…for High-Speed Light Modulation. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS, in collaboration with HOLOEYE Photonics AG, have developed a compact LCOS microdisplay with high refresh rates that enables improved optical modulation. This innovative microdisplay will be presented for the first time at the 31st International Display Workshops (IDW) 2024 in Sapporo, Japan. LCOS microdisplays are characterized by their low power consumption, small size, and lightweight design. They are used in switchable adaptive optics, particularly as phase modulators,…
Rice engineers take unconventional route to improving thermophotovoltaic systems. Researchers at Rice University have found a new way to improve a key element of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems, which convert heat into electricity via light. Using an unconventional approach inspired by quantum physics, Rice engineer Gururaj Naik and his team designed a thermal emitter that can deliver high efficiencies within practical design parameters. The research could inform the development of thermal-energy electrical storage, which holds promise as an affordable, grid-scale alternative to…
An international team led by the University of Surrey with Imperial College London have identified a strategy to improve both the performance and stability for solar cells made out of the ‘miracle material’ perovskite by mitigating a previously hidden degradation pathway. In a new study published in Energy and Environmental Science, Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) details how they, together with their collaborators, were able to produce lead-tin perovskite solar cells that reach more than 23% power conversion efficiency (PCE)…
SRI and University of Houston receive $3.6M to develop a microreactor to convert carbon dioxide to methanol using renewable energy. Key Takeaways: Innovative Technology Focus: The PRIME-Fuel project is developing modular microreactor technology to convert carbon dioxide into methanol, representing a novel approach to renewable fuel production. Sustainable Fuel Potential: The technology could enable cost-effective methanol production, which offers a pathway to significantly reduce emissions and promote sustainable fuel alternatives. Collaborative Research Effort: This partnership between UH and SRI showcases…
As demand surges for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, lithium-ion batteries need to deliver higher energy densities at lower costs. While conventional cathode materials like LiFePO4 and Li-Ni-Co-Mn-O are widely used, they often fail to balance performance with affordability. Lithium-rich manganese oxides (LRMOs) have emerged as a potential alternative due to their high capacity and cobalt-free composition. However, their low initial Coulombic efficiency and rapid voltage decay have limited their broader application. Addressing these challenges requires deeper research to…
In the construction and building sector, sustainable solutions for reducing energy requirements and improving the carbon footprint are more in demand than ever. In view of rising energy prices and strict regulations for lower energy consumption in buildings, innovative technologies such as perovskite and organic solar cells offer great potential. However, the cost, durability and efficiency of these solar cells pose a major challenge. As part of the EU-funded PEARL and BOOSTER projects, the Fraunhofer FEP is developing new coating…
In the dark ocean depths, seals hunt prey with their highly sensitive whiskers, which detect vibrations. And it is the design of those hairs that inspired a University of Texas at Dallas researcher to develop a sensor to monitor turbulence in the deep ocean. “The geometry of seal whiskers is not circular; the whisker’s shape is twisted cylinders,” said Dr. Yaqing Jin, assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Jin was recently…
Data is power. According to Dinesh Bharadia, an associate professor at UC San Diego in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with an affiliate appointment in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Qualcomm Institute (QI), “data will be the next decade’s ‘silicon.’” The rapid growth of the Internet of Things means that data is more readily available and easily accessible than ever. Sensors, “smart” devices and software connect our world to the cloud, gathering information and enabling new…
Using hydrogen to generate electricity does not cause any climate-damaging emissions. But storing and transporting the gas pose technical challenges. With this in mind, Fraunhofer researchers use ammonia, a hydrogen derivative that is easier to handle, as a starting material. Ammonia is cracked in a high-temperature fuel cell stack, and the hydrogen produced in this process is converted to electricity. The waste heat can be used as heat energy, for example. There are high hopes for hydrogen and its derivatives…
Advancements in industry and technology are constantly demanding new solutions for the manufacturing of microchips regarding the technical, economic and also ecological perspective. The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS has established itself as a strong partner to industry with its pioneering research and state-of-the-art equipment. The range of services includes all steps “from lab to fab” – from consulting and process development to pilot production. While systems and components have to meet ever higher performance requirements, it is also…
Made in Lower Saxony l Germany. Resource-efficient, flexible automated production – Newly developed milling kinematics on a linear axis enables versatile and efficient machining of lightweight materials to metals up to steel with a production tolerance of up to 0.1 millimeter. The challenge of the successfully completed Lower Saxony LuFo project “Robots Made in Lower Saxony 2” (“RoMaNi 2”) was to close the gap between industrial robots and machine tools. The result of the R&D work led by Fraunhofer IFAM…
REEsilience partners Inserma and Mkango subsidiaries, HyProMag Ltd and HyProMag GmbH, are advancing innovative methods to recover rare earth materials from end-of-life products, reducing the need for virgin Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and minimising environmental impact: To this goal, they have now entered into an agreement to commercialise automated pre-processing of hard disk drives, loudspeakers and electric motors, aiming to deploy this technology globally and create a secure, sustainable supply of REEs. Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are essential components in…
A Virginia Tech team has devised a new method for creating soft, flexible electric connections across and through circuit layers, paving the way for advanced soft robotics, wearable devices, and more. If a phone or other electronic device was made of soft materials, how would that change its use? Would it be more durable? If hospital health monitoring equipment was made of less rigid components, would it make it easier for patients to wear? While electronics of that type may…
Batteries are a key building block for a successful energy transition, whether for the electrification of transport, the stabilization of the power grid or balancing fluctuations in green electricity. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has been conducting research along the entire battery value chain for many years. With the inauguration of the Center for Electrical Energy Storage on october 22, the institute has access to state-of-the-art laboratories which enable cutting-edge international research. Currently the institute’s research focus…
New Finnish consortium brings cleaner solutions to marine and off-road transport. The Flexible Clean Propulsion Technologies (Flex-CPT) project consortium, led by the University of Vaasa, Finland, aims to develop innovative, clean, and flexible solutions for maritime transport and off-road machinery. The goal is to reduce dependency on single fuel types, develop flexible hardware design, smart combustion control, efficient thermal management, and adaptive emission and hybrid energy management. These solutions will make it possible to use zero- and low-carbon fuels in the best…
Fraunhofer IPMS and BASF celebrate ten years of collaboration. More power, more energy-efficiency, more complexity – manufacturers of modern microchips are constantly facing new challenges, also regarding the electrical connections required. Fraunhofer IPMS and BASF have been working together on this problem for ten years. The teams have pooled their infrastructure and expertise and thus have made it possible to evaluate chemicals, processes and product tests for chip integration on an industrial scale. The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS…
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