Sustainable solutions for the optimized use of material properties and new material functions The Fraunhofer IWM is the point of contact for component and systems reliability, safety, durability, and functionality. We identify weaknesses and defects in materials and components, determine their causes and develop solutions that lead to the safer use of components, development of materials and manufacturing processes. We make the mechanisms and processes in materials manageable in order to extract the full potential and efficiency from technical systems. By measuring materials down to their atomic structures and by influencing interactions we modify material properties for new functionalities. Our in-depth scrutinization of material characteristics and manufacturing processes empowers the realization of new products and technologies. Our profound understanding of the behavior of materials and components coupled with the often unexpected insights we gain allow the Fraunhofer IWM to provide innovative solutions. These act as a catalyst, enabling our clients and business partners to realize reliable, safe and high-performance components and systems, increased production yield, new material properties and component functions as well as material and energy efficiency. Range of services: • Solutions to avoid and control defects, crack formation, deformation, fracture, failure, wear and fatigue in materials and components when taxed with mechanical, thermal, chemical or electrical loads • Material characterization, component testing, damage analyses, failure diagnosis and microstructural analysis • Materials modeling, process and component simulation on the atomic, microscopic and/or macroscopic scale • Surface layer assessment, coatings, tribology, functionalization, bio-surface and interfacial analysis • Process and material development Publishing Notes: http://www.en.iwm.fraunhofer.de/publishing-notes/ Contact: +49 761 5142-0