Author page description
August 11
- SappZ: A Talent Forge for Sensor Research
➀ The Sensor Application Center (SappZ) at OTH Regensburg celebrated its 15th anniversary, focusing on applied sensor research and technology transfer to SMEs;
➁ Innovations include 3D printing, AI-driven gas sensors (PreSEDA project), and miniaturized oil monitoring systems (microSPIN), leveraging AI for real-time analysis;
➂ The center has secured €15 million in funding, spawned five startups, and earned awards, reinforcing its role as a hub for regional innovation.
August 6
- Cyberagentur launches ATARA – AI-supported analysis of public data for improved cyber security
➀ The Cyberagentur launched the ATARA research program to explore AI's potential in developing novel cyberattack methods and defenses for critical infrastructures using publicly available data;
➁ The project uniquely employs AI in dual roles—simulating attackers and defenders—to uncover threats beyond human experts' current knowledge and propose countermeasures;
➂ Universities, research institutions, and companies are invited to apply for funding, with a submission deadline of August 29, 2025, as part of Germany's national security strategy.
- Cyber Agency Launches ATARA – AI-Driven Analysis of Public Data for Enhanced Cybersecurity
➀ The German Cyber Security Agency (Cyberagentur) launched the ATARA research program to explore AI's ability to identify unknown cyberattack paths using publicly accessible data and develop defense strategies;
➁ The project adopts a dual-role approach where AI simulates both attacker and defender perspectives, aiming to generate novel attack scenarios and countermeasures beyond human experts' traditional analyses;
➂ Universities, companies, and startups with expertise in cybersecurity and machine learning can apply for participation, with a submission deadline of August 29, 2025.
- Enhanced Data Analysis Improves Medium-Term Electrical Grid Load Forecast by 76%
➀ Fraunhofer IOSB-AST enhanced grid load forecasting for SWE Netz GmbH by 76%, reducing prediction errors from 3.89 GWh to 0.93 GWh for 2024 through historical and public data integration;
➁ Improved accuracy stemmed from analyzing long-term trends, photovoltaics expansion, and self-consumption patterns, with future electrification trends expected to reverse declining grid loads;
➂ Gas network loads were also studied using the EMS-EDM PROPHET® software and WattAnalyzer tool, aiding SWE Netz GmbH’s infrastructure planning and decision-making.
- Pure Quantum State Without Cooling Effort
➀ ETH Zurich researchers demonstrated a near-pure quantum state (92% quantum purity) in a nanoparticle tower at room temperature without cryogenic cooling;
➁ The experiment achieved suppression of classical motion, observing quantum fluctuations in an object containing hundreds of millions of atoms—a record in scale and purity for room-temperature systems;
➂ Potential applications include ultra-sensitive quantum sensors for dark matter detection, miniaturized medical imaging devices, and navigation systems independent of GPS satellites.
August 5
- Innovative Digital Teaching Projects: Free State of Thuringia Funds TU Ilmenau Projects
➀ The Free State of Thuringia and the Stifterverband are funding two digital teaching projects at TU Ilmenau, focusing on virtual 3D energy systems and machine learning-based modeling of complex systems;
➁ The first project uses browser-based 3D substation simulations to enhance electrical engineering students' understanding of energy systems, offering immersive and interactive learning experiences;
➂ The second project integrates real-time experimental data with machine learning to teach interdisciplinary applications, such as weather prediction and traffic modeling, while promoting open access to educational resources for other institutions.
August 4
- Passionately Committed to Computer Science: FZI Co-Founder Professor Peter C. Lockemann Passes Away
➀ Professor Peter C. Lockemann, co-founder of the FZI Forschungszentrum Informatik and a pioneer in computer science and business informatics, passed away at the age of 89;
➁ He played a pivotal role in establishing Germany's first computer science faculty at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and co-founded FZI in 1985, shaping it into a leading IT research and technology transfer institution;
➂ His research focused on databases and distributed information systems, and he received numerous accolades, including an honorary doctorate and the Federal Cross of Merit, for advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge transfer between academia and industry.
