Press Releases

Compact and ultra-compact near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy systems for the evaluation of organic substances are critical to industries as diverse as food, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. On-site, non-destructive analysis provides confidence in quality control and saves time. The non-resonant Scanning Mirror Micro Spectrometer (SMMS) platform developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS offers a compact and cost-effective alternative to expensive benchtop devices based on line sensors and also allows individual spectrometer configuration.

How efficient are new materials? Does changing the properties lead to better conductivity? The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS develops and manufactures silicon substrates for this purpose. This enables the fundamental electrical characterization of materials such as a novel graphene emulsion. Customized designs enable the optimal measurement of semiconductors and conductors.

With groundbreaking developments in the field of chemical sensor technology, the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS is setting new standards in the assessment of water quality for humans and the environment. In addition to key parameters such as conductivity and pH, nutrients such as nitrate, phosphate and potassium will also play an important role as key ions in the future. Their evaluation is particularly important in environmental analysis, agriculture and water management.

The demand for electronics that operate at low temperatures is growing and becoming ever more important, especially for applications in the field of quantum computing technologies. This is the focus of the CONDOR project that was launched earlier this year. The Fraunhofer IPMS, Dresden and the Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics, Halle, are collaborating on innovative spin-based memory and logic components that operate at low temperatures.

The Microdisplays and Sensors business unit at the Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP will be integrated into the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS with retroactive effect from January 1, 2024. Both institutes are closely connected, particularly within this business unit, and share infrastructure at the Dresden site. By pooling expertise and streamlining structures, we anticipate the creation of synergies that will strengthen the research field, expedite development and thus benefit customers and partners.

A new European Union consortium created to accelerate the development of next-generation, edge-AI technologies is installing cleanroom tools and gearing up to design, evaluate, test and fabricate new circuits from across Europe.

Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS announces a significant advance in chemical and biochemical analysis. The team led by Dr. Olaf R. Hild, Head of the Chemical Sensor Technology Business Unit, has successfully developed a pioneering sensing layer for chip-based pH measurement has and successfully integrated it into an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET).

The research institutes Fraunhofer IPMS and NY CREATES provide the framework for international understanding and collaboration.

The security of communication networks is becoming more and more important with increasing digitalization. The "RealSec5G" project aims at testing the requirements for data security in communication devices for 5G/6G infrastructures in a deterministic time-sensitive network (TSN). For this purpose, the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS is designing a TSN-MACsec function block that will be tested as part of a demonstrator. The final implementation and performance analysis will be done in cooperation with the industrial company albis-elcon system Germany GmbH.

Innovative, customized, and sustainable – these are the keywords for the numerous research projects of the Fraunhofer IPMS. At one of the leading conferences and trade fairs for photonics - SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco from January 27 to February 1, 2024 - the institute will present developments and advances in areas such as micro-optics, MEMS-based light modulators and biophotonics.

Modern electronics developments require state-of-the-art technologies and manufacturing processes, which are a financial challenge for many companies. Located in the heart of Silicon Saxony, Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS offers both large chip manufacturers and smaller companies access to the latest research results and technologies on 200 and 300 mm silicon wafers. Services range from consulting and process development to pilot production. Green ICT - i.e. sustainability - is also playing an increasingly important role.

Germany's largest national conference on microelectronics will take place this year in the heart of Silicon Saxony, Dresden. The focus will be on sustainability and technological sovereignty. In lectures, at booths and in an intensive exchange, visitors will learn how important microtechnologies are for economic strength and the common good, and what opportunities they offer for the future. Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS will present its research at the joint booth of Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) as well as in numerous talks and posters.

The German Ministry for Research and Education BMBF is funding the CBQD project - chip-based quantum random device - for research into quantum-safe high-speed communications. In the CBQD project, a compact chip will be developed that generates random numbers at high speed based on quantum photonic effects. It meets the requirements of the Common Criteria for IT product security. The chip will become the basis for numerous IT security applications. Fraunhofer IPMS is responsible for coordination and QNRG chip integration in the project.

Researchers at Fraunhofer have developed an ultra-compact near-infrared spectrometer suitable for recognizing and analyzing textiles. Mixed fabrics can also be reliably identified through the combination of imaging, special AI (artificial intelligence) algorithms and spectroscopy. The technology could be used to optimize recycling old clothing, so old apparel could be sorted according to type. A highly miniaturized version of the system can even fit into a smartphone. This could lead to a host of new applications for end-users in everyday life — from checking clothes when out shopping to detecting counterfeits.

Earth observation is like a super detective for our planet. It shows us what's happening on Earth and even influences our daily lives, for example, through more accurate weather forecasts. As part of the EU-funded SURPRISE project, a team of experts has been investigating how Earth observation satellites can be made smarter, but also safer. Using two breakthrough technologies - spatial light modulators and Compressive Sensing - the project has developed a demonstrator for superspectral Earth observation with improved spatial resolution, on-board data processing and encryption functionality.

Fraunhofer IPMS develops photonic microsystems that modulate light using small, controllable mirrors to create unique images and structures. These so-called spatial light modulators (SLM) are micromirror arrays with up to several million mirrors on a semiconductor chip. They have applications in semiconductor manufacturing, microscopy and holography, and have brought the Institute to the forefront of international research in this field.

The accessibility of RISC-V has started a revolution and, thanks to its open architecture, allows developers to design processors tailored to specific requirements. The Fraunhofer IPMS also offers a processor IP based on the RISC V instruction set architecture. The institute has extensive RISC-V expertise, which is used in research projects and is actively developed.

• New hub will provide state-of-the-art metrology systems to accelerate semiconductor research and enhance development projects with chipmakers and ecosystem partners across Europe, particularly in ICAPS* market segments • Collaboration to accelerate learning, develop novel methods and prove new metrology equipment, methods, algorithms and software

The vehicles of the future will be automated and networked to drive autonomously in road traffic and to relieve the driver. This requires new vehicle architectures and high-performance components. The Fraunhofer IPMS is working on various research projects to create the necessary conditions.

Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS uses optical microsystems to enable fast and high-resolution light control. By using small, movable mirrors, the institute's photonic systems can modulate light to create unique images and structures. The institute's researchers are implementing 1-axis- and 2-axis tilting mirrors as well as piston mirrors. The mirrors are monolithically integrated on so-called CMOS backplanes.