Press & Events

Experts from 13 different Fraunhofer institutes are working on the development of multi-kW ultrafast lasers and various applications in the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Advanced Photon Sources CAPS. A user facility with application laboratories in Aachen and Jena is being created for this purpose, laboratories in which partners from industry and research can work with the new technology.

Autonomous driving or parcel delivery by drone in Germany? The prerequisite for this is secure, stable and fast data transmission, which can only be achieved with an area-wide fiber optic network. However, just to find the right place for cable ducts is a difficult task that takes tremendous effort. Prof. Dr. Alexander Reiterer, Dominik Störk and Dr. Katharina Wäschle from the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM have developed a novel process chain based on machine learning that solves this issue. And for this they are awarded the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize.

Car makers currently use a variety of methods to emboss plastic panels for vehicle interiors. However, manufacturing the tools required for this purpose is an extremely time-consuming process. This situation can be improved using a new laser machine that triples the rate at which these tools are produced while facilitating even more complex structures. The expertise required for the various components and processes was developed as part of the “eVerest“ project in collaboration with partners from research and industry.

It is only an inconspicuous piece of paper, but it is an important milestone for autonomous driving: At the end of 2018 the three partners from the joint research project RadarGlass applied for a patent for an innovative radar system. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT from Aachen, the Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP from Dresden and the Institute of High Frequency Technology IHF of RWTH Aachen University have developed a coating process chain that enables radar sensors to be integrated in car headlights. After almost two years in development they have manufactured a working prototype.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP develops microdisplays in OLED-on-silicon technology. At the SID Display Week 2019, from May 12 – 16, 2019, in San Jose/USA, booth 1417, Fraunhofer FEP will present a new OLED microdisplay that is especially dedicated to industrial Augmented Reality (AR) data glasses.

Ultrashort pulse (USP) lasers have become firmly established in science and micromachining. At this year's “UKP-Workshop: Ultrafast Laser Technology” in Aachen, a new trend has emerged: Macroprocessing. Since multi-100-watt USP lasers up into the kW range have become available, the industry is looking at them with great interest for large-area applications. For this purpose, the institute is developing the complete process chain right through to fully digitized processes.

Flexible, organic and printed electronics conquer everyday life. The forecasts for growth promise increasing markets and opportunities for the industry. In Europe, top institutions and companies are engaged in research and further development of these technologies for tomorrow's markets and applications. However, access by SMEs is difficult. The European project SmartEEs - Smart Emerging Electronics Servicing works on the establishment of a European innovation network, which supports both the access to competences as well as the support of the enterprises with the assumption of innovations and the progress up to the commercialization.

It was a start with far-reaching appeal: On March 27, 2019, the joint project IDAM held its kick-off meeting in Munich, which was intended to pave the way for Additive Manufacturing to enter automotive series production. Specifically, the project partners – consisting of SMEs, large companies and research institutions – will transfer metallic 3D printing into an industrialized and highly automated series process in the automotive industry for the first time. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen and the Chair for Digital Additive Production DAP of RWTH Aachen University are supporting the project through their many years of experience in the field of additive manufacturing technologies.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP has been involved with development of processes and equipment for cleaning, sterilization, and surface modification for decades. As a partner in the newly launched "Siphon" project, the Fraunhofer FEP will be presenting the Institute's current research focused on the field of hygiene and sanitation at the MedTecLIVE trade fair in Nuremberg (Hall 10, Booth 10.0 - 621) May 21-23, 2019.

No e-mobility without laser technology: this is one of the claims of LASER World of PHOTONICS 2019. In keeping with the theme of this year’s fair, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT will be using Laser-Based Tape-Automated Bonding (LaserTAB) to demonstrate how even the most diverse battery cells and power electronics can be combined quickly, reliably and efficiently using robot-assisted laser micro welding. At the Fraunhofer joint booth 431, hall A2, visitors can admire the electric racing car "eace05" of the Ecurie Aix - Formula Student Team, RWTH Aachen. An excellent example for the use of laser technology in electromobility, containing laser-welded batteries as well as laser-cut CFK-components.