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Advancing fusion energy takes a concerted effort. On September 8, 2026, “Zukunftstag Kernfusion” brought together more than 100 registered attendees from research, industry, startups, and government at the Fraunhofer Institute Center Dresden. More than 50 companies expressed interest in the emerging fusion industry. At the event, SAXFUSION highlighted practical entry points for Saxon companies and strengthened dialogue across the future value chain. The European Union and the Free State of Saxony are funding the network’s development with around 2.4 million euros through the end of 2027.

High mechanical and abrasive loads can significantly shorten the service life of tools and components. Coatings made of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) reduce friction and effectively protect surfaces. The Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS has recently achieved two breakthroughs that could significantly expand the industrial use of ta-C coatings. Researchers in Dresden developed a plasma filter technology for the Laser-Arc process to reduce defects selectively. They have also succeeded for the first time in reliably producing ultrathick ta-C coatings of up to 100 micrometers, opening up new possibilities for protecting surfaces exposed to extremely high mechanical loads.

It has been powering our sun for billions of years and also has the potential to provide humanity with a near inexhaustible source of energy: Engineers, materials scientists, physicists, and other specialists around the world are working on the use of nuclear fusion for energy supply. Fraunhofer IWS is also working with part-ners from research and industry to realize the vision of building a commercially viable fusion reactor in Germany.

The FREDY project develops new technologies for dry-coating of battery electrodes. Fraunhofer IWS and Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) combine their expertise for this purpose. The project partners develop fluorine-free binders, optimize active materials using atomic layer deposition (ALD), and link material, process, and equipment development in an integrated approach. Fraunhofer IWS funds its work through the internal ICON program, while ITRI finances its project share from its own resources. The partners address material manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and cell producers, aiming to enable industrial implementation within a few years after the project ends.