Surface technology is a driver of future innovation and crucial to the sustainability of products and processes, the reduction of adverse environmental impacts, and the promotion of resource efficiency. The high-tech start-up Fusion Bionic applies bio-inspired principles, such as the lotus effect, to technical surfaces using an ultra-fast laser process. The resulting bionic effects are based on extremely fine micro- and nanotextures that significantly improve the performance of surfaces and open up a wide range of innovative approaches in industries such as semiconductor technology, photovoltaics, and glass.

Disruption through Efficiency and Precision

Fusion Bionic’s laser technology integrates seamlessly into existing manufacturing processes and brings nature-inspired structural designs directly onto surfaces. Surface engineering can make a decisive difference in user performance: Photovoltaic modules, for example, gain self-cleaning properties, heat exchangers become more energy-efficient, and PFAS-free textiles become water-repellent. Fusion Bionic’s innovative laser technology can increasingly replace costly or environmentally problematic processes such as chemical etching, sandblasting, or plasma. As a result, companies can significantly increase their energy efficiency, reduce CO₂ emissions, and avoid environmentally harmful emissions.

Leading-edge Research as Asset in the Global Market

Fusion Bionic’s solutions are based on direct laser interference patterning (DLIP), a high-speed laser technology up to 100 times faster than established methods. Fusion Bionic offers services spanning application development, technology training, contract manufacturing, and hardware solutions based on DLIP technology. In April 2021, Fusion Bionic GmbH was spun off from Fraunhofer IWS with a team of researchers led by Dr. Tim Kunze and experts from the industry. It was supported by Fraunhofer Venture and Fraunhofer AHEAD in all phases of the founding process. In 2022, Fusion Bionic was awarded the Ray of Hope Prize by the US Biomimicry Institute as one of the best nature-inspired start-ups worldwide. In the same year, it received further recognition in the form of the Saxon Start-up Award and 2nd place in the Innovation Award Laser Technology, jointly organized by AKL Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik e. V. and European Laser Institute ELI e. V.

Technology Transfer as Symbiosis of Research and Progress

“Spin-offs offer the ideal opportunity for building a vibrant ecosystem centered on the research institute, from which start-ups and Fraunhofer will benefit in the long term. We are proud of our Fraunhofer roots and grateful for the support we have received from Fraunhofer IWS. The Founder Award motivates us more than ever to push forward with our vision: to work together to set new standards for innovative surfaces and develop new technological possibilities for companies. We very much look forward to continuing down this path with great energy,” says Dr. Tim Kunze, CEO and co-founder of Fusion Bionic GmbH.

After the award ceremony, Thomas Doppelberger, Head of Spin-offs and Shareholdings (Fraunhofer Venture), emphasized the close connection between research and commercialization: “The team of Fusion Bionic has demonstrated how leading-edge research can turn into effective innovations for German and international industry in a short period. Merely a few years after its spin-off, Fusion Bionic is already setting new standards in surface technology, demonstrating the immense potential of technology transfer from research.” “As a driver of innovation, Fraunhofer serves as an ideal catalyst for outstanding tech start-ups in Germany. Founders from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft benefit from strong start-up and financing conditions, which are made possible by the close partnership between HTGF and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft,” adds Dr. Alex von Frankenberg, Managing Director of High-Tech Gründerfonds.