Press releases 2012

The efficiency of a solar cell can decisively be increased by a surface structuring process. A novel laser based technology to structure organic solar cells has proved itself as a very fast and efficient process and is thus very promising for industrial applications.

The semiconductor industry is faced with the challenge of supplying ever faster and more powerful chips. The Next-Generation Lithography with EUV radiation will help meeting that challenge. Fraunhofer researchers have developed key components.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer IWS Dresden inexpensively produce single-walled carbon nanotubes for industrial applications using a process that is worldwide unique.

From June 12th – 13th 2012 Dresden will be the host of the international symposium “Nanofair”. The congress has proved itself as an excellent European platform for the field of nanotechnological research. Nanofair with its included exhibition will take place for the 9 th time and is organized by the Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoff- und Strahltechnik Dresden, DRESDEN-concept, the City of Dresden - Economic Development Office and the Nanotechnology Competence Center Ultra Thin Functional Films Dresden.

Eckhard Beyer, executive director of the Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoff- und Strahltechnik IWS has been awarded with the Fraunhofer-Medaille. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, the president of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, presented the prize within the framework of the 20 th anniversary of Fraunhofer at Dresden.

Dielectric elastomeric actuators (DEA's) represent a tremendous hope for the development of artificial muscles. Furthermore they can potentially serve as a viable, economically and environmentally friendly alternative to electric motors, pneumatics or hydraulic drives. In general the DEA´s are very simply constructed. An electrically insulating dielectric, made of elastomeric material, e.g. elastic bands or silicone, is placed in between two metal coated surfaces (electrodes). If an electrical voltage is applied, an electrostatic pressure will be generated, which forces the elastic material to stretch.

This year the Fraunhofer institutes and branches are celebrating their successful establishment in Dresden and are looking back on 20 years innovative spirit.