From Research to Application: Projects at Fraunhofer EMFT

In the GaSeKa (Gas Sensor System with Self-Calibration function) project, Fraunhofer EMFT and EC Sense are developing a miniaturized sensor system for the precise and cost-effective monitoring of air pollutants. By enabling a much denser network of monitoring points in urban areas, the technology will help improve air quality monitoring and support better public health.

Nature sets a high bar: Our brain is capable of processing and storing huge amounts of information without using more energy than a 20-watt light bulb. This is a good reason for researchers worldwide to take the human brain as a model for circuits in so-called neuromorphic chips. Within the EU project NeurONN, a Fraunhofer EMFT research team is working with six European partners on extremely energy-efficient elements and architectures for neuromorphic computing. Innovative 2D materials are also being used in the process.

How can supply chains for the chip industry become more independent and better protected? The coronavirus pandemic in particular has highlighted the problems for Germany and Europe. In the "Semiconductor-X" research project on the digitalization of supply chains in the semiconductor industry, Fraunhofer EMFT is working with over 20 partners to make supply chains more sustainable and resilient and to promote decentralized, sovereign data exchange.

Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institutes for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT) in Sulzbach/Saar and the Fraunhofer EMFT in Regensburg are working together with the companies nanoAnalytics GmbH (Münster) and innoMe GmbH (Espelkamp) on a new measurement method for testing the effectiveness of vaccines in the ViroSens project.

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

Within the SOIL project, Fraunhofer EMFT develops FDSOI IP blocks to boost Europe's next-generation chipindustry.

In the EU research project SUPREME, 23 partners from 8 member states are pooling their expertise to advance the development of stable manufacturing processes for superconducting quantum chips. The R&D activities specifically address the challenges related to the stability and yield of qubits – crucial factors for the scaling of quantum technologies and thus for Europe’s competitiveness in the global quantum hardware market.

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.

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.

Unlooc is a project that focuses on the development of organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technologies. These technologies aim to improve the efficiency of drug testing while reducing the need for animal testing. The Fraunhofer EMFT research team is supporting the development of the organ-on-chip multiwell plates, which offer precise control of cell culture conditions and enable animal-free pharmaceutical testing.

Every year, over 3 million immobile people worldwide suffer from severe, mostly preventable pressure ulcers, with around 0.6 million in Germany. Pressure ulcers not only cause personal suffering but are also time-consuming and costly to treat. Current prophylaxis methods require significant commitment from nursing staff and do not provide continuous security. Therefore, there is an urgent need for individual and continuous monitoring for effective pressure ulcer prophylaxis. SoreAlert, a potential spin-off from Fraunhofer EMFT, addresses this need with a smart patch that allows for automated monitoring of at-risk body areas and provides early warnings for pressure ulcers.

The DigiSeal research project is setting new standards in the predictive maintenance of mechanical seals, which are essential for many branches of industry. By using informed AI and the expertise of Fraunhofer EMFT, precise models are being developed that not only predict maintenance requirements, but also provide specific recommendations for action. Together with partners such as EagleBurgmann Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Molkerei Alois Müller GmbH & Co. KG and Munich University of Applied Sciences, digitalization in the industry is being driven forward and a significant contribution is being made to Industry 4.0.

We all know it: wintertime is cold season and cough or headache tablets are often part of everyday life. But our gastrointestinal tract absorbs medication differently. In the “e-Pille” project, scientists from the Fraunhofer Institutes ITMP, EMFT and IZM are researching the points in the gastrointestinal tract where different active ingredients are best absorbed. The aim is to optimize the formulation of new drugs when taken orally.

Even in today's innovative, miniaturized electronic products, traditional wiring is still prevalent. The problem: manual wiring can account for up to 80% of product costs and also has an impact on reliability, production yield, weight and resource consumption. Last but not least, it limits the possibilities for further miniaturization. In the HyPerStripes project, researchers at Fraunhofer EMFT are working with 16 partners from three European countries on a promising alternative: long, flexible electronic systems (“hyperstripes”) to replace conventional cables and printed circuit boards.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases of civilization. Around 15-25% of patients develop diabetic foot syndrome during the progression of the disease: nerve damage and circulatory disorders, particularly in the feet. As those affected have a reduced or no sensation of pain in their feet, pressure points, blisters or cuts often form unnoticed, which can result in an open ulcer if not treated in time. In future, a patch with integrated sensor technology should help to detect critical conditions and the need for treatment at an early stage.

The strategic importance of semiconductors and Europe's dependence on other regions of the world is clearly evidenced by the recent international crises. In the EU project ICOS, European research organizations are jointly working with industry to build up know-how and networks to support Europe in regaining its sovereignty and leadership in this field, in accordance with the objectives of the EU Chips Act.

Whether electric car or photovoltaic system - intelligent battery systems and storage units are key enablers for sustainable technologies. In the HealthBatt research project, Fraunhofer EMFT researchers are working with partners on a multi-sensor approach to holistically record and evaluate load profiles in battery storage systems. The combination of failure analyses and AI-supported data evaluation is intended to extend the service life of battery systems and increase safety of use in the event of overload.

Diabetes types that require regular insulin treatment are highly dependent on the patient's ability to constantly track their blood glucose levels and self-administer insulin accordingly. This not only causes a major inconvenience in everyday life, but also involves the risk of hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia. In addition, a blood sugar deficiency can only be predicted inadequately in certain situations. Together with five European partners, researchers at the Fraunhofer EMFT are developing an implantable measuring and dosing system. It is capable of monitoring all relevant key metabolic parameters on a situation-specific basis and adjusting the insulin dosage accordingly.

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.

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.

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.

The technology is already state of the art in modern cars: radar sensors that alert the driver when the vehicle is approaching an obstacle. Collision protection of this kind is also crucial in the future of production - smart factories in which intelligent industrial robots are expected to act completely autonomously in an increasing number of work steps - in order to ensure safe cooperation between man and machine. In the RoboMove project, Fraunhofer EMFT is working with robotics manufacturer KUKA and InnoSenT GmbH to develop an intelligent 3D distance measurement and obstacle detection system for robot arms in motion.

In patient surveys on insulin dosing, patch pumps score significantly better than conventional insulin injections in terms of comfort and user-friendliness. They are easy to use, comfortable to wear, and do not need to be removed for sports, showering, etc. For safe and comfortable handling, it is essential that the patch pump doses the insulin precisely and evenly. The micropumps developed at Fraunhofer EMFT achieve dosing deviations of less than 4% even with the smallest volumes. Researchers at the institute were able to verify this in a study.

Safety First! - Is the motto of the "StressScent III" project, in which researchers from Fraunhofer EMFT, in collaboration with the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, have developed a Virtual Reality System (VR System) which uses realistic and immersive training to better prepare rescue and emergency personnel for sometimes dangerous missions and stressful situations and thus contribute to a safer working life. Through realistic training engaging all senses, real-world situations can be simulated more accurately, thus contributing to a safer work life. The goal of the project is to develop a scent dosing system adapted to an existing VR headset for practical application.