Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics
Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics

20 years “Microelectronics News“ – Throwback 2017

Highlights of 2017 / Fraunhofer IAF and IPMS

Pilot line for customized spectroscopy solutions

© Fraunhofer IAF
Demonstrator of miniaturized laser source comprising a quantum cascade laser chip and a MEMS grating scanner.

Every chemical substance absorbs a very specific portion of infrared light. Like a fingerprint, this absorption can be used to identify a substance. The EU-funded MIRPHAB project, in which the Fraunhofer institutes IAF and IPMS are also involved, helps companies to set up specially customized sensors and measuring technology in the mid-infrared range (MIR).

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We would like to invite you to join us for a small time travel through the highlights of 20 years of Microelectronics News, and we hope you enjoy reading our selection of research and development from the member institutes of the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics.

Highlights of 2017 / Fraunhofer IDMT

A monitoring system that can hear production errors

© Fraunhofer IDMT
The Fraunhofer IDMT offers procedures for the end-of-line inspection of car parts, such as motors for seats, for the sake of automated quality analysis by means of airborne sound measurement.

In industrial production, the testing of machines and products by means of acoustic signals still takes a niche role. Researchers at Fraunhofer IDMT have developed a cognitive system that can hear erroneous sounds more objectively than human hearing. The technology was proved in initial practical tests, in which it detected up to 99 percent of the errors.

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Highlights of 2017 / Fraunhofer IDMT, IIS, ISIT and IZM

The thinnest loudspeaker in the world

© USound
At 5 × 7 × 2 mm³, the world’s smallest loudspeaker could give smartphones a whole new sound quality. Its frequency ranges from 2 to 15 kHz.

They save space and energy while producing a new sound quality: MEMS-based loudspeakers were developed by an Austrian startup company in co-operation with Fraunhofer researchers from IDMT, IIS, ISIT and IZM. The devices, which are only between two and twelve millimeters thick, offer great potential for use in smartphones, headphones, or even hearing aids.

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Highlights of 2017 / Fraunhofer IISB

A container full of energy

© Fraunhofer IISB / Kurt Fuchs
The inside of the innovative container allows efficient power generation and production of hydrogen.

Inside this 20-foot steel container at Fraunhofer IISB is a hydrogen technology for the storage and release of electrical energy on a large scale. The “Leistungszentrum Elektroniksysteme“ LZE is researching on a safe and clean energy supply for industrial firms and large building complexes based on this technology.

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