Fraunhofer IPMS in Cottbus develops key technologies for the industry of tomorrow. Its focus is on smart sensor technology, microelectronics, and artificial intelligence, for example, technologies that enable machines to sense their surroundings, evaluate data on-site, and make autonomous decisions based on that data. Applications range from industrial production to energy and environmental technology to medical technology. The goal is to develop high-performance, energy-efficient, and trustworthy systems that strengthen the Lusatia region as a business hub and make a significant contribution to Germany’s technological sovereignty.

At the same time, Fraunhofer IPMS is actively shaping the structural transformation of Lusatia. Through the structural transformation projects iCampµs and OASYS, long-term research structures are being established that combine scientific excellence with practical economic applications. Companies gain access to state-of-the-art technologies, while at the same time new opportunities are created for skilled workers, early-career researchers, and technology-oriented spin-offs. This fosters a high-performance innovation ecosystem that sustainably strengthens Lusatia’s competitiveness. As a result, Fraunhofer IPMS is not only a research partner but also a driving force behind the region’s economic development.

A visible sign of this development is the new research campus in Cottbus. With the groundbreaking ceremony on October 1, construction will begin on a new office and laboratory building for Fraunhofer IPMS. It is part of a joint science hub where other Fraunhofer Institutes, institutions of the Leibniz Association, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) will be located in the immediate vicinity. Together with the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), the campus forms a central component of the Lausitz Science Park and strengthens Lusatia as a high-performing research and innovation hub.

The close integration of academic and applied research is a major advantage of this location. The immediate proximity to BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg creates ideal conditions for joint research projects and the rapid transfer of new findings into industrial practice. For years, there has been a close connection between BTU and Fraunhofer IPMS through the Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems held by the director of Fraunhofer IPMS, Prof. Dr. Harald Schenk. With its scientific excellence, close collaboration with regional and national partners, and consistent focus on transferring research into practical applications, Fraunhofer IPMS is a key player in the structural transformation of Lusatia. The new research campus provides the physical infrastructure for this, but what matters most is what emerges there: future technologies that enable innovation, drive economic growth, and permanently establish Lusatia as a high-tech region with national and international influence.