PRESSEINFORMATION. Leistungszentrum Elektroniksysteme (LZE)

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1 13. März 2017 Seite 1 5 Leistungszentrum Elektroniksysteme (LZE) The Leistungszentrum Elektroniksysteme (LZE) is a joint initiative of the Fraunhofer Institutes for Integrated Circuits IIS and for Integrated Systems and Device Techology IISB in Erlangen as well as the University of Erlangen- Nürnberg (FAU), technically focused on power electronics and low-power electronics. New structures and cooperation models for uncomplicated and efficient research partnerships of science and industry are the key elements of LZE. LZE is concentrating the comprehensive expertise of its members at the location of Erlangen-Nuremberg to realize complex electronic systems in close cooperation with industry. This covers the entire spectrum of ICT, power electronics, sensors, materials development, and system integration. This excellent scientific base is demonstrated in four pilot projects of LZE. Besides top-level research combining multiple competencies, the focus of LZE lies on the development of novel organizational structures and efficient cooperation models between research institutions and industry. This allows the involvement of all partners along the complete innovation chain and the fast transfer of high-class scientific results into industrial application. The strategic aspect of cooperation is extremely emphasized in LZE, e.g., by joint research roadmapping including the derivation of specific tools for solving technological challenges. In addition, new measures for the professional promotion of high-potential young scientists and engineers play an important role in the work of LZE, prominently realized by the ENET LZE program, in which the porosity of borders between different partner institutions is an important issue. Pilot Project: DC Backbone with Power-to-gas Coupling The rising share of renewable energy, which is often drawn from smaller, distributed sources, is having a growing impact on today s distribution systems. This rising number of decentralized sources is putting new strains on today s highly centralized distribution systems, a problem that manifests itself in local oversupplies and undersupplies of energy, in addition to heavy fluctuations. In order to merge the various sources into a common grid, power electronics systems play a major role. Key tasks for these systems include voltage regulation, safety functions (current and power restrictions, emergency shutdown), control and network stability, the measuring and monitoring of the current and voltage levels and communication with other components and users. Redaktion Sabrina Hettenkofer Leistungszentrum Elektroniksysteme (LZE) Telefon Am Wolfsmantel Erlangen sabrina.hettenkofer@iisb.fraunhofer.de

2 Selection of the right storage technology is highly dependent on the type of building, the installation site, the source and consumer profile, the capacity of the storage system, time of year and a host of other factors. For example, with an efficiency rate of 98 percent, the use of lithium ion battery storage can help compensate for fluctuations in an electrical grid. On the other hand, the low specific energy density and stringent safety requirements make this technology too expensive for large-scale storage solutions. For large storage systems, technologies that utilize chemical energy carriers (e.g. hydrogen, LOHC) are much more suitable. The size of the tank defines the storage capacity and therefor it can be easily expanded. This technology could also be used for refueling, transporting, buying and selling 100 percent renewable energy carriers. LZE for the first time combines these components and a highly efficient DC grid in an extremely compact and modularly extendable system. The complete set-up is situated in one single container. Such a system is especially suitable for the sustainable energy supply of a larger edifice complex such as an SME company. 13. März 2017 Seite 2 5 Pilot Project: Wireless Power and Data Transfer in Systems with Fast-moving Parts Many applications require transferring power and data in moving systems. Examples include wind power systems with integrated electronics and actuators in the rotor blades, highly-automated autonomous production systems such as those envisioned for Industry 4.0, and robotic systems in which power and information have to be transmitted to the joints. In most cases this requires the use of slip rings or flexible cables that are subject to wear and tear and which significantly restrict mobility. The goal of the project is to develop the capability to inductively (contactless) transmit power in moving components. The technology could be used as the basis for robust inductive plugs in food processing facilities or the chemical industry or as a simpler and safer way to provide electricity to agricultural machinery attachments that need robust plug solutions. Pilot Project: Low-power Electronics for Sports and Fitness Applications When it comes to grid-independent systems, energy efficiency is the key challenge in the area of electronics technology, especially for daily electronic accessories (wearables) used in sports and fitness applications. As a first step, researchers are planning to develop a functional demonstrator that combines the RedFIR real-time localization and FitnessSHIRT technologies into so-called LokVitalTags. This will allow the system to simultaneously capture positioning and movement data in conjunction with vital parameters such as pulse and respiratory rate. This information is subsequently used to create an optimized training concept. In parallel, the project team will develop and evaluate innovative technologies such as new algorithms for interpreting EKG signals (HRV analyses, arrhythmia detection) and publish their findings. And with an eye on further reducing energy consumption, re-

