Tech Transfer Days | April 15–16, 2024 | Potsdam
The High-Performance Center for Functional Integration organized the 2024 Tech Transfer Days in collaboration with Fraunhofer AHEAD and Fraunhofer Venture. The aim of the event was to give people interested in starting a business an insight into the funding opportunities for intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Individual consultations were held in addition to the presentation of AHEAD projects in pitch sessions. The event offered a practical platform for networking and exchanging ideas in the field of technology transfer.
3DKonzeptLabs | September 24–25, 2024 | Berlin
This year’s 3DKonzeptLabs took place at the Fraunhofer Forum in Berlin under the motto “Impulses for a turning point in additive manufacturing.” The event was organized by the association 3D Druck e. V. and the High-Performance Center for Functional Integration and was kicked off with a networking evening that included a pitch competition for innovative Fraunhofer projects. The second day offered a varied conference program with keynote speeches and dialogue sessions on current trends and challenges in additive manufacturing. The event was supported by partners such as Daimler Truck, the law firm Zirngibl, and Messe Erfurt GmbH.
Repair-friendly product design | November 6, 2024 | Potsdam
Against the backdrop of planned EU legislation on repairs, the event “Repair-friendly product design – new eco-standards for material and product developers” focused on how products can be made more repair-friendly and durable. Experts from industry and research presented and discussed innovative solutions and approaches. Two industrial examples in particular inspired lively discussion. Andreas Enslin (vice president of design at Miele & Cie. KG) presented the first circular vacuum cleaner (cradle-to-cradle principle). It can be completely dismantled and is easy to maintain and recycle. Carsten Waldeck (managing director of the family-owned company Shift GmbH) presented the first sustainable smartphone. It has a modular design, comes with a lifetime return policy, can be repaired or upgraded by the user, and is subject to a device deposit, meaning that every device can be returned at any time. Tablets, notebooks, headphones, soundbars, and other devices are being built according to this principle. The same screws are used in over 100 products, meaning that the devices can be repaired with a single tool that is included with the product. The trade event was organized by the VDI-Bezirksverein Berlin-Brandenburg e.V., the High-Performance Center for Functional Integration, the Potsdam Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), and the Brandenburg Plastics and Chemistry Cluster of the WFBB and offered a wide range of insights and new ideas for sustainable product design.
Fraunhofer Institute for 
