Projects and References

With the growing importance of sustainable construction and increasing demands for comfort and efficiency, timber and lightweight buildings are becoming more prevalent. However, these construction types pose specific challenges in terms of noise transmission from technical building systems. To address this issue, the Fraunhofer IBP is developing the “PreNoise Wood” research project - a groundbreaking method for predicting and reducing installation noise in resource-efficient buildings. Based on the successful outcomes of the “ProSa” project for solid construction, “PreNoise Wood” adapts and extends those methods specifically for timber and lightweight structures. The goal is to create scientifically sound and practically applicable solutions, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling early-stage acoustic optimization of building components and technical systems, and providing reliable planning tools for noise prediction - a clear benefit for building owners, manufacturers, and planners.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft addresses the current challenges facing German industry. Through its flagship initiatives, it sets strategic priorities aimed at developing practical, market-ready solutions to benefit Germany as a location for innovation. The thematic focus of these initiatives is aligned with the needs of industry. The goal is to rapidly transform scientifically innovative ideas into marketable applications. The participating Fraunhofer institutes pool their expertise and actively involve industry partners from the project's outset.

Municipalities are faced with the challenge of adapting to climate change. On the one hand, they have to choose effective and sustainable measures, and on the other hand, they have to take into account the interests of residents and act under cost pressure. Key areas where cities need to take action include structural and spatial design and urban use of land. More about this in the Buolus project.

How can the installation process of heat pumps be made more efficient and productive to address the challenges posed by the shortage of specialists and time-intensive installation? The WESPE research project investigates and develops innovative, standardized, and digitalized processes aimed at reducing the installation time of heat pumps by up to 40%.

When wall heating systems are installed on exterior walls in existing buildings, adding interior insulation is particularly beneficial. It reduces heat loss through the exterior wall and, at the same time, allows a transition to surface heating systems, which offer enhanced thermal comfort, lower flow temperatures, and better integration with renewable energy sources. This combination is best approached as a comprehensive, highly energy-efficient Wall Heating-Interior Insulation Hybrid System (H-WIHS). To realize this concept, 10 manufacturing companies and 2 trade associations are working in close collaboration with Fraunhofer IBP in a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The implementation of six real-world test areas at the Fraunhofer Center in Benediktbeuern enables a broad-based study and demonstration aimed at knowledge transfer.

In the "MetaVib" project, a consortium of five Fraunhofer Institutes is researching the industrial exploitation of vibroacoustic metamaterials.

We support you in the development of low-noise ventilation and air purification equipment; from the concept to the functional sample.

The aim of the project is to design the mandatory acoustic functions in an energy-efficient way.

Ventilation systems in the home must fulfill more and more requirements. In order to meet both energy and sound insulation requirements, an ever-increasing proportion of ventilation concepts have to be designed with fan-assisted systems. A fan-assisted exhaust air system in accordance with DIN 1946-6 is comparatively inexpensive and easy to install. With this system, the exhaust air is removed by fans in the rooms and replaced passively by an inflow of fresh air from external air vents (EAV). However, due to the increasingly airtight construction of new buildings, an ever-higher volume flow is needed. The high air flow means that sound insulation requirements cannot always be met. This is often particularly a problem in (inner) cities.

In the development of acoustic window control, the Fraunhofer IBP focuses primarily on sensors, control systems, and quiet drive systems.

The joint project "Energy-efficient cabin systems and interior (KASI)" is concerned with thermal and acoustic comfort in the galley/door area of an aircraft.

To reduce road traffic noise, Fraunhofer IBP is conducting studies on motorcycle noise and on the potential of quiet tires.

Acoustically-designed façade and balcony elements - with sound-absorbing materials and smart systems that reduce noise pollution.

The experts at Fraunhofer IBP are analyzing the concept of combining noise control structures with photovoltaic systems and assessing the respective carbon footprint.

The ISO 362-3 standard describes the measurement of the LUrban type testing level, consisting of a combination of the simulated pass-by in a test facility and a real pass-by. Read more here.

