Press releases

The precise measurement of trace gases plays a key role in climate protection, industrial processes and the safety of critical infrastructure. This previously required large, expensive equipment. By further developing a well-known measurement method to be suitable for industrial use, a team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM has now succeeded in implementing highly sensitive gas sensor technology in a robust and compact format—at a fraction of the previous cost. Their efforts have earned the researchers the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize for 2026.

A team led by researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM has developed a new technological concept that is expected to transform the cooling systems market. Founded in 2026, Qurie GmbH develops solid-state heat pumps based on electrocaloric materials.

Nitrous oxide is the third most significant greenhouse gas in terms of climate impact after carbon dioxide and methane. It is primarily generated as a result of nitrogen fertilization in agriculture. The Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM has developed a compact and cost-effective measurement system that detects nitrous oxide emissions from farmland directly in the field. The system will help make fertilization more efficient in the future.

Identifying a single product or document among thousands based on its surface structure – that is the concept behind Origify. Fraunhofer IPM and Robert Bosch GmbH developed the technology for marker-free authentication and traceability in a long-standing research partnership. In January, Bosch Secure Authentication GmbH unveiled Origify at CES in Las Vegas. The company is now celebrating its first anniversary.

Photoacoustic sensors are highly sensitive to low gas concentrations. Thanks to innovative light sources and microphone chips, these sensors can be made into cost-effective, compact, energy-efficient systems. This enables them to monitor gases across large areas. As part of his doctoral thesis, Dr. Christian Weber from Fraunhofer IPM developed two sensor architectures to monitor carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, for which he was awarded the Hugo Geiger Prize.

Ultra-thin barrier layers on packaging effectively protect food and medicine from oxygen, moisture, and contaminants. The Film-Inspect sensor, developed at Fraunhofer IPM, measures the quality of these barriers during the coating process, enabling process control for the first time.

From February 4–5, industry, research, and space sector representatives met at Fraunhofer IPM in Freiburg to advance the New Space economy. They discussed how to transform New Space from individual missions into a scalable industry. What challenges does this industry face? During the event, over 60 participants from industry, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, New Space startups, and government aerospace institutions shared their insights.

Researchers at Fraunhofer IPM have developed a measurement method that determines the trajectory of rapidly moving small objects with micrometer precision in real-time. This method might provide a solution for target tracking, one of the unresolved issues in laser-based inertial fusion.

A fluorescence laser scanner makes it possible to measure the application of release agents in die casting processes. The measurement data provides the basis for controlling the application of release agents in metal die casting processes. Fraunhofer IPM will present the new method together with research partners at EUROGUSS 2026 in Nuremberg.

Parking spots are scarce in densely populated areas. To plan parking efficiently, authorities need precise data on the number of spots available on the streets. Street width is an important factor here, as it determines whether vehicles can park on one or both sides of a street. Fraunhofer researchers have developed new software that enables automatic and comprehensive street width detection.