Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films ISTInnovation research is an important keyword with regard to the sustainable and positive economic development of a society. With regard to the 9th sustainabe development goal of the UN, the Fraunhofer IST is working on the following topics:
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Sustainable industrialization through sensor technology
In the era of Industry 4.0, the networking of production, logistics and customers is becoming increasingly important. Digitalization and automation of differing production processes play a major role in the development of sustainable industrialization. The Fraunhofer IST is therefore performing research into the development of various thin-film sensors which enable force, pressure, strain or temperature measurements. So-called “smart tools”, intelligent tools with extended functions, enable highly accurate measurements of loads in a multitude of industrial application fields, increase production efficiency, and contribute towards fulfilling heightened safety requirements. As an example, modules with thin-film sensor systems are integrated into thermoforming devices and propulsion machinery in order to ensure a more efficient forming and processing of components.
Wood fiber reinforced injection molded part in contact with sensor module.
Sustainable factory planning
A prerequisite of sustainable industrialization is an analysis of different life cycles. The Fraunhofer IST is therefore working on target-oriented and systemic factory planning in the field of battery cell production. Model-based planning, simulation and the operation of battery production systems are important factors thereby. The activities of the institute encompass the complete life cycle of battery systems - from raw materials through to battery recycling - and focus equally on technical, economic and ecological issues.
Holistic planning of battery cell production.
Innovation through simulation
The simulation and modelling of coating processes forms an important foundation for innovation. Based on data from a process simulation carried out at the Fraunhofer IST, it was possible to construct, for example, a “digital twin”, which enabled the development of highly complex precision optical filter systems.
Simulation of ten nanoparticles, likewise in the EOSS® system.