News 2025

How can Artificial Intelligence and simulation advance biotechnology? What innovations from research can help companies use resources more efficiently and increase added value? These questions were the focus of the workshop »AI and Simulation in Biotechnology.«

Funding from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate is enabling new equipment for research into digital and social transformation, biotechnology, and health and sustainability research. Fifteen projects are being supported, including projects in robotics and health research.

The AI Real-World Laboratory for Agriculture (RLA) is researching how artificial intelligence can make agriculture more productive, sustainable, and resource-efficient. Under the leadership of the University of Osnabrück and with the participation of DFKI, practical AI and robotics solutions are being developed. In the future, they will be tested in real fields at the FieldLab Agrar.

Efficient battery technologies are crucial for achieving national and European climate targets. In the EU-funded project »STELLAR,« Fraunhofer ITWM is working with 16 European partners to develop a cost-effective test facility for the safe and sustainable production of lithium metal anode foils.

Fraunhofer IESE is part of the European CEADS project, which is creating a secure, interoperable, and trustworthy data space for European agriculture. The goal is to promote data-based innovations, new value chains, and AI applications in order to increase efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability.

The joint Predict-TPC project between IVW and Fraunhofer ITWM is researching a material model for fiber-reinforced thermoplastics based on digital microstructure analyses. Funded with €1.1 million, it strengthens materials research and sustainable lightweight construction for future-oriented industries such as automotive and aviation.

Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences has opened its new LeanFab on the Kaiserslautern campus. With this expanded learning factory, it is strengthening practical training in industrial engineering and promoting knowledge transfer in research and industry.

The RPTU is working with the University of Nairobi and other partners to research and reduce aflatoxins in Kenyan soils and crops. Through the »SolFOOD« project, it is strengthening food security in Kenya, improving soil health, and deepening scientific cooperation between the two universities.

With support from the EU and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Fraunhofer ITWM is constructing a new laboratory building for tire research. The aim is to further develop digital twins in order to optimize tires in terms of abrasion, wear, and noise as early as the development phase.

Kaiserslautern has appointed three new technology ambassadors: Fraunhofer ITWM Institute Director Prof. Dr. Anita Schöbel, Prof. Dr. Arnd Poetzsch-Heffter from University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, and Frank G. Froux, founder and CEO of matelso GmbH.

An important change in leadership strengthens the innovative power of Kaiserslautern as a center of science: After ten years of successful leadership, Dr. Konrad Steiner is handing over his role as managing director of the Performance Center for Simulation and Software-based Innovation to Dr. Nicolas Fröhlich.

The construction fence is up, and its length gives an idea of the size of the building project: With two additional units, the Fraunhofer ITWM is expanding the Fraunhofer Center and closing the gap to the Institute for Surface and Film Technology IFOS on the »Research Mile.« Over the next two years, 228 office spaces will be created here on 3,200 m² of floor space.

The Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences project focuses on developing a leg prosthesis that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transmit external stimuli triggered by pressure, touch, or temperature changes and simulate sensations in muscles and joints. The goal is to create a user-friendly, intelligent leg prosthesis that feels like part of the body.

The manufacture of efficient, lightweight, and cost-effective bipolar plates for fuel cells is the focus of a joint project between the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials (IVW) and the Center for Fuel Cell Technology (ZBT). A milestone has now been reached: the production of fiber-reinforced bipolar plates in demonstrator size with a thickness of only 0.4 mm.

Together with the chemical and pharmaceutical company Lonza Group AG, Fraunhofer ITWM has developed the »Design2Optimize« platform. It uses digital twins and model-based methods to make chemical processes more efficient. This allows active ingredients to be developed faster and with fewer resources – even in complex reactions.

The UpQuantVal project is an initiative for cross-border cooperation in the field of quantum science. The aim is to establish an integrated and sustainable innovation ecosystem in the Upper Rhine region that brings together expertise and resources from Germany, France, and Switzerland.

We have improved our terahertz measurement technology and offer new options for the inline inspection of batteries and wet coatings. Our article in the May issue of the magazine »Qualität und Zuverlässigkeit« explains the advantages and possible applications. You can download the article here [only available in German]:

Prof. Dr. Anita Schöbel and Dr. Henrike Stephanie look back on the past five years in their interview. Among other things, they explain why Rhineland-Palatinate is particularly well suited for researching and applying AI in mobility and what their work as AI pilots looked like in the first phase.

Many companies are saving time and materials by using artificial intelligence. To ensure that small and medium-sized companies also benefit from sustainable AI innovations, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate is supporting them with the new »KI4KMU-RLP« program. Companies in Rhineland-Palatinate can now apply for the pilot phase.