Trade fairs, conferences and events

The W3+ Fair is an important gathering for the high-tech industry in Central Germany, where companies, research institutions, and specialized suppliers exchange ideas and showcase innovations in the fields of photonics, optics, electronics, and sensor technology. The event focuses on topics such as future markets in photonics, semiconductor manufacturing, medtech, defense, AI, microtechnology, and aerospace technologies. Fraunhofer IST will have a booth at the trade show and will showcase its latest developments in the field of optical filters.

TCO2026 is an international conference on transparent conductive oxides and innovative oxide materials for applications in electronics, quantum electronics, and power electronics. It brings together researchers from academia, research institutions, and industry to present and discuss the latest developments and technological innovations. Fraunhofer IST will present a talk on the fabrication of scalable amorphous indium-zinc oxide front electrodes for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells using reactive sputtering.

The free webinar “Climate Management as a Business Case” demonstrates how companies can systematically evaluate climate action measures and implement them in an economically sound and practical way. It presents a Fraunhofer approach that integrates ecological impact, costs, emissions reductions, and future economic developments into a single framework for decision-making. The webinar is organized in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institutes IST, IPA, and IPK as part of the Fraunhofer Group for Production, as well as the Unternehmensnetzwerk Klimaschutz UNK. A second webinar covering the same content will take place on January 27, 2027.

Students from the fourth semester of their bachelor’s degree onward who are interested in sustainability and future-oriented technologies are invited to participate in a Summer School at WeCampusWOB from October 12–16, 2026. The program offers insights into the circular economy within the automotive industry. Participants will attend presentations by renowned researchers, including our institute's director, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Herrmann, as well as industry sessions led by leading companies such as Volkswagen and Salzgitter AG. The program also includes workshops, site visits, and networking opportunities. Applications are open until September 15, 2026.

As part of the HySecunda project, Fraunhofer IST is showcasing its expertise in the areas of electrolysers, functional coatings, and hydrogen sensors for the hydrogen economy at the Hydrogen Technology World Expo in Hamburg. HySecunda focuses on solutions for the production, use, and scaling of green hydrogen, as well as international knowledge transfer.

At the International Suppliers Fair IZB in Wolfsburg, Fraunhofer CCEM will be presenting itself as a scientific partner of Open Hybrid LabFactory e.V. (OHLF). As a member institute of Fraunhofer CCEM, Fraunhofer IST will showcase innovative approaches to sustainable and circular mobility. The focus will be on automated production systems, future interior concepts, life cycle engineering, and sustainable product design.

On January 20 and 21, 2027, the international conference “nextlub” in Leipzig will bring together experts from research and development to discuss current developments in the fields of tribology and sustainable lubrication. The focus will be on innovative lubricant technologies, sustainable raw materials, and resource- and energy-efficient tribological systems. Fraunhofer IST will be represented with a presentation on sustainable lubricants based on oil derived from the black soldier fly.

On 27th and 28th January, the Fraunhofer IST and boltzplatz are jointly organizing an workshop on the topic of “Plasma Process Simulation Tools for Industrial Coating and Etching Systems - Latest Developments and Future Trends”. The event will provide a forum for presenting the latest research by scientists and engineers from industry, engineering institutes and academia. Contributions will cover fundamental scientific aspects as well as application-oriented research and development. Over the course of these two days, the event also provides a platform for dialogue and networking.

The free webinar “Climate Management as a Business Case” demonstrates how companies can systematically evaluate climate action measures and implement them in an economically sound and practical way. It presents a Fraunhofer approach that integrates ecological impact, costs, emissions reductions, and future economic developments into a single framework for decision-making. The webinar is organized in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institutes IST, IPA, and IPK as part of the Fraunhofer Group for Production, as well as the Unternehmensnetzwerk Klimaschutz UNK.

The 17th International Conference on HIPIMS provides a platform among leading international scientists, engineers and students for a discussion of recent achievements in High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering plasma and coating technology. The 17th HIPIMS conference will take place from 16th - 17th, 2027 at the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST in Braunschweig, Germany.