Fraunhofer Materials

The Fraunhofer Group MATERIALS integrates the expertise of 16 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.  

News from our members

 

Fraunhofer LBF / 8.4.2025

Sustainable plastics containing flame retardants for use in closed-loop applications

The development of high-quality, halogen-free flame retardants (hffr) for recycled plastics to meet increasing recycling quotas is a major challenge. The Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF is looking for partners for the new project "hffr-Up2Cycle".

 

Fraunhofer IFAM / 3.4.2025

Shipping of the future: biodegradable antifouling coatings for clean seas

These innovative solutions should largely dispense with biocides and still withstand the challenges of maritime use.

 

Fraunhofer IIS / 3.4.2025

Fraunhofer IIS brings satellites into the 5G era

 As part of the TRANTOR project funded by the European Commission, Fraunhofer IIS has now researched a splitting method that allows satellites of different classes to be integrated into the 5G network despite that shortcoming.

 

Fraunhofer ITWM / 2.4.2025

Getting More Out of the Battery with Simulations

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM are using innovative technologies to focus on battery behavior during charging and discharging, the optimization of battery production and the aging of batteries. They use modern simulation tools and innovative measurement techniques to drive forward the further development of battery cells for electric cars.

 

Fraunhofer IWS / 13.3.2025

Efficient Manufacturing Techniques for Bipolar Plates

In an effort to improve both the cost efficiency and quality of hydrogen-powered vehicle production, a consortium of Fraunhofer Institutes is developing innovative manufacturing techniques for fuel cells as part of the “H2GO” project.

 

Fraunhofer IWM / 27.2.2025

Thin Chips and Robust Substrates

Silicon carbide (SiC) provides considerable technical advantages for power electronics — however, the costs are still a drawback. In the »ThinSiCPower« research project, a consortium of Fraunhofer Institutes is developing key technologies to reduce material losses and device thickness while increasing the thermomechanical stability of the assembled SiC chips.

 

Fraunhofer IFAM / 6.2.2025

sodium-ion technology

The project "Sodium-Ion-Battery Deutschland-Forschung - SIB:DE FORSCHUNG", funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), aims to evaluate the suitability of sodium-ion battery technology (SIB) for the European energy and mobility transition to speed up industrial implementation.

Contact

Peter Gumbsch

Contact Press / Media

Prof. Dr. Peter Gumbsch

Chairman of the Group

Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM
Wöhlerstraße 11
79108 Freiburg

Bernd  Mayer

Contact Press / Media

Prof. Dr. Bernd Mayer

Deputy Chairman of the Group

Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
Wiener Straße 12
28359 Bremen

Ursula  Eul

Contact Press / Media

Dr. phil. nat Ursula Eul

Head of central office

Fraunhofer Group for Materials and Components - MATERIALS
Bartningstraße 47
64289 Darmstadt

Phone +49 6151 705-262

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