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When a crash with a vehicle and a “vulnerable road user” becomes unavoidable, only fractions of a second remain to influence how serious the injuries will be. In the VIRTUS research project, scientists are developing and validating an automated driving function that, at this critical moment, initiates a targeted braking and steering maneuver to minimize the risk of injury.

Cyberattacks on power grids, extreme weather events and vehicle-based terrorist attacks—the threat landscape is becoming more diverse and increasingly interconnected. Fraunhofer EMI conducts research how cities, counties and critical infrastructure can be better protected. In this interview, Daniel Hiller, Head of the Business Unit Security and Resilience and recently appointed Chair of the Implementation Advisory Board of the National Resilience Platform, discusses current challenges—and why good plans alone are not enough.

Highly dynamic X-ray technology reveals what happens inside large battery cells in fractions of a second under load—accelerating the development of safer next-generation cells for the European automotive industry.

The space industry is on the verge of a new era. While the United States and China continue to dominate, an increasing number of nations are making targeted investments in developing their own expertise and capabilities. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening technological sovereignty and ensuring national security. Prof. Dr. Frank Schäfer, Head of the business unit Space at Fraunhofer EMI, explains why Germany needs to act now – and what role Fraunhofer will play in this transformation.

Lithium-ion batteries in personal electronic devices (PEDs) such as laptops, smartphones, powerbanks and electronic cigarettes can pose a serious safety risk in air travel. Damaged or overheated batteries can combust or explode. In the LOKI-PED project, the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI and the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP cooperated with Airbus to examine the consequences of smoke and fire occurring in aircraft cabins and cockpits. This first scientifically substantiated risk assessment will contribute to a safer use of electronic devices in air travel.

They power vehicles, keep onboard systems running, and are gaining importance in aviation. Lithium-ion batteries—prized for their high energy density, low self-discharge, and long lifespan—are the preferred choice for many applications. Yet the question persists: How safe are they? Dr. Sebastian Schopferer, Head of the Crash and Battery Safety Center, and Benjamin Schaufelberger,battery safety simulation expert, discuss the safety of these widely-used energy storage devices, trends and challenges for manufacturers, and the benefits of testing throughout the development process.

The University of the Bundeswehr Munich has appointed Professor Dr. Martin Sauer as an honorary professor in the field of "High Dynamics".

Green hydrogen is a key area of opportunity in the energy transition. However, the use of pipelines to transport this energy source is associated with a degree of risk. Research scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI, are developing a hydraulic simulation tool to assist with the planning of a resilient hydrogen infrastructure designed to safeguard energy supply.

With the construction of the KTC (High-Speed Dynamic Technologies Center), the institute is further expanding its research in Freiburg.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics (Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI) have developed a tool that allows companies and operators of critical infrastructures to quickly evaluate their need for action. This tool facilitates the efficient identification of security risks and the implementation of necessary measures.