Mechanical Engineering + Materials

Hydrogen is seen as a beacon of hope for the energy transition. However, its introduction in the mobility sector is proving particularly difficult. Above all, e-fuels are extremely expensive.

Electrode drying in the roll-to-roll process is one of the most cost- and CO2-intensive manufacturing steps in the production of lithium-ion batteries. This could change.

Robotics in China has been on a steep upward trajectory for years. To ensure that it stays that way, the Chinese government is setting up a multi-billion fund.

19 Fraunhofer institutes are working together on a more cost-effective series production of bipolar plates. The Fraunhofer IPT is addressing the shaping of bipolar half shells.

Nutec Bickley is in the process of transporting all modules of a 50m-long electric tunnel kiln to the advanced manufacturing facility operated by one of North America’s leading producers of ultra-high-purity alumina and associated products. Installation is scheduled to begin shortly. 

Highly efficient solid-state heat pumps without compressors – that is the vision of Fraunhofer researchers. With the recent completion of the Elkawe research project, they took a big step towards realizing this vision. The team made great progress in terms of material and system design, and set up the first electrocaloric demonstrators to show the potential of this technology. 

Engineer, mechanics expert, bone researcher, materials scientist: Jakob Schwiedrzik has a multifaceted research profile. For several months now, he has been at the helm of Empa's Laboratory for High-Performance Ceramics. He wants to advance both his laboratory and ceramics as a material. 

Unitecr 2025 has announced its theme for this year’s event: “Sustainability Meets Intelligence – Shaping the Future of Refractories”. The theme aims to draw together all strands of thought that point to a smart revolution for a greener refractories world.