Cooperations

Cooperations are the key to success! Through a close collaboration generate added value for all parties. Fraunhofer IMS participates actively in a variety of associations and networks – both inside the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and in industry-specific, technology-related and regional networks. Through this we want to encourage technological exchange and convey results from basic research in application areas of economic and social relevance. Based on this close project or long-term cooperation – e.g. with the University Duisburg-Essen – research findings are supposed to be implemented into innovative applications. Through the networking with other actors in the national and international environment there is an attractive range of offers available. Particularly in this respect, our close cooperation with the university hospitals in Aachen and Essen in the field of medical technology is of great significance. Not only does our institute participate in cooperations, but there are also memberships of our scientists in committees and trade associations like VDI, VDE or GMM.

The institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft are working together closely. They cooperate in networks or combine their skills flexibly according to the requirements. Thus, they secure their leading position in the field of fundamental research and in the implementation of integrated innovations. That is why Fraunhofer IMS is also connected to other facilities inside the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. One example is the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics. In this network there are currently working eleven Fraunhofer institutes with 3,000 employees on internationally linked top-level research in the field of nano- and microelectronics. Within the network, Fraunhofer IMS is characterized by its own continuous 8 CMOS line. These competencies are used for joint projects within the group. Moreover, we contribute with our long years of experience to the design of the Fraunhofer strategy in the field of silicon technology.

In addition, Fraunhofer IMS is part of the Forschungsfabrik Mikroelektronik Deutschland (FMD) – a global driver of innovation, consisting of eleven Fraunhofer institutes and two Leibniz institutes. As the biggest R&D network across different locations for microelectronics in Europe, this cooperation network offers a unique variety of competencies and infrastructure. The FMD is building a bridge between the fundamental research up to the customer-specific product development.

It is also important to mention that Fraunhofer IMS is a founding member of the Fraunhofer Ambient Assisted Living Alliance. In this alliance a range of innovative key technologies are linked, which are necessary to reach the overarching goal of integrated system solutions for AAL and personal health while covering the whole chain of value.

A special example for the work in cooperations is the Fraunhofer-inHaus-Center in Duisburg. Here, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is combining the potentials of three Fraunhofer institutes as well as 100 business partners and young start-up companies. Together the inHaus network partners are conducting cooperative research and development work and inspire each other in the process.The focus of the research work is on the areas of smart home, smart city and connected healthcare while the individuals and their needs are always the central focus.