Project Examples Fraunhofer Nanotechnology Network

As an application-oriented R&D service provider in the topic-oriented Fraunhofer Nanotechnology Network FNT, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft offers the opportunity to investigate almost all aspects of nanotechnology together with customers and to develop new products and system solutions from this.

This starts with molecular modeling of nanostructures as a prerequisite for targeted material development, through chemical and physical methods for the production of thin films, particles, fibers and nanocomposites, the processing technology of nanomaterials, to production technology. In addition, there are offers for quality-assuring nanoanalytics as well as recommendations on safety aspects when handling nanomaterials and the evaluation of trends in nanotechnology as cross-sectional topics.

The aim of all these activities is to exploit the diverse, application-relevant development potential of nanotechnology for the new challenges of the future. Against this background, the FNT network offers R&D for the entire value chain of nanotechnology products.

 

Below you find some examples of projects from different areas of activity as well as examples of work that is or has been carried out in publicly funded programs (EU and BMBF).

Project example ISC Wuerzburg

Press Release 2021-04-07

© SafeVulca

Project SafeVulca – Inorganic particles as multifunctional objects: synthesis, processing and examples of upscaling from lab to pilot

The EU project SafeVulca aims to reduce zinc oxide in tire production. Zinc oxide is used as an activator during the vulcanization of tire rubber and helps to ensure the required material properties. However, released zinc ions are suspected of being toxic to aquatic organisms. SafeVulca is intended to help reduce the amount of zinc required for vulcanization by up to 50% and at the same time improve the material properties.

How this can work with a clever combination of particles to form super-particles is to be conveyed in a workshop for scientists, doctoral candidates and students. Certainly also interesting with regard to other material systems. The online workshop is organized by Fraunhofer ISC and participation is free of charge.

more information

Project example IKTS Dresden

Press Release 2020-10-25

Advanced materials and Reactors for ENergy storage tHrough Ammonia
Advanced materials and Reactors for ENergy storage tHrough Ammonia.                            

Project ARENHA – Advanced materials and Reactors for ENergy storage tHrough Ammonia

High storage capacities are required for the decarbonization of CO2-intensive sectors such as industry or transport and the necessary secure and flexible availability of renewable energies. Ammonia has a high energy density and is easy to store and transport. The ARENHA project, funded by the EU with 5.7 million euros, aims to demonstrate the potential of ammonia as a green energy carrier and hydrogen storage system across the entire value chain. Fraunhofer IKTS participates alongside ten other international partners.

more information

Project example IVV Freising

Press Release 2019

This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.                                                    

Project ECOFUNCO – Development of new bio-based coating materials

The overall objective of the ECOFUNCO project is to select, extract, and functionalize molecules (proteins, polysaccharides, cutin) from highly available, low valorized biomass such as tomatoes, legumes, and sunflowers for the development of new bio-based coating materials. These coating materials will be applied to two different substrates (cellulosic and plastic based), with the objective of improved performance compared to currently available products and at the same time more sustainable end of life options. The products to be developed include, for example, paper and cardboard (packaging for fresh products such as pasta, paper plates,…), plastic substrates (bio-polyesters) for active packaging, cutin based formulations for water repellent coatings (paper cups, service paper, etc.), water vapor barrier packaging, and non-food packaging with protective properties.

more information

Project example ISC Wuerzburg

Press Release 2019-04-29

DNA-stabilized metal quantum clusters belong to a novel class of biological nanomaterials and, in the future, could be used as highly sensitive, cost-effective biosensors. With their fluorescence properties researchers could detect diseases quickly and reliably.
© Fraunhofer ISC
DNA-stabilized metal quantum clusters belong to a novel class of biological nanomaterials and, in the future, could be used as highly sensitive, cost-effective biosensors. With their fluorescence properties researchers could detect diseases quickly and reliably.                                                                        

Project BioSensing – detecting pathogens using quantum technology

Safe diagnoses of diseases, identification of multidrug-resistant germs, detection of beginning epidemics at an early stage or detection of toxins and pathogens in drinking water and food in even the lowest concentrations – these are major challenges and goals of current research programs. One of the most promising tools for these tasks are novel and considerably improved biosensors. The project "BioSensing" of the Fraunhofer Institutes for Silicate Research ISC and for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME and the Leiden University, Institute of Physics aims to overcome the limits of modern biosensors with the help of quantum technology.

