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September 2
- Technology at the Cutting Edge – Resources at the Limit
➀ Fraunhofer ISI and IZM researchers forecast resource demand for 34 emerging technologies (e.g., electric vehicles, AI, data centers) by 2045, identifying critical materials like lithium and cobalt;
➁ Data centers and AI infrastructure are highlighted as major resource consumers, with exponential growth in data traffic posing supply chain risks;
➂ The study aims to inform Germany’s national resource strategy to mitigate supply bottlenecks and maintain industrial competitiveness amid geopolitical and environmental challenges
September 1
- Shaping the Electronics of the Future with Light
➀ Researchers at European XFEL demonstrated ultrafast control of ferroelectric material polarization using light pulses, decoupling it from lattice distortion for the first time;
➁ The breakthrough, achieved via high-energy laser and X-ray analysis, enables polarization changes in under a trillionth of a second, driven by photoexcited electrons;
➂ This paves the way for light-controlled, energy-efficient electronics with applications in data processing, sensing, and next-gen memory technologies.
- Home Testing: A Minimally Invasive Solution for Quick and Easy Determination of Blood Potassium Levels
➀ Fraunhofer IMM and Ki'tech collaborate to develop a disposable microfluidic patch for at-home potassium monitoring via interstitial fluid analysis;
➁ The solution targets dialysis patients to prevent hyperkalemia risks, offering real-time potassium level tracking via a smartphone app and wireless data transmission;
➂ Clinical trials are planned to validate the device, aiming to reduce hospital visits and empower patients with autonomous health management.
- AktiMeter — Intelligent Behavioral Analysis in Real Time
➀ Researchers at Fraunhofer IOSB developed the AktiMeter, an AI-powered system that logs and analyzes human movements in vehicles, capturing body positions, gestures, and activities;
➁ The technology combines computer vision, 3D modeling, and generative AI to enable real-time insights for ergonomic studies, automated driving applications, and market research;
➂ Plans for a 2026 market launch include validating reliability and creating a user-friendly interface, aiming to enhance vehicle safety, user experience, and AI-driven innovation in the automotive industry.
- AktiMeter – Intelligent Real-Time Behavior Analysis in Vehicles
➀ Fraunhofer IOSB developed AktiMeter, an AI-driven system using computer vision to analyze passenger behavior and activities in vehicles in real-time, enhancing autonomous driving interactions.
➁ The technology combines 3D vehicle modeling, machine learning, and generative AI to handle unforeseen scenarios without cloud dependency, generating a digital twin of the cabin while ensuring GDPR compliance.
➂ Applications include market research, ergonomic studies, and autonomous vehicle development, with prototypes being tested and a commercial launch planned for mid-2026.
- The Hearing Car — Innovative Acoustic Sensors for (Semi-)Autonomous Vehicles
➀ Fraunhofer IDMT developed a car prototype with advanced acoustic sensors to enhance road safety for autonomous/semi-autonomous vehicles, enabling detection of sounds like sirens and children’s voices;
➁ The system uses AI algorithms for acoustic event recognition, integrates weather-resistant microphones, and offers driver monitoring via EEG/radar sensors and personalized in-car sound experiences;
➂ Funded by German institutions, the technology aims to improve autonomous driving by combining audio analysis with visual systems and will debut at IAA MOBILITY 2025.
August 29
- Five Years of Innovation for Germany's Digital Security
➀ The German Cybersecurity Innovation Agency (Cyberagentur) celebrated its fifth anniversary, emphasizing its role in financing disruptive cybersecurity research and advancing national digital sovereignty;
➀ The agency announced a strategic shift toward proactive vigilance (Vigilanz) to counter cyberattacks and disinformation, with plans to expand its advisory role for policymakers;
➂ Winners of the HAL2025 innovation competition were honored for projects on autonomous swarm systems, including communication resilience and AI-driven security assessments for public events.
August 28
- Aesthetic and efficient facades: Fraunhofer FEP presents advances in building-integrated photovoltaics
➀ Fraunhofer FEP's Design-PV project developed decorative films using roll-to-roll nanoimprint lithography, enabling solar modules to blend seamlessly into building facades while retaining up to 80% efficiency of traditional modules.
