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October 10
- Double Award Win for THU's CleanScreen Project: Using Light for Clean Touchscreens
➀ Researchers at the Technical University of Ulm (THU) developed CleanScreen, a UV-LED system integrated into touchscreens to automatically disinfect surfaces after each use, achieving 99.9% germ reduction in seconds;
➀ The system, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, uses UVC and Far-UVC light (200-450 nm) and targets high-traffic public areas like hospitals and ATMs to enhance hygiene standards;
➂ The project received the UVLaunch Award from IUVA and the Senetics Innovation Award (2nd place) in healthcare, validating its potential for real-world applications.
October 9
- Bochum University of Applied Sciences Strengthens Partnerships in Kenya
➀ Bochum University of Applied Sciences (HSBO) expanded international collaboration in Kenya through academia, research, and mobility programs;
➁ Professors from HSBO delivered lectures on topics like midwifery, sustainable engineering, and AI's impact on education, fostering ties with CUEA and the University of Nairobi;
➂ Plans to deepen partnerships via ERASMUS and explore joint research in renewable energy and waste management were emphasized.
- EU project Hydro4U brings new hydropower solutions to Central Asia
➀ The Hydro4U project, funded by the EU, develops climate-resilient small hydropower solutions in Central Asia, emphasizing affordability, ease of deployment, and adherence to ecological standards;
➁ Two demonstration plants—Francis Container Power Solution (FCPS) in Uzbekistan and Hydroshaft Power Solution (HSPS) in Kyrgyzstan—are implemented using modular and ecocompatible technologies;
➂ Advanced planning tools (GIS, BIM), community engagement, and partnerships aim to enhance energy security and economic opportunities while aligning with sustainability goals.
- EU Project Hydro4U Introduces New Hydropower Solutions to Central Asia
➀ The EU-funded Hydro4U project has developed innovative small hydropower (SHP) solutions in Central Asia, focusing on affordability, modularity, and eco-friendliness to address energy gaps in remote regions;
➁ Two pilot plants—the Francis Container Power Solution in Uzbekistan and the Hydroshaft Power Solution in Kyrgyzstan—have been deployed, emphasizing climate resilience and minimal environmental impact;
➂ The project integrates advanced tools like GIS mapping, drone surveys, and community partnerships to ensure sustainable energy access and local economic development.
October 8
- Munich University of Applied Sciences Researches in German-French Project GreenBotAI
➀ The GreenBotAI project, a German-French collaboration, aims to reduce energy consumption in industrial robots by over 25% using AI-driven path planning, simulation, and data analysis;
➀ The initiative focuses on developing trustworthy, industry-ready AI solutions, combining expertise from academia and industry partners like Fraunhofer IWU and INBOLT;
➂ Results from three years of research were showcased in Paris, highlighting improvements in productivity and sustainability under a bilateral AI innovation program.
- Precise, smart, highly productive: Innovations for additive manufacturing from Fraunhofer ILT
➀ Fraunhofer ILT showcases innovations in additive manufacturing at Formnext 2025, including high-strength tungsten components for fusion reactors and the SCaRB process for simultaneous coating and surface optimization;
➁ Development of multi-material coatings using EHLA and PEEK polymers offers PFAS-free alternatives, enhancing corrosion and wear resistance;
➂ Integrated printed sensors in metal components enable real-time monitoring, improving maintenance and operational reliability in industries like aerospace and energy
- Precise, Smart, High-Productivity: Innovations for Additive Manufacturing from Fraunhofer ILT
➀ Fraunhofer ILT showcases advanced additive manufacturing (AM) technologies at Formnext 2025, including Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) for high-performance components in fusion energy, aerospace, and automotive industries;
➁ Innovations feature monolithic tungsten-copper structures for fusion reactor durability, simultaneous coating and roller burnishing (SCaRB) to improve surface quality, and PFAS-free multi-material coatings combining metal and polymers;
➂ Embedded sensors in AM metal parts enable real-time monitoring of stress and deformation, enhancing operational safety while reducing costs through optimized processes and material efficiency.
October 7
- Wooden Computer Mouse: Green Electronics Enabled by Biodegradable Circuit Boards
➀ Empa researchers developed biodegradable printed circuit boards (PCBs) using lignocellulose-based material derived from wood waste;
➁ The bio-based PCBs, processed through fibrillization and hornification, offer comparable durability to traditional epoxy boards while being compostable, enabling easier recycling of electronic components;
➂ Successful integration into functional devices like computer mice and RFID cards demonstrates potential; future work targets enhanced resilience without compromising biodegradability for industrial adoption.
