Press releases 2013

Flickering facades, curved monitors, flashing clothing, fluorescent wallpaper, flexible solar cells – and all printable. This is no make-believe vision of the future; it will soon be possible using a new printing process for organic light-emitting diodes.

Dr. Joachim Storsberg of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research was awarded the "Translational Research Award in Cornea and Ocular Surface Science". At its General Assembly in Nice on September 21st the "European Association for Vision and Eye Research" (EVER) honored the scientist for the development of the artificial cornea.

In the recently started European ‘ENAB-SPOLED’ project six leading companies and research institutes work closely together on solution processed Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs). The goal is to enable high performing cost competitive OLEDs for the lighting market and to develop a functional luminaire demonstrator. The cooperation project will run for 2 years with a budget of 4 Million Euro and is financially supported by Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany (BMBF), the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).

Chemotherapy is often preferred for fighting cancer, but its side effects can be considerable. A new technique may reduce these in future: nanoparticle-encapsulated substances could kill off tumor cells selectively. This will be easier on patients.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP Potsdam-Golm enriches its research spectrum. In the specially profiled project group biopolymers and biobased plastics are investigated and developed for use in plastics processing industry of Brandenburg and beyond. On April 24th, 2013, at 10.30 a.m. the Project Group Biopolymer Processing is inaugurated in Schwarzheide.

Prof. Hans-Peter Fink receives the "Anselme Payen Award" 2012 of the American Chemical Society ACS, Cellulose and Renewable Materials Division on April 9th, 2013 in New Orleans. In honor of the winner, an award symposium takes place.

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells can now be developed at Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam-Golm in a near-industrial scale. The new pilot line was designed and implemented by Fraunhofer IAP in cooperation with the plant manufacturer MBRAUN. The plant is commissioned on January 15th and 16th, 2013, as part of a trade event for organic electronics.

Bioplastics made of polylactides (PLA) are becoming more heat-resistant, thereby making them suitable for high-temperature filling processes in the food industry as well. Fraunhofer researchers are exhibiting how renewable, biodegradable and biostable raw materials can be used in architecture, interior design and the packaging industry at this year’s International Green Week in Berlin.