Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM

Fraunhofer IFAM – Research shaping the future

Fraunhofer IFAM is one of Europe's leading independent research institutions in the fields of adhesive bonding technology, surfaces, shaping, and functional materials. Our mission: We develop innovative solutions for key future topics such as sustainable mobility, the energy transition, the digitalization of production, and resource efficiency – and bring them to industrial application.

With about 700 employees at locations in BremenDresdenStadeWolfsburg BraunschweigHelgoland and Cuxhaven

we offer a wide range of expertise:

  • Material development & functional materials: From metallic, polymer, and hybrid materials to battery materials and smart materials.
  • Shaping & additive manufacturing: Technologies such as powder metallurgy, 3D printing, and sintering processes enable innovative component designs and high-precision applications.
  • Adhesive bonding & surface technology: Solutions for secure, durable joining and the targeted functionalization of surfaces – essential in aviation, automotive engineering, and medical technology.
  • Automation & digitalization: Development of intelligent manufacturing processes, robot-assisted application systems, and automated quality assurance solutions.
  • Qualification & technology transfer: We impart expertise to specialists and decision-makers from industry and research through a wide range of training courses.

Discover our projects, technologies, and expertise – and find out how we can shape the industry of tomorrow together.

Fraunhofer IFAM on LinkedIn

Wie sicher ist Wasserstoff wirklich?

Diese Frage stand im Mittelpunkt des Vortrags »Keine Angst vor Wasserstoff«, den unser Kollege Dr. Peter Plagemann im Rahmen der WOCHE DES WASSERSTOFFS in Bremen letzte Woche hielt.

Mit seiner Expertise im Bereich Wasserstoffanwendungen zeigte er, worauf beim Umgang mit Wasserstoff zu achten ist, wo Wasserstoffversprödung auftreten kann – und wie sie sich technisch zuverlässig verhindern lässt.

Sein Fazit: Wasserstoff kann natürlich schon heute sicher in Fahrzeugen, Leitungen und Tanks genutzt werden, wenn man die Regeln beachtet.

Wir am Fraunhofer IFAM arbeiten daran, diese Technologien weiterzuentwickeln und für die industrielle Anwendung noch robuster zu machen.

Weitere Information zum Thema »Wasserstoffe« am Fraunhofer IFAM: https://s.fhg.de/9ij

Hashtag#IFAMdrivesInnovation

Wie wir Forschung sichtbar machen?

Mit Vision Woman und ihrer Missionen zu Kompetenzen, Anwendungen und Visionen am Fraunhofer IFAM. 🚀

▶️ Jetzt ansehen: https://lnkd.in/dWMA3aPZ

Hashtag#VisionWoman Hashtag#IFAMdrivesInnovation

Videocredits: Jens Oertel

📢 Haven’t registered yet? Now is the perfect time!

The Composite Repair Seminar & Experts Forum 2026 is your opportunity to dive deep into the latest developments in bonded composite repair.

Why attend?
👉 Experience innovations first‑hand through live demos and hands‑on sessions
👉 Learn from leading experts from Fraunhofer IFAM, GMI AERO, Lufthansa Technik and more
👉 Gain practical knowledge you can apply in engineering, MRO, and training environments

📆 29–30 September 2026
📍 ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research, Hamburg
📝 Registration: https://s.fhg.de/9e3W
ℹ️ More Information: https://lnkd.in/eRFujisa

If you have questions, Andreas Krenz and Kai Brune are happy to help.

Hashtag#IFAMdrivesInnovation

International Women in Engineering Day

Wir feiern heute den International Women in Engineering Day – einen Tag für Frauen, die Zukunft denken, Technik prägen und Innovation vorantreiben.

Schon bald stellen wir unsere Fraunhofer IFAM-eigene Heldin der angewandten Forschung vor – etwas Großes kommt! 👀✨

Eine neue Kraft. Eine neue Vision.

