Magazine

Wind energy is an important pillar for the energy transition. The expansion of offshore wind energy in the North and Baltic Seas plays a central role. However, offshore wind turbines are exposed to extreme weather conditions. These, combined with rain erosion and particle abrasion, cause damage to the coatings on the leading edges of the rotor blades and are one of the most common causes of loss of yield and repairs. The aim of the MARiLEP project is to achieve a significant improvement in the reliability and service life of the leading edge coatings of wind turbines.

The aim of the project DOM4Composites is to develop (dis)assembly-optimized large thermoplastic FRP structures for use in ship, rail and commercial vehicle construction as well as wind turbines.

PROJECT »TRANSPORTATION IN CHARGE« | In the project "Transportation in Charge", experts from Fraunhofer IFAM are developing concepts for the future planning of charging infrastructure in commercial areas and freight villages. The project aims to gain a better understanding of the demands for public and private charging infrastructure and to identify possible synergy effects through its shared use, thus ensuring the efficient utilization of this cost-intensive infrastructure.

FUNCTION INTEGRATION IN FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICS | At Fraunhofer IFAM, functional printing technologies can be used to functionalize various aircraft parts and components. Printed conductors and sensors for temperature, strain or impact measurement as well as heating structures can be incorporated into fiber-reinforced plastics for the aerospace sector.

FAST, SAFE AND COST-EFFECTIVE: ADHESIVE BONDING AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR ASSEMBLY AND REPAIR OF OFFSHORE APPLICATION | The use of adhesives in the maritime sector offers a promising alternative to other joining methods. Disadvantages associated with joining technologies such as screwing or welding are eliminated and possibilities for long-term stable adhesive bonds of up to 25 years are created. Fraunhofer IFAM is continuously further developing the topic of adhesive bonding in the maritime field within the framework of publicly funded projects and is developing individual processes for its industrial customers.

TECHNOLOGIES FOR TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF HYDROGEN | As a versatile energy carrier, hydrogen will play a key role in the long-term success of the energy transition. Fraunhofer IFAM is working with project partners in the flagship hydrogen project TransHyDE to further develop and test technologies for the transport and storage of hydrogen. LOHC technology (liquid organic hydrogen carrier) plays an important role in this.

A NEW GENERATION OF GAP FILLERS FOR HEAT DISSIPATION FROM BATTERIES IN E-CARS | Heat dissipation from batteries is essential to protect them from overheating. This increasingly affects the batteries used in e-cars and other electric vehicles. Only if the batteries are protected from overheating, strong drive performance and long vehicle life can be ensured. This is enabled with gap fillers.

Icing is a major problem in the operation of wind turbines, as it leads to massive yield losses, wear and tear and also endangers people in the vicinity of the turbines. Structural measures for de-icing, such as integrated heating systems in the rotor blades or de-icing operations by industrial climbers or helicopters, are very costly. For this reason, the TURBO project explored the application of temporary anti-icing protection using a drone. The aim of the project was to develop the basic technology building blocks (coating material, application technology, drone platform) for coating rotor blade leading edges with a temporary ice protection system. In addition, the technology building blocks were to be integrated into one system and the feasibility was to be demonstrated by outdoor coating tests on rotor blade sections.

RECYCLING OF FUEL CELLS: ADHESIVE STRATEGIES FOR ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY | Fuel cells are an elementary component for the use of climate-friendly hydrogen in the transport sector. Fraunhofer IFAM is part of the technology alliance Stack2P in the national project H2Go in the national action plan for fuel cell production funded by the ministry of transport. A central goal is the development of recycling-friendly manufacturing technologies for fuel cells based on the principle of “Design for Recycling” and the implementation in an assembly and disassembly platform for the subsequent transfer of the components into scalable reuse, repair and recycling concepts. The goals are to increase product quality and reduce the product development cycle and development costs as well as reduce production errors.

The challenges and solutions for the use of drones in industrial, university and civil sectors require an orderly and coordinated use of the corresponding airspace. To make this possible, a real laboratory is planned on the basis of the implementing regulation EU-2021/664: Based on the U-Space concepts, an integrative airspace for manned and unmanned aviation is to be created.