From Research to Application: Projects at Fraunhofer EMFT

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.

In the project ‘Insect cells as sensors for environmental toxins’, Fraunhofer EMFT is developing a novel test method in which living insect cells are used as sensitive biosensors. This allows even the smallest toxic effects of pesticides to be detected quickly, without labelling and automatically. The aim is to identify risks at an early stage and support the development of bee-friendly pesticides – an important contribution to the protection of insects and biodiversity.

Efficient use of resources while maintaining high yields from the fields has become a central topic for agriculture. Monitoring various plant parameters, such as their water or nutrient content, plays an important role here. Currently, such parameters are deducted from soil samples by complex and lengthy processes in laboratories. The scientists at Fraunhofer EMFT are working on the development of reliable and faster methods to monitor relevant plant parameters.

Cynergy4MIE is an EU-funded research project aimed at developing a platform for sensor technology, electronics and AI in mobility, infrastructure and energy systems. The goal is to accelerate innovation and strengthen Europe's competitiveness.

The SmartMan project aims to make semiconductor packaging production intelligent and sustainable in order to manufacture error-free and resource-efficient electronics.

SENNA is a programmable neuromorphic processor based on a mixed-signal, circuit‑switched Field‑Programmable Spiking Neuron Array (FPSNA).

By 2030, global semiconductor production is expected to be almost twice as high as it is today. To mitigate the negative environmental impact, 58 European partners in the EU GENESIS project have set themselves the goal of developing more environmentally friendly materials and processes in the semiconductor industry. As part of the project, Fraunhofer EMFT researchers are working on optimizing exhaust gas purification methods and increasing the efficiency and environmental sustainability of production processes.

In the QuQuSemi project, a Fraunhofer EMFT research team is working together with Quantum Diamonds and the Technical University of Munich on a high-resolution microscope based on diamond-based quantum sensors that is specially designed for analyzing semiconductor components. With a spatial resolution of just 100 nanometers at room temperature, it aims to enable the precise measurement of the smallest magnetic fields and temperature differences.

3D tissue models offer a drug development alternative to animal testing, enabling precise cell activity monitoring beyond optical limits.

At the core of the partnership between Fraunhofer EMFT and Daiken Medical is the development and successful licensing of the world's smallest micromembrane pump. This technology revolutionizes microdosing and opens up new application possibilities in pain therapy. An important step was the technology transfer of the patented micromembrane pump to Daiken Medical in Osaka, which is now developing the PCA system "Amy," allowing patients to independently manage their pain treatment.