Install, solder, saw – on the Germany-wide “Girls’ Day” the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS in Duisburg enabled a peek behind the scenes of the research institute for interested students. For the students there was not only a lot to see, but also much to experience. In total there were 15 girls of different schools in the Ruhr area who took the chance to take a peek into the labors of the Fraunhofer institute. During their tour through the research facility in Duisburg the 14 to 16-year olds passed four stations, in which they were able to observe the development of a wafer and also to pitch in themselves. Among other things they helped – equipped with appropriate laboratory clothes –in processing wafers in the clean room.

Wafer in microelectronic are mostly circular, about one millimeter thick semiconductordiscs that are used for the production of microchips and are manufactured since more than 3 decades at Fraunhofer IMS. The girls sawed and soldered and also produced a pendant made of a wafer, which they could take home as a memory. On this day, they were accompanied by scientific employees of the institute.

“The “Girls’ Day” gives us a great opportunity to show scientific interested students which exiting professions and fields of activity can be practiced at Fraunhofer IMS” says Sonja Allani, doctoral student at the institute. “We want to awake interest of these young girls in technical and scientific professions and in the past some of the students also completed an internship here after their visit on “Girls Day””.

Since 2001 once-a-year, companies, universities and research facilities open their doors nationwide for students starting from class 5 on “Girls’ Day”. The girls get to know training professions and courses of study in IT, craft, science and technology, in which women have been rather rarely represented so far. In the framework of the “Fraunhofer TALENTA” program, the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft supports targeted female scientists and executives. Besides the financial support for winning and sustainable promotion of female scientists, the focus lies on individual carrier development.

Fraunhofer IMS

Since 30 years, scientists at Fraunhofer IMS in Duisburg deal with the development of microelectronic circuits, electronic systems, microsystems and sensors. Because of its comprehensive know-how, the access to technology and the high-quality development work the institute is a worldwide recognized partner for industry. In eight business units Fraunhofer IMS is dedicated to
applied research, advance development for products and their applications. Stable, efficient and marketable technologies and procedures that are used in extremely many branches take center stage in contract work.

www.ims.fraunhofer.de