Tech News

How will emerging technologies such as electric mobility, renewable energy and artificial intelligence impact raw material demand? This question is addressed in the new edition of the “Raw Materials for Future Technologies” study which was presented today. In it the Fraunhofer Institutes ISI and IZM analyze the future development of 34 technologies and 14 raw materials on behalf of the German Raw Materials Agency (DERA) at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). Early action is required in order to avoid supply bottlenecks and enable a sustainable transformation.

A new way to experience bioelectronics created by the union of applied research and media art: Somatic Circuits is an artwork by media artist Marlot Meyer, Fraunhofer IZM, and the curator Pierre Wolter (Gallery Art Claims Im-pulse) that turns communication via biological signals into a physical and aesthetical experience. The installation is made possible by flexible weara-bles created by the artist using technologies developed by the research group “Technologies for Bioelectronics,” bringing together sound, touch, and bodily perception in a multi-sensory network. The interactive art and science instal-lation will premiere from 2 to 4 July at the Festival of the Future in Munich.

Compact and stable laser amplifiers are essential to clear the path towards powerful quantum computing. Working with neQxt GmbH and EOT GmbH, Fraunhofer IZM is laying the groundwork for a reliable and strong European supply chain in this critical area of technology.

In the future, optical atomic clocks are expected to measure time 40,000 times more accurately than established atomic clocks. As part of the ISABELLA project, a consortium of industry and research partners has demonstrated key technologies for miniaturizing laser systems for this type of atomic clocks. These developments offer a wide range of benefits to sci- ence - from climate research to the verification of physical constants.

A significant reduction in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions through modular and easy-to-integrate GaN power semiconductors – this is the objective of the EU-funded All2GaN project. Forty-five partners from twelve countries are collaborating to unlock the energy-saving potential of gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors for a broad range of industrial applications. Fraunhofer IZM plays a key role across the value chain: leveraging its internationally recognized expertise in packaging technologies, the institute is developing innovative assembly solutions that are essential for the performance, miniaturization, and sustainability of next-generation GaN electronics.

Inverters are the heart of modern electric drives. They control the energy that flows from batteries to motors, giving them massive influence over efficiency and performance. Fraunhofer IZM has achieved an evolutionary leap for this most crucial technology: An innovative inverter that handles 500 kilowatts of power in a unit just one liter in volume. With its extremely low inductance promising 99 percent efficiency, it is time to fasten the seatbelts.

Electric cars should be better for the environment, powerful, but also affordable. However, the chargers built into them are hindering progress, as current models are reaching their limits in terms of efficiency, size, and reliability. The EU-funded HiPower 5.0 project aims to revolutionize this technology, with Fraunhofer IZM making an essential contribution.

The European research project INCREACE is setting a new milestone on the path to a truly circular economy: A consortium of universities, research institutions, and industry partners has created a comprehensive playbook and new assessment tool, designed to facilitate the development of recyclable electronic devices and the use of recycled plastics in electronic products.

Supported by Fraunhofer IZM, the startup Zn2H2 has created an innovative and cost-effective way to produce nickel-zinc batteries. This type of battery is particularly suitable wherever large amounts of power are needed within a very short time. And they are the perfect choice for one specific market: AI data centers.

On March 2, 2026, Eric Fribourg-Blanc from Chips Joint Undertaking visited Fraunhofer IZM-ASSID. During a tour of the 300 mm cleanroom, the focus was on current projects, future topics for the APECS pilot line, and joint innovation processes.