The research and development at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) focuses on organisational and technological tasks – especially with respect to production by industrial companies.
The IPA's “Functional Materials” department has been researching the properties of nanoscale carbon, e.g. carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanohorns (CNHs) and graphene, for over 10 years. The spectrum of expertise ranges from synthesis to functionalisation, formulation, dispersion and application and even to providing associated services in manufacturing engineering. In this regard, the department is especially active in the areas of mobility, living and communications and offers, for example, the following solutions and technology: