Fraunhofer UK Research Limited

The MicroMelt project will investigate a new, energy‑efficient method for producing high‑value phosphate‑based glass materials that are essential to many advanced technologies. These specialist glasses are used in defence photonics, high‑power laser systems, telecommunications, biomedical devices, environmental materials and emerging clean‑energy applicat...

SynQ (Quantum Synchronisation for Transport Health and Maintenance) is a desk-based feasibility study of the integration of miniature atomic clock technology into transport infrastructure. Under GNSS-free conditions, the technology has the potential to vastly improve fault detection, maintenance and efficiency.

As the UK accelerates toward a net zero future, hydrogen is emerging as a cornerstone of its clean energy and transport strategies. Hydrogen-powered vehicles, trains, aviation, ships, and industrial processes depend on a safe, reliable, and efficient supply network. However, hydrogen's physical properties, such as being colourless, odourless, and highly d...

Hydrogen offers a zero-emission fuel solution for buses, trains, and heavy vehicles where battery electrification is limited by weight or range. Despite strong UK policy backing, widespread adoption of hydrogen transport is constrained by the critical issue of hydrogen purity. Hydrogen used in fuel-cell systems must be almost entirely free of impurities s...

Global energy efficiency requirements from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and global and regional limits on GHG emissions underscore the need to improve efficiency in the maritime transport sector. Optimized technologies aimed at reducing biofouling could significantly contribute to lowering emissions and meeting IMO goals. Stricter require...

In MIST2 (Mid-Infrared Free-Space Telecommunications), Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics will work with AVoptics, Covesion, BAE Systems and Bay Photonics to develop a mid-infrared (mid-IR) frequency-conversion module to convert telecoms wavelengths (C-band around 1550 nm) to and from the mid-infrared. Light in the mid-IR spectral region, with its lo...

Accurate inertial measurement units are critical for autonomous navigation where access to Global Navigation Satellite System networks is denied/unavailable/unreliable. This is particularly relevant to timing, navigation in defence, and civilian applications such as seabed explorations, autonomous infrastructure monitoring, and manufacturing control. The ...

Quantum computing has a significant role to play in a wide variety of computing tasks and is seeing major investment from both the private and public sector worldwide. Even with NISQ-era computers, there are many applications which are of great interest. ColdQuanta UK (CQUK, d.b.a. Infleqtion) are constructing a world-leading neutral-atom quantum computin...

High fidelity, modular and scalable receiver modules are recognised as the enabling technology for entanglement distribution, which is essential for quantum key distribution, scalable quantum computing and the transmission of quantum states in the quantum internet. To address this need, SEQOND will develop and demonstrate a novel approach for quantum rece...

SPARTAN will develop a novel, low-cost frequency comb with an entirely UK-based supply chain for direct exploitation in optical atomic clock products for quantum-enhanced PNT. Broader applications are LIDAR and spectroscopy, including ultrafast and dual-comb techniques for UK defence and security. SPARTAN unites a consortium of UK companies and a not-for-...

The scope of photonics techniques in pharmaceutical manufacturing is broad and continuously expanding. The InSPIREmed Grand Challenge project seeks to exploit advances in photonic sensing across all stages of medicines manufacture with the aim of reducing waste and energy usage and increasing process yields. This will be accomplished by bringing precision...

The European Rare Diseases Research Alliance (ERDERA) aims to improve the health and well-being of the 30 million people living with a rare disease in Europe, by making Europe a world leader in Rare Disease (RD) research and innovation, to support concrete health benefits to rare disease patients, through better prevention, diagnosis and treatment. This P...