- How Franconian Factory Halls Become Smart Factories
➀ The Hochschule Coburg’s "inAdditiv" project assists SMEs in adopting smart factory technologies like AI, sensors, and digital twins to enhance sustainability and production efficiency;
➁ It focuses on four areas: energy-efficient production systems, autonomous automation, immersive AI-driven technologies, and intelligent additive manufacturing, showcasing solutions through a demonstrator platform;
➂ Funded by the EU and Bavaria, the initiative collaborates with regional partners, particularly in automotive-impacted areas, to strengthen local innovation and align with EU low-carbon economic strategies.
August 1
- Dr.-Ing. Ronny Tobias Zimmermann Awarded the Max Planck Society's Otto Hahn Medal
➀ Dr.-Ing. Ronny Tobias Zimmermann received the Otto Hahn Medal for his research on reactor and catalyst pellet designs enabling flexible chemical energy storage via Power-to-X processes;
➁ His work developed core-shell catalyst pellets that prevent temperature spikes under dynamic renewable energy conditions, maintaining high product yield without requiring reactor modifications;
➂ The innovation offers an economically viable solution for large-scale energy storage, with Zimmermann currently leading a research group at the Max Planck Institute in Magdeburg.
- HiQ-CARB Project: More Sustainable Conductive Carbon Additives for Lithium-Ion Batteries
➀ The HiQ-CARB project developed sustainable conductive additives (carbon nanotubes and bio-based acetylene black) to reduce CO₂ emissions in lithium-ion batteries, replacing fossil-based materials;
➁ The additives improved battery performance, reduced material usage, and were validated in production by partners like Fraunhofer ISC and CustomCells, enabling lighter and more cost-effective batteries;
➂ Life cycle analysis confirmed a 50% lower CO₂ footprint compared to conventional methods, supporting Europe's transition to eco-friendly battery manufacturing and electric mobility.
- Real-Time Measuring Method Extends Lifespan and Enhances Safety of Batteries
➀ Fraunhofer IFAM developed dynamic impedance spectroscopy for real-time monitoring of battery status during operation, improving safety and lifespan;
➁ The method enables immediate detection of overheating in electric vehicle batteries and optimizes charging strategies, reducing wear;
➂ Applications extend to renewable energy storage and safety-critical sectors like aviation, supporting diverse battery technologies, including solid-state and sodium-ion.
- Listening for Damage to Wind Turbines
➀ Fraunhofer IIS and IWES developed an acoustic sensor system with a specialized chip to remotely detect rotor blade damage in wind turbines, reducing costly inspections.
➁ The chip captures structural sound anomalies, transmits minimal data via mobile networks, and enables real-time monitoring, optimizing maintenance for offshore wind farms.
➂ Future upgrades aim to detect lightning strikes, enhancing reliability and supporting the energy transition through improved turbine durability.
- Detecting Damage in Wind Turbines via Acoustic Sensing
➀ Fraunhofer IIS and IWES developed a chip-based acoustic sensor system to remotely monitor internal damages (e.g., cracks) in wind turbine blades, reducing costly offshore maintenance;
➁ The solution captures structural sound waves via body sensors, identifies damage-specific acoustic patterns, and transmits only critical data via mobile networks for low-bandwidth efficiency;
➂ The ongoing project expands the system to detect lightning strikes, building on prior prototypes to enhance offshore wind farm reliability and optimize maintenance.
- Sustainable Mobility: Getting There Faster With AI
➀ Fraunhofer IOSB and partners developed an AI system for predicting shared mobility availability, improving intermodal transportation planning with real-time and historical data;
➁ The AI integrates into the GBFS standard, enabling routing apps to offer optimized, eco-friendly route suggestions combining public transit, bikes, and e-scooters;
➂ A public study showed 90% of users find AI predictions helpful, with 20% willing to reduce car usage, highlighting AI's role in advancing sustainable mobility.
- Sustainable Mobility: Faster to the Destination with AI
➀ The Fraunhofer Institute and partners developed an AI-based system in the DAKIMO project to predict availability of shared vehicles (e-bikes, scooters) and integrate intermodal route planning via apps;
➁ The system extends the global GBFS data standard to include AI-driven availability forecasts, aiming to simplify sustainable travel by combining public transport and shared mobility;
➂ A study shows 90% of users find the AI predictions helpful, and 20% would switch from private cars to public options, supporting climate goals.
