Security and Defense

Power semiconductors and power electronics as key technologies for geopolitical sovereignty and technological resilience

Highly efficient and robust power electronics are the key enabler for a wide range of use cases and fields of application in security-related areas, and their availability is a crucial strategic advantage.

The unique feature of Fraunhofer IISB is our broad portfolio – ranging from basic semiconductor materials to device technology and module technology up to fully integrated power electronics systems. This comprehensive in-house expertise allows us to implement customized power electronics for security, prevention, and defense applications rapidly and needs-based. Fraunhofer IISB offers a complete, resilient technological value chain in the fields of semiconductor technology and power electronic systems.

In national and European collaborations with public institutions, research partners, and the security and defense industry, we contribute to technological sovereignty and drive the adaptation of scientific innovations for both civil and military applications, e.g., in the areas of mobility and transport, stationary and mobile energy supply, and automated vehicles for land, sea, air, and space.

© Daniel Karmann / Fraunhofer IISB
Modular multilevel converter (MMC) for emulating medium-voltage distribution networks. The MMC grid emulator can be used to test and optimize power electronic components for local smart grids as well as resilient energy distribution.

High-tech infrastructure for technological advancement

We offer a unique technological infrastructure across several thousand square meters of laboratory space. This includes our own high-performance computing cluster, various crystal growth and epitaxy facilities for (U)WBG and compound semiconductors, two 200 mm compatible clean rooms with continuous CMOS technology for silicon and silicon carbide from frontend to backend, analytics and characterization laboratories, and an AVT lab for module assembly and reliability testing.

Regarding power electronic systems, the institute has its own mechanical workshop, a hydrogen and fuel cell laboratory, various electronics laboratories focusing on highly efficient converters, electric motor drives, and aviation as well as cryogenic power electronics, laboratories for DC technology and DC grids, a battery laboratory, a separate test center for electric vehicles including an EMC chamber, vehicle and engine test benches, a vehicle manufacturing facility, spaces for weatherproof/seaworthy test setups, and a 200 m² medium-voltage test bench for up to 30 kV and 20 MVA with special test and inspection facilities for hybrid electric powertrains. We also use our entire institute complex as a real-world laboratory for sector coupling and innovative energy systems, including photovoltaics, an outdoor battery laboratory, and charging infrastructure.

Expertise along the value chain for electronic systems at Fraunhofer IISB

© Daniel Karmann / Fraunhofer IISB
Fraunhofer IISB develops customized semiconductor solutions for special electronic devices – from the base material to the prototype series.

Semiconductor solutions for compact security and defense systems

In the areas of security and defense, we are focusing on the implementation of (ultra-)wide-bandgap semiconductors and high-quality semiconductor substrates, e.g., for novel sensor technology and high-performance electronic devices. Now established wide-bandgap materials (WBG) such as silicon carbide (SiC) or gallium nitride (GaN) have opened up new areas of application and performance classes. The transition to ultra-wide-bandgap materials (UWBG) such as aluminum nitride (AlN) creates additional possibilities for high-performance electronic devices, especially under extreme operating conditions with maximum power density, efficiency, robustness, and interference immunity. Functional materials, especially for energy storage and surface coating, complete our range of services.

Semiconductor materials, energy materials, and functional coatings

WBG and UWBG semiconductor crystal growth (SiC, AlN) and epitaxy (SiC)
Support in the development of crystal growth processes and characterization of III-V and II-VI compound semiconductors
High-temperature protective coatings for aerospace applications
Alternative Li-free battery materials for high-power energy storages

Research Area Materials

Research Area Energy Materials and Test Devices

Process technology and special devices

Development and qualification of test devices and prototypes
Solid-state quantum devices for highly sensitive sensors and tap-proof communication systems
High-performance LEDs and laser devices
High-frequency and high-performance devices
Radiation detectors, including IR, UV, and solar blind
Radiation-hardened devices for electromagnetic resilience and space applications
High-temperature devices
Innovative fuse devices
Pre-series and system demonstration
Technology transfer for volume production

Research Area Semiconductor Devices

π-Fab - Electron Device Prototype Fabrication

© Bernd Eckardt / Fraunhofer IISB
Hybrid electric ship propulsion with compact and efficient power converters for high availability with minimal installation space and weight.

Power electronic components and (hybrid) electric drive systems

We research, develop, and integrate power electronic solutions for stationary and mobile applications, e.g., in vehicles, aircraft, and ships. Our systems are characterized by maximum power density, outstanding efficiency, and high robustness with the smallest possible installation space and weight. This is made possible by the use of SiC and GaN semiconductor devices. We are able to tailor our power electronic converters to challenging operating conditions, e.g., for environments with extreme temperatures and the highest demands on stability, vibration, and shock resistance, covering a power range from a few watts up to 20 MW and a voltage range up to 30 kV.

Research Area Power Electronics

Research Area Packaging and Reliability

Mechatronically robust high-performance converters for mobile applications
Electric motors and converter systems for traction drives and auxiliary units
Ultra-light components for use in flying systems
System integration for hybrid and fuel cell powertrains
Highly integrated actuators for robotics applications
Fault-tolerant or fault-resistant architectures for safety-critical systems
Design and assembly technology for power electronic modules with maximum reliability
Lifetime modeling and testing of electronic systems under challenging environmental conditions

© NOMAD Project / Fraunhofer IISB
In the NOMAD project, Fraunhofer IISB is developing highly flexible battery electronics for the use of heterogeneous storage modules for self-sufficient energy supply in the field (symbolic image).

Electronics and intelligence for resilient electrical energy infrastructures

High-end power supply and storage solutions for mobile and stationary applications with the highest demands for reliability and functionality are at the heart of our intelligent energy systems. We integrate innovative methods for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance based on real-time evaluation of electrical signals and AI-supported diagnostic models.

Research Area Intelligent Energy Systems

Decentralized, scalable, modular, and robust energy supply with high availability
Intelligent grid nodes (grid-forming converters) for fail-safe supply grids with high redundancy
High-performance energy transmission systems up to 3 GW based on explosion-proof and redundant modular multi-level inverter cells
Alternative battery technologies suitable for mass production without critical raw material supply chains
Design and construction of stationary and mobile energy storage systems, e.g., for manned and unmanned air, water, and land vehicles, including highly reliable battery management systems (BMS)
Autonomous, AI-supported diagnosis of operating conditions and predictive fault detection in critical systems using edge AI, even without a secure data connection
Design, development, and testing of high-performance pulsed power systems and energy storage devices
Power electronics failure and root cause analysis

© Fraunhofer IISB
Inverse optimization of metasurfaces using conditional generative adversarial networks (cGAN) and physics-informed neural operators (PINO).

Modeling, simulation, and AI for security and defense applications

Fraunhofer IISB's specialized hardware is complemented by advanced digital solutions. We model, simulate, and optimize (power) electronic components and systems, particularly with regard to efficiency, EMC, and interference immunity, and enable robust design for harsh operating scenarios. In the field of optics and photonics, we offer specially developed, high-precision, and extremely fast Maxwell simulations for a wide range of applications.

Research Area Modeling and Artificial Intelligence

Simulation and optimization of power electronic components and systems as early as the design phase using virtual test scenarios
Precise, fast simulation of complex diffractive structures and metamaterials using our own Maxwell/RCWA solver
Simulation and optimization of absorptive coatings, adaptive camouflage structures, high-resolution diffraction gratings for sensor technology, as well as optical filters and antenna structures across a wide range of frequency bands using coupled AI approaches