➁ Key challenges included improving adhesion of films on ETFE substrates, addressed via a plasma process to enhance surface roughness for reliable bonding.
➂ Future steps include testing additional designs, assessing long-term durability, and presenting the technology at Radtech Europe Conference 2025.
- Aesthetic and Efficient Facades: Fraunhofer FEP Presents Advances in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics
➀ Fraunhofer FEP advances building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) using Nano-Imprint Lithography, enabling seamless solar module integration into facades without compromising aesthetics or efficiency.
➀ Decorative films on ETFE substrates achieve up to 80% efficiency of standard modules, with plasma treatments enhancing adhesion and weather resistance.
➂ Future steps include testing additional designs, colors, and long-term durability to boost BIPV adoption in architecture.
- Battery-free Energy for the Internet of Things
➀ The EU-funded Ambient-6G project (€8.4 million) aims to develop sustainable, battery-free IoT devices using ambient radio waves and backscatter communication, eliminating the need for disposable batteries.
➀ The technology leverages passive backscatter techniques, where IoT devices reflect and modify radio signals to transmit data, drastically reducing energy consumption.
➂ Challenges include improving signal processing for weak long-distance communication, with applications in retail (e.g., battery-free price tags) and logistics (real-time tracking).
- Battery-free energy for the Internet of Things
➀ An EU-funded project (€8.4 million) led by TU Graz and partners aims to develop battery-free IoT devices using wireless energy and backscatter communication;
➀ The technology utilizes distributed antenna systems for low-power transmission and passive communication, eliminating the need for batteries;
➁ Potential applications include retail (e.g., electronic shelf labels) and logistics (precise tracking), with challenges in processing weak signals over long distances.
August 27
- Future-Proof and Diverse: Computer Science at WBH
➀ The article highlights computer science as a future-proof field with diverse applications in areas like AI, cybersecurity, digitalization, healthcare, and media;
➁ Wilhelm Büchner Hochschule (WBH) offers extensive bachelor’s and master’s programs in applied informatics, game development, medical informatics, and AI, preparing graduates to shape the digital future;
➂ The university emphasizes flexible distance learning models to accommodate students’ daily lives while fostering expertise in cutting-edge technologies.
- 'Never Change a Running System': Fraunhofer IGCV Supports Companies with Sustainable Production Systems
➀ Fraunhofer IGCV assists companies in optimizing energy efficiency and resource utilization, such as by reconfiguring heat treatment furnace schedules to reduce energy waste and integrating renewable energy sources like photovoltaics;
➁ The institute promotes circular economy practices by repurposing composite waste from aerospace production into secondary components, cutting material costs and environmental impact;
➂ Through software-driven simulations and energy monitoring, Fraunhofer IGCV enables data-informed decisions to balance sustainability and economic feasibility in industrial transformation.
August 25
- Innovations Sought for Electronic Warfare Technologies: SPECTRA Challenge to Activate Fresh Ideas Against Electronic Drone Defense
➀ The SPECTRA Challenge, initiated by the German Cyberagentur, Bundeswehr’s Cyber Innovation Hub, and Innovationslabor System Soldat, seeks innovative solutions to counter electronic threats (e.g., jamming, spoofing) against unmanned systems, with funding up to €100,000;
➁ The challenge features two tracks: a practical prototype track for near-term solutions and a visionary 'Moonshot' track for revolutionary ideas, supported by real-world testing in military simulations;
➂ Collaboration between civilian innovators, military needs, and research aims to accelerate the development of electronic warfare defenses, with phases including pitch presentations, prototype development, and rigorous field evaluations by December 2025.
August 22
- Bochum University of Applied Sciences Releases New Internationalization Strategy
➀ Bochum University of Applied Sciences has adopted an internationalization strategy to enhance global perspectives in teaching, research, and administration, focusing on student mobility and cross-cultural collaboration;
➁ Key initiatives include expanding strategic partnerships, English-taught modules, and support for international students, alongside increased participation in EU programs like Horizon Europe;
➂ Targets by 2028 include doubling student mobility, providing English modules across all programs, and raising EU third-party funding by 25% to strengthen global engagement.
