Press Releases

The collaborative research project "DataLab WestSax" - Future and Value Creation Lab West Saxony - a regional catalyst for data-based value creation - aims to leverage untapped potential of data for value creation purposes. Prof. Heiko Gebauer's team at the Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW in Leipzig and Prof. Christoph Laroque's team at the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau will receive a total of 1.5 million euros in financial support from the simul⁺ innovation hub of the Saxon State Ministry for Regional Development (SMR). This will enable both private and public/municipal companies in the West Saxony region to test adapted digital technologies and data utilization processes.

On Friday Saxony's Minister of State for Science, Culture and Tourism Sebastian Gemkow learned first-hand about the institute's current research priorities. In addition to insights into projects for the development of innovative business models with companies in Saxony, the focus of the conversation was on research activities on future development paths for regions affected by structural change.

In the Automotive Industry Outlook 2030+, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI in Karlsruhe and the Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW in Leipzig have looked at the German and, in particular, the East German automotive industry. The study, commissioned by the Labour and Environment Foundation of the IGBCE, focuses on the current economic importance of the industry, its future challenges, and options for action in regard to trade unions, politics, industry and the public in the region.

As part of the “MobDi – Mobile Disinfection” project, twelve Fraunhofer institutes were tasked with developing new key technologies for mobile cleaning and disinfection processes. The latest result of this research project is the disinfection robot “DeKonBot 2” from Fraunhofer IPA. In November 2021, the project partners presented the robot and its abilities to the public, including results from practical tests.

Optimum prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in just one click: As part of the “MED²ICIN” lighthouse project, seven Fraunhofer Institutes are presenting the first prototype of a digital patient model. This prototype revolutionizes the very foundation of personalized and cost-optimized treatment, opening up new perspectives. It has already been tested at University Hospital Frankfurt.

2016 to 2020 proved to be the warmest years in recorded history. By 2020, the global temperature was already 1.25 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Hydrogen generated by renewable energies (green hydrogen) can replace fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions. In order to succeed in limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement, according to the formula H2 x EE x P1011 ≤ 1.5° platform or data economy approaches are necessary in addition to hydrogen from renewable energies. With the help of digital platforms, green hydrogen can be produced and used efficiently.

Service robots can help ensure buildings and means of transport are cleaned and disinfected regularly and with consistently high quality. Since October 2020, twelve institutions of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have been working on the development of new technologies for this field of application. Led by Fraunhofer IPA, the partners are pooling their expertise in the “Mobile Disinfection” (MobDi) research project to contribute to a safe “New Normal” in times of the pandemic. The project is part of the “Fraunhofer vs. Corona” action program.

The wastewater treatment plant is turned into a vegetable farm, bio-based substances recovered from waste are being utilized to prevent oxidative spoilage in food packaging or provide environmentally-friendly and safe water-repellent coatings on functional textiles. In the EVOBIO project coordinated by Fraunhofer IGB, 19 Fraunhofer Institutes are working on solutions for a sustainable economy by developing new concepts that utilize material flows in bioeconomy process cycles to produce optimized materials for innovative products.

Norms and standards are an important catalyst for the scaling up of innovations. They define the milestones of technology and pave the way for innovative ideas to succeed on the market. Companies and research organizations can also benefit from them. But often this leverage for business, science and society is not yet sufficiently exploited. This is where a study conducted by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft comes in. Based on extensive research, interviews and analyses, it provides precise recommendations for action on how organizations can make the most of the benefits of norms and standards.

Germany holds the EU Council Presidency until the end of December. In an ambitious program, Germany has set itself the goal of addressing the issues of climate change and the protection of cultural heritage, among others. However, there is still a lack of reliable data and scientific studies on how and, above all, which future extreme weather events will affect our cultural heritage in the various regions of Germany and what measures we can take to protect our cultural heritage. Over the next three years, researchers will investigate this for the first time for Germany in the BMBF-funded project “KERES”. The research project is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg together with the Fraunhofer EU Office in Brussels.