Projects and References

Although modern thermal glazing reduces a building’s energy requirements, it also has an impact on sound insulation.

The project combines innovation, technology, and sustainability in a unique research network, designed to make quantum technologies tangible, application-oriented, and future-proof. In addition to fostering new cooperation formats for idea development and rapid prototyping, the project emphasizes the robust investigation of ecological, social, and economic aspects of the applications, as well as the added value that these technologies can deliver. Fraunhofer IBP plays a central role in evaluating the potential of the investigated approaches and supports all joint projects in this funding program with expertise in life cycle assessment and sustainability evaluation.

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.

In line with Germany's sustainability strategy and in support of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP has launched the joint project “AACtion,” dedicated to the development of environmentally friendly building materials. Facing the challenges of increasing global urbanization pressures, the project aims to significantly enhance resource efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint in the construction industry.

Sleep disorders have become a widespread public health issue – over 40% of the German population report problems falling or staying asleep. While health, nutrition, and physical activity are central topics in preventive research, the impact of the sleep environment is still frequently overlooked. Yet factors such as indoor climate, acoustics, light, and air quality are crucial for restorative sleep. This is precisely where our project comes in: At the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP, we are developing innovative, digital, and building physics solutions designed to measurably improve sleep quality – both in private homes and in hotels, clinics, and care facilities. Our goal is to promote a new understanding of healthy sleep through intelligently designed rooms. Companies in construction, technology, hotel, and healthcare directly benefit from practice-oriented concepts, new services, and sound scientific expertise.

Green roofs improve the living quality in urban spaces. But how does the release of mecoprop from polymer-modified bitumen membranes impact the environment?

The Wild Climate Wall is an innovative green facade system designed to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience in densely built urban environments. By integrating native wild shrubs, herbs, and grasses, along with specially selected modular habitat systems (providing breeding and nesting spaces for wild bees, birds, and bats), the Wild Climate Wall offers a unique and heterogeneous diversity of plants and structures for vertical greening.

The Energy Efficiency and Indoor Climate department is helping to mitigate the risk of corona infection in indoor environments and transportation.

The project aims to demonstrate energy and cost efficient solutions for renewable and GHG emission-free energy systems ona community level.

The low-exergy approach aims at satisfying the remaining thermal energy demand using only low quality energy.

The exergy analysis combines both the first and second law of thermodynamics and allows a better understanding and a more effective design of energy flows.

Exergy is a thermodynamic concept which is useful for quantifying the mismatch between the low quality of heat and the high quality level of electricity.

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.