Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

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Circular Economy

How Fraunhofer institutes use circular design, digital materials expertise and bio-based materials to keep raw materials in continuous circulation.

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Science Year 2026: Medicine of the Future

Fraunhofer researchers are developing new active ingredients, precise diagnostic methods, intelligent data analyses and smart medical technology for this purpose. Our 4D approach entails an interdisciplinary combination of drugs, diagnostics, devices and data.

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Dr. Kai Sohn vom Fraunhofer IGB hat
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Opening the Door to Practical Applications

Artificial intelligence and innovative blood tests make it possible to detect cancer, sepsis and tuberculosis earlier and earlier. We can combat these effectively with new substances and personalized therapies. Fraunhofer researchers are now opening the door to the application of medical innovations.

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Luftaufnahme eines Containerschiffs im Seehafen, das für den Transport von Containern eingesetzt wird.
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Crisis-proofing supply chains

Smart algorithms can provide businesses with crucial support

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Informatikerin TagIine Treichel vom Fraunhofer IESE, lehnend an einem Inhouse-Geländer, im Hintergrund ist eine Konstruktionszeichnung einer Brücke großformatig an die Wand projiziert.
© Foto: Jonas Ratermann; Hintergrund: Eugene Sergeev/istockphoto

Critical infrastructure

Fraunhofer technologies aim to facilitate and accelerate service and maintenance of critical infra-structure

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Dr. Thomas Schreiber
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Research for Security

Gearing up: Fraunhofer is on the search for high-tech solutions to help better protect armed forces and the public.

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Battery cell manufacturing for the energy transition

Whether in electric vehicles, medical technology or smart devices, batteries have become a fixture of our everyday lives. As the global energy transition advances and the need for sustainable and low-emission technologies increases, demand for powerful energy storage solutions that conserve resources is also on the rise.

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3D-Suspensionskultur-Behälter.
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3D-Suspensionskultur-Behälter

The Future of Medicine

Developing new medications is becoming more and more expensive and taking longer and longer. Now, AI and miniature organs grown in a Petri dish are helping to change that.

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19.3.2026

Hugo Geiger Prize 2025

This year’s Hugo Geiger Prize for the best doctoral theses in applied research goes to three early-career researchers from Jena and Freiburg. Jointly awarded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi) and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the prize recognizes innovative solutions developed by doctoral researchers in close cooperation with a Fraunhofer institute.

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Fraunhofer IOF | New laboratories and machines for high-tech research / 10.3.2026

Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär inaugurates new research building

The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF inaugurated its newest research building today with a ceremony. In addition to Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär, Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt and other guests from politics, business, and industry took part in the celebrations. Special highlights in the new building include a new electron beam lithography facility for the production of photonic components and a ground station for satellite-based quantum communication.

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Press release Fraunhofer ISC | Cell-based wound care material / 13.3.2026

Rocket Launch for StellarHeal – Milestone for Future Wound Care in Space Flights and on Earth

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Fraunhofer discussion paper | March 2026

Design ECF and FP10 for Transformation, Not Incremental Change

Fraunhofer is once again contributing to the debate on the future European framework conditions for R&I. In addition to clear demands for investment and a portfolio approach, the paper's core element is a proposal for a governance model linking ECF and FP10. The proposal combines the funding of research and deployment holistically along the entire innovation chain in the interests of a competitive Europe.

Press release Fraunhofer IAF / 2.2.2026

EU selects SUPREME consortium to develop the union’s superconducting technology for wider industrialization

The European Union has granted EUR 25 million to the SUPREME consortium, marking a significant milestone in industrialization of superconducting quantum technologies across Europe. Together with national funding from the member states, the total funding adds up to 50 million Euros. Key objectives of the initiative include developing stable superconducting technology and giving access to it for both industry and academia. 

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Joseph von Fraunhofer Commemorative Year under the Patronage of UNESCO

June 7, 2026, marks the 200th anniversary of Joseph von Fraunhofer’s death. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft takes this as an opportunity to honor its eponym with numerous initiatives and events. UNESCO also pays tribute to Joseph von Fraunhofer as a pioneer who bridged research and practice by declaring 2026 a commemorative year in his honor.

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Fraunhofer Location Map

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Our offer for industrial customers

 

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Fraunhofer lead markets – our strategic customer segments

These strategic customer segments provide industry customers with access to Fraunhofer’s industry-oriented services.

For Customers and Partners
 

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Fraunhofer Match − a fast solution

Fraunhofer Match is the central platform for placing research requests with Fraunhofer. Our 75 Fraunhofer institutes cover all areas of applied research. You tell us about your challenge or project − and Fraunhofer Match will put you in touch with researchers who have the right expertise to help you work out solutions.

 

Fraunhofer magazine
3/2025

Cover story: Open the Door! New solutions for medicine | and much more

Fraunhofer Strategic Research Fields

Bioeconomy
Digital Healthcare
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Next Generation Computing
Quantum Technologies
Resource Efficiency and Climate Technologies
Hydrogen Technologies

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Latest news

1.4.2026

Module-Level Sensor System Detects Faults in Large Photovoltaic Power Plants Early

Present systems do not monitor large PV plants on the module level. Yet that is exactly where faults occur, which affect the connection of several solar modules in series, that is, the complete string. Research scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF are developing a sensor system together with partners, which provides a detailed view down to the module level, thus detecting all kinds of anomalies, soiling and defects early.
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1.4.2026

Customized Fertilization

Overfertilization in agriculture weakens crops, endangers drinking water quality and harms the soil. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB are now developing an alternative fertilizer that is fully biodegradable and only supplies plants with the nutri-ents they actually need, thus preventing overfertilization.
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1.4.2026

Removing Corporate Data from AI Models

The development of AI models in joint projects yields improved results because multiple companies contribute their data. The situation becomes critical, however, if a partner withdraws and requests the return of its data. With federated unlearning, Fraunhofer researchers and Fujitsu Research have developed a method for precisely removing data from decentralized AI models.
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1.4.2026

Electrochemical Process Enables Recovery of Valuable Raw Materials

Lithium, cobalt and nickel are in high demand – and they are hard to obtain. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM are developing an electrochemical process to recover scarce raw materials in battery recycling. This new technology could also enable the extraction of rare earth elements from electronic waste in the future.
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