiency and save resources

  • Innovative Bioinks for 3D-Bioprinting

• 2022 Expand / Hide

  • 30 years of Fraunhofer in Halle (Saale)

  • High-quality elastin for various market segments: Fraunhofer IMWS spin-off takes off as "matrihealth" GmbH

  • New Head of Business Unit »Polymer Applications« at the Fraunhofer IMWS

  • New Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Hydrogen in South Korea

  • Improved protective masks through innovative protective textiles

  • Showcase project for the bioeconomy: Orange peels will provide valuable bio-based epoxy resins in the future

  • Ideal cross-linking degrees for solar modules through optimized quality control

  • Robust sensor for harsh environmental conditions

  • Fraunhofer IMWS ranked among Germany’s most innovative companies

  • Efficient lightweight sandwich technology for climate-friendly logistics systems

  • Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden is new director of the Fraunhofer IMWS

• 2021 Expand / Hide

  • RUBIO provides bio-booster for the plastics industry in Central Germany

  • Lightweight construction, sustainable tires, Industry 4.0: 11 million euros for future technologies at Fraunhofer PAZ Schkopau

  • Luminescent glasses for product protection

  • Data platform to increase efficiency, productivity and sustainability on copper alloy materials

  • Current-based repair process for new solar cell technologies

  • Improved power electronic components for energy generation in offshore wind parks

  • Wind turbines with integrated electrolyzer

  • Guidelines for hydrogen safety

  • Measurement and classification platform "MK4" offers process and data analytics for high-performance photovoltaic production

  • Future international logistics for the import of green hydrogen

  • Customized wound dressings made from tropoelastin

  • TotalEnergies, Sunfire and Fraunhofer give the go-ahead for green methanol in Leuna

  • Hydrogen Lab Leuna starts operation

  • Klemens Ilse honored with Schott AG Materials Award

  • Networking platform for trustworthy electronics

  • Today's waste becomes tomorrow's resource: "Waste4Future" paves new ways for plastics recycling

  • PV CAMPER platform generates photovoltaics data from diverse environments and climates worldwide

  • Efficient tires and improved wound healing: Fraunhofer IMWS honored with Hugo Junkers Prize

  • Unique research platform: Fraunhofer Hydrogen Lab Görlitz becomes a pioneer for the hydrogen economy

  • Rapid material analysis of surfaces and coatings using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

  • Detecting security vulnerabilities on the nanoscale

  • Fraunhofer IMWS in ranking of Germany's most innovative companies for the third time

  • Quality testing and material development: Fraunhofer IMWS supports the fight against the coronavirus pandemic

  • Individual LED lamp for visually handicapped people

  • How Do We Want to Run Our Economy and Production?

• 2020 Expand / Hide

  • Temperature measurement with phosphors

  • Reliable microelectronics through failure analysis with artificial intelligence

  • New methods for failure analysis of electronic components and systems

  • Improved 3D printing thanks to partially crystalline polymers

  • Accurately predicting the reliability and working live of photovoltaic and battery inverters

  • Fraunhofer IMWS supports the development of treatment methods for dentin hypersensitivity

  • Efficient sandwich lightweight structures with high surface quality

  • Self-organizing peptide is proven to strengthen dental enamel: Award for University of Marburg and Fraunhofer IMWS

  • »Green« hydrogen as a catalyst for sustainable chemical industry

• 2024 Expand / Hide

  • New and robust anti-reflective solutions for laser inertial fusion for the clean energy supply of the future

  • High efficiency meets sustainability: Fraunhofer lighthouse project shows the way forward for the next generation of solar cells

  • Improved methodology for predicting the reliability of PV and battery inverters

  • Oxygen as a valuable by-product of water electrolysis: Franziska Hönig receives DWV award for her dissertation

  • Modular aluminum elements with integrated photovoltaic modules for solar facades

  • More sustainable solar modules made from renewable raw materials

  • Fraunhofer and Korean Institute of Energy Research cooperate on hydrogen and renewable energies

  • Protection of intellectual property through high-resolution analytics for "next generation" photovoltaic technologies

  • Accelerated development and manufacturing processes for rubber compounds

  • Medical-grade elastin: matrihealth set to establish industrial production

  • Sustainability through material savings: Conference shows the potential of sandwich construction

  • Evolution of synthetic rubber: biobased raw materials and new types of rubber

  • Recycling photovoltaic modules for a sustainable value chain

  • New approach against periodontitis: inhibiting bacteria in the mouth instead of destroying them

  • Fraunhofer IMWS and Fraunhofer CSP are among the most innovative companies in Germany

  • Latest back contact technology for heterojunction solar cells in mass production

  • Inspired by the gecko: Better adhesion properties of plastics through combined micro- and nanostructures

  • Fraunhofer IMWS and Anhalt University of Applied Sciences cooperate on hydrogen with South Korea

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

  • Offshore solar scaling up to Gigawatts

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

News Expand / Hide

• Adele Ara (Lightsource BP) and Ralph Gottschalg (Fraunhofer CSP) elected to lead SolarPower Europe’s O&M and Asset Management Task Force

• Researchers at the Fraunhofer CSP honored by the GAIIA award

• Budde prize research on light converters

• Martin Gräbner heads Business Unit »Circular Carbon Technologies« in Freiberg

• Improving the efficiency of luminescent borate glasses and glass ceramics

• Frank Altmann appointed speaker of the VDE-ITG expert committee "Quality and Reliability of Integrated Circuits

• Fraunhofer IMWS conducts life cycle assessments in bioeconomy-context

• Making fuel cell stacks fit for use in commercial vehicles

• Erica Lilleodden takes up professorship at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

