Newswise — The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM, President, Seog-Hyeon Ryu) has expanded cooperation with Germany’s Fraunhofer institutes and different main European analysis organizations to strengthen worldwide joint analysis in superior manufacturing applied sciences and reinforce its world analysis collaboration community, thereby laying the muse for future cooperation in next-generation mechanical applied sciences.
As a part of KIMM’s world cooperation initiative 「With KIMM, to the World」the Institute goals to additional increase worldwide joint analysis with main European analysis establishments, advance collaboration networks in superior manufacturing applied sciences, and strengthen researcher alternate and world expertise acquisition to boost the worldwide dissemination of KIMM’s applied sciences and the creation of joint analysis outcomes.
During a go to on July 16, President Ryu and KIMM researchers visited the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT, Acting Director, Dr. Jochen Stollenwerk)* in Aachen, Germany, the place they signed a analysis cooperation settlement to increase collaboration in AI-based laser gear improvement and clever manufacturing applied sciences. Through this settlement, the 2 establishments will broaden worldwide joint analysis in AI-based laser course of optimization, clever laser manufacturing methods, and next-generation manufacturing applied sciences, whereas additional strengthening joint challenge improvement and researcher alternate.
* Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT): Established in 1985 in Aachen, Germany, ILT is a number one utilized analysis institute underneath the Fraunhofer Society specializing in laser applied sciences. The institute conducts industry-oriented analysis in laser-based manufacturing processes, optical methods, additive manufacturing, digital manufacturing, and AI-based manufacturing applied sciences. With roughly 490 researchers working in shut collaboration with {industry}, ILT advances superior laser manufacturing applied sciences and their commercialization.
Since signing a analysis cooperation MoU in 2022, KIMM’s Department of Industrial Laser Technology on the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Research Division and Fraunhofer ILT have maintained lively collaboration by means of joint analysis tasks and researcher exchanges in laser purposes and superior manufacturing. The two establishments collectively developed high-speed laser processing know-how for next-generation metallic gas cell bipolar plates, and the laser processing gear developed by Korea companions has been put in at Fraunhofer ILT, the place it’s at the moment being utilized as a collaborative analysis platform.
Building on their experience in superior laser processing applied sciences, together with nuclear decommissioning and upkeep applied sciences, precision laser manufacturing, and clever course of monitoring, the 2 establishments will increase their collaboration into future strategic industries. Their joint analysis will focus on AI-assisted laser manufacturing, real-time course of monitoring, environmentally pleasant manufacturing applied sciences, and next-generation laser processing. They additionally plan to discover new worldwide collaborative tasks in synchrotron-based in-situ course of remark and superior laser manufacturing. Through continued researcher exchanges and shut worldwide cooperation, the 2 establishments intention to boost world technological competitiveness and lead innovation in next-generation laser manufacturing.
In addition, on July 16, the Nitro Future Initiative Global Top Research Lab (NFI GTR Lab, Head, Dr. Dae-Hoon Lee) participated within the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST)–Fraunhofer Global Technology Exchange Meeting held on the Fraunhofer Institute for Materials Recycling and Resource Strategies (IWKS) in Alzenau, Germany. During the occasion, the Lab signed a analysis cooperation MoU with the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT)* within the fields of nitrogen fixation and high-temperature hydrocarbon conversion applied sciences.
* Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT): A number one utilized analysis institute underneath the Fraunhofer Society in Germany. The institute conducts analysis on environmentally pleasant and sustainable applied sciences in chemical processes, power methods, polymers, and composite supplies. It is internationally acknowledged for its experience in power storage methods corresponding to batteries and gas cells, light-weight supplies for automotive and aerospace purposes, and carbon-neutral natural synthesis applied sciences, whereas main the event of commercialization-ready applied sciences for industrial purposes.
