News and Media

On February 19, 2025, the Fraunhofer Founder Award, endowed with 50,000 euros, was presented to Fusion Bionic GmbH. The Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS’s spin-off impressed with its bio-inspired laser technology, creating a new standard in ultrafast surface processing for a wide range of industrial applications.

A consortium comprising Fraunhofer IWS, the TUD Dresden University of Technology, ArianeGroup, and the Warsaw Institute of Aviation has achieved a significant breakthrough in aerospace engineering: the first successful hot gas test of a 3D-printed aerospike engine powered by a combination of sustainable hydrogen peroxide and kerosene propellant. This project was conducted under the ESA-funded ASPIRER initiative. The test results hold the potential to enhance the efficiency of space missions significantly.

Methods such as computer tomography and ultrasound provide a non-destructive view into the interior of a workpiece. However, they provide too little information about the structure and properties of the material. Serial sectioning is a different matter. Although the sample part is gradually removed, the method offers clear advantages over non-destructive methods. Dr. Jörg Bretschneider explains the potential of serial sectioning, including with regard to automation using robots.

The scarcity of raw materials poses severe challenges to global industries. Recycling and the increased use of secondary raw materials have become essential for many companies. At the same time, rising raw material prices and uncertainties in supply chains are driving further research into materials. The Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS in Dresden is now involved in a new Fraunhofer flagship project, which aims to ensure the supply of structurally and functionally secure materials, particularly for the energy transition.