profile of the institute - fraunhofer emi · 7 8 business unit automotive dr. jens fritsch head of...
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F R A U N H O F E R I N S T I T U T E F O R H I G H - S P E E D D Y N A M I C S , E R N S T- M A C H - I N S T I T U T, E M I
PROFILE OF THE INSTITUTE
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Profile of the institute
Who we are
Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-
Institut, EMI, is an institute of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur
Förderung der angewandten Forschung e. V. A distinctive fea-
ture of the institutes and research units of the Fraunhofer-Gesell-
schaft is their scientific excellence arising from their integration
into the academic research landscape while networking well with
the industries. At this interface, we conduct basic preliminary
research but also system development in an economic manner.
Ernst-Mach-Institut has specialized in investigating physical-
technical processes in materials, structures and components as
they occur, for instance, during crash or impact. Our research
contributes to increased safety and security, reliability, resilience
and sustainability in our society.
Our mission
In our business units Defense, Security, Automotive, Space and
Aviation, we aspire to offer first-class research services and cut-
ting-edge technology to our customers from the industries and
the public sector. For this achievement, we focus on solutions
for safety and security, reliability and resilience.
For the German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg), we act as
excellent and independent partner with our analysis and consult-
ing expertise concerning questions of research and technology.
We derive our scientific strength and unique characteristics
from being a one-stop source offering the combination of high-
speed dynamics in experiment, modeling and simulation as well
as engineering methods and technology.
Our network
Not only are we linked up with other Fraunhofer Institutes by
means of alliances and groups, but we also entertain relations
with universities and research facilities and industrial enterprises
in Germany, Europe, America, Asia and Australia. The University
of Freiburg and the five Fraunhofer Institutes located in Freiburg
have founded the Sustainability Center Freiburg. In combination
with the industry, this cooperation promotes the transfer of
scientific developments into marketable and practice-oriented
products and services.
Our equipment
At our disposal – among others
• Laboratory acceleration facilities unique to Europe
• The Crash Center of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
covering component crash as well as full-vehicle
crash for research purposes
• Testing laboratories with split Hopkinson pressure
bar, universal and servo-hydraulic testing machines,
drop-weight towers, multiaxial test bench
• Shock-tube facility for the examination of building
elements (windows, doors, walls etc.) under blast
loads
Our service offer
We distinguish ourselves by in-house development of
testing facilities, measuring instruments, sensors and soft-
ware as well as by our own workshops, a high percentage
of technical staff and a good mixture of senior scientists
and PhD students. Thereby, we are able to flexibly adjust
to individual requirements.
What we provide for you
• Analysis and modeling of materials and components
under dynamic loads
• Implementation and development of new sensors
and measurement techniques
• Use and development of numerical calculation
methods as well as customized software solutions
• Experimental examination of high-speed impacts of
up to 10,000 meters per second
• Optimization of lightweight structures
• Analysis and solutions for the security of buildings
and plants
• Open-area test site for explosions and indoor
detonation chamber
• Laser sintering plant for additive manufacturing
(3D printing)
• Excellent technology for measurement, diagnostics
and visualization of high-speed processes
• Commercial and in-house simulation software
• Nondestructive test procedures
• Climatic chamber
Photo: Fraunhofer EMI in Freiburg.
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Business unit Defense
Dr. Manfred Salk
Head of business unit
Business unit Defense
The business unit Defense focusses on the areas of protec-
tion and effectiveness. Modern protection concepts and
new materials are analyzed with regard to high-dynamic
loading, sensor systems are developed for their applica-
tion in ballistics as well as practice-oriented engineering
software. Furthermore, analyses concerning the technical
safety and reliability of defense-related technology systems
are included in our portfolio.
By means of our acceleration facilities, we are able to accel-
erate masses ranging from only few milligrams to several
hundreds of kilograms to a velocity of up to 10,000 meters
per second in order to analyze terminal ballistic mecha-
nisms. Another field of activity concerns laser effects. For
the investigation of detonations under laboratory condi-
tions, we resort to measurement technology partly unique
to the world. The use of imaging techniques such as flash
X-ray and specific high-speed cameras form a standard in
this context.
The theoretical analysis of impact and shock-wave events
is based on numerical simulations calculated by means
of material models created at EMI. The characteristic
values for these models are measured under high-dynamic
loading conditions at the institute itself. The mechanical
inspection of materials regarding the vulnerability of aero-
structures is conducted under realistic conditions.
For automotive protection, the effects of shoulder weap-
ons, mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are
analyzed, and new approaches for defense against threats
are developed. We optimize transparent armor systems for
viewing panels as well as personal protective equipment.
Methods known from the field of protective structures
are used for the protection of camps. We also evaluate
combinations of materials and composite materials with
regard to their ballistic protective performance.
Service offer
• Conception and analysis of protective mechanisms
• Numerical simulation of impact and shock-wave events
• Material characterization and failure analysis
• Development of sensor technology and electronic engineering for
extreme conditions, high-speed measurement technology
• Analyses concerning technical safety and reliability of
defense-related systems
Contact
Photo: Experimental setup in ballistics: laser effects on projectiles.
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Business unit Security
Business unit Security
In the business unit Security, Fraunhofer EMI develops
technologies, methods and concepts to make our society
and its infrastructure robust, error-tolerant and resilient
towards hazards like terrorist attacks, natural catastrophes
or accidents.
One area of focus is the protection of buildings and
infrastructure against extreme loads such as explosions,
fire, strong-wind incidents as well as earthquake or flood.
Specially developed software applications allow for the
calculation of limiting values for the dynamic load-carrying
capacity of conventional materials as reinforced concrete,
masonry, glass and their strengthening options. Apart
from direct structural measures, Fraunhofer EMI researches
novel sensor technologies which support relief forces in res-
cuing endangered and injured people as fast as possible.
By means of computer-assisted risk and resilience analyses,
we simulate and predict the behavior of systems in ex-
treme events. Urban planners and persons responsible for
cities and communities are able to conduct profound risk
management (also in compliance with ISO 31000) with
the aid of in-house developed interactive web applications
supporting the process of decision-making.
The technical reliability and robustness of safety-critical
systems in infrastructure and safety of control software
are also analyzed at EMI. These investigations incorporate
mechanical, electronic, pyrotechnical and software-techni-
cal components of the system. Employing modeling and
analysis of extreme events, we give advice to system
developers who strive for their respective systems to be
designed to minimize risk and optimize security.
Service offer
• Protection of buildings and infrastructure against explosions
• Risk analyses of extraordinary loadings
• Risk management for urban security
• Sensor technologies for safety and security applications
• Safety, efficiency and robustness analyses of technical systems
• Testing and certification
Dr. Alexander Stolz
Head of business unit
Dr. Tobias Leismann
Head of business unit
Contact
Photo: In our shock-tube facility BlastStar, glass panels are tested for safety in case of explosion.
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Business unit Automotive
Dr. Jens Fritsch
Head of business unit
Business unit Automotive
The crashworthiness of vehicle structures and components
as well as the challenges concerning electromobility and
automated driving are addressed in the business unit
Automotive. The mechanical characterization and numer-
ical modeling of materials, composites and components
under static, dynamic and impact loading are main areas
of research at Fraunhofer EMI.
Alongside standardized test methods, we increasingly
employ methods for micro- and nanostructure analysis in
order to closely analyze vehicles under crash loading. As a
consequence, we can investigate material characteristics
even in the range of very small length scales. Actually, the
behavior of the inner vehicle structures under crash can be
rendered visible by means of X-rays.
In our own component and research crash-test facility,
we test the structural design of modern vehicles. Further-
more, we examine the crashworthiness of uncharged and
charged batteries for electric vehicles at our own test
bench.
Numerical modeling forms an important core theme. Here,
findings on materials and component structures gained
from experiment are numerically tested and validated, and
predictions about loads occurring in the case of crash can
be made. Apart from commercial simulation software, we
also use SOPHIA, a software developed in-house at EMI.
EMI addresses the challenges of automated driving by
analyzing the technical reliability and safety of electronic
systems operated in the vehicle. Hardware and software
systems are tested, diagnostic tools for high-voltage com-
ponents are developed, and the technical system of the
vehicle is modeled.
Service offer
• The Crash Center of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
• Characterization as well as numerical simulation and
modeling of materials
• Examination of crashworthiness as well as optimization of
lightweight structures
• Safety of batteries and energy storage for electromobility
• Technical safety of vehicles
Contact
Photo: Our research crash-test facility at Fraunhofer EMI in Efringen-Kirchen.
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Business unit Space
Prof. Dr. Frank Schäfer
Head of business unit
Contact
Business unit Space
The safety of manned and unmanned space missions lies
at the heart of research and development in the fields of
the business unit Space. Collisions even with micropar-
ticles – be it meteoroids or space debris – can damage
spacecraft or satellites considerably. By means of our
light-gas acceleration facilities unique across Europe, we
examine such hypervelocity impacts experimentally. Based
on these experiments, we conduct risk analyses to calcu-
late impact probabilities and effects on spacecraft. Our
in-house developed vulnerability analysis software PIRAT
serves as a tool to calculate the risks for a specific mission
in order to design the appropriate protection concepts.
In addition to this, studies at EMI focus on the protection
against asteroids and how the deliberately provoked
impact by particular aircraft can deflect the trajectory of
asteroids in order to protect planet Earth.
EMI is also involved in the fields of satellite technology,
especially with regard to nanosatellites, and develops
hardware and software for CubeSat systems. Further-
more, a satellite ground station is supposed to support
the operation of own CubeSats, for example, in order to
optimize and deploy them for telecommunications and
earth observation.
Space research at EMI makes an important contribution to
space safety. Due to its unique facilities, the institute is an
integral partner for national and international aerospace
industries as well as space agencies such as ESA.
Service offer
• Protection of space systems
• Impact analysis of near-earth objects
• Protection against impact of near-earth objects
• Technologies (hardware and software) for nanosatellites
Photo: CubeSat from the nanosatellite family receiving hardware and software developed at EMI.
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Business unit Aviation
Dr. Michael May
Head of business unit
Business unit Aviation
Materials used in aviation have to be both as light as
possible and at the same time especially loadable and
reliable. The business unit Aviation contributes to this goal
by material characterization, testing of structures, compo-
nents and joints as well as modeling and optimization of
lightweight structures.
For the testing of fiber-reinforced composites, metals
and also hybrid materials and glass, we use standardized
nondestructive and destructive testing methods, but we
also increasingly apply methods for micro- and nanostruc-
ture analysis. This allows for the exploration of material
properties even for the smallest length scales. Apart from
well-equipped testing laboratories and a wide range of
numerical methods, EMI also features the Crash Center
of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Here, acceleration tests as
they are mandatory, for example, for airplane seats, can
be conducted. Furthermore, metallic components can be
additively manufactured and optimized at EMI.
Airplane structures are highly susceptible to impact due
to bird strike, severe hail storms or debris lying on the
runways. Combining experiment and simulation, we
analyze the respective physical processes and profit from
our many years of experience in the fields of material
characterization, implementation and development of
numerical methods and research of high-speed dynamical
impact events in order to make structures more resistant.
Lightning strikes pose another challenge in the fields of
aviation. Using experimental and numerical analyses, we
investigate the behavior of CFRP structures struck by light-
ning and design the suitable lightning protection.
Service offer
• Characterization of materials
• Testing of structures, components and joints
• Modeling and optimization of lightweight structures
• Analysis and optimization of aircraft structures under impact of hail,
debris or bird strike
• Acceleration tests for airplane seats, cabin structures etc.
• Analysis of lightning strike and development of lightning strike
protection
Contact
Photo: Mechanical material characterization: CFRP sample after dynamic tensile test.
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Contact us!
How to work with us
Research and development assignment
In the classical case of cooperation, you place your order
with us for material testing, process optimization, safety
and security analyses etc. in order to meet research and
development demands of your enterprise. We create
customer-oriented solutions adjusting to your particular
needs and requirements.
Strategic partnerships
This manner of long-term cooperation serves the basic
preliminary research for a common goal as, for example,
the development of new software, new testing methods,
completely novel technologies or the employment of
new materials. In cooperation with you, we explore the
general feasibility of a concept, scopes of application and
individual requirements.
PhD program
PhD students carry out research at EMI on behalf of a com-
pany setting the topic. This very practically oriented way
of graduating not only serves the productive exchange
between research and application but also prepares junior
scientists for their career in the industries.
Joint publicly funded projects
Together with you and other partners where required,
we apply for resources from public research funding for a
shared project concept, be it at the national or European
level. These projects are mostly designed for a three-year
period and enable us to develop solutions to problems in
close collaboration.
Sustainability Center Freiburg
The cooperation between the University of Freiburg, the
five Fraunhofer Institutes located in Freiburg and industry
promotes the transfer of scientific developments to market-
able and practice-oriented products and services. Our institute management
Director:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Stefan Hiermaier
Phone +49 761 2714-101
Deputy directors:
Dr. Tobias Leismann
Phone +49 761 2714-102
Prof. Dr. Frank Schäfer
Phone +49 761 2714-421
Eckerstrasse 4
79104 Freiburg, Germany
Phone +49 761 2714-0
Press and Public Relations:
Birgit Bindnagel
www.emi.fraunhofer.de
Am Klingelberg 1
79588 Efringen-Kirchen, Germany
Kandern
Am Christianswuhr 2
79400 Kandern, Germany
Our locations
Efringen-KirchenFreiburg©
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EMI,
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