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  • Alkaline electrolysis is a crucial process in the field of clean hydrogen production. But economic factors like cost and efficiency have been standing in the way of the sustainable energy solutions this method promises. The innovative project EXSOTHyC, short for "Exsolution-based Nanoparticles for the Lowest Cost of Green Hydrogen via Electrolysis", is about to change that.

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  • Fraunhofer Institutes Establish New Branch for Aviation Research in Cottbus / 2023

    Thrust for Hybrid Electric Flying

    Dresden / December 07, 2023

    Modell eines hybridelektrischen Flugzeugs
    © Rolls-Royce Deutschland

    Several Fraunhofer Institutes and the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg, under the leadership of Rolls-Royce Germany and other partners such as the research institution ACCESS, are collaborating on the future of hybrid electric flying. Supported by the state of Brandenburg and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, the partners are researching an entirely new propulsion system for medium-range aircraft with up to 35 passengers.

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  • Environmentally friendly coating technologies / 2023

    Drones protect wind turbines from ice

    Bremen / December 01, 2023

    Coating drone during a spray test: The coating material is applied by the drone via a lance
    © Fraunhofer IFAM

    Damp, cold conditions are the enemy of wind power. If a layer of ice forms on the rotor blades, this can result in rotational imbalance and, hence, increased wear. In such cases, the turbines often have to be shut down for several days, leading to massive losses for the operators due to the pause in electricity production. Now, for the first time, a Fraunhofer team has succeeded in using drones to protect rotor blades against ice. The new technique has been developed jointly by experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA in the project “TURBO — Temporary coating by means of drones.”

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  • © Fraunhofer IFAM

    On November 28, 2023, a stakeholder event with around 100 participants took place in the context of the "Multi Functional Fuselage Demonstrator" ("MFFD") at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM in the Research Center CFK NORD in Stade, Germany. With the participation of the European project partners, a comprehensive overview of the current status of the demonstrator was provided. Particular attention was paid to the advanced assembly process using thermoplastic welding techniques as well as the presentation of the pre-integrated thermoplastic upper and lower shells.

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  • © TU HH

    On November 20 and 21, 2023, the Federal Government's Digital Summit will take place in Jena, Germany, with the annual focus topic ”Digital Transformation in the Turning Point. Sustainable. Resilient. Future-oriented.” In addition to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the organizing federal ministers Dr. Robert Habeck (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, BMWK) and Dr. Volker Wissing (Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, BMDV), numerous other federal ministers and high-ranking representatives from business, science, and civil society are expected to attend.

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  • © Fraunhofer IFAM

    By developing release agent-free process and material systems in the sub-project “Release film technology for optimized rotor blade production” of the joint project ”OptiBlade”, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, together with their partners Olin Blue Cube Germany and Infiana Germany, succeeded in optimizing rotor blade production for wind turbines, thereby providing the basis for considerably reducing their manufacturing costs. The cost-efficient production automation achieved, including increased quality assurance and improvements in health protection and ergonomics during production, will enable the expansion of wind turbines to be driven forward in the context of the Energy Concept 2050.

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  • Scaffold in a long bone
    © Fraunhofer IFAM

    A broken bone failing to heal represents an enormous burden for patients, which also often leads to further additional surgeries being required. Fraunhofer researchers have worked alongside partners to develop a composite material to be used in the treatment of such non union cases. The resulting implant (termed scaffold) is designed to significantly improve treatment success rates and speed up the healing process. The material is made up of a combination of a biodegradable polymer and bioactive glass and can serve as a main and supporting structure. Its aim is to inhibit the growth of bacteria at the wound site and support the growth of new bone structures. This innovative medical engineering is the result of the SCABAEGO joint research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Fraunhofer IFAM will present an initial demonstrator at the joint Fraunhofer booth at the COMPAMED medical engineering trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany (Hall 8a, Booth G10).

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  • © Fraunhofer IFAM

    Whether it is pans, cutlery or packaging, per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) have been used for coating in a wide variety of everyday products and processes for many years. Due to known risks of these substances to humans and the environment, at least a partial ban on the production and use of PFAS is expected to be implemented soon. The use of comparable alternatives is therefore essential for numerous companies. Fraunhofer IFAM specializes in fluorine-free coatings and has developed the PLASLON® technology, a PFAS-free non-stick coating that meets the required property profile and can replace the existing technology with immediate effect.

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  • Modell einer Bremsscheibe
    © Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden

    Worn brake disks are not only unpleasant because they cause expensive visits to the mechanic. The particulate emissions produced have been proven to be massively harmful to our health. Fraunhofer IFAM in Dresden is developing wear-resistant brake disks made of ceramic-reinforced light metal composites that not only save weight, but also cause hardly any additional costs over the vehicle's service life. The market launch is now within reach.

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  • © Fraunhofer IFAM

    Stationary energy storage systems aiming to relieve the public power grid during peak loads play an important role in the implementation the energy transition. Zinc-ion batteries have been the focus of attention for these and other applications for some time - but so far without commercial success. The BMBF-funded research project "Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries ZIB2" is now investigating how an industrial implementation can be successful. The use of non-critical, low-cost materials, an increase in efficiency and extension of cycle life as well as the application of industrial cell designs are the central scientific goals of the project.

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