On site the institute is headed by Professor Ju-Liang He of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Responsible on the German side is Dr. Ralf Bandorf from Fraunhofer IST, who serves as distinguished chair professor at Feng Chia University since February 2018.

The aim of the joint institute is to develop solutions in the field of plasma technology tailored to the requirements of the Taiwanese market. For this purpose, a new coating plant has already been set up and put into operation in one of the three laboratories of the new institute. The core piece is a gas flow sputter source developed by Fraunhofer IST. Some smaller projects are already being processed. Professor He is satisfied: “With Fraunhofer IST, we have gained one of the world’s leading institutes in the field of plasma technology as a strategic partner.” 

Professor Günter Bräuer, Director of the Fraunhofer IST, is also pleased with the current development, as Professor Ju-Liang He of Feng Chia University has been in contact with IST scientists for several years. “The group is an important research partner - not only in the field of highly ionized plasmas. Professor He also opens doors for us to Taiwanese industrial partners. We are currently negotiating our first major industrial project,” he reveals.

In order to further promote cooperation and exchange between industry and research in Taiwan, Feng Chia University is planning a special funding program from which IoP will also benefit. However, future activities will not only focus on technology transfer to companies; German-Taiwanese relations will also be more closely interlinked at the scientific level. Therefore, among other things, an exchange of scientists and students is planned. A delegation from the university will visit the IST in April 2019.