Technische Universität Braunschweig expands its international network Memorandum of Understanding signed with Feng Chia University (FCU)

On the initiative of the Fraunhofer Institute for Thin Film and Surface Technology IST, the existing partnership with Feng Chia University (FCU) is now being extended to Technische Universität Braunschweig. During a visit by a high-level delegation from FCU to Braunschweig, Professor Angela Ittel, President of TU Braunschweig, and Professor Wei Wang, President of FCU, signed the corresponding cooperation agreement on 18 May 2026.

The trilateral collaboration combines the applied innovative strength of Fraunhofer IST with the scientific expertise of FCU and TU Braunschweig. Key research priorities include the development and optimisation of plasma systems for semiconductor production, research into new surface coatings, and the associated technology transfer to industry and business. Together, the partners aim not only to submit project proposals to international funding bodies, but also to establish additional laboratory infrastructure and support students and PhD candidates through exchange programmes and joint workshops.

TU Braunschweig President Prof. Angela Ittel sees great potential in the partnership: “Cutting-edge research requires strong international connections. With this agreement with Feng Chia University, we are sending a clear signal: we are building partnerships that foster trust, connect knowledge and enable innovation across borders. This creates new opportunities – for research and innovation, for young talent, and for future technological and application fields.”

A new chapter in a successful partnership

Feng Chia University (FCU) is already collaborating with the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST on projects in the field of surface technologies, with a particular focus on semiconductor technology and plasma systems. On the initiative of Professor Christoph Herrmann – Director of Fraunhofer IST and of the Institute for Machine Tools and Manufacturing Technology at TU Braunschweig – this collaboration is now being extended to include TU Braunschweig.

“By further developing our long-standing cooperation with Feng Chia University and involving TU Braunschweig, we are specifically strengthening an established international research network,” said Professor Herrmann, “With the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform FIP-SPE@FCU, we already have an established framework that closely integrates application-oriented research, technology transfer and industrial cooperation in the development of surface and production technology for optical and electrical systems. On this basis, we are creating sustainable prospects and providing further impetus for joint research and innovation.”

A strong signal for sustainable innovation and international cooperation

With over 20,000 students, 37 specialised research centres and membership of the Tsinghua Big Five Alliance, the private research university FCU in Taiwan is ideally positioned to drive forward international cooperation. Technische Universität Braunschweig promotes interdisciplinary cooperation through research centres and networks. Together with partners such as Fraunhofer IST, for example, it plays a key role in shaping the development and research of circular economy technologies for the automotive industry within the framework of the OHLF. The Nitride Technology Centre (NTC) at TU Braunschweig is dedicated to the further development of nitride semiconductor technologies as a significant complement to classical microelectronics. The focus here is particularly on the sustainable properties of nitride technology – for example, high luminous efficacy combined with low energy consumption. The Battery LabFactory Braunschweig (BLB) is a research centre at TU Braunschweig where electrochemical energy storage systems are developed and tested, from basic research right through to pilot scale. The aim of the BLB is to enable the sustainable and circular production of battery cells. Its research portfolio therefore ranges from materials development and the manufacture of electrodes and cells to the recycling of batteries. The new collaboration with the FCU strengthens German-Taiwanese research cooperation in key areas such as automation, optics, semiconductor technology and Industry 4.0.