From Research to Application: Projects at Fraunhofer EMFT

Fraunhofer EMFT is developing intelligent plasters for the early detection of pressure ulcers in nursing care. For this purpose, work is being done on an AI-supported prophylaxis that can initiate preventive actions through early detection, thus making life easier for nursing staff and the person treating the patient.

Healthy soils are a basis for sustainable and at the same time productive agricultural use. In situ measurements of indicative soil parameters would therefore be an effective tool for farmers to optimize cultivation - but up to now there are hardly any practicable solutions available on the market. Researchers at Fraunhofer EMFT are working with partners in the EU project FAMOSOS to develop a measuring system that provides real-time soil data on material flows such as nitrogen (ammonium, nitrate, nitrous oxide), moisture, pH and dissolved oxygen.

A reliable food supply is one of the elementary basic needs of our society. What has long been taken for granted is gaining new urgency in the face of current challenges such as climate change, supply chain problems, labor shortages and political and military aggression. Researchers at Fraunhofer EMFT are working on innovative solutions for more productive and at the same time more sustainable agriculture and forestry as part of the EU project AGRARSENSE.

Neuromorphic computing is considered a key technology for future AI applications. The sophisticated nerve network of our human brain serves as a model. A central challenge for research is the very high energy consumption of chips for the required complex processing power. Within the ECSEL project TEMPO (Technology & Hardware for Neuromorphic Computing) the German consortium with participation of Fraunhofer EMFT is working on the development and evaluation of power-saving neuromorphic computing chips in the 22nm FDSOI technology node.

Approximately 80 % of the CO2 footprint of average electronic components is created already during their production. A Fraunhofer EMFT research team is working on optimizing semiconductor manufacturing processes in order to minimize the use of climate-damaging process gases. In this context, the scientists are also testing more climate-friendly alternatives to etching gases used as standard today.

How can computing be managed close to the sensor rather than in the cloud in the future? And how can machine learning be implemented on distributed systems in such a setup? Researchers at Fraunhofer EMFT and eleven other Fraunhofer institutes are addressing these highly topical issues in the SecLearn Arrival innovation project. The focus here is on neuromorphic, energy-efficient hardware components and AI algorithms for decentralized learning as well as data protection.

Edge computing is considered a key for new IoT applications. In order to bring artificial intelligence into future edge products, Fraunhofer EMFT researchers are working together with Fraunhofer IIS and Fraunhofer IPMS as part of the EU ANDANTE project to develop innovative mixed-signal artificial neural network (ANN) accelerator with computation-in-memory (CIM) ability. These are intended to enable the construction of solid hardware and software platforms for AI application development.

Fraunhofer EMFT is conducting research on miniaturized suction probes for soil water analysis. The goal is to enable demand-based fertilization by real-time monitoring of the nitrate content in soil water.

Multi-resistant pathogens, for example MRSA (multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), can spread rapidly and become a serious health hazard in already weakened individuals, for example in clinics and nursing homes. A research team at Fraunhofer EMFT has joined forces with Asklepios Kliniken GmbH and the middle-sized company KETEK GmbH to develop a low-cost rapid MRSA test that could be used in a potential target application as a routine initial examination in hospitals.

With the Soldering Mobile, the Center for Interconnection Technology in Electronics ZVE at Fraunhofer EMFT is now offering its customers an attractive alternative to onsite training courses at the Oberpfaffenhofen training center. The soldering station on wheels can be put into operation directly at the customer's premises using plug & play.