Customized Material Innovations – Fraunhofer ISC - Fraunhofer ISC

Building Fraunhofer ISC — © Katrin Heyer for Fraunhofer ISC

The Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg offers first-class expertise in materials science with many years of experience in processing, applying and analysing materials.

Scarcity of raw materials, competitive pressure and a shortage of skilled labour are just some of the many challenges facing the manufacturing industry. Researchers at the ISC are focussing on industrially applicable solutions for affordable healthcare and regenerative therapies, resource and energy efficiency as well as sustainability and the circular economy.

Particular attention is paid to the use of bio-based and business-friendly raw materials, the avoidance of critical raw materials and intelligent and sustainable processing techniques.

In addition to contract research and development, the ISC also offers production-related analysis and characterisation, process optimisation, equipment construction and the upscaling of manufacturing and processing methods to pilot scale.

News from Fraunhofer ISC

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Project "KITAMAKI"

Cancer Immunotherapy through Local T-Cell Activation

The "KITAMAKI" project develops innovative approaches for treating skin metastases in breast cancer through local T-cell activation using monoclonal antibodies on biocompatible RENACER^®-fibers. This also provides effective treatment options for other cancers, such as malignant melanoma. Following validation, a drug prototype will be ready, offering a cost-effective and safe therapeutic option.

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25.3.2025

Project "PhysioINK"

3D bioprinting aims to enable the fabrication of living organs and tissues at the push of a button, but it faces the challenge of replicating physiological tissue structure. In the "PhysioINK" project, printing inks made from natural tissue proteins are being developed to mimic the physiological structure. The goal is to achieve printability under cell-compatible conditions, as well as to control tissue assembly through simple triggers and the avoidance of chemical modifications.

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© Fraunhofer ISC/IDcycLIB

Sustainable Battery Manufacturing in Sight

Successful Completion of the BMBF-Funded Project IDcycLIB

After approximately three years, the battery project IDcycLIB, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with around 7 million euros, has successfully concluded in December 2024. During the final project meeting at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg, the outstanding results of the project were presented.

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CellCircle wins "Energie Start-up Bayern 2024"

On november 27th, the start-up CellCircle, which was spun off from Fraunhofer ISC, was awarded the "Energie Start-up Bayern 2024" by Bayern Innovativ. CellCircle develops innovative recycling processes for lithium-ion batteries to efficiently recover valuable materials and improve the carbon footprint.

Congratulations to the CellCircle team with Dr. Andreas Bittner!

CellCircle

Conference on Battery Direct Recycling 2026

Join us at the next DRC in February 2026 in Wuerzburg. We're looking forward to your participation.

DRC 2026

The Fraunhofer ISC has appointed two new members to its board

We look forward to collaborating and exchanging expertise with Priv.-Doz. Dr. Emmerling and Dr. Fechler on the board. Welcome!

Board of Trustees

Let's meet at the World Hydrogen Summit May 21-22,2025!

You will find us at the world's leading trade fair in Rotterdam in Hall 2, Stand D06a5.

World Hydrogen Summit

Press Release / 30.1.25

Project “HiQ-LCA”

HiQ-LCA promotes industry collaboration to meet data needs and support compliance with the new EU Battery Regulation.

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Fields of activity at Fraunhofer ISC

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Materials

Overview Materials

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Processing

Overview Processing

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Applications

Overview Applications

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Analytics

Overview Analytics

Centers of Fraunhofer ISC

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Fraunhofer Translational Center Regenerative Therapies TLC-RT

Life Science at TLC-RT: solutions in the fields of cellular bioengineering.

Website TLC-RT

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Center of Device Development CeDeD

The Center of Device Development CeDeD develops, designs and builds special scientific devices and research systems according to individual customer requirements.

Website CeDeD

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Center for High Temperature Materials and Design HTL

The HTL designs energy-efficient thermal processes and thus contributes to sustainable technological progress in society.

It develops high-temperature materials, high-temperature components and high-temperature measurement methods and thus optimizes thermal processes.

