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Under the leadership of Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, power electronic converters and a contact system for high currents and voltages are to be developed in the joint project »HV-MELA-BAT« by July 2025. Project partners are Motion Control & Power Electronics GmbH, STS Spezial-Transformatoren Stockach GmbH, Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH and Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI.

Fraunhofer IVI is thus contributing its expertise in the field of contact systems to the research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK).

Since 2017, the institute has been working on solutions for fully automated charging systems for fast charging of battery electric energy storage systems under the working title »Underbody Charging System«. In 2022, the institute patented an associated system development under the name »Electrical Contact Unit« (high-performance connector). This is a semi-automatic contacting device in which the feed from plug to socket can be manual or automated, but the actual contacting process is carried out by an actuator inside the plug in the form of a face contact. In the course of the project, the technology approach is to be qualified for the implementation of the project objectives by further development into a demonstrator of the charging system »mega-charging system«.

• to the press release

Fraunhofer has recognized that art can play an important role in communicating scientific results. By conveying complex content in a vivid and comprehensible way, it can contribute to the understanding of technologies and their potential for the economy and society. This requires formats that enable a productive dialog between science and art. Fraunhofer has therefore set itself the task of inviting both disciplines to engage in stimulating discourse.

The book »Art and Science by Fraunhofer«, published in November 2022, gives an insight into the efforts that provide a creative space for this exchange and increase visibility in the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Numerous examples from various fields show how the seemingly contradictory aspects of science and art are mutually conditional and offer the opportunity to view scientific content from a new perspective.

As the third volume, the publication concludes a series of books dealing with aesthetics and functionality in the focus areas of design, architecture, and art. »Designed by Fraunhofer,« the first volume, uses a variety of project examples to show that design is an integral part of research work. The second volume, »Architecture by Fraunhofer,« focuses not only on Fraunhofer research buildings from their early beginnings to the present, but also on the exciting question: How are the buildings perceived? The most recent book is looking into the tension between science and various art forms.

The project was funded within the framework program of the Fraunhofer network »Science, Art and Design«.

• book »Art and Science by Fraunhofer«