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October 2
- Impulses for Innovations in Industry through Speech Interaction and AI
➀ The 11th Industrial Working Group event by Fraunhofer IDMT and Hochschule Emden/Leer focused on speech interaction and AI in manufacturing, featuring discussions on digital shopfloor management and aircraft production applications.
➁ Airbus showcased voice-based systems to optimize workflows, while Deloitte highlighted efficiency gains from speech-driven data utilization, emphasizing proactive problem-solving and resource optimization.
➂ Fraunhofer IDMT presented AI-driven speech solutions like LLMs for industrial use, alongside workshops on predictive maintenance, smart hearing protection, and acoustic process management to advance Industry 5.0.
- New Method Sheds Light on Nanomaterials: How MXene Really Works
➀ Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and Hebrew University developed a novel spectroscopic micro-ellipsometry (SME) technique to measure conductivity and optical responses of individual MXene flakes, revealing their intrinsic properties;
➁ The non-invasive, high-resolution method overcomes limitations of conventional approaches, providing nanoscale structural and electronic insights critical for optimizing MXene-based devices;
➂ The breakthrough advances applications in energy storage, flexible electronics, and clean energy technologies by enabling precise material characterization at the single-flake level.
- Fraunhofer IOSB Transforms Research Factories into Data Space Workshops – Discussion Paper Published
➀ Fraunhofer IOSB introduces the concept of 'data space workshops,' aiming to assist SMEs in rapidly and securely building industrial data ecosystems aligned with initiatives like Manufacturing-X;
➀ The workshops integrate real-world production environments, standardized IT/OT infrastructure, open data platforms, and AI engineering to enable collaborative testing of use cases (e.g., predictive maintenance, CO₂ footprint tracking);
➂ The initiative leverages Fraunhofer's expertise in Industry 4.0 standards, cybersecurity, and partnerships (e.g., Catena-X, IDSA) to accelerate practical implementation of secure and scalable data spaces.
- Conference AI & We: Leveraging Strengths, Securing Trust, Preserving Sovereignty
➀ The conference highlighted Germany's role as a pioneer in AI research and its efforts to balance technological innovation with ethical frameworks and regulatory compliance under the EU AI Act;
➁ Discussions focused on enhancing Europe's global competitiveness, fostering trustworthy AI ecosystems, and addressing societal impacts, including creativity and workforce development;
➂ Practical AI applications, such as sustainable brewing tools and neuromotor exoskeletons, were showcased, alongside the release of a progress report on responsible AI development.
October 1
- Interactive VR Diagnosis for Post-COVID Symptoms
➀ The EPSILON project, led by Fraunhofer HHI, combines VR technologies and wearable sensors to objectively diagnose and differentiate Post-COVID symptoms like cognitive deficits and fatigue;
➁ Data from VR-based cognitive tests, smartwatches, and psychological assessments is analyzed via AI algorithms on a web-based platform to create a multimodal model for personalized treatment plans;
➂ The project aims to ease strain on healthcare systems by providing real-time diagnostic insights for clinicians and patients, with future applications in other medical conditions like Rett syndrome.
- Interactive VR Diagnostics for Post-COVID Symptoms
➀ The EPSILON project, coordinated by Fraunhofer HHI, employs VR technology and wearable sensors to objectively diagnose and differentiate Post-COVID symptoms like cognitive deficits and fatigue;
➁ Data from VR-based cognitive tests, physiological sensors, and digital psychological assessments are integrated into a web-based AI platform for real-time analysis and visualization, aiding personalized treatment;
➂ The developed tools aim to provide a scalable diagnostic framework, with future applications planned for rare diseases such as Rett syndrome.
- Software Supports Safe, Controlled Detonations of Aerial Bombs
➀ Fraunhofer EMI, with partners, develops simulation software (VC BlastProtect) to predict fragmentation flight and underground shock waves from WWII bomb detonations, improving safety assessments.
➁ The software integrates 3D city models and dynamic soil behavior analysis to refine evacuation zones and evaluate impacts on underground infrastructure like pipelines and tunnels.
➂ Validation via large-scale tests in Germany demonstrated reduced damage risks, aiding explosive disposal teams in optimizing damping measures and minimizing evacuation ranges.
