History

Fraunhofer IWS Dresden – 30 years of dedication to the future

2023-2021

Design is increasingly gaining importance in Fraunhofer's research. This is why the three Fraunhofer Institutes IVI, IWS and IWU in Dresden, together with Technische Universität Dresden, are establishing the “DesignLab for Applied Research”.
© Fraunhofer IVI
Design is increasingly gaining importance in Fraunhofer's research. This is why the three Fraunhofer Institutes IVI, IWS and IWU in Dresden, together with Technische Universität Dresden, are establishing the “DesignLab for Applied Research”.
Modern light interference technologies from Dresden now enable lotus effects and other refined structural tricks from the natural world to be transferred quickly to technical surfaces such as battery compo-nents, implants and even airplanes.
© ronaldbonss.com
Modern light interference technologies from Dresden now enable lotus effects and other refined structural tricks from the natural world to be transferred quickly to technical surfaces such as battery compo-nents, implants and even airplanes.

2023


2022


2021

  • A team of Fraunhofer IWS researchers spin off as lasertech company »Fusion Bionic«.
  • Institute Director Prof. Christoph Leyens appointed to the board of DRESDEN-concept.
  • The “Förderpreis” of the German Society for Tribology e.V. goes to Dr. Stefan Makowski.
  • Prof. Stefan Kaskel becomes Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry at the Technical University Dresden.
  • The company “Clarivate Analytics” again declares Prof. Stefan Kaskel to be one of the most cited scientists worldwide.
  • Prof. Martina Zimmermann is now a member of “acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering”.
  • Manuel Reif wins the »Young Professionals Award 2021« for his research on fiber-reinforced plastic composites.
  • Editorial Board Member – Prof. Andrés Lasagni on the editorial board of “Scientific Report”.

2020-2016

Prof. Martina Zimmermann becomes the first female president of the German Materials Society (DGM). She starts work on January 1, 2021.
© Martin Förster/Fraunhofer IWS
Prof. Martina Zimmermann becomes the first female president of the German Materials Society (DGM). She starts work on January 1, 2021.
Professor Frank Brückner and Mirko Riede (from the left) have developed microstructures that, among other things, extend the life of the thermal barrier coatings.
© Fraunhofer / Juergen Loesel
Professor Frank Brückner and Mirko Riede (from the left) have developed microstructures that, among other things, extend the life of the thermal barrier coatings.
In the new laboratories of the Fraunhofer Application Center AZOM, a wide range of optical examinations can be carried out for industrial customers.
© WHZ / Helge Gerischer
In the new laboratories of the Fraunhofer Application Center AZOM, a wide range of optical examinations can be carried out for industrial customers.

2020


2019


2018


2017


2016

2015-2011

Prof. Carlo Misiano, chairman of the symposium (middle) and Prof. Angus Macleod (right) present the award to Prof. Andreas Leson (left)
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden
Prof. Carlo Misiano, chairman of the symposium (middle) and Prof. Angus Macleod (right) present the award to Prof. Andreas Leson (left)
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
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
Dresdner Konferenz 'Zukunft Energie' 2011
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden (JPG-Datei, 300 dpi)
Dresdner Konferenz 'Zukunft Energie' 2011

2015

  • Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize – Diamond-like coatings save fuel – development of a new laser method to apply the coating on the production line
  • AILU International Award – Prof. Dr. Eckhard Beyer received AILU International Award for his extraordinary achievements in the field of industrial laser materials processing
  • Green Photonics Award – Dresden research team with Prof. Andrés Lasagni and Sebastian Eckhardt received Green Photonics Award 2015


2014

  • "A life for thin film" Award
  • Galileo Award Materials Testing
  • Completion of the fourth construction expansion of the Fraunhofer IWS and setting up of the Center for Resource-Saving Energy Technologies RESET
  • Completion of the third construction expansion of the Fraunhofer IWS Dresden for activities in the field of nanotechnology


2013


2012


2011

2010-2006

Schematische Darstellung der solarthermischen Erdgaspyrolyse
© Fraunhofer IWS Dresden
Solar thermal hydrogen production
Prof. Beyer receives the Schawlow Award 2008 at the annual meeting of LIA during the ICALEO 2008
© Fraunhofer IWS
Prof. Beyer receives the Schawlow Award 2008 at the annual meeting of LIA during the ICALEO 2008
Dr. Angela Merkel wünscht Prof. Beyer viel Erfolg beim Aufbau des deutsch-polnischen Forschungszentrums
Dr. Angela Merkel wünscht Prof. Beyer viel Erfolg beim Aufbau des deutsch-polnischen Forschungszentrums

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


2008

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


2007


2006

2005-2001

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

2005


2004


2002


2001

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

2000-1996

Laser acoustic testing enables non-destructive surface and layer characterization of layers with a thickness of a few nanometers as well as layers with a thickness of a hundred micrometers.
© Fraunhofer IWS
Laser acoustic testing enables non-destructive surface and layer characterization of layers with a thickness of a few nanometers as well as layers with a thickness of a hundred micrometers.
X-ray mirror with nanometer layers
© Fraunhofer IWS
X-ray mirror with nanometer layers

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 5000 m2 building at Winterbergstrasse.

1995-1990

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

1995


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.