The key focus of the research and implementation projects carried out by the Innovative Technologies Competence Team is the issue of how new and, in particular, emerging technologies can be efficiently translated into innovative products and industrial applications. To this end, we prepare trend analyses and future scenarios for companies and public-sector clients. We utilize studies and roadmaps to show how technologies will develop in the future and what potential applications these technologies will yield for companies and other key players.

Using the Fraunhofer Technology Radar, we identify and evaluate interesting technological approaches from applied research and build on these to create technology strategies tailored to individual companies. For technology developers, we build up networks within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and reveal the potential of new technologies using the Application Radar. Drawing on user requirements and market studies, we create application scenarios and evaluate new technologies and their deployment from both economic and ecological perspectives. In particular, we monitor and help shape the development of nanotechnology, organic photovoltaics, new materials development and new technological approaches to creating products and solutions that make efficient use of materials and energy.