The Internet of Things and especially the Internet of Voice require energy-efficient and high-quality audio devices. In-ear headphones are a particular challenge in this regard. These battery-powered miniature devices are expected to cover an ever-increasing range of functions. An innovative loudspeaker technology developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS represents an important development push due to its small size and high energy efficiency. New research results enabling order-reduced modeling have now been presented in the Nature Journal Microsystems & Nanoengineering.

n the recently launched joint project "T-KOS" of the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD), terahertz technology is now to be developed synergistically for industry in the fields of communication and sensor technology for the first time.

As digitization continues, connected devices are making their way into more and more areas of everyday life. However, these are often vulnerable to cyberattacks; in the past, many end consumers, such as users of online services, were affected in addition to industry and businesses.

The quantum computer race is in full swing. Germany has long been one of the world leaders in basic research. In the joint project "QUASAR", the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS now wants to develop a semiconductor quantum processor "Made in Germany" together with its partners.

Many monitoring, sensing and characterization tasks in industry today are based on classic ultrasonic sensors. Micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) represent an innovative and effective development that can open up new applications thanks to their compact design and efficiency.

House key, wallet, health insurance card, hotel key card — a smart finger ring could replace all these in the future. Produced by a 3D printing process, the ring has an integrated RFID chip, tamper-proof, sealed and invisible.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS in Dresden has been developing robust, reliable and versatile ultrasonic sensors for many years.

n order to use electronic devices securely and reliably, it is important to know where they were manufactured, how they operate and how they are constructed.

The first IBM Quantum System One installed in Europe is now available to companies and research organizations that wish to develop and test applied quantum algorithms and gather expertise. In a joint project with IBM, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will operate the quantum computer, installed in a center near Stuttgart, under German data protection law. The Fraunhofer Competence Network Quantum Computing will be unveiling its plans to the public at the Hannover Messe Digital Edition from April 12–16.

As a starting point, the project is focusing on two sensor nodes – one to control machines and one to measure the air quality in the city.