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Fraunhofer researchers have discovered silicon structures filled with phosphor as an alternative to LED matrix systems. These structures are said to offer a higher spatial resolution and a better contrast ratio.

From 22 to 24 October 2018, around 255 participants from 14 countries gathered for the 43rd Munich Adhesives and Finishing Symposium. The focus this year was on the subject area "pressure sensitive adhesives".

A new process should allow complex preform operations to be greatly simplified or even omitted in future. Scientists at the IPH are planning to use non-uniform heating to shorten the forging process and save energy and resources.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT has now developed the TwoCure process to industrial maturity: the resin-based 3D printing process enables the large-scale production of unsupported components in an automated process.

When economic or safety considerations rule out the use of powder materials in additive manufacturing, wire-based laser deposition welding becomes an option. The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen has now developed a smart laser module that can be combined with industrial robot systems in the medium term.

Lightweight metals and fibre composites have different electrochemical potentials, which risks contact corrosion occurring in the hybrid composite. However, a temperature-resistant protective layer on the CFRP component can prevent electrochemical corrosion processes arising in the composite material.

The global expansion of wind turbines is progressing at a rapid pace. Power suppliers are beginning to cover new ground with wind power. Nowadays, cost efficiency and reliability are in higher demand than ever before. This requires high-performance components and operating materials.

Wind turbine rotor blades are generally made out of resin. Now Covestro has made the first blades out of polyurethane infusion resin. This allows the blades to be made longer and stronger.

As a part of their "SYNERGY" data space project, researchers at the Fraunhofer IOSB are making communication between smart factories simpler and more secure. To accomplish this, they are building a bridge between different reference architectures of the Industrial Internet of Things.

An international team of scientists has developed surfaces that can easily be modified by visible light and assigned various functions.

Robots can move – but not see – in all directions. Fraunhofer IAPT's new laser sensor is designed to solve this problem by providing an all-round view.

On 20 October, the European-Japanese BepiColombo mission to study Mercury began. It included thin films produced at the Fraunhofer IST.

If drugs are to enter the body painlessly and efficiently, they can be administered via skin patches. Researchers at Empa and the University of Fribourg are currently developing nanocontainers for therapeutic agents that can be controlled by light.

Chemists have developed a new method to precisely control the length of fatty acids chains, creating synthesised materials with tailor-made properties. In future, a special layered structure could be used for high-tech membranes.​​​​​​​

Polycarbonate plastics are dimensionally stable as well as impact and temperature resistant. In electric vehicles, they ensure optimal protection of the lithium-ion battery as a cell holder or housing component.

Thanks to moving components, a new active nanocomposite reacts to temperature changes with a colour change. In the future, this will also be possible with other external influences such as chemical substances or toxins.

A special self-piercing rivet now allows up to four layers of 6000 series high-strength, low-ductility aluminium alloys to be riveted together reliably. This process is well suited to lightweight automotive construction.

The particle foam, which was developed on the basis of polyethersulfone, can withstand high temperatures, is intrinsically flame retardant and extremely lightweight, making Ultrason E suitable for foam mouldings in lightweight construction.

Welding, crushing, breaking up concrete – an Empa team monitors noisy processes using artificial intelligence. This way, the sounds of production faults and impending breakdowns can literally be filtered out of the noise.

Danish shoe manufacturer Ecco, ViscoTec and a 3D printer manufacturer are jointly developing a process for the additive manufacturing of midsoles from a heat-cured two-component silicone.