From Research to Application: Projects at Fraunhofer EMFT

The Fraunhofer EMFT scientists support the development of „bee-friendly“ pesticides by doing research on sensor technologies identifying „bee-harmful“ substances in early phases of pesticide development.

New pharmaceutical active ingredients, such as biologicals, mRNA, genes, tissue- or cell-based formulations, enable novel treatment options for diseases. Applying these medications through the lungs using innovative inhalation systems is a promising way to achieve affordable, safe, and efficient therapies. Researchers at Fraunhofer EMFT, together with three other Fraunhofer Institutes, are working on an intelligent inhaler that allows control and monitoring of drug administration efficiency down to the smallest detail.

In the LEO project (platform technology for the resource-efficient production of conductive tracks on large-area surfaces equipped with electronics), Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer EMFT are bundling their expertise in fine-line metallization and roll-to-roll processing as well as thin-chip integration in foils.

Quantum computers are expected to solve tasks easily that even today's computing centers fail at. But there are still a number of challenges to overcome before these computing geniuses can actually be used in broad applications. As part of Munich Quantum Valley, researchers at Fraunhofer EMFT are working to push the transfer of quantum technologies to industry.

The Fraunhofer Center for »Biogenic Value Creation and Smart Farming« conducts research and development on innovative technologies for sustainable production and processing of agricultural products along the whole value chain.

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.

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.

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.

Improved flexibility and convenience are two key aspects of making local public transport more attractive, for example with a better-connected network and more frequent services. One promising approach to achieving this goal is low-cost shuttle vehicles without drivers. The Fraunhofer EMFT is contributing to the development of a prototype for such an autonomous people mover as part of the SUE (Self-driving Urban E-Shuttle) funding project. It is designed to combine high flexibility with passenger comfort, making it a valid alternative to the car.

Press-fit technology provides an innovative connection method which, due to its high reliability and robustness, is particularly suitable for safety-relevant connection points. Another advantage is that the method is much more eco-friendly than the soldering technique most commonly used to date. A Fraunhofer EMFT research team is working on a predictive model that relates easily accessible material/process data to the reliability of press-fit contacts.