On September 27 and 28, the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) held its first Innovation Day. Europe's largest research cooperation in microelectronics invited attendees to lectures and expert discussions on the issue of smart microsystems. In an accompanying exhibition, futuristic technologies such as self-sufficient microsystems and smart sensors were presented. Experts came to Fraunhofer IZM’s premises to discuss the current state of research and the latest technological opportunities presented by microelectronics.

The Research Fab Microelectronics – known by its German abbreviation FMD – was founded in 2017 and is a cross-location cooperation model comprising 13 Fraunhofer and Leibniz research institutes. For the modernization and expansion of their facilities and devices, the founding participants will receive around 350 million euros from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Organized by a central cooperation office, the FMD offers research facilities from a single provider along the entire innovation chain. With over 2000 research associates, the FMD is the world’s largest pool for technologies within the area of smart systems.

The first Innovation Day saw high-ranking guests from government and science arrive at Fraunhofer IZM to give their joint green light to interdisciplinary work and to discuss future research plans. September 28 was also the opening of the first FMD integration line. The scientific lectures were accompanied by a ceremony with visual highlights and insights into the day-to-day research at all member institutes.