- New Development: Modular Microrobots Capable of Communication and Cooperation
➀ Researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology developed millimeter-sized Smartlet microrobots with integrated electronics, sensors, and optocommunication, enabling autonomous movement and coordination in aqueous environments;
➀ The microrobots use an origami-inspired manufacturing approach to self-fold into 3D structures, powered by photovoltaics and controlled by embedded silicon chiplets, achieving decentralized control without external systems;
➀ Potential applications include environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and adaptive robotic systems, with future goals to expand sensory capabilities and evolve toward collective, organism-like behaviors.
- Naturally Wired: Precision Molecules for the Electronics of the Future
➀ Empa researchers successfully attached porphyrin molecules with metal centers to graphene nanoribbons with atomic precision, creating a hybrid system;
➁ The system exhibits magnetic and electronic coupling, enabling applications in molecular electronics, chemical sensors, and quantum technologies;
➂ The design allows optical and chemical tunability, with potential uses in light-emitting systems and quantum computing spin-based devices.
August 21
- New Center for Micromobility at PHWT: Funding for Innovative Mobility Research
➀ PHWT established the Center for Micromobility (ZMM) to develop small electric vehicles bridging e-bikes and e-cars, enhancing individual transportation;
➁ The project secured €595,000 in funding for a three-year initiative, fostering collaboration between academia and regional industries for lightweight materials and autonomous transport systems;
➂ Focus on sustainability, accessibility for non-license holders, and leveraging AI for applications like autonomous logistics and elderly mobility support.
- Communication Despite Electromagnetic Shielding
➀ The German Cybersecurity Innovation Agency (Cyberagentur) launched the ZANDER-F research program with €15 million funding to develop technologies enabling communication and imaging through conductive barriers like Faraday cages, addressing challenges for special forces in anti-piracy operations and disaster scenarios;
➁ The initiative explores unconventional approaches including plasmonic surface wave transmission, low-frequency electromechanical signals, and subatomic particle-based data transfer, with applications in border security, disaster rescue, and urban drone detection;
➂ The 5-year multi-stage project is now open for proposals, with submission deadlines starting October 2025, aiming to revolutionize secure communication systems beyond traditional radio limitations
August 20
- RobertaLab Summer Camp at the University of Koblenz Inspires Girls for Future Technologies
➀ The University of Koblenz hosted a 5-day RobertaLab summer camp for 14 girls aged 10–14, focusing on programming, robotics, and web development;
➀ Participants used Calliope mini microcontrollers, built Lego EV3 robots for simulated Mars missions, and learned HTML to design websites;
➂ Feedback highlighted heightened interest in STEM, with the camp showcasing the impact of hands-on tech education in engaging young girls.
August 19
- Free Open-Source Solution for Early Fault Detection in the Energy Sector
➀ Fraunhofer IEE launches EnergyFaultDetector, a free open-source AI-based solution for early fault detection in energy systems like wind turbines;
➁ The tool uses self-learning algorithms with existing SCADA data, eliminating the need for additional hardware, and features the ARCANA algorithm for transparent root cause analysis;
➂ Available as a Python library, it includes a quick-start module and integration support for existing management systems.
August 18
- Towards More Efficient Oxygen Production in Space Using Magnetic Forces
➀ Current oxygen production in space via water electrolysis faces inefficiencies in microgravity due to gas bubbles adhering to electrodes;
➁ Researchers developed a passive magnetic system using permanent magnets and magnetohydrodynamic forces to separate gas bubbles without mechanical components, increasing efficiency by 240%;
➂ The breakthrough, validated in microgravity experiments, offers a sustainable solution for future space missions, funded by DLR, ESA, and NASA.
- More Efficient Oxygen Production in Space Thanks to Magnetism
➀ Current oxygen production in space via water electrolysis faces challenges in gas-liquid separation due to microgravity, relying on energy-intensive centrifuges;
➁ A new passive magnetic system eliminates mechanical parts, using commercial magnets to direct gas bubbles and improve electrolysis efficiency by up to 240%;
➂ Tested in microgravity environments like the ZARM drop tower, the innovation paves the way for lighter, sustainable life-support systems for long-term space missions, with plans for further testing on research rockets.
