Projects & Partnerships

Notable Projects, Researchers and Collaborations

FAU Profile Center Solar

The FAU Profile Center Solar is a driving force for future research in solar energy systems, innovation and relevant future-oriented research. It aims to accelerate the development of printable semiconductors to overcome the limitations of solar energy conversion.

Solar energy conversion is a leading solution in the fight against climate change while maintaining economic prosperity. However, serious bottlenecks in performance, versatility, and recycling are impeding rapid expansion. A radical paradigm shift is needed, requiring a multi-parameter, multi-objective optimization strategy, including the development of a digital twin for solar energy conversion systems. This strategy will enable breakthroughs that exceed current limitations. The FAU Solar Profile Center is dedicated to scientific excellence in research and education, combining strengths in engineering, science, data science, and economics.

Profile Centers shape the research profile of FAU with a wide range of cutting-edge research projects. An overview of all FAU profile, research and competence centers can be found on the FAU Research profile website.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin März

Lehrstuhlinhaber / Direktor Fraunhofer IISB

FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg / Lehrstuhl für Leistungselektronik (LEE)

 

Martin März arbeitet mit zahlreichen Industriepartnern zusammen, speziell auch aus der Metropolregion Nürnberg, die sich durch eine große Dichte an Leistungselektronik-, Energietechnik- und Automobilzulieferfirmen auszeichnet. Er ist enger Ansprechpartner für regionale und internationale Industrieverbände, etwa im Bayerischen Cluster Leistungselektronik oder beim European Center for Power Electronics (ECPE).

 

Upscaling Lighter Than Air Technology

This is an IMIEU sustainable aviation project.

U-LTA is a platform initiated and coordinated by IMIEU with the goal of upscaling Lighter Than Air technology (LTA), including Airships and other LTA platform innovations. The platform will mobilize financing, policy, and infrastructure. Through collaboration with academia, business developers, and policymakers the platform initiates studies that investigate the performance of LTA carriers and related infrastructure, driven by the needs of the partners.

Furthermore, the platform aims to contribute to procedures for authorization and certification of LTA carriers. By achieving these goals, the platform contributes to delivering on climate ambitions, such as those set out in the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal.

 

ISOPolar     

ISOPolar is an organization, which encourages the development of airship technology for sustainable transportation and logistics applications in northern latitudes.

Lighter Than Air Research

Over the past century, transportation innovations have enabled us to move more people and cargo – further, faster and longer. But most modern transportation is very carbon-intensive. In fact, global aviation emits nearly 1 billion metric tons of CO2 annually. The LTA team is forging a new path to zero-carbon transportation that helps shape a cleaner world and complements humanitarian aid.

The Pathfinder 1 proof of concept aircraft combines the best historical design, modern materials, and new, patented engineering and manufacturing techniques to create a next-generation airship that is safer, stronger, and more efficient than ever before.

LTA Homepage

Solar Airship One

SOLAR AIRSHIP ONE is a 151-meter-long rigid airship with a helium expansion volume of 53,000 m3. Its envelope is covered with 4,800 m2 of solar film. Electrical generation comes from 2 sources: the sun and hydrogen.  The day with solar collectors, the night with fuel cells.

Solar Airship One Homepage

Flying Whales

Flying Whales design a transport solution that contributes
  • to the expansion of economic development in landlocked areas.
  • to reduce the environmental impact of cargo transport.

Flying Works is an internal entity working on future versions of the LCA60T and the integration of new technologies into the aircraft. The main areas of development concern:

  • The use of hydrogen for propulsion, notably via hydrogen fuel cells (integration by 2030)
  • The integration of AI in piloting systems to support pilots in their decisions
  • The use of new materials, particularly for the aircraft structure

Flying Whales Homepage