Fraunhofer

News Summary:

Fraunhofer's BAT project developed an XXL charging system, upgrading existing fast-charging infrastructure based on the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard to the new Megawatt Charging System (MCS) on March 20, 2026. This initiative addresses challenges in power electronics, contact systems, and available grid connection capacity inherent in higher charging power. Previously, on March 19, 2026, Fraunhofer announced a new process for projection welding copper onto battery cells, offering an alternative to current methods that often involve welding steel, which limits electrical conductivity. On March 18, 2026, Fraunhofer awarded the Hugo Geiger Prize to three doctoral researchers for their contributions to applied science in quantum communication, sensor technology, and biomedical diagnostics. The recognized projects demonstrated strong potential for real-world application, ranging from improving quantum communication network stability to enabling cost-effective environmental monitoring and accelerating antibiotic resistance detection. Earlier in March, Fraunhofer funded research into Programmable Vibroacoustic Metamaterials for intelligent noise and vibration reduction through its Attract programme and the Cluster of Excellence “Programmable Materials.” This followed the March 11, 2026, announcement of the M²OSS framework, which systematically classifies error sources, characteristics, and compensation strategies for robotic machining errors, unifying multiple aspects of error research and accuracy enhancement while identifying future trends in AI, sensing, and human-robot teams.