3 searchers will be developing energy harvesting solutions, compressed sensing signal processing techniques and enhancements to wireless localization technologies. A higher-level objective of the project involves testing new types of sports, fitness and health care applications in cooperation with researchers from sports science. 13. März 2017 Seite 3 5 Pilot Project: Energy-independent Asset Tracking System for Logistics Applications Energy-independent, extremely efficient sensor nodes are one of the key technologies for the Green Internet of Things and Smart Objects. Pursuing a high-performance logistics solution, this LZE project involves the implementation of an asset tracking system, including the development of the electronics for the gateways and location beacons, as well as a miniaturized wireless tag integrated into the tracked asset. An energy-saving wireless solution is especially important for this application. The tag electronics consist of a tri-band wake-up receiver with a current consumption below 10 µa, plus an efficient two-band transmitter. The tag will be completely powered with energy harvesting technology for permanent autonomous operation. The energy-saving electronics solutions developed in this project will eventually be suitable for a wide range of applications such as logistics, building automation, intelligent lighting, electronic labels, remote maintenance and control and wireless sensor networks. ENET LZE Erlangen-Nürnberg Excellence Track - A Unique Career Program Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and the two Fraunhofer Institutes IIS and IISB developed a new excellence programme, which combines the best of basic and applied research with industrial experience. The special feature of ENET LZE is that the third participating party is an industrial partner, which for the first funding period, started in winter 2016/17 is Siemens AG, an industrial core partner of LZE. Over a period of 2 years excellent junior scientists are supported, who work inter-organizationally on a common project through an intensive exchange from the idea to marketability. By inter-organizational role-swapping the participants should get an insight to the perception and the mode of operation of the other organizations. Offered activities within the program are versatile and should not only train the participants professionally but particularly strengthen their networking and soft skills, depending on their future career aspiration. For the participants the program offers the opportunity to work on high-level research projects, to build an extraordinary network, to go through a unique individual career development and, at the same time, to decide purposively for the appropriate career option.

4 For the partner organizations participating in the program this means that they can be part of innovative research and that they can expand their innovation network. Furthermore, it marks a unique opportunity to recruit and develop young academics. 13. März 2017 Seite 4 5 On a political level the program is, against the background of recent developments, an important step towards alternative career paths for excellent young academics und for inter-organizational career development. Moreover, the participating organizations show Best Practice in the field of research career development. The FitnessSHIRT in Action: Two integrated textile electrodes derive a single-channel ECG to be able to monitor the heart rate, indicated as pulse. An additional Piezo-band around the chest registers the movement of the thorax during breathing and can be used to derive the breathing rate of the person wearing the FitnessSHIRT. Fraunhofer IIS / Kurt Fuchs

5 Further information on LZE can be found under: März 2017 Seite 5 5 Contact: Dr. Christian Forster Geschäftsstelle LZE Am Wolfsmantel Erlangen / christian.forster@iis.fraunhofer.de.the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the leading organization for applied research in Europe. Its research activities are conducted by 69 institutes and research units at locations throughout Germany. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft employs a staff of 24,500, who work with an annual research budget totaling 2.1 billion euros. Of this sum, 1.9 billion euros is generated through contract research. More than 70 percent of the Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft's contract research revenue is derived from contracts with industry and from publicly financed research projects. International collaborations with excellent research partners and innovative companies around the world ensure direct access to regions of the greatest importance to present and future scientific progress and economic development. Dieses Feld, sowie die Tabelle auf der letzten Seite nicht löschen!