Special edition - Fraunhofer News

http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/10/index_rn10s_t0.html (Profiles of the awarded prizes),The Stifterverbandspreis (German science foundation award) recognizes scientific excellence for joint projects in the area of applied research. During its annual assembly on October 21-23, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft also awarded three Joseph-von-Fraunhofer and three Hugo-Geiger prizes.

The search for the perfect crystal,To make the special optics used in microchip production, pure calcium fluoride crystals - as large as possible - are required. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB and industry partner SCHOTT Lithotec can grow them. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/10/index_rn10s_t3.html (Keeping all parts in view),Ordering a new car at your local dealer is simple. But customers have no clue what they have set in motion as a result. New software gives manufacturers a clear view of the logistics processes and customers their new individualized car quicker. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/10/index_rn10s_t3.html (Scratch-proof transparence for plastic),Plastic displays and lenses must quite often be hardened and treated with antireflective coatings. Until now, this required two procedures. The patented AR-Hard® process produces non-glare, scratch-resistant surfaces in one step. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/10/index_rn10s_t4.html (Prosthesis express-service),Custom-made dental implants or artificial bones in less than a day - now a reality for the first time thanks to rapid prototyping technologies. Using actual patient data and a laser-based, metal-powder melting process, implants can be produced layer by layer within hours. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/10/index_rn10s_t5.html (A clearer view of the genetic alphabet soup),Getting the letters A, C, G and T in the right order is not the only important aspect of analyzing the human genome. New algorithms, developed as part of an award-winning thesis, can reliably locate functional breaks in the DNA strand. , ,http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/press/pi/pi2003/10/index_rn10s_t6.html (From vision implants to new biochips),Life sciences is the focus of the Hugo-Geiger 2nd and 3rd place prize-winners. One thesis looks at ways to improve retinal implants for the visually impaired and a second at developing methods for producing new biochips through the use of micro and nano technologies.,

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Germany