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The Fraunhofer Group MATERIALS integrates the expertise of 15 Fraunhofer Institutes working in the field of materials science.

Fraunhofer materials research covers the entire value chain, from new material development and improvement of existing materials through manufacturing technology on a quasi-industrial scale, to the characterization of properties and assessment of service behavior. The same research scope applies to the components made from these materials and the way they function in systems. In all these fields, experimental studies in laboratories and technical institutes are supplemented by equally important numerical simulation and modelling techniques – across all scales, from individual molecules up to components and process simulation. As far as materials are concerned, the Fraunhofer MATERIALS group covers the full spectrum of metals, inorganic non-metals, polymers and materials made from renewable resources, as well as semiconductor materials.

The Group's expertise is concentrated specifically in the fields of energy and environment, mobility, health, machine and plant construction, building construction and living, microsystems technology and safety. Innovative systems are developed using materials and components customized for specific applications, and based on the assessment of the behavior of a material or component under specific conditions of use. Strategic forecasts promote the development of novel, future-oriented materials and technologies.

Fraunhofer MATERIALS

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Press

4.5.2017

Fraunhofer IWES and the German Meteorological Service with new models for more accurate weather and energy forecasts

Storm or calm, dark clouds or blue skies - wind turbines and photovoltaic systems supply more or less energy to the grid depending on weather conditions. A big challenge for transmission grid operators is having to forecast the amount of supplied energy as accurately as possible in order to maintain a stable grid. Fraunhofer IWES in Kassel, together with the German Meteorological Service (DWD) in Offenbach, has thus developed mathematical models as part of the EWeLiNE project, which enables significantly improved predictions than the traditional procedure. The partners have now completed the BMWi sponsored project which started at the end 2012.

27.4.2017

Nose2Brain – Better Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

Over the next few years, in a research project funded by the EU, an international consortium is developing a new technology for a better treatment of multiple sclerosis. The idea of the innovative “Nose2Brain” approach is to transport a special active substance directly through the nose into the central nervous system. For this purpose, the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB is working on an active ingredient formulation which is introduced direct into the Regio olfactoria by means of a special applicator and which can release the active ingredient there over a prolonged period of time.

20.4.2017

The crash test in X-ray vision

This new technology developed by Fraunhofer EMI and evaluated together with Daimler AG at the Sustainability Center Freiburg will be presented at the Hannover Messe, taking place from April 24 to 28, 2017 (Hall 2, Stand C22).

12.4.2017

Photovoltaic Inverter with Highly Integrated Concept Promises Lower Costs

Wirkungsgrad und Zuverlässigkeit der solaren Stromerzeugung werden wesentlich von den Eigenschaften des Photovoltaik (PV)-Wechselrichters bestimmt. Als zentrales Element einer PV-Anlage wandelt er den von den PV-Modulen erzeugten Gleichstrom in Wechselstrom für das Netz. Bislang steht bei der Forschung im Bereich leistungselektronischer Wandler meist die Erhöhung der Leistungsdichte durch den Einsatz neuster Halbleitertechnologien und Schaltungstopologien im Fokus. Um dem stetig steigenden Kostendruck einer globalisierten PV-Wirtschaft zu begegnen, sind jedoch neue Forschungsansätze erforderlich. Forscher des Fraunhofer-Instituts für Solare Energiesysteme ISE haben gemeinsam mit Partnern untersucht, wie eine neue Generation von PV-Wechselrichtern aussehen kann, die dem Aspekt der Kostenoptimierung Rechnung trägt. Aufbau-, Kühlungs- und Verbindungstechnik wurden dabei als zentrale Stellschrauben identifiziert.