• Frank Altmann appointed General Chair of ISTFA 2023

• Fraunhofer IMWS is co-organizer of the Germany-Korea Hydrogen Conference

• Paths to the bio-economy in the paper industry

• Sebastian Brand awarded "Attendees Best Paper" at the ISTFA 2023

• The highlights from 2023 at a glance

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

• Impetus for innovation in failure analysis and material diagnostics of electronic components

• polymertec24 showcases new approaches to sustainable plastics technologies

• Fraunhofer IMWS is one of the “Innovation Champions 2025”

• Successful exchange on hydrogen solutions in Germany and South Korea

• Tandem position: Dr. Kerstin Witte-Bodnar researches the reliability of electrolyzers and fuel cells

• Fraunhofer IMWS and Fraunhofer CSP once again ranked among the “most innovative companies in Germany”

• Successful Nanobrücken conference at the Fraunhofer IMWS

• AI-supported analysis of inverter efficiency: Fraunhofer IMWS receives Best Poster Award at the PV Symposium

• Exchange on "lightweight construction and sustainability" at the Fraunhofer IMWS

• More than 60 guests at workshop on challenges for the rubber industry

• Researcher for a day: Girls'Day at the Fraunhofer IMWS

Information material

Photo material

Trade fairs Expand / Hide

• PCIM Europe 2024

• Intersolar 2024

Conferences Expand / Hide

• Concepts for the Sustainability of Polymer Materials and Polymer Technologies

• European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference - EUPVSEC

• H2Deko-Conference

Seminars and workshops Expand / Hide

• Materials Insights 20 | 21 Expand / Hide

  • High-resolution 3D imaging with nano-CT for biofunctional and medical materials characterization

  • Deep learning assisted quantitative assessment of the porosity in Ag-sinter joints based on non-destructive acoustic inspection

  • Quantitative elemental analysis in high purity materials

  • Some new approaches towards better rubber composites for tire treads

  • Solution-oriented application of additive manufacturing for pressure-loaded and high-temperature components

  • Multigraft copolymer blends - Novel thermoplastic elastomers with great potential

  • The fast and quantitative measurement of barrier properties in polymeric films and encapsulating materials

  • Mechanical characterization of electronic materials with respect to high temperature application and physics of failure

  • The digital twin of thermoplastic composite materials and their processing

  • Material and performance characterization of protective masks

  • Simulation: How to utilize common knowledge to accelerated development

• PV Days 2024 - Industry meeting for the PV industry

• Innovation in Failure Analysis and Material Diagnostics of Electronics Components

• Quality assurance in additive manufacturing

Science live Expand / Hide

• Long Night of Science 2024

Events 2024 Expand / Hide

• H2DeKo 2024

• Girls' Day and Boys' Day 2024

• Composite-Sandwich Conference

• Rheological testing methods for rubber applications

• Fall Festival 2024 Expand / Hide

  • Registration for Fall Festival 2024

Events 2023 Expand / Hide

• Materials Insights 23 | 24 Expand / Hide

  • Polymer additives — curse and blessing for the reliability of photovoltaic modules

  • Numerical simulation and experimental validation of twin-screw compounding of polylactide and polybutylene succinate blends

  • Materials Insights 23 | 24 — Recorded sessions

  • Backside analysis strategy to identify a package related failure mode at an automotive magnetic sensor device

  • Advances in lightweight technology for high volume applications via efficient processing of thermoplastic composite sandwich structures

  • Steps forward to reliable processing of ultra-thin flexible glasses (UTG)

  • ToF-SIMS — a new way for evaluating the interactions between fluoride and dental enamel (in vitro)

• Materials informatics - Recommender system for discovery of new oxides and nitrides

Events 2025 Expand / Hide

• Nanobrücken 2025: Nanomechanical Testing Conference

Vacancies at the Fraunhofer IMWS

Career at the Fraunhofer IMWS Expand / Hide

• What must an IMWS Scientist bring with them?

Alumni program

The Fraunhofer IMWS on the MS Wissenschaft Expand / Hide

• Paint system against biofouling - MS Wissenschaft

Opening of the Fraunhofer IMWS Expand / Hide

• Angela Merkel opens the Fraunhofer IMWS

Autonomous driving Expand / Hide

• Where does the autonomous car go?

Desert module

Equipment development

Corrosion in electronics Expand / Hide

• Corrosion in materials for automotive electronics

• Degradation of Hall sensors exposed to complex stress conditions

• Methods and expertise in corrosion testing

• Equipment for corrosion testing at the Fraunhofer IMWS

• Publications on corrosion behavior in electronics

• The most important corrosion terms in electronics

• Research findings and projects

DaerPa - Ecological insulation material made from rapeseed hulls and biobased epoxy resin

How solor module soiling impacts yield - And how to counter it

The digital twin for thermoplastic composites Expand / Hide

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Michel talks about the "digitalTPC" project in an interview - Fraunhofer IMWS

• The digital twin for thermoplastic lightweight construction

TS-Moulding - Fully automated production of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic sandwich structures in large-scale production Expand / Hide

• Need for new technologies to exploit lightweight construction potential

• TS-Moulding as a fully automated production solution

ToF - SIMS Expand / Hide

• Frequently asked questions about ToF-SIMS

• Characterization of red phosphor for novel LEDs

• Sub-nanometer resolution analysis of optical devices based on thin-film multilayers

• Identification of chemical compounds

Inverter Expand / Hide

• What sets us apart

• What we offer

• Publications

• Glossary

JEC World 2025 Expand / Hide

• Maik Feldmann gives an outlook on JEC World 2025