INKtelligent Printing of Sensor Structures

Dr. Volker Zöllmer, born in 1970, studied Mineralogy at University of Kiel. He got his Diploma as Mineralogist in 1999. In 2002, he finished his PhD at University of Kiel, Germany. Based on his PhD work, in 2002 he got the award "DGM-Nachwuchspreis 2002" by "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Materialkunde (DGM)". In April 2002, he moved to Fraunhofer-IFAM, Bremen, Germany, and became a project manager for the development of metallic foams. Since 2003 he is heading the department of „Functional Structures" at Fraunhofer-IFAM. His main research areas are the development of nano-scaled functional materials for maskelss deposition, sensor structures and surface coatings. He established the technology platform "INKtelligent printing®" at Fraunhofer-IFAM for a customized functionalization of components and surfaces. Dr. Zöllmer is heading several industrial projects and his department "functional structures" is involved in national and international research projects focusing on rapid prototyping, functional integration and surface structuring.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) undertakes research and development work in the areas "Shaping and Functional Materials" and "Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces".

The department of Functional Structures at Fraunhofer-IFAM has substancial experience in engineering manufacturing processes that allows the integration of functions into materials and components. Several technologies, e.g. rapid-prototyping, ink-jet-printing and aerosol printing, as well as sputtering processes are available for functional integration in manufacturing technology.