A team of researchers from Fraunhofer IBP now wants to turn the tables by using sound insulation systems to save energy.

Whether at home, in a hotel or at work in the office, the problem is often the same: You want to open the window to air the room, but it is very loud outside. After a short time, you close the window again to avoid the noise. The solution: automatic windows that open when ventilation is required, as detected by sensors, yet also have an automatic closing function that is activated as soon as a certain noise level is reached outside the building. However, the development in the Sound Controlled Ventilation project goes beyond simple volume control. It can also filter sounds based on their type and include the indoor noise level in the decision-making process via a microphone installed in the room.

Wind Noise generated by Façade Elements can partly reach such a high sound level that the well-being of the people inside the building and outside in the immediate vicinity can be affected.

The solution presented here follows the approach to integrate a robust, purely metallic resonator with micro-perforation in the rim.

Noise is a significant burden in everyday life and at work. Acoustically optimized products ensure more safety, comfort and the "right sound" - Fraunhofer is developing innovative solutions using polymeric materials.

In the technology project »Model-based development of the evaporator periphery«, the components adjacent to the evaporator are adapted so that newly developed evaporators can be profitably used in a heat pump. In order to operate the evaporator of a heat pump efficiently, certain boundary conditions must be met so that icing and defrosting as well as the equal distribution of air and refrigerant function correctly. These include that the air flow is optimally designed, that the refrigerant enters the evaporator in the correct state and that the ice slurry, which is formed in the drip tray during a defrost, can melt efficiently.

In the »MENESA« project, the three research institutes Fraunhofer ISE, Fraunhofer IBP and Fraunhofer IWU are working on methods to improve heat pumps with regard to vibrations and noise. The resulting methods allow structural-dynamic and acoustic aspects to be taken into account at an early stage in the development of heat pumps, so that low-noise operation can be achieved in a real operating environment.

The acousticians at the Fraunhofer IBP investigate in the context of the project "Fraunhofer System Research for Electro-Mobility" the various aspects of future car concepts, and drive systems, as well as the storage and distribution of energy.

The aim of the project acoustic umbrella was to design a construction that allows a simple and repeatable investigation of research objects with regard to their radiated sound power.

Electrically driven heat pumps and air conditioning systems are future-oriented technologies of the energy transition. For widespread use in multi-family houses or office buildings, a new generation of devices is required.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer IBP have replaced the condensate-sensitive materials with unavoidable waste from PTFE production. In this approach, the scientists achieve sustainability in three respects.

In the project “Acoustically optimized design of fan attachments and casings (ADVentAGe)”, hybrid active noise control systems are being developed and validated in collaboration with project partners. These can be integrated into fan casings or typical fan attachments such as inlet cones, protective grilles and diffusers to significantly reduce acoustic emissions from fans.

Propofol, an intravenously administered hypnotic, has outstanding advantages over commonly used inhalational anesthetics. It is effective against post-operative nausea, does not trigger malignant hyperthermia - a potentially fatal anesthesia complication - and is not a greenhouse gas. The main disadvantage of propofol, however, is that, unlike inhalational anesthetics, its drug concentration cannot be determined during anesthesia using any clinically applicable method. Photoacoustic spectroscopy is a highly promising approach for monitoring propofol in exhaled air in a clinically applicable way.

In growing cities, more and more surfaces are being sealed. This increases the contact of rainwater with materials, e.g. roofs, resulting in the contamination of precipitation runoff with harmful substances. However, no clear or statistically relevant information on pollutant emissions is available for most roof materials, as hardly any studies have been carried out and these are usually based on one-off random samples. General conditions such as atmospheric influences or gutter material, are often not sufficiently described. There is therefore a considerable need for research in order to draw scientifically sound conclusions about pollutants in precipitation runoff from non-metal roofs.

The department of Hygrothermics has developed products to answer issues relating to the heat and moisture balance of components and buildings.