Developing innovative technology solutions and bringing them into application - that is the goal of Fraunhofer IPMS. As experts in the development of photonic microsystems, associated technologies including nanoelectronics and wireless communication solutions, we offer our customers many years of experience and state-of-the-art know-how.  Numerous products and technologies developed at the Fraunhofer IPMS are already in use and can be found in all relevant markets, such as information and communication technology, consumer electronics, automotive technology, semiconductor industry and medical technology. We present a few selected examples here.

 

Smart Industrial Solutions (Logistics, Production, Process control)

The factory of the future will be more digital, more efficient and more automated. Machines, production and services will be intelligently connected across technologies. In the application area Intelligent Industrial Solutions, Fraunhofer IPMS is therefore developing innovative solutions in the areas of logistics, production and processes. In the future, automated systems and robots will make work easier for people. In order to make this vision a reality, Fraunhofer IPMS is developing sensors based on microelectromechanical systems, optical components as well as actuators that detect the environment and make interaction safe. Sensor technology becomes the sensory organ of digitalisation: it forms the interface between machine and human. For the information transfer of the data collected by the sensors, Fraunhofer IPMS is also developing communication technologies and interfaces that can transmit data securely, in real time and with high bandwidth.

 

Medical and Health (Prevention and Therapy, Diagnostics and Sensors, Medical Imaging)

Health is a valuable commodity - an important field of application for the photonic microsystems of the Fraunhofer IPMS are therefore technologies for improved prevention, diagnostics and therapy in the medical field. Because life expectancy is increasing worldwide and with it the number of chronic diseases. Health awareness is also growing and the need for innovative prevention and diagnostics is increasing. MEMS technologies can be used in preventive medicine, for example to detect ingredients in food or to diagnose diseases at an early stage thanks to the latest visual imaging techniques. In addition, micromechanical components enable novel forms of therapy and the targeted dosage of medicines.

The research and development activities in the field of medicine and health are carried out in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Project Hub for Microelectronic and Optical Systems for Biomedicine (MEOS) in Erfurt, Germany.

 

Quality of Life (Automotive; Sport and Health)

The world of tomorrow is already taking place today - whether in the development of autonomous driving for more environmentally friendly mobility or research into the Internet of Things, which simplifies our everyday lives through artificial intelligence. Fraunhofer IPMS is developing the sensory organs for these applications - optical sensors with micromirrors that enable multidimensional perception of the environment as well as innovative communication solutions for data transmission of the Internet of Things. The technologies form the interface between the digital and real worlds and contribute to a better quality of life, energy efficiency and safety.