Medical diagnoses could be even more reliable and efficient with the use of biosensors, but researchers face great challenges. The sensors should be sufficiently sensitive to detect even the smallest amounts of pathogens in the blood or other biological fluids. At the same time, they should be able to identify even difficult-to-diagnose diseases in real time so that effective therapy procedures can start at an early stage.

more information

Project example IKTS Dresden

Press Release 2017-05-30

Ceramic membranes by the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS
© Fraunhofer IKTS
Ceramic membranes by the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS

Cleaning waste water effectively

Water is vital – therefore, waste water has to be cleaned as efficiently as possible. Ceramic membranes make this possible. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Hermsdorf, Germany were able to significantly reduce the separation limits of these membranes and to reliably filter off dissolved organic molecules with a molar mass of only 200 Dalton. Even industrial sewage water can thus be cleaned efficiently.

more information

Project example IAP Potsdam-Golm

Press Release 2015-10-01

Quantum dots make it possible to display any color in full brilliance.
© Fraunhofer IKTS
Quantum dots make it possible to display any color in full brilliance.

Brilliant colors from environmentally friendly crystals

Quantum dots have made it possible to substantially increase color quality in LCD displays. However, these cadmium-based nanocrystals have proven to be harmful to the environment. Fraunhofer researchers are working together with an industry partner to develop a promising alternative: quantum dots based on indium phosphide.

more information

Project example IPA Stuttgart

Press Release 2014-07-01

Development of nano-material based supercapacitors
© Fraunhofer IPA
Development of nano-material based supercapacitors

Nano-supercapacitors for electric cars

Innovative nano-material based supercapacitors are set to bring mass market appeal a good step closer to the lukewarm public interest in Germany. This movement is currently being motivated by the advancements in the state-of-the-art of this device. Electric cars are very much welcomed in Norway and they are a common sight on the roads of the Scandinavian country, in contrast to the situation in Germany.

more information

Ongoing EU projects with FhG participation in the Horizon 2020 program in the field of nanotechnology

FlexFunction2Sustain - Open Innovation Ecosystem for Sustainable Nano-functionalized Flexible Plastic and Paper Surfaces and Membranes

Supersmart for paper based and polymer based electronic systems

A testing bed for the development of high-risk medical devices

Risk Governance of Nanotechnology

Next-generation theranostics of brain pathologies with autonomous externally controllable nanonetworks: a trans-disciplinary approach with bio-nanodevice interfaces

Establishing a Nanotechnology Risk Governance Framework

Large Riblet Surface with Super Hardnesss, Mechanical and Temperature Resistance by Nano Functionalization

Graphene Flagship Core Project 2

Subwavelength Nanostructure Pilot (Sun-Pilot)

Antimicrobial FLEXible POLymers for its use in hospital environments

Pilot line production of functional polymer nanocomposites from natural halloysite nanotubes: demonstrating controlled release of active antimicrobials in food packaging applications.

High level Integrated SEnsor for NanoToxicity Screening

Innovation test bed for development and production of nanomaterials for lightweight embedded electronics

Innovative manufacturing processes and in-line monitoring techniques for the OLED and thin film and organic photovoltaic industries (CIGS and OPV)

Open characterisation and modelling environment to drive innovation in advanced nano-architectured and bio-inspired hard/soft interfaces

CarbON Nanotube compositE InterconneCTs

Highly efficient cladding eco-panels with improved nano-insulation properties

Innovative High Resolution Electro-Static printing of Multifunctional Materials.

Functionally graded Additive Manufacturing scaffolds by hybrid manufacturing