- A Less Debilitating Approach to Cancer Diagnosis
➀ Fraunhofer researchers developed a multimodal imaging method combining X-ray and radar technologies to reduce radiation exposure in diagnosing breast and lung cancers;
➁ The approach co-registers X-ray and radar data, enhances image quality through reconstruction algorithms, and integrates radar data into CT scans to lower radiation doses and artifacts;
➂ The project aims to establish a lab system for accurate, low-radiation cancer diagnosis, funded by Fraunhofer with participation from multiple institutes.
- Gentler Cancer Diagnosis: Fraunhofer Combines X-ray and Radar for Safer Imaging
➀ Fraunhofer researchers develop a multimodal imaging method combining X-ray CT and radar to reduce radiation exposure in breast and lung cancer diagnosis;
➁ Radar provides 3D tissue imaging without radiation by analyzing electrical conductivity, complementing X-ray data for higher precision and artifact reduction;
➂ A three-year project aims to create a lab prototype for early, low-radiation detection of tissue changes, involving Fraunhofer EMI, MEVIS, and FHR institutes.
- European XFEL Heated to Room Temperature for Major Maintenance and Upgrades for the First Time
➀ The European XFEL’s superconducting linear accelerator, operating at -271°C for over 8 years, has been gradually warmed to room temperature for mandatory maintenance and upgrades, marking its first such shutdown since installation;
➁ Planned work includes replacing helium valves, installing a new electron source, and preparing for superconducting undulators to enhance X-ray intensity and enable nanometer-scale research, with operations set to resume in early 2026;
➂ The upgrade supports the facility’s 2032 development strategy, which aims to expand experimental capabilities for global researchers studying atomic structures and ultrafast processes using the world’s most powerful X-ray laser.
- HiQ-CARB Project: Sustainable Conductive Carbon Additives for Lithium-Ion Batteries
➀ The EU-funded HiQ-CARB project developed sustainable conductive additives (carbon nanotubes and acetylene black) for lithium-ion batteries, reducing CO₂ emissions and material usage;
➁ The additives improved battery performance, seamlessly integrated into existing production processes, and demonstrated a 50% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional materials;
➂ Partners like Fraunhofer ISC and CustomCells validated scalability, with life-cycle analysis confirming environmental benefits and Europe’s shift toward greener battery manufacturing.
July 31
- RoboCup in Brazil: CERI Team Wins Vice World Champion Title
➀ The CERI team from THWS secured second place in the @Work-League at RoboCup 2025, facing logistical challenges including complex robot transportation and last-minute technical adjustments;
➁ The competition tested autonomous robotics in industrial tasks, with SWOT excelling in precision and object recognition despite transport-induced electrical issues;
➂ German teams dominated the event, and Nuremberg was announced as the 2027 host, highlighting global collaboration and enthusiasm among participants and spectators.
- Success in the DFG Reinhart-Koselleck Program: TU Dresden Prof. Czarske Secures Prestigious Research Funding
➀ Prof. Jürgen Czarske's team at TU Dresden secured €1.5M funding through the DFG's Reinhart-Koselleck program for a 5-year project on physics-informed deep learning in fiber-optic security transmission;
➁ The project aims to address AI's explainability challenges and high energy consumption while developing energy-efficient optical neural networks for applications like secure communication and quantum computing;
➂ Innovations focus on combining data-driven AI with physical models to enable real-time light scattering measurements and reduce reliance on power-intensive GPUs.
July 30
- Graphene Revolutionizes Energy Technology: Scalable Supercapacitors from Graphene
➀ Empa researchers are developing graphene-based supercapacitors with higher energy density through precise pore-size control and scalable manufacturing processes;
➁ The team uses a gel-like graphene ink derived from graphite, enabling efficient industrial-scale production and improved electrode performance;
➂ The project aims to commercialize the technology by 2028, with prototypes integrating optimized electrolytes and electrode designs for reliable energy storage solutions.
- Leading the Way in Industrial-Scale Hollow Embossing: Fraunhofer IWU Presents flexROLLmax
➀ Fraunhofer IWU introduced the flexROLLmax, a system expanding hollow embossing capabilities to large-format components like electrolyzer plates, complementing its existing BPPflexROLL for fuel cells;
➁ The system leverages a continuous roller process, reducing costs and process forces by 10x, while enabling high-throughput production and flexibility for diverse applications;
➂ Developed under the H2Giga project (funded by the German Federal Ministry), it will debut at the B2B Production Forum, showcasing advancements in hydrogen system manufacturing and digitalized forming processes.
