Magazine

EFFICIENCY IN DISTRICT HEATING NETWORKS: ANALYZING CRITERIA AND POTENTIALS | The heat supply and thus also district heating in Germany must be climate-neutral by 2045 at the latest in order to achieve the climate targets to which Germany has committed itself by ratifying the Paris Climate Agreement. Fraunhofer IFAM is therefore working on the project “Definition and potential of efficiency in district heating networks (WäNEff)” to examine the future viability of efficiency criteria for district heating. The existing criteria and the integration of them into the regulatory law and / or the funding framework is examined and recommendations for the development of them are derived.

Additive manufacturing technologies are gaining increasing importance in the industry, particularly in series production. With the wide range of applications, the demands for new materials are also growing. Extrusion-based 3D printing processes, especially Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), play a key role here – especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Within the Reactive Printing project, latent reactive filaments based on epoxy resin are being developed. These innovative materials can be processed at low temperatures and crosslinked directly during the printing process to form thermoset components. This approach combines the easy processability of thermoplastic materials with the advantages of thermoset properties.

SUSTAINABLE AND SAFER JOINTS THROUGH METHODICAL ADHESIVE SELECTION AND QUALIFICATION | The selection of the right adhesive is a fundamental element of any manufacturing process, because if an unsuitable adhesive is used, this can lead to problems such as corrosion, reduced bond strength over the lifetime, adhesive creep with an increasing risk of failure of the bonded joint, and many other difficulties. For this reason, the experts at Fraunhofer IFAM have specialized, among other things, in providing manufacturer-independent support for customer-specific adhesive selection.

MECHANICAL JOINING TECHNOLOGIES AND ADHESIVE BONDING: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS IN HYBRID JOINTS | Hybrid joints combine different joining technologies and are increasingly used in various industries. The decisive strength of a hybrid joint is that advantages of the elementary joining technologies are used and disadvantages are compensated. Adhesive bonding can be advantageously combined with various mechanical joining processes, depending on the application and industry. Fraunhofer IFAM develops solutions for various industries, for example for transportation, white goods, or construction.

A NEW GENERATION OF GAP FILLERS FOR HEAT DISSIPATION FROM BATTERIES IN E-CARS | Heat dissipation from batteries is essential to protect them from overheating. This increasingly affects the batteries used in e-cars and other electric vehicles. Only if the batteries are protected from overheating, strong drive performance and long vehicle life can be ensured. This is enabled with gap fillers.

INTELLIGENT POLYMER NETWORKS ENABLE RESHAPING, RECYCLING AND BIODEGRADATION OF MATERIALS | Polymeric materials can be used in many ways and are characterized by their lightweight and mechanical properties. To increase the lightweight potential, plastics are reinforced with fibers to form fiber composites. However, due to consumer pressure and regulations, companies are increasingly looking for environmentally friendly and recyclable material substitutes for conventional polymeric materials and composites. For several years, Fraunhofer IFAM has been researching switchable thermosetting materials as a promising alternative.

In an interview with Professor Mayer, we explore the challenges of recent years and Fraunhofer IFAM's initiatives to promote sustainability and climate protection. He shares insights into current projects, innovative solutions, and future plans to make a positive impact for our planet.

In an interview with Professor Busse, we reflect on 21 years of impactful work at Fraunhofer IFAM. He shares insights into his successes and challenges, the developments in electromobility, and his plans for retirement. A captivating look back at innovations and an inspiring outlook for the future!

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR LARGE BONE DEFECTS | The development of the porous biomaterial TiFi represents a significant advancement in medical technology. Customizable mechanical properties and increased fatigue strength enable a longer service life for implants and improved integration into the tissue.

OFFSHORE DRONE CAMPUS CUXHAVEN: INNOVATIONS IN UAS TECHNOLOGY | The Offshore Drone Campus Cuxhaven (ODCC) promotes innovative UAS solutions for the maritime industry. The targeted development and testing of drone technologies is revolutionizing the maintenance and monitoring of maritime structures. Find out how the ODCC is increasing efficiency and safety in the offshore sector and creating sustainable solutions for the future.