- Exploring Hidden Moon Caves: European Team Presents Innovative Mission Concept in Renowned Journal
➀ A European research team, including scientists from DFKI, proposed a four-phase robotic mission concept in Science Robotics to explore lunar lava tubes using autonomous robots;
➁ The mission involves cooperative mapping, sensor deployment, abseiling a rover into caves, and 3D modeling, successfully tested on Lanzarote;
➂ The results highlight the feasibility of heterogeneous robot collaboration for future planetary exploration, developed under the EU-funded CoRob-X project.
- Exploring the Moon’s hidden caves: European researchers present innovative mission concept in renowned journal
① A European research team, including DFKI, proposed a mission concept using three autonomous robots to cooperatively explore and map lunar lava tubes, validated through field tests on Lanzarote;
② The four-phase mission involved skylight mapping, sensor deployment, rover rappelling, and autonomous cave exploration, achieving detailed 3D modeling using specialized rovers like SherpaTT and Coyote III;
③ The study demonstrates the feasibility of collaborative robotic systems for future extraterrestrial missions, showcasing their potential to operate in extreme environments like the Moon or Mars.
August 14
- Doctorate at TTZ-EMO: Sebastian Raab Defends Dissertation in the Field of Power Electronics
➀ Dr. Sebastian Raab successfully defended his Ph.D. at THWS's TTZ-EMO, addressing electrical disturbances in electric vehicles through an adaptive active filter system;
➁ His compact, lightweight design outperforms traditional passive filters by dynamically adjusting to minimize energy losses and component interference;
➂ The research, conducted with Barcelona’s UPC, marks the 13th doctorate completed at TTZ-EMO, advancing sustainable electromobility solutions.
- THWS Research Project Advances Digitalization in Reusable Container Management
➀ The DIBCO project, led by THWS, focuses on digitalizing reusable container logistics through low-code/no-code planning tools and real-time machine monitoring dashboards to enhance efficiency;
➁ A computer vision system was developed to autonomously detect container defects with over 80% accuracy, replacing manual inspections and improving quality control;
➂ Sensor-based container tracking provided insights into supply chain logistics, aiding sustainability goals by optimizing container cycles and reducing energy consumption through collaboration with industry partners and Bavarian government funding.
- Circular Economy for Electric Motors and Batteries: One Life Is Not Enough
➀ The ZIRKEL consortium developed automated disassembly and material recovery methods for electric motors and high-voltage batteries in vehicles, focusing on resource efficiency;
➁ Fraunhofer IWU created a robot-assisted system using AI and machine vision to dismantle components even when dirty or worn, generating detailed disassembly guidelines and design recommendations for recyclability;
➂ Key insights emphasize integrating 'Design for Recycling' into product development to enable economically viable circular systems, with practical solutions like unified screw connections and magnet recovery techniques.
August 12
- New Master’s Program in Sustainable Materials Combines Science and Technology Expertise
➀ Saarland University launches a new Master’s program, ‘Sustainable Materials and Engineering,’ focusing on environmentally friendly material design, resource efficiency, and circular economy integration;
➁ The interdisciplinary curriculum combines chemistry, materials science, and systems engineering, emphasizing practical research and industry applications;
➂ Students gain expertise in developing recyclable materials, energy-efficient production, and lifecycle management for sustainable solutions in packaging, construction, and automotive sectors.
August 11
- Hochschule Koblenz Opens Robotics Laboratory and Launches New Bachelor's Program in 'Robotics and AI' with Minister Hoch in Attendance
➀ Koblenz University of Applied Sciences launches a new Bachelor's program in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the 2025/26 winter semester, supported by €2 million in funding from the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science and Health;
➁ A state-of-the-art robotics laboratory has been established, enabling students to gain hands-on experience in robotic automation, AI applications, and interdisciplinary research combining mechatronics and computer science;
➂ The program emphasizes industry collaboration, with a dual-study option starting in 2026 to address regional talent demands and strengthen Rheinland-Pfalz's position in technological innovation.