- Software Supports Safe, Controlled Detonations of Aerial Bombs
➀ Fraunhofer EMI and partners are developing simulation software (VC BlastProtect) to model shrapnel dispersion and underground pressure waves from WWII bomb detonations;
➁ The software aims to optimize evacuation zones and assess risks to underground infrastructure, incorporating damping measures like sand/water covers;
➂ Validation experiments in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern demonstrated the accuracy of models in predicting blast effects, aiding bomb disposal teams in damage mitigation planning.
- Trusted AI Platform for Schleswig-Holstein Launches
➀ Schleswig-Holstein's Digitalization Minister Dirk Schrödter awarded €780,000 in funding to launch the BiT SEA-SH project, a scalable and secure AI platform for data science applications;
➁ The platform, developed by TH Lübeck, Universität zu Lübeck, Kontor Business IT GmbH, and WTSH, aims to enhance data sovereignty, reduce digital dependencies, and support SMEs in adopting AI through open-source solutions;
➂ The project (April 2025–March 2027) focuses on creating a collaborative ecosystem for academia, government, and businesses to advance big data and AI innovation in the region.
- DLR Award for TU Ilmenau Scientists: Monitoring Brain Activity in Space
➀ Researchers from TU Ilmenau, alongside partners, won second place in the INNOspace Masters 2025 competition for developing an EEG-based system to monitor astronauts' brain activity during long space missions;
➁ The system uses lightweight, dry-electrode technology and AI to analyze mental states in real-time, aiming to prevent psychological crises in extreme environments like space or Antarctica;
➂ The innovation has dual applications, benefiting space exploration and terrestrial healthcare, including mental health monitoring for conditions like depression and burnout.
September 30
- ESA-led CubeSat demonstrates world’s first 75 GHz beacon from space and concludes mission with safe deorbit
➀ The W-Cube mission led by ESA successfully validated W-band (75 GHz) and Q-band (37.5 GHz) frequencies for next-gen satellite broadband, enabling high-capacity feeder links while maintaining user compatibility with existing Ka/Ku-band equipment;
➁ Achieved the world's first transmission of a 75 GHz dual-polarized beacon from a Low Earth Orbit satellite, with ground stations in Graz and Finland capturing critical atmospheric propagation data over four years;
➂ The 3U CubeSat concluded its mission with a controlled atmospheric reentry in October 2025, while paving the way for future W-band experiments in Geostationary Orbit to enable 24/7 high-throughput satellite systems.
- ESA CubeSat Demonstrates World's First 75 GHz Signal from Space and Ends Mission with Safe Deorbit
➀ The W-Cube mission, initiated by ESA, successfully tested W-Band (75 GHz) and Q-Band (37.5 GHz) frequencies as feeder links for next-gen LEO satellite broadband systems, maintaining compatibility with existing Ka/Ku-band user devices;
➁ The CubeSat, developed by a European consortium, conducted four years of atmospheric impact studies and published key results, advancing the design of high-frequency satellite systems;
➂ The satellite will safely deorbit in October 2025, paving the way for future GEO-based W-band missions to enable high-capacity, continuous satellite broadband.
- German-French Lighthouse Project GreenBotAI: Trustworthy AI 'Made in Europe'
➀ The GreenBotAI project, part of the German-French AI cooperation under the Aachen Treaty, focuses on enhancing robotics' energy efficiency by over 25% through AI-driven path planning and real-time control;
➁ It developed modular machine-learning models and 2D/3D tracking systems using reduced-data AI algorithms, compatible with various robotic platforms;
➂ Led by Fraunhofer IWU, the consortium includes Hochschule München, INBOLT SAS, and ENSAM LISPEN, highlighting cross-border collaboration for industrial automation and crisis resilience.
- FBH showcases latest R&D results at Photonics Days
➀ Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) presented advancements in UVC LEDs for medical disinfection and gas sensing, achieving higher efficiency and performance in far-UVC range applications;
➁ Showcased photonic integration using gallium arsenide (GaAs) and silicon nitride platforms for quantum physics and biosensing, enabling chiplet-based laser solutions;
➂ Highlighted UV-COLA project’s miniaturized UVC diode laser module for combating multidrug-resistant pathogens and participated in quantum technology symposia linking research to industrial use.
- FBH Presents Latest R&D Results at Photonics Days
➀ The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) showcases advancements in UV-C LEDs for medical disinfection and gas sensing, emphasizing efficiency and safety;
➁ Introduces miniaturized UV-C diode laser modules (UV-COLA project) for targeted disinfection in healthcare, developed with TU Chemnitz;
➂ Presents gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based photonic integrated circuits for quantum technologies, spectroscopy, and biosensing, enabled by silicon nitride PIC integration.
September 26
- Bringing Automated Driving to the Road Faster - Launch of the TranSphere Project at the IFM of Kempten University of Applied Sciences
➀ The TranSphere project at Kempten University's IFM aims to create a mixed-reality platform that integrates real-world and virtual testing environments to revolutionize automated vehicle development.
➀ Focused on four key scenarios (Track Testing, Test Bed, Driving Simulator, and Scenario Networking), the initiative seeks to accelerate development cycles, enhance safety, and reduce resource consumption.
➂ Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) until 2028, the project involves collaboration with industrial partners in simulation, robotics, and homologation to strengthen Europe’s automotive industry and address skilled labor shortages.
- Research into novel microelectrodes: Dr. Maximilian Becker receives NanoMatFutur funding
➀ Hahn-Schickard's FeMEA project received €1.95 million funding from Germany's BMFTR to develop CMOS-based microelectrode arrays using ferroelectric materials for improved bioelectronic interfaces;
➁ The innovation enhances stimulation efficiency and long-term stability while minimizing harmful electrochemical currents, addressing key challenges in bioelectronics;
➂ The technology, protected by patents, targets biomedical applications and aims for industrial transfer, supported by a newly established research group led by Dr. Becker.
- Research on Novel Microelectrodes: Dr. Maximilian Becker Receives NanoMatFutur Funding
➀ Hahn-Schickard's FeMEA project develops ferroelectic microelectrode arrays using CMOS chips with ferroelectric materials, aiming to enhance bioelectronic interfaces;
➁ The project received €1.95 million over five years from the German Federal Ministry and addresses challenges in stimulation efficiency and long-term stability for biomedical applications;
➂ Achievements include a patented CMOS-based prototype with over 5,000 electrodes per mm², enabling precise cell stimulation and recording while suppressing harmful electrochemical effects.
September 25
- Fraunhofer IPA's Biointelligence Summit Presents First Biological Computer
➀ The Biointelligence Summit in Stuttgart featured the debut of the CL1 neuron-based computer by Cortical Labs, highlighting synthetic biological intelligence through real-time neuron interaction with a Ping-Pong game;
➁ Yokogawa Insilico Biotechnology presented hybrid digital twins for bioprocess optimization, combining mechanistic models and machine learning to enhance biopharmaceutical production efficiency;
➂ Discussions addressed fostering startups in biointelligence, with examples like BLUU Seafood's cell-based fish and The Cultivated B's bioreactor platform for scalable biomanufacturing.
September 24
- Graphene Controls Electrons in Femtoseconds
➀ A research team at Kiel University discovered a groundbreaking phenomenon in graphene, where precise laser pulses control electron movement within femtoseconds, enabling ultra-fast spatial switching;
➁ Simulations revealed that homogeneous graphene clusters allow electron localization at specific edges, driven by topological states and electronic structure, ensuring stability even under disturbances;
➂ This innovation could accelerate electronic devices to the petahertz range (10,000x faster than current GHz technology), though challenges remain in integrating these processes into real circuits for applications like AI chips and high-performance computing.
- Living Lung Replaces Animal Testing
➀ Researchers developed a living pig lung model from slaughter waste to replace animal testing, maintaining organ stability for up to 24 hours;
➁ The platform enables drug testing, breath analysis, and infection modeling under real-life conditions, reducing reliance on live animal trials;
➂ Collaboration with engineers integrates semiconductor gas sensors and AI for non-invasive breath analysis, advancing precision in medical research.
September 23
- Innovative Transistors for Quantum Chips
➀ Researchers at TU Wien, JKU Linz, and Bergakademie Freiberg developed a groundbreaking Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) transistor using modulation-acceptor doping (MAD), which replaces traditional semiconductor doping with a doped oxide layer, eliminating material impurities;
➁ The technology enables 4000x higher conductivity, improved low-temperature performance (critical for quantum chips), reduced energy consumption, and mitigates variability issues in nanoscale transistors;
➂ This advancement addresses challenges in quantum computing integration, where traditional doping fails under extreme cold, and paves the way for faster, energy-efficient nanoelectronics and quantum systems.
