Magazine

ARC-PROOF DC CONNECTOR SYSTEMS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE APPLICATIONS IN BUILDINGS | In a world where practically all consumers require direct current (DC), DC networks offer immense advantages. Modern semiconductor technologies enable safe utilization, which is accompanied by the advantages of increased efficiency at lower costs. Fraunhofer IFAM has developed a concept for a very compact plug-in system that can transmit high DC power and ensure the required safety through the use of electronics and software.

THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE HEAT SINK MATERIAL FOR 3D PRINTING AND FUNCTION INTEGRATION OF ELECTRONICS | The integration of electronics or LEDs in additively manufactured plastic components involves heat dissipation during operation. Using 3D printing (Fused Filament Fabrication, FFF), thermally conductive plastic composites can be used as heat sinks. The material and process development for applications in the automotive and lighting sectors was part of the »Hyb-Man – Hybrid 3D Manufacturing of Smart Systems« project.

PROTECTION OF FASTENERS IN AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION | In the collaborative project "InBe-KoVer", which was successfully completed in 2021, Fraunhofer IFAM, Ingenieurbüro Tank GmbH, and other partners worked on a local pretreatment and sealing of fasteners for the aging protection of CFRP metal structures and safety-relevant contacts in aircraft construction. The aim was to contribute to quality-assured, automated, and environmentally friendly aerospace manufacturing and repair. Fraunhofer IFAM has been involved in researching and improving the treatment and sealing homogeneity on different fasteners.

In order to ensure operational safety, the investigation of flame retardancy is of utmost importance in a wide range of industries, like in railway, civil engineering, ship-building, aerospace, or even in the automotive industry. The experts at Fraunhofer IFAM have extensive capabilities both for the synthesis of polymers and the production of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) with flame retardant properties, and for carrying out fire tests.

RECHARGEABLE METAL-AIR BATTERIES AS A COST-EFFICIENT ALTERNATIVE TO LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES | Metal-air batteries have a high energy density and constitute a potential low-cost energy storage technology. They are already commercially available as primary batteries. However, rechargeability is a major challenge and is currently the subject of research. Fraunhofer IFAM is developing rechargeable metal-air batteries. The focus is on the development of gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) with new (carbon) carrier materials and catalysts as well as novel designs with adapted porosity and wetting properties.

The Agora study “Towards a Climate-Neutral Germany by 2045” identifies electrification as one of the key factors in accelerating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the economy, industry and society. The authors locate the greatest potential in the transport sector and the heating market.

Kidney stones are painful and can be life-threatening. They are shattered with a laser and the fragments are then removed with a grasper. If the fragments are too small, they cannot be grabbed and remain in the kidney, leading to the formation of a new kidney stone. Purenum GmbH, a spin-off from Fraunhofer IFAM, has developed a medical hydrogel to market maturity aimed at tackling this issue.

The European Commission has adopted an action plan for the circular economy in the form of its “Green Deal”. Products need to be sustainable, waste should be reduced, and resource consumption minimized. Together with its partners, Fraunhofer IFAM is committed to meeting these high standards.

Material innovations for a successful energy transition

PROJECT "CITIES IN CHARGE" PROVIDES INSIGHTS FOR THE EXPANSION OF CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE | Many factors must be taken into account when expanding the charging infrastructure for electromobility. In addition to the economic viability of the locations and the possibilities for reducing pollutants, these also include the acceptance of users, whose requirements for charging stations for e-cars are diverse. In order to understand the user perspective better, the "Cities in Charge" project included a Germany-wide online survey at almost 100 charging stations.