Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM has its main location in Technology Park Bremen. Around 400 employees work here every day on sustainable innovations for industry and society. The scientists carry out research and development work in interdisciplinary teams for various industrial sectors and application areas.
At the Bremen site, Fraunhofer IFAM has strong links with the local aerospace industry in particular, but developments for the energy sector and the maritime sector also account for a large proportion of the research work due to the proximity to the coast.
Our expertise lies, in particular, in metallic and polymer materials and the corresponding shaping and manufacturing processes. We develop new materials and functionalize them through surface technology and shaping processes. We also develop these techniques and technologies further with the aim of making production processes more efficient and sustainable. In the development of new materials and manufacturing processes, the institute is now increasingly focusing on biobased or biodegradable materials and sustainable processes.
The institute has built up an international reputation in the field of adhesive bonding technology. This joining technology is being researched at the Bremen site for 50 years and the institute is now a constant in further training in adhesive bonding technology. In 2018, the institute successfully spun off the Purenum GmbH in the field of adhesives for medical technology.
Furthermore, the institute bundles its expertise in materials science and manufacturing technology for automation and digitization in Industry 4.0. In addition, the researchers are contributing to the success of the energy transition with their developments and training courses in electromobility, energy technology and hydrogen technology.
Our partners from industry and science benefit from our state-of-the-art laboratories and technical centers. At the Bremen site, for example, the institute has accredited testing laboratories for materials testing, corrosion testing, paint and coating technology, materialography and analytics. Parts of the laboratories at the Bremen site are also recognized under the Nadcap conformity system relevant in the aerospace industry.
Our research transferred to higher education in Bremen and Bremerhaven
At the various locations of the institute, there exist intensive cooperation and networking with the respective universities. Also in Bremen and Bremerhaven, Fraunhofer IFAM tranfers its research knowledge into the higher education system. Our two institute directors hold chairs at the University of Bremen. In the Department of Production Technology, Prof. Matthias Busse has held the chair for "Near Net Shape Technology" since 2003 and Prof. Bernd Mayer for "Polymeric Materials" since 2010. The institute is also represented by another professorship in the Bremen university landscape: Prof. Andreas Hartwig teaches Macromolecular Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry/Biology at the University of Bremen.
In addition, numerous courses are held by our scientists from different departments. You can find our current courses for students here.
2021 is a special year: because then the University of Bremen will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Well connected with research and industry in the region
Fraunhofer IFAM conducts research for practical applications – also together with research partners and for companies in the region. To this end, the institute is continuously in exchange with all stakeholders. For example, the institute is a member of the UBremen Rersearch Alliance (UBRA) and occupies working space in ECOMAT (Bremen Center for Eco-efficient Materials and Technologies) for direct collaboration with local companies and research partners.
We are also represented in numerous industry associations, networks and initiatives to drive technological progress in the region. Here you will find a selection: