HFU wins funding with two concepts
In a call for Baden-Württemberg funding for large-scale research equipment at universities of applied sciences, Furtwangen University has been able to win with two research concepts. HFU will receive a total of almost €1.5 million in state and EU funding for the acquisition of new large-scale research equipment. €10 million were available in the programme and ten projects were selected for funding.
Professor Volker Bucher was successful with his 'FunktioSens' application. At the heart of the application is the acquisition of a RAMAN spectroscope combined with an inert glass glovebox for around €500,000. The device is used for the physico-chemical characterisation of the binding states and morphologies of layer systems of sensitive chemicals and biological samples that need to be stored and examined in an inert gas environment. “The device perfectly complements our portfolio in the field of surface and interface analysis and will open up new analysis possibilities at the atomic bonding level,” says Bucher, Head of the Institute for Microsystems Technology. It is used in medical technology, but also in the field of sustainability. On the one hand, chemical starting materials for innovative atomic layer deposition can be examined spectroscopically under inert gas. This can be used, for example, to develop new layers on implants that significantly improve bone ingrowth. The device can also be used to characterise graphene or diamond-like layers, which can be used in medical technology as well as in fuel cell technology. In addition, Professor Fath's research work on microplastics in the environment, for example, can be expanded using the RAMAN spectroscope.
Professor Bahman Azarhoushang also received funding approval for the 'Universal-UKPL' application. The innovative ultrashort pulse laser test stand makes it possible to open up new applications in material processing with extremely short laser pulses and thus opens up completely new perspectives in research and industrial development. Prof. Azarhoushang, Head of the KSF - Institute of Precision Machining, explains the significance of the new device, “With the ultrashort pulse laser trainer, we can research the complex interactions involved in material ablation and learn to control them better. This enables us to optimise existing applications and develop new ones.” One specific application example is the high-precision structuring of implant surfaces in medical technology. The nanostructures created in this way not only improve biocompatibility, but also have antimicrobial properties, which optimises the integration of implants in the human body and reduces the risk of infection. The new test stand also opens up a wide range of possibilities in other areas of industry. For example, microlens arrays can be produced for optoelectronic systems in the electronics industry, or precise surface modifications can be made to bearings in the energy and mechanical engineering industries. Particularly noteworthy here are applications such as optimising the friction behavior of high-performance pumps or improving the tribological properties and durability of gear shafts in the automotive industry.
Other institutes and working groups at HFU are also involved in both research concepts and can use the new large-scale research equipment for their research work.
“I would like to congratulate the applicants at the university for this great success,” says Professor Christoph Reich, Vice-President Research and Sustainability. “The large-scale research equipment will not only enable new projects in the field of practice-oriented research and promote cooperation. They also contribute to the university's attractiveness as a scientific institution and will strengthen our research profile, particularly in the fields of medical technology, production technology and smart systems.”