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The use of combined heat and power (CHP) units has been promoted for decades because they generate both electricity and heat on site as required and can therefore make optimum use of the energy content of fuels. As with all combustion processes, however, this produces CO2, which contributes to global warming.

Better batteries for a greater range of electric vehicles – this is the goal of the “EMBATT-goes-FAB” project sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. For that reason, the four project partners thyssenkrupp System Engineering GmbH, IAV GmbH, Daimler AG and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS are developing bipolar batteries and processes for their fabrication. Thanks to their unique stacked layout, a higher storage capacity and, ultimately, a greater range of the vehicle are achieved using the same surface area. The innovative battery technology will now be taken to the next level of maturity and thus one step closer to industrialization.

On November 14, 2018, the kick-off meeting for a German-Korean ZIM project took place in Hanover. Under the name "ImplantHoloCut", a test method for the immunobiological assessment of implant materials is to be developed over the next three years.

After a successful assessment center at the Federal Research Ministry the innovative regional growth center “smood” will now take up its work. In the next years, new products and services will be developed to energetically remodel an existing neighborhood. IKTS will conduct research into a decentralized storage system, which will store energy from renewable sources.

Bodo Ramelow, Thuringia’s Minister President was briefed on current research projects.

Extremely hard tools are required in forming technology, metal-cutting and process engineering. They are conventionally made by powder pressing. Although this achieves a high degree of hardness, it is often necessary to carry out a complex and therefore expensive post-processing. Additive manufacturing enables complex geometries, but has been limited in terms of hardness and component size so far. Researchers at the Fraunhofer IKTS in Dresden have now adapted the 3D printing process Fused Filament Fabrication for hardmetals. The development meets all requirements for the first time.

The increasing global demand for fish cannot be met in the long term without aquaculture. In order to maintain high quality standards, enormous quantities of fresh water have to be provided. In a joint project with partners from research and industry, Fraunhofer IKTS scientists have developed ceramic filtration systems that not only clean the water in aquacultures, but also adsorb disturbing odors and flavors.

On his summer tour through „digital Thuringia“ Wolfgang Tiefensee, Thuringian minister for economy, science, and digital society, visited the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS.

In the future, closed carbon loops play an important role to drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions and ensure safe and cost-effective access to carbon sources as the basis for products of the chemical industry. In order to increase the efficiency and thus profitability of the synthesis processes required for this, Fraunhofer IKTS has developed a new membrane reactor in cooperation with the Thuringian company MUW-SCREENTEC GmbH.

Pharmaceutical residues in waste water pose new challenges for municipal water treatment. Established methods are frequently found lacking when it comes to removing such substances. A treatment module developed at Fraunhofer IKTS provides a remedy and completely eliminates these harmful substances.