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The hydrogen industry requires large quantities of reliable and cost-effective components. Bipolar plates in fuel cells and electrolyzers play a central role in this regard. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP have further developed an established vacuum coating process so that compact titanium thin films can now be deposited on composite bipolar plates – with good electrical conductivity and corrosion protection, without exceeding the critical temperature limit of the polymer-based composite materials. The research results will be presented from April 8 – 10, 2026, at the Manufacturing World Nagoya, Japan.

Fraunhofer FEP presents a novel hybrid technology that combines a low-energy electron beam source with a bioreactor. The plant, which has now gone into operation, is the first practical implementation of this innovation. The result is a flexible, scalable platform that opens up new possibilities for biotechnological applications – from resource-efficient metal extraction to sustainable environmental technology. The new technology can strengthen the National Bioeconomy Strategy by optimizing bioprocesses and making biological resources more efficient to use.

With the launch of the EU-funded project CELLAGRI, Fraunhofer FEP has taken on the coordination of the development of innovative cellulose-based mulch films with water management structures inspired by nature. The four-year project brings together nine partners from seven European countries to create sustainable alternatives to petrol oil-based mulch films in agriculture. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact by at least 30 percent compared to conventional plastic mulch films.

The roof terrace of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP on the newly constructed Building E has been honored at the 2025 Saxon Garden and Landscape Architecture Awards. The executing company, Heidel Garten- und Landschaftsbau, received the first prize in the category “Specialized Landscape Gardening.”

Researchers in Saxony are developing biotechnological cell factories that do not require agricultural land or fossil raw materials. Chemnitz University of Technology, Leipzig University, and Fraunhofer FEP are using microalgae to produce the important basic chemical glycolate from carbon dioxide and sunlight - a building block for medicines, preservatives, and polymers that is currently produced from partially toxic fossil raw materials.

Fraunhofer FEP uses multifunctional coating systems to demonstrate how sustainability can be implemented in surface technology. A prime example is the innovative MAXI system. It has been operating successfully for 25 years and proves that intelligent technology both conserves resources and enables versatile research and development tasks. In a tutorial at the V2025 conference, Fraunhofer FEP will provide a comprehensive overview of completed projects and future developments.

Oulu, Finland – At month 18 of its three-year Horizon Europe project, the PEARL consortium has made decisive progress toward its target of 25% efficient, low-cost flexible perovskite solar cells with carbon electrodes. By combining cutting-edge materials research, pilot-scale roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing and comprehensive sustainability measures, partners across Europe have delivered a series of significant achievements.

As part of the Design-PV project, Fraunhofer FEP has made significant progress in developing aesthetically appealing solutions for building-integrated photovoltaics. Technologies such as roll-to-roll nanoimprint lithography enable solar modules to be seamlessly integrated into building facades without compromising the design. Initial tests show that the modules are visually indistinguishable from conventional facade elements yet offer high energy efficiency.

Fraunhofer FEP has developed a new roll-to-roll production process for manufacturing metal-on-polymer current collectors. This technology enables the precise application of copper and aluminum layers onto polymer films to produce current collectors with electrical conductivity and thickness comparable to conventional metal foil-based current collectors. These results provide industry with a valuable basis for optimizing lithium-ion batteries.

New investment from the European Commission is helping innovators exploit the unique properties of light technologies to add smart features and improve the performance of their products through a proven ‘one-stop-shop’ photonics innovation factory.