Magazine

INCREASED USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGIES THROUGH DISTRICT HEATING | District heating plays a major role in the energy transition. Compared to decentralized heating systems, centralized heat generation in conjunction with a heat network enables the integration of renewable heat sources and is a cost-effective alternative, especially in densely populated urban areas. Planning and expanding of the piped heat supply is therefore essential for the energy transition.

CO₂ does not only cause emissions - it can also become a raw material. This is precisely where Fraunhofer IFAM’s “CO₂ Adhesive” project comes in. The focus is on how carbon dioxide (CO₂) can be chemically bound as part of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) and used to develop sustainable adhesives. The goal is to partially replace fossil-based raw materials and open up new avenues for resource-efficient material development - for example, for applications in the adhesives, packaging, automotive, and electronics industries.

HOW TO AVOID GALVANIC CORROSION? | Galvanic corrosion, also called bimetallic corrosion or dissimilar metal corrosion is not a new phenomenon: Even in ancient times, it was found that copper nails used to fasten lead sheets to ship hulls corroded more quickly. Although this phenomenon has been known for centuries, this form of corrosion continues to cause damage and accidents. The experts at Fraunhofer IFAM can support in risk assessment and the selection of protection methods.

Fraunhofer IFAM is pursuing two focal points in the field of electric drives: Firstly, the transformation of development processes and secondly, manufacturing innovations for electric drives.

As part of the joint project “TrustME” – “TRUSTworthy AI for Manufacturing and Engineering Processes” – the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM in Stade, Germany, together with project partners, is developing certifiable artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for aircraft production.

The ODCC — Offshore Drone Campus Cuxhaven — is a location for the joint application-oriented development and testing of offshore UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) and their operational concepts. The focus of Fraunhofer IFAM is on questions of maintenance and inspection, as well as monitoring of important maritime structures including regulatory framework conditions.

CHARGING MANAGEMENT FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE FLEETS - SOLVER-BASED, CUSTOMIZED AND COST-EFFICIENT | The experts in the "Research Data" unit at Fraunhofer IFAM use a specifically developed simulation environment to determine the most cost-effective solutions for operating electric fleets on site for individual scenarios.

ELECTRIC CARS AS ROLLING CHARGING STATIONS: In the "ROLLEN" research project, Fraunhofer IFAM and its partners have shown how electric vehicles with bi-directional charging technology can store surplus energy from photovoltaic systems and pass it on in a targeted manner - to buildings, other electric vehicles or even to the public power grid.

ELECTROCHEMICAL RECOVERY OF CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS FROM WASTEWATER | The efficient recovery of critical raw materials from batteries and production waste is a major challenge for the modern battery industry. In the MeGaBat project, we are developing a sustainable, cost-effective, and low-emission technology for the electrochemical recovery of lithium, cobalt, and other critical raw materials from aqueous sources (wastewater) to solid production waste. Our goal: to establish a flexible, scalable process that advances the circular economy in the battery industry and contributes new concepts for the further development of urban mining.

EFFICIENT COOLING FOR HIGH-SPEED DRIVES | Fuel cell systems place high demands on air path components, as a reliable supply of oxygen to the stack is critical to performance. Electric air compressors, in particular, must reach high speeds, which leads to significant heat generation and can affect the system’s efficiency and service life. At Fraunhofer IFAM, an electric air compressor with integrated internal liquid cooling was therefore developed. Thanks to a specifically designed cooling system, the heat generated can be dissipated directly in the rotor via the shaft, thereby avoiding critical temperature ranges. The goal is to significantly increase the power density and reliability of fuel cell systems while ensuring safe operation at high speeds.