Press / Publications

In the future, ammonia could play a decisive role in the transition from fossil fuels to climate-friendly alternatives — as long as it is produced from green hydrogen, for example, using renewable energy sources. Ammonia is easy to store and transport. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM are developing ammonia-based systems for a mobile, decentralized energy supply in the infrastructure, transportation and industry sectors. The various research projects will be presented for the first time at the Hannover Messe Preview on February 15, 2023.

In his thesis, Christoph Deckers presents new concepts, which all deal with syntheses of fine chemicals while using the benefits of continuous flow approaches and micro reaction technology. The thesis is divided into two major sections: The first part is about the synthesis of substituted biphenyls including the integration of an online analysis tool. The second topic of this thesis deals with automation and digitalization of continuous processes in research and development towards self-learning facilities.

Rather than being released into the atmosphere and exacerbating the problem of climate change, CO2 can also be used as a raw material for substances required in industrial processes, such as formic acid or methanol. The conversion of CO2 has already been investigated in detail in laboratory studies, with nanodiamonds serving as an environmentally friendly photocatalyst. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM are now working with partners to turn this reaction into a contin-uous process – bringing it much closer to real-world application.

Parker Hannifin’s Engine Mobile Filtration EMEA Division (EMFE) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems (IMM) today announced a partnership to further develop and test new proprietary hollow fibre membrane technology designed for fuel cell humidification applications.

Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM works on designing more sustainable chemical production processes using its technology portfolio based on (micro)structured reactors, Flow Chemistry and Process Intensification. Electrochemical synthesis also plays a role.

Pieces of plastic in the sea, chlorophyll content in bodies of water, the degree of drought in fields – since April 2022, the German environmental satellite EnMAP has been orbiting our Earth and will be collecting myriad data during its five-year mission. The Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF have developed various core components for the optical system of the hyperspectral satellite.

A microfluidic chip takes up a water sample, adds the necessary chemicals and transports it to the detection site. What's the point? In this way, the water is to be analyzed fully automatically and with various parameters, and at the lowest possible cost. A further developed chip prototype for water analysis devices has emerged from the MICROCHIP project.

How can viruses be effectively eliminated from indoor air? This question is now becoming more important as fall approaches. Efficient indoor air purification is essential, especially in schools. Fraunhofer researchers are investigating and op- timizing various filter and air purification techniques in the AVATOR project.

Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women worldwide. Early detection of precancer has shown to be successful in reducing cancer incidence and mortality. The Horizon 2020 CHILI project aims to translate new cervical cancer screening strategy to low-income settings. The strategy includes a new cervical cancer screening test which is currently being developed in ELEVATE another Horizon 2020 project, and combines self-sampling with a low-cost, portable measurement device, detecting both the human papilloma virus – the main cause of cervical cancer – and cancer biomarker proteins.

SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged at the end of 2019 has caused COVID-19 pandemic with over 3.7 million deaths worldwide, more than 1 million deaths in Europe and about 90.000 deaths in Germany. At the moment, variants originating in very different countries are still spreading rapidly and keeping the world on tenterhooks. We need technologies that are fast, accurate, portable to facilitate detection wherever needed, and do not require expensive, complex laboratory equipment or the expertise of highly skilled people.