Advances in Microtechnology: Fraunhofer ENAS Opens “Innovation Office” in Regensburg

TechBase Regensburg © R-Tech GmbH

Im Bild (v. l. n. r.): Rainer Kaltschmidt (Leiter des Standorts Regensburg am Fraunhofer ENAS), Jörg Recklies (Leiter des Standorts Regensburg bei Infineon Technologies), Prof. Dr. Harald Kuhn (Institutsleiter des Fraunhofer ENAS), Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer (Oberbürgermeisterin der Stadt Regensburg), Alexander Rupprecht (Geschäftsführer der »TechBase« Regensburg) und Jens Weber (Geschäftsführer der Technologie Centrum Chemnitz GmbH als Vertreter für die Stadt Chemnitz) © Fraunhofer ENAS / In the picture (from left to right): Rainer Kaltschmidt (Head of the Regensburg site at Fraunhofer ENAS), Jörg Recklies (Head of the Regensburg site at Infineon Technologies), Prof. Dr. Harald Kuhn (Director of Fraunhofer ENAS), Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer (Mayor of the City of Regensburg), Alexander Rupprecht (Managing Director of “TechBase” Regensburg) and Jens Weber (Managing Director of Technologie Centrum Chemnitz GmbH as representative for the City of Chemnitz). © Fraunhofer ENAS

The Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS in Chemnitz was joined today by guests from government and industry in celebrating the opening of its new “Innovation Office” at the “TechBase” innovation and start-up center in Regensburg, Germany. The move creates ideal conditions for the institute to expand its top-quality research services to include the south of Germany and develop forward-looking technologies in immediate proximity to customers and partners throughout the region.

The new Fraunhofer ENAS space was officially dedicated on November 26, 2024. The event was attended by Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, Lord Mayor of Regensburg, Jens Weber, Managing Director of the Technologie Centrum Chemnitz GmbH as representative of the City of Chemnitz, Jörg Recklies, plant manager at Infineon Technologies Regensburg, and Alexander Rupprecht, Managing Director of “TechBase” Regensburg.

By opening its new “Innovation Office” at “TechBase”, in the heart of the vibrant research and economic landscape around Regensburg, the institute is expanding its presence and raising its profile in the south of Germany in addition to its headquarters in Chemnitz in the east and an existing location in Paderborn in the west. The goal is to further bolster longstanding business relationships with regional players in industry and the research sector, establish a platform for sharing research ideas and networking, and forge ties for new collaborative efforts in research and development.

“The Regensburg metro area is highly dynamic, with a growing economy. A thriving start-up scene, well-known high-tech companies, many small and medium-sized enterprises and first-class research as well as higher education institutions all form a unique ecosystem full of fresh ideas and momentum here, much like in Chemnitz. With so much innovative strength and a local focus on semiconductor and sensor technologies, biotech, IT and artificial intelligence, all of which depend on powerful micro and nanotechnologies, this area of the south of Germany is an ideal starting point for us to develop new ideas and actively participate in shaping technological advances in forward-looking fields,” explains Prof. Harald Kuhn, director of Fraunhofer ENAS, who has close ties with Regensburg after working in various management positions and is familiar with the local area’s opportunities and challenges.

In its role as a dependable research and innovation partner, the new office will allow Fraunhofer ENAS to give customers and partners in eastern Bavaria as well as other areas around Germany the opportunity to benefit from its key areas of expertise in smart systems. “Being close to our customers is especially important when it comes to fostering innovation and putting new ideas into action. Our ´Innovation Office´ gives us a direct presence right in the heart of Bavaria, so we can work with our customers and partners in person as a trustworthy and expert point of contact when it comes to overcoming the challenges they face. This means together, we will be able to develop innovative products and translate them into applications even faster and more effectively,” Prof. Harald Kuhn explains.

As a hub of dialogue and start-up activity that brings people together, the “TechBase” creates an ideal framework for tapping into the potential of new technologies and accelerating their transfer to industry, the research sector and society at large. For Fraunhofer ENAS, establishing the new office at “TechBase”, which has a network of many technology-focused partners and companies, opens up valuable synergies in the region. “In Fraunhofer ENAS, we are bringing in a strong partner for our innovation and start-up center, and we are delighted to be expanding our ecosystem in this way, which will add to the local area’s innovative strength,” explains Alexander Rupprecht, the “TechBase” Managing Director.

About Fraunhofer ENAS

The particular strength of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS lies in the development of smart systems for various applications. These systems combine electronic components, micro and nano sensors and actuators with interfaces for communication. Fraunhofer ENAS develops individual components and the technologies to produce them along with system concepts and system integration technologies and translates them to real-world use. The institute works on customer projects from the idea and draft stage through technology development or implementation using existing technologies and beyond to the tested prototype phase.