October 3
- TH Bingen and MINTplus Hand Over 3D Printers to the Art Department of Emanuel-Felke-Gymnasium
➀ TH Bingen and MINTplus donated 3D printers to Emanuel-Felke-Gymnasium to strengthen students' digital and creative skills in art and STEM subjects;
➁ The initiative promotes interdisciplinary projects merging aesthetics, design, and STEM, with CAD software and 3D printing integrated into the curriculum;
➂ The collaboration aims to embed modern manufacturing technology into regular classes, enabling students to experience the full process from concept to physical object creation.
October 2
- Impulses for Innovations in Industry through Speech Interaction and AI
➀ The 11th Industrial Working Group event by Fraunhofer IDMT and Hochschule Emden/Leer focused on speech interaction and AI in manufacturing, featuring discussions on digital shopfloor management and aircraft production applications.
➁ Airbus showcased voice-based systems to optimize workflows, while Deloitte highlighted efficiency gains from speech-driven data utilization, emphasizing proactive problem-solving and resource optimization.
➂ Fraunhofer IDMT presented AI-driven speech solutions like LLMs for industrial use, alongside workshops on predictive maintenance, smart hearing protection, and acoustic process management to advance Industry 5.0.
- New Method Sheds Light on Nanomaterials: How MXene Really Works
➀ Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and Hebrew University developed a novel spectroscopic micro-ellipsometry (SME) technique to measure conductivity and optical responses of individual MXene flakes, revealing their intrinsic properties;
➁ The non-invasive, high-resolution method overcomes limitations of conventional approaches, providing nanoscale structural and electronic insights critical for optimizing MXene-based devices;
➂ The breakthrough advances applications in energy storage, flexible electronics, and clean energy technologies by enabling precise material characterization at the single-flake level.
- Fraunhofer IOSB Transforms Research Factories into Data Space Workshops – Discussion Paper Published
➀ Fraunhofer IOSB introduces the concept of 'data space workshops,' aiming to assist SMEs in rapidly and securely building industrial data ecosystems aligned with initiatives like Manufacturing-X;
➀ The workshops integrate real-world production environments, standardized IT/OT infrastructure, open data platforms, and AI engineering to enable collaborative testing of use cases (e.g., predictive maintenance, CO₂ footprint tracking);
➂ The initiative leverages Fraunhofer's expertise in Industry 4.0 standards, cybersecurity, and partnerships (e.g., Catena-X, IDSA) to accelerate practical implementation of secure and scalable data spaces.
- Conference AI & We: Leveraging Strengths, Securing Trust, Preserving Sovereignty
➀ The conference highlighted Germany's role as a pioneer in AI research and its efforts to balance technological innovation with ethical frameworks and regulatory compliance under the EU AI Act;
➁ Discussions focused on enhancing Europe's global competitiveness, fostering trustworthy AI ecosystems, and addressing societal impacts, including creativity and workforce development;
➂ Practical AI applications, such as sustainable brewing tools and neuromotor exoskeletons, were showcased, alongside the release of a progress report on responsible AI development.
October 1
- Interactive VR Diagnosis for Post-COVID Symptoms
➀ The EPSILON project, led by Fraunhofer HHI, combines VR technologies and wearable sensors to objectively diagnose and differentiate Post-COVID symptoms like cognitive deficits and fatigue;
➁ Data from VR-based cognitive tests, smartwatches, and psychological assessments is analyzed via AI algorithms on a web-based platform to create a multimodal model for personalized treatment plans;
➂ The project aims to ease strain on healthcare systems by providing real-time diagnostic insights for clinicians and patients, with future applications in other medical conditions like Rett syndrome.
- Interactive VR Diagnostics for Post-COVID Symptoms
➀ The EPSILON project, coordinated by Fraunhofer HHI, employs VR technology and wearable sensors to objectively diagnose and differentiate Post-COVID symptoms like cognitive deficits and fatigue;
➁ Data from VR-based cognitive tests, physiological sensors, and digital psychological assessments are integrated into a web-based AI platform for real-time analysis and visualization, aiding personalized treatment;
➂ The developed tools aim to provide a scalable diagnostic framework, with future applications planned for rare diseases such as Rett syndrome.