Stay tuned. 😉

Fraunhofer IFAM

Take a Virtual Tour of our Laboratories for Adhesive Bonding Processes, Plasma and Laser Technology and our Coating Technology Centre

Magazine

 

Expansion of offshore wind energy in Europe

The Interreg North Sea project DIOL (Develop Innovative Offshore Logistic) deals with the implementation of the Esbjerg Declaration, which was signed by the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands at the North Sea Summit in Esbjerg on 18.05.2022. Its aim is to turn the North Sea into Europe's "green power plant".

 

Extension of the durability of rotor blades

Offshore wind turbines are exposed to extreme weather conditions. These lead to damage, e.g. erosion of the coatings on the leading edges of the rotor blades. The MARiLEP joint project aims to achieve a significant improvement in the service life of the leading edge coatings of wind turbines.

 

Hybrid casting for joining CFRP and aluminum

In the "HyFKAl" project, experts from Fraunhofer IFAM and the Faserinstitut Bremen e.V. are developing an economical hybrid casting process for joining CFRP and aluminum. This involves joining thermoplastic and thermoset CFRP structures with the aluminum partner using the primary forming aluminum die casting process.

 

Printed batteries

Manufacturing technology for batteries of the future: Fraunhofer IFAM offers alternatives for battery production using the screen printing process. New manufacturing concepts enable higher active material loads and greater freedom in electrode design. On the one hand, completely printed batteries help to overcome the limitations of current production technology and, on the other hand, reduce the use of solvents and subsequent drying processes.

Press Releases

28.5.2026

Plasmatreat and Fraunhofer IFAM Collaborate on Rapid Industrial Implementation of PFAS-Free Coating Technologies

Plasmatreat GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM are expanding their collaboration specifically in the field of environmentally friendly coating technologies. The focus is on technology transfer and the rapid industrial implementation of the PFAS-free low-pressure plasma coating systems PLASLON® and UltraPLAS®, which were developed by Fraunhofer IFAM. Plasmatreat contributes its system and application expertise, acts as a contract coater and equipment manufacturer, and thus enables the application of these technologies in various industrial fields.
more info

31.3.2026

Major BMFTR Project for the Production of Sodium-Ion Battery Cells in Germany started

With the funding project SIB:DE ENTWICKLUNG, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has launched the largest German consortium to date dedicated to sodium-ion battery technology. Twenty-five partners from academia and industry are collaborating to develop a sustainable, safe, and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The focus is on the production of large-format, market-ready cells and the assessment of their recyclability. The goal is the rapid transfer of research results into industrial applications.
more info

3.11.2025

Innovative Surfaces to Rapidly Load Bone Implants with Antibiotics

Infectious complications are not uncommon after implant placement. The risk is higher in heavily contaminated wounds, which are particularly common in war zones such as Ukraine, where many bone injuries require treatment. Research-ers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM in Bremen have developed a new functionalized surface that can be loaded with antibiotics.
more info

Events

24.2.2027

Symposium on Innovations in Drones and Autonomous Systems for Wind Park Operations

This symposium will convene scientists, researchers, and industry experts to explore the latest advancements in technologies for wind turbine inspection and maintenance across various environments. The program will focus on innovative inspection methods, challenges in maintenance within offshore and onshore environments, successful repair strategies, and the integration of robotics and automation. Additional topics will include the training and qualification of service personnel, as well as sustainability and environmental protection during inspection and repair activities.
more info

8.10.2026

Workshop Electrolysis 2026

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to the 9th Industry Workshop on Advanced Alkaline-based Electrolysis in Dresden.
more info

29.9.2026

Composite Repair Seminar and Experts Forum

The Seminar will be presenting the recent innovations and research results, as derived from the academic community, while providing practical application examples and demonstration with possibilities of hands-on experience to its participants in a 2-days course. It mainly targets composite repair engineers and technicians (working either in engineering, technical or training departments) of airlines and MROs, as well as PhD candidates and postgraduate students, with R&D interests in bonded composite repairs and potential employment outlook in the aeronautical industry.
more info

26.8.2026

Drone Days 2026

Drone Days is a platform for anyone who wants to play an active role in shaping the future of aviation. The event brings together stakeholders from a wide range of fields, from start-ups to established industrial companies and from research institutions to government agencies.
more info