Website HTL

Fields of expertise:

18.3.2025

The "funky" side of solid-state battery development

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are considered the next generation of batteries com-pared to conventional Li-ion batteries. Despite significant research efforts, very few SSBs are market-ready. In recent years, various promising materials have been introduced, but one of the main challenges persists: the combination of these materials into a stable cell. The project consortium of FUNCY-SSB (pro-nounced "funky-ssb") with partners from Germany, Slovenia, and Norway aims to change this over the next three years.

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28.2.2025

Sustainable Battery Manufacturing in Sight: Successful Completion of the BMBF-Funded Project IDcycLIB

After approximately three years, the battery project IDcycLIB, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with around 7 million euros, has successfully concluded in December 2024. During the final project meeting at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg, the outstanding results of the project were presented.

more info

30.1.2025

HiQ-LCA fosters industry collaboration to address data needs and drive compliance with new EU Battery Regulation

The HiQ-LCA project, funded by EIT RawMaterials and co-funded by the EU, supports the battery industry in complying with the EU Battery Regulation by offering various tools and services, including an advanced Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database to be developed as a satellite database of the renowned ecoinvent database. To foster collaboration and encourage data contribution, project partner ecoinvent successfully organized industry workshops in 2023 and 2024, bringing together stakeholders to address key challenges and promote transparency. By contributing data, industry leaders gain access to peer-reviewed LCAs, compliance support, and an enhanced role in advancing sustainable battery production.

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11.12.2024

High Efficiency Meets Sustainability: Fraunhofer Lighthouse Project Shows Way for Next-Generation Tandem Solar Cells

Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells made of stable materials and manufactured using scalable production processes are the prerequisite for the next technological leap in the photovoltaic industry. Over the past five years, six Fraunhofer Institutes combined their expertise in the Fraunhofer lighthouse project "MaNiTU" to identify the most sustainable paths for the market launch of such tandem solar cells. They were able to show for one that high cell efficiencies can be achieved using industry-oriented processes, however, that such high efficiencies were only currently achievable with lead perovskite materials. Based on these findings, the researchers developed suitable recycling concepts to ensure sustainability.

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Fairs and Events

Meet us in person at trade fairs, congresses and symposia. We look forward to seeing you!

Fairs and Events

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Annual Reports

In our annual reports you will find information on selected research activities as well as facts and figures about Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research.

annual reports

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Publications

Here you will find our scientific publications, specialist information (e.g. flyers) and annual reports.

Publications at Fraunhofer ISC

21.5.2025

World Hydrogen Summit 2025

Visit us at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam from May 21–22, 2025, and learn more about our latest material innovations and technologies for the hydrogen economy! Fraunhofer ISC will be showcasing at the German Pavilion, booth D06a5 in hall 2. Meet us on-site and discover how innovative material solutions, advanced sensor technology, and precise analytics enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of hydrogen technologies. We look forward to your visit!

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13.5.2025

5th Symposium zur Nanotechnology

SAVE THE DATE: Nanotechnology is a core technology utilized in numerous sectors. At the 5th Symposium on Nanotechnology of the Fraunhofer Nanotechnology Network, with the support of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), will once again address the opportunities and risks associated with this rapidly evolving field. The two-day online event will address a range of topics related to the application of nanotechnology in various sectors, including digitalization, 2D/3D printing, carbon-based materials and battery materials.

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13.5.2025

SID Display Week 2025

Join us at SID Display Week in San José (USA) from May 13–15, 2025! Fraunhofer ISC will be exhibiting at the German Pavilion, Booth 1132. At Display Week, we will showcase our latest material innovations for cutting-edge display technologies, including advanced high-performance polymers, composites, ORMOCER®, and specialty glass—meticulously engineered to meet the specific needs of our customers. Stop by and meet our experts – we look forward to seeing you!

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17.3.2025

BIO-Europe Spring 2025

Meet us at BIO-Europe Spring in Milan, Italy, from March 17–19, 2025! Fraunhofer ISC will be exhibiting at the Bavarian International Booth 79, showcasing our latest innovations in bioreactors and lab automation, in vitro test systems, and biomaterials. We look forward to seeing you there!

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