- Software Supports Safe, Controlled Detonations of Aerial Bombs
➀ Fraunhofer EMI, with partners, develops simulation software (VC BlastProtect) to predict fragmentation flight and underground shock waves from WWII bomb detonations, improving safety assessments.
➁ The software integrates 3D city models and dynamic soil behavior analysis to refine evacuation zones and evaluate impacts on underground infrastructure like pipelines and tunnels.
➂ Validation via large-scale tests in Germany demonstrated reduced damage risks, aiding explosive disposal teams in optimizing damping measures and minimizing evacuation ranges.
- Software Supports Safe, Controlled Detonations of Aerial Bombs
➀ Fraunhofer EMI and partners are developing simulation software (VC BlastProtect) to model shrapnel dispersion and underground pressure waves from WWII bomb detonations;
➁ The software aims to optimize evacuation zones and assess risks to underground infrastructure, incorporating damping measures like sand/water covers;
➂ Validation experiments in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern demonstrated the accuracy of models in predicting blast effects, aiding bomb disposal teams in damage mitigation planning.
- Trusted AI Platform for Schleswig-Holstein Launches
➀ Schleswig-Holstein's Digitalization Minister Dirk Schrödter awarded €780,000 in funding to launch the BiT SEA-SH project, a scalable and secure AI platform for data science applications;
➁ The platform, developed by TH Lübeck, Universität zu Lübeck, Kontor Business IT GmbH, and WTSH, aims to enhance data sovereignty, reduce digital dependencies, and support SMEs in adopting AI through open-source solutions;
➂ The project (April 2025–March 2027) focuses on creating a collaborative ecosystem for academia, government, and businesses to advance big data and AI innovation in the region.
- DLR Award for TU Ilmenau Scientists: Monitoring Brain Activity in Space
➀ Researchers from TU Ilmenau, alongside partners, won second place in the INNOspace Masters 2025 competition for developing an EEG-based system to monitor astronauts' brain activity during long space missions;
➁ The system uses lightweight, dry-electrode technology and AI to analyze mental states in real-time, aiming to prevent psychological crises in extreme environments like space or Antarctica;
➂ The innovation has dual applications, benefiting space exploration and terrestrial healthcare, including mental health monitoring for conditions like depression and burnout.
September 30
- ESA-led CubeSat demonstrates world’s first 75 GHz beacon from space and concludes mission with safe deorbit
➀ The W-Cube mission led by ESA successfully validated W-band (75 GHz) and Q-band (37.5 GHz) frequencies for next-gen satellite broadband, enabling high-capacity feeder links while maintaining user compatibility with existing Ka/Ku-band equipment;
➁ Achieved the world's first transmission of a 75 GHz dual-polarized beacon from a Low Earth Orbit satellite, with ground stations in Graz and Finland capturing critical atmospheric propagation data over four years;
➂ The 3U CubeSat concluded its mission with a controlled atmospheric reentry in October 2025, while paving the way for future W-band experiments in Geostationary Orbit to enable 24/7 high-throughput satellite systems.
- ESA CubeSat Demonstrates World's First 75 GHz Signal from Space and Ends Mission with Safe Deorbit
➀ The W-Cube mission, initiated by ESA, successfully tested W-Band (75 GHz) and Q-Band (37.5 GHz) frequencies as feeder links for next-gen LEO satellite broadband systems, maintaining compatibility with existing Ka/Ku-band user devices;
➁ The CubeSat, developed by a European consortium, conducted four years of atmospheric impact studies and published key results, advancing the design of high-frequency satellite systems;
➂ The satellite will safely deorbit in October 2025, paving the way for future GEO-based W-band missions to enable high-capacity, continuous satellite broadband.
- German-French Lighthouse Project GreenBotAI: Trustworthy AI 'Made in Europe'
➀ The GreenBotAI project, part of the German-French AI cooperation under the Aachen Treaty, focuses on enhancing robotics' energy efficiency by over 25% through AI-driven path planning and real-time control;
➁ It developed modular machine-learning models and 2D/3D tracking systems using reduced-data AI algorithms, compatible with various robotic platforms;
➂ Led by Fraunhofer IWU, the consortium includes Hochschule München, INBOLT SAS, and ENSAM LISPEN, highlighting cross-border collaboration for industrial automation and crisis resilience.
