Optics Innovations
Catalyzing Innovation: The Fraunhofer Society and Institute for Laser Technology
For more than 60 years, the Fraunhofer Society—a large German organization—has devoted itself to applications-oriented research in medical engineering, defense, energy and other areas. And its Institute for Laser Technology focuses on innovative laser solutions to society’s most pressing problems.
Micro hair for optical-tactile sensor device casted from a laser generated tool.
Practical optics was the main passion of Josef von Fraunhofer, the 19th century German optician who invented the diffraction grating, made optical glass and discovered dark absorption lines in the spectrum. It’s a vision that the Fraunhofer Society is devoted to as well. This is in great contrast to many institutions that are devoted solely to foundational research. The Society generates two-thirds of its financial volume by carrying out orders from the industry and with state-financed research projects. A third is contributed by the German Federation and States as basic financing, so that the industry can work out solutions to problems that will become relevant to society in 5-10 years.
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