Production technology for the Hightech_Agenda_Deutschland

In the project "Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging", Fraunhofer IPT and Fraunhofer Austria are jointly developing a method that reduces the duration of tissue examinations to a few seconds through automated image analysis. The aim is to detect tumors faster, more objectively, and more precisely than before.  

In the EU project "DIAMETER", we are working with international partners from industry and research to improve the circular economy in the metalworking industry: By manufacturing spare parts additively on site at the company instead of centrally, they can be made available more quickly and individually, and transport is avoided.

In our research community "ICNAP", we focus on the use of AI in production and develop studies and concrete application examples of how AI technologies can improve value creation. In close cooperation with our network, we promote market-oriented research and direct transfer into industrial practice.

We are investigating how quantum computing can revolutionize the simulation of complex manufacturing processes. The aim is to use quantum algorithms to create digital twins more efficiently, thereby improving quality and resource utilization. The project focuses on manufacturing processes involving the high-performance machining of costly components for the semiconductor industry and aviation.

Together with our partners, we are developing a tool that makes quantum computing more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises. To this end, we systematically analyze and evaluate industrial use cases to highlight the potential of the technology in practice. Our goal is to enable even small and medium-sized enterprises to benefit from the opportunities offered by quantum computing at an early stage, despite their limited resources.

Read the paper to find out how your company can realistically evaluate the use of quantum computing in manufacturing simulations. A clear testing scheme reveals the scenarios in which quantum computing offers real added value over traditional methods.

High energy consumption, toxic gases, extreme temperatures—the conventional production of modern semiconductors has a negative impact on the environment and costs. We are developing a resource-saving alternative to conventional manufacturing: With the help of low-temperature epitaxy, the process temperature can be reduced from over 1000 degrees to 300 degrees, and toxic gases can be eliminated.

In the EU research project "14AMI", we are working with international partners to develop production technologies for the next generation of microelectronic components. For EUV lithography, we are manufacturing a new glass nozzle that will be used to produce extremely powerful microchips with structure sizes of only 14 angstroms.

At a time when security and stability are of paramount importance to our society, we are committed to technologies that protect civil society. Secure communication is essential for protecting important information. In the "OTP2" project, we are working with partners to develop a security solution for the communication modules in the European satellite navigation system Galileo.

In the EffiMaIR project, we are developing manufacturing processes for the resource-efficient mass production of high-precision glass optics—a key component for applications in optoelectronics. Through optimized temperature control and automated process steps, we are halving production cycle times, improving quality, and significantly reducing waste.

Together with the University Hospital of Würzburg and eleven other partners, we have developed an automated system for producing genetically modified immune cells. In the future, the laboratory platform will be used to produce so-called CAR-T cells at the point of treatment for leukemia and lymphoma patients in an automated process—faster and more cost-effectively than in manual laboratory environments.

Personalized medicine should be implemented more quickly and efficiently—we are pursuing this goal together with the mechanical engineering company Harro Höfliger in the development of fully automated production facilities for new drugs such as mRNA vaccines and gene therapies. Research expertise and industrial experience come together here to provide marketable equipment and services. (German only)

Together with two other Fraunhofer Institutes, we show in the white paper "Resilient Value Chains for Food Production" how a resilient system architecture can secure food production even in times of crisis. We evaluated both the technical resilience of production facilities and the ecological resilience of the food grown.

To reduce the operating costs of fusion reactors, we are developing a laser-based repair process for heavily stressed tungsten components. By selectively applying material using laser deposition welding with wire, damage can be efficiently repaired and the service life of the components significantly extended. This will make fusion energy more economical and resource-efficient in the long term.

Green hydrogen can only make its full contribution to the energy transition if it is affordable and produced on a large scale. That is why we are focusing on scalable, more efficient production processes and more durable components to significantly reduce manufacturing costs.

Hydrogen only becomes truly green when it can be produced efficiently. This is precisely where we come in: in the German-Australian project initiative "HyGATE", our partners are developing highly efficient electrolyzes and we are building the appropriate pilot plant. In this way, we are laying the foundation for sustainable hydrogen production and reliable technology transfer between Germany and Australia.

We develop sustainable concepts for the circular economy in electric mobility. Used vehicle batteries are efficiently reconditioned after an automated condition assessment and made ready for their “second life.” In this way, we reduce the ecological footprint and promote resource-saving, affordable electric mobility.

We develop intelligent sensor technology that monitors the condition of battery cells. The temperature and voltage measurements inside the cells are particularly important. With this technology, we extend the service life of batteries, reduce resource consumption, minimize the carbon footprint, and lay the foundation for sustainable, high-performance electric mobility.

Climate-neutral mobility with hydrogen will only become a reality when fuel cells and drive components can be produced in large quantities and with consistently high quality. In the H2GO joint project, 19 Fraunhofer Institutes are pooling their expertise to develop efficient, series-production-ready manufacturing processes that will make this possible.