Fraunhofer IST goes international

What began in 2015 with initial collaborations developed into a strategically alliance. Important steps included the expansion of scientific cooperation, the founding of the joint FCU-IST Institute of Plasma in 2018 and, as the most recent highlight, the opening of the “Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Surface and Production Engineering for Optical and Electrical Systems at Feng Chia University FIP-SPE@FCU” in 2024, a “one-stop shop” for applied research and development in the Taiwanese and Asian markets.

Bridge to the Asian markets

Within the framework of this collaboration, the Fraunhofer IST supports German companies and Fraunhofer partners in obtaining access to the markets in Taiwan and Asia via an established network of reliable players. The focus is directed towards industrial research projects based on the Fraunhofer model in the field of applied research and industrialization, publicly funded joint projects, thematic workshops, and professional exchange within the framework of guest presentations. The portfolio is supplemented by collaborative scientific contributions at international conferences as well as the training of young scientists.

Delegation visit 2025: Information exchange, research, and networking

At the end of October, a delegation of four from the Fraunhofer IST traveled to Taiwan to further consolidate this scientific exchange. In specialist presentations current results from key technologies were showcased, encompassing advances in hot-wire CVD technology for diamond and silicon-based coating deposition, developments in digital transformation, and the application of surface technology within the field of hydrogen technologies, exemplified through electrolyzer components.

A further highlight was a collaborative workshop organized by the FIP-SPE@FCU and the Fraunhofer IST on the subject of “High-Density Plasma for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging”. Taiwan ranks among the world’s leading nations in semiconductor technology, and the line-up of the workshop was of correspondingly top-class. Experts from research and industry presented current trends and technologies. The topics thereby ranged from high-density plasmas, laser-induced and plasma-assisted etching processes, through 3DIC megatrends and their significance for chip integration to the at the Fraunhofer IST developed technology for the deposition of diamond-based protective layers, HIPIMS coatings, and new developments in the field of gas-flow sputtering and diamond-like carbon layers.

In addition to the exchange of expertise, the program also encompassed business-development meetings and a visit to the 60th anniversary of C SUN – including participation in the dragon race, in which the delegation competed as part of the FCU team.

FIP-SPE@FCU: Innovation platform for industry and research

With FIP-SPE@FCU, the Fraunhofer IST offers German and Taiwanese companies a central point of contact for industry-related research and development in the field of surface and production technology. The current main topics include plasma surface technology from atmospheric-pressure plasma to high-vacuum processes as well as the simulation and modeling of processes and coating systems, application-oriented solutions in the fields of optics, sensor technology, decorative coatings, and technologies for semiconductor technology. The Fraunhofer IST would be delighted to provide partner companies with support in addressing individual issues for the Taiwanese market.