- Fraunhofer IDMT at Aquaculture Europe 2025: Promoting Sustainable Aquaculture with Intelligent Acoustic Monitoring
➀ Fraunhofer IDMT introduces an AI-driven acoustic monitoring system using hydrophones and machine learning to optimize aquaculture efficiency and sustainability;
➁ The system detects pump/ventilation failures in real-time, preventing operational losses and enhancing animal welfare in fish farms;
➂ Acoustic analysis also tracks fish behavior and feeding patterns to reduce overfeeding, lower environmental impact, and cut costs.
September 22
- How Good Gets Even Better – European XFEL Receives New Electron Source
➀ European XFEL has installed a next-generation electron source (GUN5.2), developed and tested at DESY and PITZ, to enhance accelerator stability and efficiency for advanced scientific research;
➁ The upgraded source uses photoelectric-effect-driven electron acceleration and optimized copper cavities to maintain high charge density, critical for intense X-ray laser performance;
➂ The improvement increases X-ray pulse output from 27,000 to 36,000 per second, enabling faster data collection and parallel experiments, with full operational integration targeted by late 2025.
- How to make great even better – European XFEL receives new electron source
➀ European XFEL upgrades its accelerator with the new GUN5 electron source for enhanced X-ray laser performance；
➁ GUN5 significantly improves electron bunch density, enabling more stable and efficient X-ray flashes to advance scientific research in fields like chemistry and quantum materials；
➂ The extended high-frequency pulse length by 30% allows for 36,000 light flashes per second, boosting experimental data collection and versatility.
September 19
- Jingyuan Xu from KIT Receives 'For Women in Science' Award
➀ Dr. Jingyuan Xu from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) was awarded the 'For Women in Science' prize for her research on eco-friendly cooling technologies using the elastocaloric effect, eliminating climate-damaging refrigerants;
➁ Her work spans applications from micro-scale electronics cooling to large systems like air conditioners, addressing 20% of global electricity consumption from conventional cooling methods;
➂ The award, partnered by L’Oréal and UNESCO since 1998, highlights the critical role of women in science and technological innovation for a sustainable future.
September 18
- Sustainable High-Tech Membranes - New at UDE: Hannah Roth
➀ Prof. Dr. Hannah Roth joins the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) to research sustainable, high-performance membranes using eco-friendly materials and solvent-free production methods;
➁ Her work focuses on applications like water purification, lithium recovery, and medical dialysis, with innovations such as the "Chemistry in a Spinneret" technique for creating multi-layered membranes in a single step;
➂ Roth holds a distinguished academic background, including awards like the 2024 VENI-Grant, and aims to advance industrial applications in environmental and energy technologies.
- Interposer technology revolutionizes connections in quantum computers
➀ The QSolid project, led by Forschungszentrum Jülich and Fraunhofer IZM-ASSID, aims to develop a German quantum computer with superconducting quantum chips and reduced error rates, utilizing an interposer to optimize qubit-electronics connections;
➁ A mid-term prototype with 10 qubits and integrated software was launched in 2025, with plans to scale performance by 2026 through advanced processor designs;
➂ The interposer supports over 10,000 high-density connections, thermal decoupling of components, and ongoing scalability tests, backed by €76.3 million in government funding to strengthen Germany’s quantum research sovereignty.
- Interposer Technology Revolutionizes Connections in Quantum Computers
➀ The Fraunhofer IZM-ASSID, part of the QSolid project with 24 German institutions, is developing a quantum computer using superconducting qubits to reduce error rates, employing an interposer to optimize connections between qubits and control electronics;
➁ The 20x15mm interposer enables over 10,000 ultra-thin wirings and thermally decouples the quantum chip, with ongoing tests to scale its size for higher wiring densities;
➂ Funded by €76.3 million from the German government, QSolid aims to strengthen Germany’s quantum computing competitiveness, targeting industrial applications in chemistry, materials science, and healthcare by 2026.
- Second Place for UDE Team at DLR Challenge 2025 Industry in INNOSpace Masters: Brainwave Measurements for Mental Health
➀ A research consortium led by the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), TU Ilmenau, and eemagine Medical Imaging Solutions GmbH won second place in the DLR Challenge Industry for their innovative dry EEG system, designed to monitor astronauts' mental health and aid neurological diagnostics.
➁ The EEG technology uses novel dry electrode sensors, tested successfully in parabolic flights, to enable real-time stress management and address mental health challenges in extreme environments like space missions or Antarctic research stations.
➂ The consortium aims to advance neurodiagnostics for long-term space missions and clinical neurology, emphasizing user-friendly design and automated mental-state recognition for broader applications in healthcare and aerospace.