Fraunhofer Institutes

  Fraunhofer building from the outside Copyright: © Fraunhofer IPT

RWTH closely collaborates with the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, the largest organisation for application-oriented research in Europe.  Joint research is conducted in the areas of health, security, communication, mobility, energy, and the environment.  In a joint effort, researchers from both institutions create the technology of tomorrow, develop products, and improve processes.  

 

The Aachen Fraunhofer Institutes are traditionally very closely linked to RWTH Aachen.

The heads of the institutes also hold chairs at RWTH Aachen. As a result, research results are directly transferred into lecture content.

RWTH departments of physics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and biology cooperate particularly closely with Fraunhofer.

Overview of Aachen Fraunhofer Institutes

Fraunhofer Institutes
FIT

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology
FIT's specific strength is a comprehensive design process. Interdisciplinary teams work creating market-oriented products, that support people in their jobs and enrich their leisure time. Researchers combine insights from computer science with questions from other fields.

Due to the shared management, the FIT is closely linked to the Chair for Information Systems. In addiction to Professor Matthias Jarke, the head of the FIT, three other FIT researchers are professors and hold chairs in the fields of cooperation systems, computer science in life sciences, media informatics and media proceses.
ILT

Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology
The ILT is one of the most important development and contract research development institutes in laser development and application worldwide.

Three RWTH institutions closely cooperate with the ILT: the Chair for Laser Technology (LLT), the Chair for Technology of Optical Systems (TOS), and the Chair for Nonlinear Dynamics of Laser Processing (NLD). This structure enables a vertical classification in the research and development of new foundations and their applications in society.
IME

Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology

The IME conducts applied research in the Life Sciences, from the molecular level to the entire ecosystem. Our interdisciplinary organization and laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment including GMP facilities and complex facilities for environmental simulations allow a wide spectrum of research and development services in the fields of molecular biology and applied ecology.

The IME has close ties with the Institute of Molecular Biology at RWTH Aachen University along with many other university institutions.
IPT

Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology

Conducting applied and industrial research for the manufacturing sector, the IPT develops and optimizes solutions for modern manufacturing practices. Key research areas include life sciences engineering, turbo machines in aviation, optics and optical systems, high-precision and micro technologies, and machine tools. The Institute Directors also hold chairs at the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering at RWTH Aachen (WZL).
FHR

Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques
The FHR conducts application-oriented research in the field of electromagnetic sensors. Particular focus is placed on radar techniques. The institute is one of the largest radar research institutions in Europe and its expertise covers almost all fields of modern radar processes.

The institute is managed by two directors: Dr. Peter Knott is head of a department at FHR and professor Dirk Heberling is head of the RWTH Institute for High Frequency Technology, which closely collaborates with the FHR.
IEG Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures und Geothermal Systems (IEG)

The IEG contributes to shaping the climate-neutral energy systems of the future. It combines expertise in the fields of sector-coupled electricity, gas and heating grids, drilling technologies, process engineering, energy management, geosciences, storage systems, and hydrogen infrastructures. It is active in the structural transformation of Lusatia, the Rhineland and the Ruhr area as well as in the industrial region of the Upper Rhine Valley.

The IEG is affiliated with the "Applied Geophysics l: Computational Geoscience, Geothermics and Reservoir Geophysics" and "Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology" research units as well as with the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering at RWTH Aachen University.

The Institute Management is connected to RWTH through an adjunct professorship.