Press Releases

Boost for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) in Germany: The PriFUSIO research project aims to systematically develop key technologies for climate-neutral fusion power plants of the future. The consortium, led by the ILT in Aachen, brings together fusion start-ups, medium-sized companies, large corporations, the Laser Zentrum Hannover, and the Fraunhofer Institutes IOF in Jena and ILT in Aachen, creating a diverse collaboration of industry and public research institutions. The project will focus on principles for targeted component development and explore practical photonic approaches for the commercial utilization of laser-driven IFE. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has allocated 18 million euros for the project over the next three years.

The optical industry almost completely relies on mechanical processes in its process chains. This, however, could soon change. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen is pushing ahead with digitally controlled laser processes that save both time and costs when aspheres and freeform optics are shaped, polished and their final shape is corrected. Fraunhofer ILT will be presenting the laser-based process chains of the future at the OPTATEC trade fair from May 14 to 16, 2024 in Frankfurt and at the 1st Aachen Conference “Laser-based Optics Production“ on October 15 to 16, 2024.

Innovative process technology enables energy-efficient drying of anodes and cathodes while at the same time reducing space requirements. As part of the IDEEL research project (Implementation of Laser Drying Processes for Economical & Ecological Lithium-Ion Battery Production), project partners from industry and research are developing a laser drying process for the more climate-friendly and economical serial production of lithium-ion batteries. Now, for the first time, the process has been successfully scaled up to a coating and drying speed of 5 m/min in a continuous process, proving that industrial implementation is technically possible and economically viable.

Outer space has never before seemed so close, with spaceflight hovering within reach. To enhance the competitiveness of European space transportation systems, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT are developing innovative manufacturing technologies for rocket components in the ENLIGHTEN project. The researchers will be presenting their results at the Hannover Messe (Hall 2, Booth B24) from April 22 to 26, 2024.

The recycling industry is increasingly relying on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to identify reusable raw materials in waste streams. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen is playing a leading role in developing this highly precise technology for element analysis and is continuously expanding its range of applications.

Tests on living cell cultures are becoming increasingly important for personalized medicine, drug development and clinical research. The Aachen-based Fraunhofer Institutes for Laser Technology ILT and for Production Technology IPT have developed an AI-assisted high-throughput process that now makes it possible to automatically isolate specific cell types. Using a so-called LIFTOSCOPE, laboratories can localize, identify and analyze dozens of living cells per second in order to transfer them to microtiter plates with laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT). At analytica 2024 in Munich, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will be presenting the innovative process to the public for the first time in Hall A3, Booth 407.

The sixth Laser Symposium Electromobility (LSE 24), organized by the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in January 2024, provided impetus for sustainable and economical production of electric vehicles. Seventy participants from industry and research came together to discuss laser-based manufacturing methods, particularly for the production of battery modules and packs. The key message from Aachen: Cleverly applied laser precision is not a luxury, rather a tangible competitive advantage.

X-ray light generated by a laser to inspect core components of electric cars // Laser technology enables particularly brilliant X-ray sources for use in industry // TRUMPF is leading the XProLas development partnership // The other partners are AMPHOS, Active Fiber Systems, BASF, Bruker, Cellforce, Excillum, Ushio Germany, Viscom, the University of Hanover and Fraunhofer Institutes in Aachen and Jena.

High-purity semiconductor crystals are required for power electronics in electric cars or in photovoltaics. When such crystals reach a diameter of 2 inches, they become relevant for industrial applications. Researchers from Japan and Germany have now developed a method to produce such crystals using a laser-based process, and without a crucible. The team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen has developed a process-adapted optical system for use with a 20 kW laser.

At a kick-off meeting in Cologne on January 30, 2024, a group of innovative minds gave the starting signal for a roadmap that will bundle the ongoing activities in the field of quantum technologies at universities, research institutes, start-ups and companies in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The two leading state ministries – for culture and science (MKW) and for economy, industry, climate protection and energy (MWIKE) –have commissioned the coordination office QT.NMWP.NRW and Forschungszentrum Jülich with implementing the roadmap. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen is responsible for coordinating it.