History

Fraunhofer IWS

Milestones in the history

2012-2006

Jointly developed key components for EUV lithography: Dr. Torsten Feigl, Dr. Stefan Braun and Dr. Klaus Bergmann (from left to right) with a collector mirror 
Jointly developed key components for EUV lithography: Dr. Torsten Feigl, Dr. Stefan Braun and Dr. Klaus Bergmann (from left to right) with a collector mirror
© Dirk Mahler / Fraunhofer


Solar thermal hydrogen production 
Solar thermal hydrogen production
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden


Dr. Angela Merkel wishes Prof. Beyer success for the establishment of the German-Polish research center
Dr. Angela Merkel wishes Prof. Beyer success for the establishment of the German-Polish research center
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden

2012

Honour for IWS scientist - WLT award for outstanding achievements in the field of laser technology

1st International Symposium "Tailored Joining"

Joseph-von-Fraunhofer prize for the strategic partnership developing the Next-Generation lithography with EUV radiation

Research that can be realized into practice – 20 years Fraunhofer in Dresden

2011

1st Dresden Conference "Future Energy"

German High Tech Champions (GHTC) Award 2011 in the field of solar / photovoltaics

2010

Research cooperation with Qatar for solar thermal hydrogen production - project „Solar Carbon Black“: Development a climate neutral process producing hydrogen and carbon particles using solar energy

2009

TU Dresden and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft launch Dresden Innovation Center Energy Efficiency

2008

Professor Dr. Eckhard Beyer received the Arthur L. Schawlow Award, the most prestigious award in the area of laser technology.

2007

Beginning of the cooperation with the TU Wroclaw and the formation of a Fraunhofer Project Center.

2006

First demonstration of remote laser beam cutting of metal by IWS researchers.

Fraunhofer award for a new process to surface harden segregation-hardenable materials.

2005-2001

Principle of atmospheric pressure plasma technology
Principle of atmospheric pressure plasma technology
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden


XXL laser beam welding machine for 3D precise processing of large-scaled fuselage structures 
XXL laser beam welding machine for 3D precise processing of large-scaled fuselage structures
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden

2005

First projects to apply atmospheric pressure PECVD technology in photovoltaics.

2004

Expansion of the building to 8000m2;

1st International Workshop on Fiber Lasers.

2002

First projects to laser weld fuselage structures for aircraft. Construction of the laser beam welding system for this task.

2001

IWS researchers achieved a reflectance of 71% for EUV mirror, which represents a world record.

2000-1996

Testing of ultra thin films in the nanometer area with laser acoustic (LAwave®) 
Testing of ultra thin films in the nanometer area with laser acoustic (LAwave®)
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden


X-ray optics with nanometer layers
X-ray optics with nanometer layers
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden

2000

IWS scientists received the Fraunhofer Award for the laser acoustic LAwave® technique for the analysis of nanometer thin films.

1999

Signing of the cooperation agreement between ThyssenKrupp Steel AG (TKS) and the Fraunhofer Institutes IWS and IST. Establishment of the Surface Technology Center Dortmund (DOC) presenting a new form of the “Public/Private Partnership”.

1st Diode Laser Workshop

1998

Under the leadership of Dr. Andreas Leson the Fraunhofer IWS Dresden began to coordinate the Nano Competence Center for Ultrathin Films, a federally recognized competence center initiated by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.

A first application using remote laser beam welding was commercialized.

The IWS received the Fraunhofer Award for a PLD process to manufacture X-ray mirrors.

1997

Appointment of Professor Dr. Eckhard Beyer as IWS institute director and full professor for surface and coating technology at the Technical University Dresden; Renaming of the IWS in Fraunhofer Institute for Materials and Beam Technology; 

Inauguration of the Fraunhofer Institute Center Dresden at Winterbergstrasse.

Professor Bernd Brenner received the Joseph-von-Fraunhofer Award for the successful development and industrial implementation of a laser induction welding process; by 2008 13 systems using this technology are installed in manufacturing. 

Certification according to DIN ISO 9001.

1996

Move into a new 5000m2 building at Winterbergstrasse.

1995-1990

Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Laser Applications (CCL) in Plymouth, Michigan / USA
Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Laser Applications (CCL) in Plymouth, Michigan / USA
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden


Building of Fraunhofer IWS Dresden (with cafeteria) 
Building of Fraunhofer IWS Dresden (with cafeteria)
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden

1995

Establishment of the Fraunhofer Center for Surface and Laser Processing (CSLP), which is today the Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Laser Applications (CCL) as a satellite operation of the IWS in the USA.

1994

Revocation of the time limitation as a Fraunhofer institution and continuation as a fully established Fraunhofer institute.

1993

The Fraunhofer Society and the TU Dresden sign a framework agreement on cooperation.

1992

Under the leadership of Dr. Wolfgang Reitzenstein the newly formed independent Fraunhofer institution begins operation in the areas “laser thin film technologies” and “laser materials processing”; 

Decision of the Fraunhofer Society to build a new center for institutes in Dresden.

1991

The senate of the Fraunhofer Society decided to take over the IWS as an initially time-limited independent Fraunhofer institution.

1990

The Institute for Materials Physics and Coating Technology (IWS) is spun off from the Central Institute for Solid State Physics and Materials Research (ZFW). It is proposed to absorb the new institute into the Fraunhofer Society.