The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) has been honored at the Hugo Junkers Prize by the State of Saxony-Anhalt. The jury recognizes an innovative process for the manufacture of lightweight sandwich structures that enables the production of complex-shaped, highly stable components in a mass-production-ready process. The “HyWaSand” project took third place in the “Most Innovative Projects in Applied Research” category. Having already gained international recognition, the technology has now also been honored as an outstanding innovation from Saxony-Anhalt.
The solution developed in the “HyWaSand” project enables the efficient production of thermoplastic lightweight sandwich structures, combining shaping, joining, and functionalization in a single process step. This improves efficiency and results in weight savings of up to 50 percent. The performance of the patented technology was demonstrated using a truck compartment flap. Research partners in the project were Daimler Truck AG, ElringKlinger AG, ENGEL Austria GmbH, ThermHex Waben GmbH, and Edevis GmbH.
“This award is a great honor for our team and our partners. I am delighted that the consistent implementation of an idea with significant technical and environmental impact convinced the jury. The prize demonstrates that innovative lightweight construction approaches play a key role not only in research but also in the market,” explains Dr.-Ing. Ralf Schlimper, project manager at Fraunhofer IMWS.
In the award-winning approach, semi-finished products made of thermoplastic honeycomb cores and fiber-reinforced cover layers are processed into weight-optimized 3D components via thermoforming. Functional elements such as hinges are produced in the same cycle via injection molding. The process reduces costs, enables recyclability, and is suitable for large-scale production. Rapid testing methods ensure quality.
“Bringing together excellent research and practical application is at the heart of our mission at Fraunhofer IMWS. The award-winning project is a wonderful example of this. My warm congratulations go to the entire project team,” comments PD Dr. Christian Schmelzer, Acting Director of Fraunhofer IMWS.
Since 1998, the Hugo Junkers Prize has honored innovative research achievements from Saxony-Anhalt’s scientific and industrial sectors. It is awarded by the Saxony-Anhalt Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection, and Environment and, with a total endowment of 80,000 euros, ranks among the most valuable research prizes in Germany.
Contact:
Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS
Dr.-Ing. Ralf Schlimper
Group Manager “Assessment and Design of Composite Structures”
Walter-Hülse-Straße 1
06120 Halle (Saale) / Germany
Phone: +49 345 5589-263
Mail: ralf.schlimper@imws.fraunhofer.de
