Whether used for power supply or in electric cars, current battery systems are based on a series of interconnected individual cells, which has certain disadvantages in terms of efficiency and manufacturing. Bipolar battery setups, in contrast, comprise compact stacks of individual cells. A new type of flexible and extremely thin bipolar plate allows batteries to be manufactured cost effectively. At the Hannover Messe from 1 to 5 April 2019, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT will be presenting the development of this technology.
Companies are regularly faced with the challenge of understanding and evaluating the influence of new technologies and trends on their business and of initiating corresponding innovation processes. In order to successfully implement innovations, expertise in different and new fields of technology is necessary. Existing networks are mostly not sufficient for this – there is a dearth of novel ideas. The methodology of KEX Knowledge Exchange AG (Aachen, Germany) breaks this down: In consortium projects new companies from different industries come together to jointly tap the potential of technological hypes.
Fashion designers are expanding their range to include printed electronics. They design innovative garments that are not only beautiful and comfortable, but also think for themselves. Visitors of LOPEC 2019 will experience what is already possible today and how e-textiles are going to enrich our everyday lives in the future. The international exhibition and conference for the printed electronics industry will take place in Munich from 19 to 21 March 2019.