- Leading in Industrial-Scale Hollow Embossing Rolling: Fraunhofer IWU Presents flexROLLmax
➀ Fraunhofer IWU introduces **flexROLLmax**, an advanced hollow embossing rolling system for large-scale production of components like electrolyzer plates, expanding applications in fuel cells and heat exchangers;
➁ The system achieves **10x lower process forces** compared to conventional methods, enabling cost-effective, energy-efficient production with modular designs for flexible geometry adaptation;
➂ Integrated sensors and AI algorithms support real-time quality monitoring, minimizing defects, while the B2B Production Forum (September 2025) will showcase its potential for hydrogen systems and industrial manufacturing.
July 29
- Cutting-edge Technology for Pediatric Cancer Wards - MultiDrug-TDM: New LOEWE Focus for Medical Technology
➀ A new LOEWE research project at TU Darmstadt, funded with €4.3 million, aims to develop a portable bedside sensor system for real-time drug monitoring in pediatric cancer patients;
➁ The system will enable personalized dosage adjustments by analyzing drug concentrations in blood samples on-site, replacing time-consuming lab processes and improving treatment efficacy and safety;
➂ Combining expertise in biosensors, AI-driven data analysis, and clinical oncology, the interdisciplinary project could pioneer intelligent, adaptive medical technology and strengthen Hessian research networks.
- Many analytical applications made possible by one flexible IR laser system
➀ Fraunhofer IZM and partners developed a modular quantum cascade laser (QCL) system on a glass board, enabling compact and precise multispectral infrared (MIR) spectroscopy for applications in medical, environmental, and industrial fields.
➁ The system integrates up to three QCLs with programmable nanosecond pulses, temperature-stabilized cavities, embedded drivers, and optical components, allowing operation in harsh environments and miniaturizing traditionally bulky analytical devices.
➂ Funded by the Berlin IBB and EU’s EFRE program, the project builds on prior thin-glass platform research, aiming to democratize advanced spectroscopy technology for SMEs through cost-effective, scalable R&D solutions.
- A Flexible Infrared Laser for Versatile Analytical Applications
➀ Fraunhofer IZM and Laser Electronics LE GmbH developed a modular laser system using Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) to target the mid-infrared (MIR) spectrum for multispectral analysis, enabling precise detection of organic substances;
➁ The system integrates lasers, drivers, and optical components on a thin-glass substrate with temperature-stabilized cavities, allowing miniaturization, rugged encapsulation, and operation in harsh environments;
➂ Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Berlin Investment Bank, the project aims to reduce development costs for SMEs and enable portable spectroscopic devices in fields like medicine and environmental monitoring.
- Kenya PtX Atlas Reveals Potential for Green Ammonia from Renewable Energy
➀ The Kenya PtX Atlas, developed by Fraunhofer IEE and partners, identifies optimal locations for green ammonia production in Kenya using renewable energy;
➁ The open-data tool combines GIS analysis and economic evaluations to support investment, local value creation, and Europe's climate-neutral energy transition;
➂ Four key regions in Kenya demonstrate cost-effective production potential, emphasizing sustainable industrialization and international collaboration for green energy adoption.
July 25
- Students from Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena Develop Space Experiment for NASA Mission
➀ A team from Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena developed the SELDOM experiment to test radiation protection technology for space electronics, launching on NASA’s Artemis II mission via the TACHELES satellite;
➁ SELDOM detects cosmic radiation-induced failures (Single Event Latchups/Upsets) using microcontroller-based circuits to protect components like microchips;
➂ Supported by industry partners, the project highlights the university’s role in advancing practical aerospace innovations.
- Future-Oriented Teaching with ALepa.nrw
➀ ALepa.nrw offers adaptable digital learning materials for physics and electrical engineering, developed collaboratively by six universities in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW);
➀ The open-access resources, hosted on the ORCA.nrw platform, support flexible teaching methods and self-study, covering core topics like mechanics, semiconductors, and circuitry;
➂ Funded by the NRW state government, the initiative aims to modernize STEM education and address the shortage of skilled professionals in technical fields.