Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems
Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems

Collaborations and Networks

Networks & Science Collaborations

Networks

Science Cooperations

Through professorships of its directors Hubert Lakner and Harald Schenk, Fraunhofer IPMS is closely linked with the Dresden University of Technology and also with the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg and the Dresden University of Technology and Economics. In addition to Fraunhofer IPMS industry business relationships and networking with other Fraunhofer institutes within the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics, these close affiliations make up a central pillar of the Fraunhofer success model. While the universities provide this special cooperation with innovative ability and competence in basic research, Fraunhofer IPMS contributes application-oriented research as well as technical equipment, contacts to businesses and market expertise. Students therefore receive both a well-founded theoretical education as well as practical training.

Dresden University of Technology

Since its founding, Fraunhofer IPMS has enjoyed a close partnership with the Dresden Technical University (TU Dresden). This applies in particular to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. Deans have traditionally been available to Fraunhofer IPMS in the role of advisory trustees. Prof. Dr. Hubert Lakner’s chair for optoelectronic components and systems as well as other faculties provide an intensive exchange with students and graduates in both basic and contract mission-oriented research. Examples of this collaborative research include regular joint public project proposals, publications, trade fairs and patent applications. With the “Functional Integration for Micro- / Nanoelectronics” High-Performance-Center the development of innovative components and manufacturing technologies was further intensified. #

Fraunhofer IPMS and TU Dresden also work together in external projects. One of the eleven designated „Universities of Excellence“ in Germany, TU Dresden has teamed with Fraunhofer IPMS and other partners from science and culture under the label „DRESDEN concept“ to coordinate a science strategy and highlight the outstanding research being conducted in Dresden.

Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg

As a result of Prof. Dr. Harald Schenk’s professorship in Micro and Nano Systems, as well as the new remote department "Integrated Silicon Systems", Fraunhofer IPMS is closely connected to the Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg. This unique cooperation includes the joint use of premises and laboratories at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and the provision of attractive graduate studies and further education in the field of photonic microsystems as well as joint research and development work.

The former "Mesonscopic Actuators and Systems"project group founded in 2012 continues as the new remote department "Integrated Silicon Systems" (ISS) of Fraunhofer IPMS at the Cottbus site. Moreover, the scope of research and development will be extended by the new working group "terahertz micro modules and applications". Further research activities of the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and Fraunhofer IPMS include working with other non-university research institutes in the project “iCampµs”.

Dresden University of Applied Sciences HTW Dresden

Cooperation with HTW Dresden in the area of Industry 4.0 and Industrial IoT began in 2015 via Fraunhofer IPMS' Business Unit Data Communication & Computing.

In order to strengthen cooperation in other areas as well, joint workshops have been held since 2021 to exchange research topics and project ideas. From sensor technology, human-machine interaction, edge AI to modern manufacturing processes, there is a range of topics that can be jointly shaped. 

In the future, Fraunhofer IPMS would like to offer guest lectures and enable students of HTW Dresden to gain practical insights at the institute through excursions.

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