Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
We seize the opportunity to develop answers to current challenges
Professor Weißgärber, how do you see the current market situation and what are the biggest opportunities and risks for the Fraunhofer IFAM?
We are currently operating in a very dynamic environment that is characterized by many changes and upheavals. For example, in the energy industry: We are contributing decarbonization solutions to the necessary containment of climate change and the achievement of the so-called energy transition. This is also accompanied by drastic changes in mobility. Electromobility and hybrid-electric flying are important developments here. All these topics require innovation, but above all speed in their implementation, meaning the transfer to the market. The Fraunhofer IFAM in Dresden has set the right priorities with its core competencies and research topics.
Overall, I consider the market situation to be positive and there are many opportunities. Of course, it is essential for us to not lose sight of the risks posed by existing political conflicts and the associated economic uncertainties.
Fraunhofer is known to deliver what the economy needs: Innovations. What highlights of the Dresden branch of the institute in 2023 can and would you like to highlight?
I would like to mention examples from hydrogen technology. Firstly, together with an industrial partner, we were able to develop a demonstrator that couples the hydrogen storage system developed at Fraunhofer IFAM (POWERPASTE®) with a consumer (fuel cell) and demonstrates the functional principle.
In electrolysis, we have deliberately concentrated on alkaline electrolysis. The focus on electrode development regarding materials and production technology has led to many successes in terms of increasing performance but also upscaling production.
In addition, the strategic decision to dedicate ourselves to the topic of soft magnetic materials with an Attract group was the right one. In various projects, we were able to demonstrate the advantages of the powder metallurgy and additive-generative processes we use and show that it will be possible to reduce conversion losses – a significant contribution to CO2 reduction.
Everyone is talking about sustainability – what kind of contribution have we made to sustainability that you would like to mention here?
Of course, the topic is playing a role in more and more projects, for instance through the development of lightweight structures, the avoidance of critical raw materials and their replacement with other materials. Recycling issues are central as well.
But we also make a direct contribution through energy-saving measures at the institute itself.
In 2023 the EMATec (International Conference for Emerging Applications of PM & AM Materials and Technologies) was launched for the first time: How did the launch go and which target group does it focus on?
We held the first conference as a parallel conference together with METFOAM. My personal impression, together with the feedback from the participants, is that this was a complete success.
The long-term goal is to create a platform for exchange between users, material and component manufacturers, and applied research. This platform is missing in many places. For me, this is the basis for thinking, planning and then implementing innovations in precisely this circle. That is why we are particularly looking forward to the continuation in 2025.