Fraunhofer-Institut für Elektronenstrahl-Preliminary Program
| 09.00 | Tutorial | |
| Sputtering Technologies for Roll-to-Roll Coaters | Dr. Matthias Fahland | |
| Sputtering is a versatile technology. Numerous metals and compound layers can be deposited on different types of flexible substrates. The technology is well suited for a precise deposition with respect to both uniformity and tuning of layer properties. It has been used in roll coating systems for many decades, preferably for the deposition of multilayer stacks. This tutorial will provide general information about sputter technology. It will also give an insight into the special requirements linked to roll-to-roll coating processes. This includes dealing with outgassing phenomena, managing the heat load during the deposition and special requirements of flexible substrates. Finally, the main applications are covered. These of transparent conductors or permeation barriers. Special emphasis is put on different types of radiation control coatings like low-e-, solar control coatings or coatings with variable optical properties. |
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| Ultra-thin Flexible Glass – Production & Processing | Dr. Wiebke Langgemach | |
| Ultra-thin glass with thicknesses of ≤100 µm is a promising substrate in electronic, optical and semiconductor applications. Due to its low thickness and its brittleness, it requires dedicated handling to allow reliable process chains. This tutorial will provide general information about the manufacturing processes and the ultra-thin glass products. It will moreover give an insight into handling and functionalization of ultra-thin glass and into its characterization with a special focus on mechanical characterization. The last part will give an overview over applications on the market, including panel level packaging, and approaches in R&D concerning large-area sheet-to-sheet as well as roll-to-roll coating of ultra-thin glass. |
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| Applications of Electron Beam Technology | Dr. Stefan Saager | |
| The usage of electron beams is well known from cathode ray tubes and electron microscopy. Beyond this, they are important in the manufacturing process to produce e. g. layers in vacuum by evaporation and high-purity materials by melting. Electron beam technology also provides solutions for e.g. welding, thermal microprocessing and electron beam lithography at both vacuum and atmospheric pressure. Current developments from all over the world are presented. The tutorial describes new technologies that are characterized by high productivity, low specific energy expenditure, improved economy of materials, and improved environmental design. Fundamental aspects, process characteristics and limitations, information on plant equipment and actual application are covered. |
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| Web Charging in Roll-to-Roll Electron Beam Evaporation on Polymer Films | Bastian Zeis | |
| Electron beam evaporation is a well-established deposition technique capable of delivering high-purity thin films at deposition rates ranging from several nanometres to multiple micrometres per second. This enables the large-area coating of polymer films at industrial web speeds, making it particularly attractive for applications requiring conductive, optical, and barrier layers on flexible substrates, where both layer quality and productivity are critical. The tutorial will present the effects responsible for web charging and discharging in electron beam evaporation insulating layers on polymer films. To provide a better understanding of how electron beam parameters and web speed impact the emergence of discharges during the process, measurement methodologies and results that have been achieved on an industrial scale roll-to-roll electron beam evaporation plant to facilitate the evaluation and potential regulation of these charging phenomena are discussed. |
| 12.00 | Opening and Welcome | Prof. Dr. Elizabeth v. Hauff Dr. Cindy Steiner |
| 12.10 | Keynote Lecture | Dr. Matthias Fahland |
| 12.35 | Session 1: Scalable Manufacturing of Flexible Photovoltaics |
Chair: Dr. Michael Hoffmann |
| Flexible photovoltaics enable lightweight, conformable solar-energy generation on surfaces and in applications inaccessible to conventional rigid modules. Scalable manufacturing is a key requirement for transferring flexible photovoltaics from laboratory-scale development to commercial applications. This session examines materials, processes, and equipment for solar cells fabricated on flexible substrates, with a particular focus on roll-to-roll manufacturing of perovskite and organic photovoltaics. Topics include coating, printing, vacuum deposition, laser processing, interconnection, encapsulation, process control, reliability, and sustainability. The session highlights pathways that link device performance with robust, cost-effective, and industrially scalable production of flexible photovoltaic modules. | ||
| 13.45 | Coffee Break | |
| 14.10 | Session 2: Battery Technologies – Driving sustainable energy innovation |
Chair: Claus Luber |
| The energy transition is progressing worldwide, but many challenges remain unresolved. Batteries play a decisive role in the ecologically sustainable design of our energy systems. Various strategies and manufacturing technologies are competing with each other on the market in order to realize the required efficiency and cost savings. Thin-film coatings and layer systems produced using vacuum coating technologies play an important role in this. The session ‘Battery Technologies – Driving sustainable energy innovation’ focuses on roll-to-roll vacuum coating technologies for next generation Li-ion batteries and beyond. |
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| 15.20 | Coffee Break | |
| 15.55 | Session 3: Korean-German partnership: New window technologies for energy related topics |
Chair: Dr. Matthias Fahland |
| Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is essential for reducing global energy consumption and carbon emissions. Windows play a key role, influencing both heat losses in winter and solar heat gains in summer. While advanced glazing and vacuum-coated solar control solutions have significantly improved performance, cost-effective retrofit options for existing buildings remain limited. This session focuses on innovative solar control films and functional coatings for energy-efficient glazing. Special attention is given to a Korean-German collaboration that developed a wet-coated polymer film as an alternative to conventional vacuum-coated technologies. Topics include coating materials, optical performance, durability, retrofit applications, and pathways toward industrial implementation. | ||
| 17.05 | Closing Day 1 | |
| 17.10 | Bio Break | |
| 17.20 | Lab Tour | |
| 18.10 | Dinner including Poster Session |
Wednesday, May 26
| 08.30 | Session 4: Functionalization of films for sustainable packaging |
Chair: Jan Hesse |
| Discover how flexible coating technologies can deliver sustainable, high-performance packaging under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) while meeting stringent food-contact requirements. The session spans conventional and bio-based plastic films as well as paper, highlighting recyclable barrier and sealing solutions, safe material design, migration control, and pathways from regulatory compliance to industrial implementation. | ||
| 09.40 | Coffee Break | |
| 10.10 | Session 5: From Data Streams to Process Intelligence: Machine Learning and AI for Roll-to-Roll Coating |
Chair: Jens Drechsel |
| Roll-to-roll manufacturing creates data at every step – from coating and curing to in-line inspection and final product tests. Yet this information is often stored separately and used only after a problem occurs. This session explores how practical data management, machine learning and AI can connect process and quality data for faster decisions in production. Topics include learning from limited data, detecting defects early, making coatings more reliable, reducing waste and predicting maintenance needs. Applications range from recyclable packaging and barrier films to optical coatings and flexible electronic devices. | ||
| 11.20 | Coffee Break | |
| 11.50 | Session 6: Multifunctional films and smart surfaces |
Chair: Dr. Stephanie Lukoschek |
| Flexible products are evolving into multifunctional systems that combine optical, protective, haptic, and sensing functions. This development is creating new opportunities across sectors such as mobility, electronics, healthcare, and consumer applications. Bringing these concepts from development to scalable manufacturing requires the right interplay of materials, processes, and production technologies. This session focuses on technologies and manufacturing concepts for next-generation multifunctional films and smart surfaces. Topics include functional materials, advanced coating and roll-to-roll processes, emerging applications, and industrial scale-up. The session highlights pathways for translating innovative surface concepts into robust, scalable, and manufacturable products. | ||
| 12.50 | Closing Remarks and Lunch |