Additive production and nanotechnology: topics that not only influence economic development, but also the everyday life of people, today as well as in the future. Among other things, industrial 3D printing helps to reduce production costs, saves process steps, makes customized production feasible and enables a variety of additional functionalities. The keyword "nanotechnology", on the other hand, encompasses a broad spectrum of new cross-sectional technologies with materials, components and systems, the function and application of which are based on the special properties of nanoscale (≤ 100 nm) elements. Nanotechnology is already an integral part of everyday life and makes new or improved products possible; it appears in displays, LEDs, solar and fuel cells as well as sunscreens and diagnostic medical examinations. Both additive manufacturing and nanotechnology are important areas of research at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The two new units will complement and strengthen these research fields.
Innovation driver in Hamburg
On the occasion of the opening of the Fraunhofer IAPT and the integration of CAN GmbH into the Fraunhofer IAP, Olaf Scholz, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, had the following to say: "Innovations are a guarantee for economic development and prosperity. The combination of outstanding science with business – which is the success model of Fraunhofer – is of great importance for the strength in innovation and competitiveness of Hamburg. With Laser Zentrum Nord and the Center for Applied Nanotechnology, we have two world-class facilities that will develop even more clout thanks to the transfer to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The expansion of the Fraunhofer activities documents the still young but very successful collaboration between Hamburg and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft."
Katharina Fegebank, Senator for Science, Research and Equality added: "Hamburg is well on its way to becoming a leading location for research and innovation in Europe. With the areas of 3D printing and nanotechnology, we have opened up fields of the future that will be the main drivers of innovation and engines of development for our city. The transfer of Laser Zentrum Nord and CAN to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft gives the two facilities a new boost and increases the attractiveness of the entire science and innovation location of Hamburg. Application-oriented research plays a crucial role in the transfer of insights from basic research into marketable products – and therefore has a major impact on the everyday life of people. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the top address for application-oriented Research in Europe."
Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, added: "With the transfer of LZN Laser Center Nord GmbH and CAN GmbH to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, we are increasing our competencies in the field of additive manufacturing and nanotechnology even further. That allows us to provide our customers and partners with even more intensive support in the near future. With the two new Fraunhofer units, we will be developing new technologies and solutions that strengthen and successfully position the German and European economy in fields such as aviation, medical technology and mechanical engineering."
Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Production Technologies IAPT
With the incorporation of LZN Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH into the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Hamburg, a competence center for additive production has been established with the goal of developing this manufacturing technology in a targeted manner by means of applied research and development services.
Prof. Claus Emmelmann, Managing Director of LZN Laser Zentrum Nord GmbH, on the change of the company's name: "With the transfer to a Fraunhofer Research Institution, the course has been set for the development of one of the future's most influential production technologies, additive manufacturing, in the Hanseatic city. This, in turn, will have a positive impact on infrastructure, since many companies will choose the location of Hamburg in the future in order to be able to benefit from the extensive expertise of the Fraunhofer IAPT. At the same time, we will double the number of our employees over the next few years."
Fraunhofer Center for Applied Nanotechnology CAN
As a technology transfer center in the field of nanotechnology, the Fraunhofer CAN translates research results into solution strategies for new or improved products, especially in the areas of functional materials, life science, as well as home and personal care. With its research focus on quantum dots/OLEDs, biofunctional nanoparticles and the expertise regarding nanoparticle synthesis by means of flux reaction, the new research area CAN ideally complements the skills of the Fraunhofer IAP.
"The connection to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft opens up completely new perspectives, even in areas in which we have previously not been active. In addition to cooperating with the Fraunhofer IAP, we will be opening up new thematic areas with other Fraunhofer institutes," says Prof. Horst Weller, who, in addition to heading the CAN research division, also holds a chair at the Department of Physical Chemistry at the University of Hamburg.
The future-oriented topics of additive manufacturing and nanotechnology
Additive manufacturing and nanotechnology are research fields in which the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has been active for a long time. Various institutions research and develop new technologies and solutions across institutes. With the Fraunhofer IAPT and the Fraunhofer CAN, the expertise that the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft can offer its customers and partners will be even greater. The two facilities are ideally integrated into the overall structure and will help to release the tremendous potential inherent in additive manufacturing and nanotechnology and to transform it into applicable technology.
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft