Press Releases

The SAMSON project – “Smart automation systems and services for fruit growing on the Lower Elbe” – funded by the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) and now extended until December 2027, is characterized by the fact that dialogue and professional as well as practical exchange with apple growers from the Altes Land region has been an essential part of the research and development work (R&D work) right from the start. In close cooperation with the Obstbauversuchsring des Alten Landes e. V. (OVR), Jork, the project partners Fraunhofer IFAM, Stade, HAW Hamburg, hochschule 21, Buxtehude, and the TU Hamburg are working together with practitioners to develop sustainable solutions for the cultivation practice of the future and to exchange constructive ideas in regular forums. The additional project period will serve to validate the R&D results achieved to date: the systematic analysis and processing of the data collected will then make it possible to provide practical decision-making aids for fruit growers. In addition, field and technical days as well as a regional conference will be held to further intensify the transfer of knowledge into practice.

With federal funding of approximately 10 million euros, the FORE-PAIR consortium project launches the development of autonomous robotic technologies for the inspection, maintenance and cleaning of floating offshore energy platforms such as floating wind and floating solar systems.

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.

The cutting-edge milling kinematics close the gap between classic industrial robots and machine tools – a milestone for resource-efficient, flexible automated production. It enables versatile, efficient and high-precision machining of fiber composites to aluminum up to tempered steels

An innovative measurement method enables optimized battery management in electric vehicles, helping to make them safer and extend their lifespans. Impedance spectroscopy from the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM analyzes detailed measurement data on the battery’s state in real time during operation. This means batteries can also be used for safety-critical applications.

Scaling up Next-Generation Additive Manufacturing: Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden has successfully installed a Wayland Calibur3 system, marking the institute’s third facility dedicated to Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) and reinforcing its leadership in advanced additive manufacturing technologies.

For resource-efficient, flexible and automated production – Newly developed milling kinematics enable versatile, efficient and high-precision machining of fiber composites to aluminum up to tempered steel with a manufacturing tolerance of up to 0.1 millimeters

The Paris Air Show takes place every two years and is the largest event in the aerospace industry in Europe. This year, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will be represented with 10 Fraunhofer institutes, whose 21 exhibits will showcase space and aviation research. The exhibits will highlight pioneering technologies with a focus on environmental protection and sustainability.

Users of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals", are under pressure due to regulatory proposals from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This also affects the use of fluoroelastomers, whose economic significance is enormous. Fraunhofer experts initiated the "HATE-FLUOR" project at the beginning of February. Together, they want to develop high-performance elastomer compounds to replace fluoropolymers in certain technical applications. Various industries can benefit from this, including manufacturers of semi-finished and finished parts as well as companies in mechanical engineering industry, medical engineering, clean room and semiconductor technology, chemical process technology and electrical applications.

More sustainable antifouling coatings for ships are in demand. These innovative solutions should largely dispense with biocides and still withstand the challenges of maritime use. As part of the "BioSHIP" project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) under the "Maritime Research Program", industry and science are working together to develop such environmentally friendly coatings. The biodegradable, self-polishing coatings should not only offer the same functionality as conventional products, but also minimize the release of toxic heavy metals and microplastics into the sea - a major step towards green shipping.