Competence Areas

At Fraunhofer USA, our engineers and scientists collaborate across disciplines to solve complex challenges that not only benefit from but often require a multidisciplinary approach to achieve optimal results.

To support this mission, our research centers continuously expand and diversify their core competencies through collaborations across Fraunhofer USA and the broader global Fraunhofer network. In addition, our close partnerships with leading universities foster scientific excellence and strengthen our research capabilities. Many scientific and engineering breakthroughs emerge from fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. By translating cutting-edge technologies across these areas of expertise into practical solutions, Fraunhofer USA equips its customers with the tools and capabilities needed to drive societal impact and advance their sustainability goals.

Learn more about how Fraunhofer USA research projects enable long-term sustainability.

Materials and Surfaces

Surface technology is of vital importance in the manufacture of optical and optoelectronic components and products. At the same time, laser technology is taking on an increasingly important role in manufacturing and metrology processes in the field of surface technology. 

As technological progress gains momentum, these two key technologies are steadily being incorporated in a growing number of applications, including production systems, optical sensor systems, IC technology and biomedical engineering. 

Fraunhofer USA Capabilities

• Carbon thin film coatings and surface treatments
• State-of-the-art diamond research facility
• Artificial intelligence applications to understand and predict material behavior 
• Electrode development for sensing, environmental and harsh environment use

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Production Technologies

A scarcity of raw materials, a shortage of qualified workers, competitive pressure – these are only a few of the challenges manufacturers face. Researchers are working on energy- and resource-efficient processes for tomorrow’s manufacturing. Our researchers work with our clients to custom automate manufacturing and laboratory operations .

Fraunhofer USA Capabilities

• Advanced laser processing for welding, cladding, cutting, and additive manufacturing
• Custom automated manufacturing and lab operations
• Supply chain traceability, transparency and risk assessment

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Information and Communication

Information and communication technology is an overlapping area that covers almost all other research fields and sectors, from medicine and the media industry through to the manufacturing sector. Digital technologies open up many new ways to communicate. Personalized, interactive and mobile learning methods help prepare us for the work environment of the future.

Fraunhofer USA Capabilities

• Powerful software testing and verification strategies and tools
• State-of-the-art measurement and code analysis methods
• Application and testing of artificial intelligence based systems
• Innovative rapid prototyping and modeling
• Machine learning research and development

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Energy and Climate Technologies

If we want heated homes, hot water for showers, and electricity to power our ovens, appliances and computers, we need energy. Until now it’s been mainly oil, coal and gas that have driven the economy and supplied our home comforts. The problem is that, slowly but surely, these finite resources are running out. It is imperative that we use raw materials more efficiently – and that includes using energy more efficiently, finding reliable ways to store it and redoubling efforts to tap renewables.

Fraunhofer USA Capabilities

• Field test energy-savings building and distributed energy technologies to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future
• Building Technologies: Development, prototyping, demonstration and field testing
  
• Distributed Energy Resource Integration: Solar PV, energy storage, flexible buildings and e-mobility
  

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Health

In all areas of medical, environmental and nutrition research, Fraunhofer USA provides results that help keep people healthy and make healthcare more affordable. Smart assistance systems are an invaluable part of preventative healthcare, diagnostic medicine, treatment and care. Since nutrition, food technology and effective environmental protection also have a major impact on public health, they feature prominently in our research.

Fraunhofer USA Capabilities

• Vaccine engineering, formulation and scaling
• Microbial mining & antimicrobial discovery
• Pilot scale production under cGMP
• Cell cultures for secondary metabolites
• Electrode development for brain research

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