Press / Newsroom

In winter, avalanches pose the biggest danger in mountains. Avalanche monitoring is therefore of critical importance to ensure the safety of people and infrastructure. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR are breaking new ground in avalanche detection. Passive radar — which uses signals from the new Starlink and One-Web satellite mega-constellations — enables them to detect whether avalanches have actually been triggered after controlled detonations, even in remote regions without terrestrial infrastructure. In a feasibility study, the researchers proved that satellite mega-constellations are suitable for avalanche detection.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are considered as a promising tool in medicine, with the potential to unlock treatments for many health conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases and disorders. However, producing large amounts of hiPSCs remains a challenge. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies TLC-RT at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC have now developed a bioreactor that can be used for automated long-term culturing of hiPSCs.

Robot systems explore unfamiliar terrain, buildings or danger zones with cameras. In the 3D-InAus project, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE are using a LiDAR laser on a mobile robot, emitting laser pulses to measure distances. The results are used to produce geometrically accurate 3D environments.

Paludicultures such as peat moss, reed and reed canary grass are already used as construction materials, animal feed and foodstuff. Due to their low lignin content, however, peatland plants could also be an attractive alternative to wood as a raw material source for sustainable paper packaging. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV have already demonstrated in feasibility tests that peatland plants have great potential for the manufacture of folding boxes, trays and similar items.

District heating networks are growing increasingly complex as a result of feeding in renewable energy and the trend toward decentralization. In the AD Net Heat project, Fraunhofer researchers are simulating heat flows throughout the entire network, predicting load peaks and helping to plan new grids.

A universal modular construction system: In the BAU-DNS flagship project, seven Fraunhofer institutes are developing innovative methods for the sustainable, modular and circular refurbishment of existing buildings, aimed at industry and small and medium-sized enterprises. They will be presenting recent findings and solutions at the BAU 2025 trade show in Munich from January 13 to 17.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will expand its activities in Heilbronn significantly with funding from the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. From 2025, a total of eight research and innovation centers will address research topics ranging from cybersecurity to quantum AI. This will provide an important impetus for innovation in Germany and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in these fields.

How can surgery be made more cost-effective, safer and more efficient in the future? An interdisciplinary French-German team has developed high-tech hybrid operating rooms that harness the power of 5G and AI to unlock whole new applications.

Up to now, wood waste has had to be disposed of at great expense and, at best, has been used to generate energy in incineration plants. Fraunhofer researchers are now using this valuable resource to produce biohydrogen in the Black Forest region of Germany. In the joint project H2Wood — BlackForest, fermentation processes using hydrogen-producing bacteria and microalgae have been specially developed for the biotechnological production of this green energy carrier. A pilot plant for the production of biohydrogen is to be commissioned as early as 2025. A study published as part of the project also examines the potentials, barriers and measures for regenerative hydrogen production from waste wood and old wood in the Black Forest region.

Worldwide, consumption of sugar has risen steadily in recent decades even though this food contributes to cavities, high blood pressure and widespread health issues such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In the joint research project NovelSweets, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME have teamed up with partners to use methods derived from biotechnology to produce innovative, protein-based sweeteners. Their goal is to replace sugar and existing sugar alternatives, especially in beverages.