The MoU is meant to establish new joint analysis alternatives and increase collaboration in chemical conversion course of applied sciences primarily based on plasma, catalysts, and electrochemical processes. Under the settlement, the 2 establishments will collectively conduct analysis on nitrogen fixation processes and high-temperature natural conversion applied sciences. In explicit, the 2 establishments agreed to hold out a joint proof-of-concept (PoC) research on nitrogen fixation processes to confirm the efficiency of the method system and focus on the analysis of the applicability of the produced nitrogen-based fertilizers to crop cultivation in Germany. They additionally plan to establish and pursue new worldwide collaborative analysis tasks on high-temperature natural conversion applied sciences to additional improve the technological maturity and strengthen cooperation within the improvement of sustainable and environmentally pleasant course of applied sciences
KIMM’s Global TOP Strategic Research Group for Nitrogen Resource Conversion for a Future Energy Society is a nationwide strategic analysis and improvement program supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and NST, with the aim of producing world-class analysis outcomes. The Group is creating applied sciences for producing ammonia, nitrogen-based fertilizers, clear hydrogen, and purposeful carbon supplies utilizing renewable energy-driven plasma processes. Through this collaboration, the Group plans to speed up the verification of the financial feasibility of carbon-free nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing processes and set up a basis for coming into the European market.
On the identical day, KIMM’s Department of Nano Display additionally participated within the NST–Fraunhofer Global Technology Exchange Meeting, the place it mentioned analysis cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (IWS) within the discipline of dry-process applied sciences for secondary batteries. The two establishments plan to discover alternatives for joint analysis by combining KIMM’s core capabilities in in-line Raman-based evaluation of dry powder mixing uniformity and electrode coating uniformity and dry binder manufacturing know-how for secondary batteries with Fraunhofer IWS’s experience in dry battery manufacturing gear and clever manufacturing applied sciences. This alternate is anticipated to offer a chance to broaden the applying of KIMM’s in-line course of monitoring applied sciences. KIMM additionally plans to actively pursue the applying of those applied sciences not solely within the battery sector but additionally throughout industries requiring extremely exact manufacturing processes, together with semiconductors and prescribed drugs, whereas figuring out new companions for collaborative analysis.
In Aachen on July 17, President Ryu attended the thirtieth anniversary ceremony of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Europe, the place he met with representatives from main European analysis institutes, universities, and {industry} and shared the achievements and future imaginative and prescient of Korea–Europe science and know-how cooperation. The occasion additionally offered a chance to strengthen KIMM’s collaboration community with European analysis establishments and focus on new worldwide collaborative analysis tasks and methods to additional increase the muse for analysis cooperation.
The following day, in Munich on July 18, KIMM will current a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Helmut Schmicker in recognition of his contributions to the institution and improvement of KIMM, marking the Institute’s fiftieth anniversary. Dr. Helmut Schmicker performed a key function in early technological cooperation between Germany and KIMM and in advancing Korea’s mechanical engineering capabilities. The ceremony is meant to specific KIMM’s appreciation for his contributions to the Institute’s institution and mirror on the historical past and significance of worldwide cooperation. President Ryu and KIMM researchers can even take part within the Europe-Korea Conference on Science and Technology (EKC) 2026, to be held on July 20 in Toulouse, France.
In conjunction with EKC 2026 on July 21, KIMM will take part in a worldwide expertise recruitment occasion organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The Institute will showcase its analysis capabilities and working atmosphere to excellent abroad researchers and conduct recruitment consultations, aiming to strengthen its world expertise community and improve long-term analysis competitiveness.
President Ryu emphasised, “This visit to Germany and France marks an important step in expanding strategic cooperation with leading European research institutions and strengthening the foundation for international joint research.” He added, “KIMM will continue to expand international joint research in advanced manufacturing technologies, including collaboration with Fraunhofer ILT and ICT, and further strengthen the global competitiveness of Korea’s mechanical engineering technologies through an enhanced global research collaboration network and the recruitment of outstanding research talent.”
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The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) is a non-profit government-funded analysis institute underneath the Ministry of Science and ICT. Since its basis in 1976, KIMM is contributing to financial development of the nation by performing R&D on key applied sciences in equipment and supplies, conducting reliability take a look at analysis, and commercializing the developed merchandise and applied sciences.