Environmental & Reliability Engineering

New products and technologies have to comply with an increasing range of strict specifications, and at the same time have to be cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. The Department Environmental and Reliability Engineering supports technological developments until they reach market maturity with environmental and reliability analysis reaching from nano-characterisation level to evaluation and optimisation at the system level. Under the leadership of Dr. Nils F. Nissen, a unique combination is achieved between the established cross-sectional specialist fields of reliability and sustainability.

In view of worldwide extending markets and limited resources, every new generation of products and technologies must generate more functionality and assured reliability while consuming fewer resources. Without adequate reliability, the commercial success of an application is anyway endangered, and at the same time the environmental impact of typically production-intensive microelectronics increases furtherby premature failures or the need for replacements. Sustainable electronic technologies must therefore be reliable and have a low environmental impact.

Working Groups

Working Groups

Policy, Ecodesign and Circular Materials

PEC

Circular electronic products and devices are the focus of the Policy, Ecodesign, and Circular Materials group. The Circular Design Lab was set up as a store of the applied competences and technological knowhow that can be used to make applications and services more sustainable. We are working on a more circular life for the materials that make up our electrical and electronic applications, and we can reconcile the tenets of good product design with the need for meaningful and effective recycling.

Team Leader: Dipl.-Ing. Karsten Schischke

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Tablets
© Fraunhofer IZM

Sustainable Networks and Computing

SNC

The Sustainable Networks and Computing group is active in applied research into environmental assessments for com-mercial ICT (Green ICT) systems and their implications for eco-design. Its technical focus lies on the equipment used in telecommunication and data center hardware, with analyses conducted for mobile communications (antennas, radio and baseband), network coordination (switches, routers, or gateways), and wired data transmission technology (optical transponders and multiplexors).

Team Leader: Dr. phil. Lutz Stobbe

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Fiber Optic cables connected to optic ports and UTP, Network cables connected to ethernet ports.
© xiaoliangge - stock.adobe.com

Life Cycle Modeling

LCM

Lifecycle assessments (LCA) and environmental assessments not only help quantify a product's environmental impact. They also inform and guide meaningful ecodesign that can cover the crucial hotspots in the product's operational life and beyond. The Lifecycle Modelling group can contribute its competences for the entire life of individual electronic components or complete products and systems.

Team Leader: Dipl.-Ing. Marina Proske

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View of a Technology ecologic interface with icon displayed on a technology interface
© Production Perig - stock.adobe.com

System Reliability Assessment

SRA

In transdisciplinary teams, we develop innovative, customer-oriented solutions for robust, energy-efficient and sustainable electronic systems. We ensure their reliability through application-specific system design, qualification, weak point analysis and optimization both at the system and technology level.

Team Leader:
Dr.-Ing. Stefan Wagner
Dr.-Ing. Johannes Jaeschke

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Machine Deep learning algorithms, Artificial intelligence (AI), Automation and modern technology in business as concept.
© Fraunhofer IZM

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Projects of the Department of Environmental and Reliability Engineering

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