- FBH showcases latest R&D results at Photonics Days
➀ Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) presented advancements in UVC LEDs for medical disinfection and gas sensing, achieving higher efficiency and performance in far-UVC range applications;
➁ Showcased photonic integration using gallium arsenide (GaAs) and silicon nitride platforms for quantum physics and biosensing, enabling chiplet-based laser solutions;
➂ Highlighted UV-COLA project’s miniaturized UVC diode laser module for combating multidrug-resistant pathogens and participated in quantum technology symposia linking research to industrial use.
- FBH Presents Latest R&D Results at Photonics Days
➀ The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) showcases advancements in UV-C LEDs for medical disinfection and gas sensing, emphasizing efficiency and safety;
➁ Introduces miniaturized UV-C diode laser modules (UV-COLA project) for targeted disinfection in healthcare, developed with TU Chemnitz;
➂ Presents gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based photonic integrated circuits for quantum technologies, spectroscopy, and biosensing, enabled by silicon nitride PIC integration.
September 26
- Bringing Automated Driving to the Road Faster - Launch of the TranSphere Project at the IFM of Kempten University of Applied Sciences
➀ The TranSphere project at Kempten University's IFM aims to create a mixed-reality platform that integrates real-world and virtual testing environments to revolutionize automated vehicle development.
➀ Focused on four key scenarios (Track Testing, Test Bed, Driving Simulator, and Scenario Networking), the initiative seeks to accelerate development cycles, enhance safety, and reduce resource consumption.
➂ Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) until 2028, the project involves collaboration with industrial partners in simulation, robotics, and homologation to strengthen Europe’s automotive industry and address skilled labor shortages.
- Research into novel microelectrodes: Dr. Maximilian Becker receives NanoMatFutur funding
➀ Hahn-Schickard's FeMEA project received €1.95 million funding from Germany's BMFTR to develop CMOS-based microelectrode arrays using ferroelectric materials for improved bioelectronic interfaces;
➁ The innovation enhances stimulation efficiency and long-term stability while minimizing harmful electrochemical currents, addressing key challenges in bioelectronics;
➂ The technology, protected by patents, targets biomedical applications and aims for industrial transfer, supported by a newly established research group led by Dr. Becker.
- Research on Novel Microelectrodes: Dr. Maximilian Becker Receives NanoMatFutur Funding
➀ Hahn-Schickard's FeMEA project develops ferroelectic microelectrode arrays using CMOS chips with ferroelectric materials, aiming to enhance bioelectronic interfaces;
➁ The project received €1.95 million over five years from the German Federal Ministry and addresses challenges in stimulation efficiency and long-term stability for biomedical applications;
➂ Achievements include a patented CMOS-based prototype with over 5,000 electrodes per mm², enabling precise cell stimulation and recording while suppressing harmful electrochemical effects.
September 25
- Fraunhofer IPA's Biointelligence Summit Presents First Biological Computer
➀ The Biointelligence Summit in Stuttgart featured the debut of the CL1 neuron-based computer by Cortical Labs, highlighting synthetic biological intelligence through real-time neuron interaction with a Ping-Pong game;
➁ Yokogawa Insilico Biotechnology presented hybrid digital twins for bioprocess optimization, combining mechanistic models and machine learning to enhance biopharmaceutical production efficiency;
➂ Discussions addressed fostering startups in biointelligence, with examples like BLUU Seafood's cell-based fish and The Cultivated B's bioreactor platform for scalable biomanufacturing.
September 24
- Graphene Controls Electrons in Femtoseconds
➀ A research team at Kiel University discovered a groundbreaking phenomenon in graphene, where precise laser pulses control electron movement within femtoseconds, enabling ultra-fast spatial switching;
➁ Simulations revealed that homogeneous graphene clusters allow electron localization at specific edges, driven by topological states and electronic structure, ensuring stability even under disturbances;
➂ This innovation could accelerate electronic devices to the petahertz range (10,000x faster than current GHz technology), though challenges remain in integrating these processes into real circuits for applications like AI chips and high-performance computing.
- Living Lung Replaces Animal Testing
➀ Researchers developed a living pig lung model from slaughter waste to replace animal testing, maintaining organ stability for up to 24 hours;
➁ The platform enables drug testing, breath analysis, and infection modeling under real-life conditions, reducing reliance on live animal trials;
➂ Collaboration with engineers integrates semiconductor gas sensors and AI for non-invasive breath analysis, advancing precision in medical research.