Press Releases

The ALBACOPTER®, the result of a flagship project by the Fraunhofer Society, successfully completed its maiden flight in August 2025 at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) National Test Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems in Cochstedt. Representatives of the participating Fraunhofer Institutes, the Fraunhofer Society, and partner companies celebrated this success on September 17 at the Karlsruhe Research Factory, took stock, and outlined findings and conclusions for future aviation projects.

Artificial intelligence, quantum technology and sustainable microelectronics: at the MicroSystem Technology (MST) Congress 2025 in Duisburg, Fraunhofer IMS will demonstrate how today's research solutions are shaping the technologies of tomorrow. Through the involvement of Institute Director Prof. Dr. Anton Grabmaier in the congress management, Fraunhofer IMS is also helping to shape the direction of the MST Congress at a strategic level.

The rapid increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria is one of the most pressing challenges facing global health. A new transatlantic Fraunhofer research project aims to counter these threats with an innovative diagnostic approach: a microfluidic rapid test system using carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) will make bacterial resistance visible in just a few minutes, significantly faster than conventional methods.

Under the motto “Bridging Science and Industry,” the Terahertz Sensor Technology Center – a joint initiative of the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS and the Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR – will host a high-profile workshop in Duisburg on December 1–2, 2025. The event will focus on current developments in terahertz sensing and photonic integrated circuits (PIC).

The future of artificial intelligence is coming to Duisburg: On September 16, 2025, the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence Duisburg (ZaKI.D) is hosting its second AI StartUp Festival. The event is part of ruhrSTARTUPWEEK and brings together visionary founders, experts, and talented individuals under the motto »AI start-ups for a sustainable economy!«

For four decades, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS has been shaping microelectronics research in Germany and worldwide. Today, the institute brings light to chips, sensor technology to tissue, and intelligence to machines. And it does so with technologies whose applications range from implants to industrial systems.

Targeted nerve stimulation instead of drugs: With the kick-off of the PREPARE project DUSTIN, a promising research alliance for the visionary treatment of autoimmune diseases is starting its work. Four Fraunhofer Institutes are pooling their expertise to develop a miniaturized, battery-free implant that communicates and is powered by ultrasound. The project is receiving €3.5 million in funding.

Detecting microplastics and identifying plant pests at an early stage – this and much more can now be done thanks to a new method based on near-infrared light measurements. It is inexpensive and works in real time.

In order to avoid overloading the power grid, a project funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) developed a sensor system supported by an AI that was tested in the distribution network of the Haßfurt municipal utility company in a pilot project.

Successful completion: With a meeting of the ZaKI.D project team and the company Häuser & Co. GmbH on March 7, 2025, the first implementation project KIMETRO of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence (ZaKI.D) was successfully completed. The team, led by Ole Werger, made significant progress in the automated processing of metal pipes using artificial intelligence (AI).