Press releases

Brain researchers have high hopes for quantum sensors to provide deeper insights into the brain one day. This is also a research focus of Fraunhofer IPM. Two events in December provided an insight into the topic: Professor Svenja Knappe delivered a public Carl-Zeiss-Humboldt Lecture to show how quantum sensor technology could advance brain diagnostics and therapy, and an experts’ workshop explored the topic of optically pumped magnetometers for magnetoencephalography.

Researchers at Fraunhofer IPM and their partners have now shown that logs and trunk sections can be identified based on the structure of the cut surfaces. As part of the DiGeBaSt research project, the team developed a marker-free and tamper-proof optical method that allows up to 100 percent recognition – even under the rough environment conditions of the timber industry.

Twenty young scientists were thrilled to spend two weeks traveling across Germany as participants of the Fraunhofer Photonica Summer School and dive into photonics, light and lasers. Fraunhofer Photonica was organized by the Fraunhofer Group for Light & Surfaces chaired by Fraunhofer IPM.

Converting digital building data into 2D plans or 3D models quickly and easily – that is the business model of bimeto GmbH. The Freiburg-based start-up, which was spun off from Fraunhofer IPM, offers solutions to digitize and automate construction planning and thus make it more efficient. A few months after entering the market, the company employs four people and is already cooperating closely with partners from industry.

In the recently completed “HoloMotion” research project, Fraunhofer IPM has greatly enhanced the established 3D measurement method of digital multiwavelength holography in two directions: On the one hand, components in motion can now be measured with high precision for the first time. Secondly, optical gear measurement using digital holography has been raised to a new level.

Measurement systems ensure the quality of industrial products, optimize processes and provide safety. Over the past five decades, the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM in Freiburg has impressively demonstrated the enormous contribution to efficiency, sustainability and safety that measurement technology can make. This was recognized by representatives from politics and research at an anniversary event. In a panel discussion, the participants discussed how measurement technology can contribute to sustainable and affordable building and housing in the future.

Periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN) is a nonlinear-optical crystal with specific photonic properties. It is suitable for example for the frequency conversion of laser light. Researchers at Fraunhofer IPM in collaboration with the University of Freiburg have developed a new technique that allows them to structure PPLN with full flexibility and without masks. They will present the new technique at the LASER World of Photonics trade fair in Munich.

Revolutionizing the production of fuel cells – that’s the ambitious goal set by seven partners from research and industry. i-skaB is a joint project for innovative, scalable fuel cell production as well as stack production at 30-second intervals. The project was launched at the beginning of the year and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport.

The Carl-Zeiss-Humboldt Research Award 2023 goes to quantum optician Svenja Knappe from the University of Colorado at Boulder, USA. She is currently conducting research at Fraunhofer IPM as a guest scientist. Since 2022, the Humboldt Foundation is presenting an annual award to an internationally recognized scientific personality from abroad. The award is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.

A combination of Fourier transform analysis and quantum effect allows the spectral properties of different substances to be detected quickly and precisely. In her dissertation conducted with the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM, Dr. Chiara Lindner developed a quantum Fourier transform spectrometer that can do just that – with just one millionth of the light intensity of standard spectrometers. For her work, she was awarded the Hugo Geiger Prize that honors outstanding doctoral theses in the field of ap-plied research.