Long Night of Light at Fraunhofer IOF

Theme world | Light and mobility - Exhibition

6 p.m. to midnight | Beutenberg Campus, Albert-Einstein-Straße 7, Fraunhofer IOF

From the labs to the streets and the production hall: our exhibition " Light and mobility" presents technologies that will make the cars and production processes of the future safer and more efficient.

One highlight is the robot dog "Spot", which can use our goSCOUT3D scanner to independently and precisely measure large machines such as aircraft turbines and create detailed 3D images. The exhibition also showcases innovative solutions for vehicles, including projecting indicators and high-speed 3D sensors that provide valuable insights into the behavior of cars in accidents.

Theme world | Seeing and feeling in the future - Exhibition 

6 p.m. to midnight | Beutenberg Campus, Albert-Einstein-Straße 7, Fraunhofer IOF

Robots that recognize transparent objects and cameras that make the invisible visible.

What do robots and birds have in common? Both have difficulty recognizing transparent objects. Researchers at Fraunhofer IOF have developed a solution that enables robots to see and interact with glass and similar objects. You can discover this technology in the "Seeing and feeling in the future" experience world. An ultra-compact multispectral camera that makes the invisible visible will also be on show.

Theme world | Quantum leaps into the future - Exhibition

6 p.m. to midnight | Beutenberg Campus, Albert-Einstein-Straße 7, Fraunhofer IOF

Sending digital data securely with "enchanted" light particles or creating images from nothing!

Quanta, the "enchanted" particles of light, can communicate with each other in a fascinating way - even over long distances. Researchers at Fraunhofer IOF are using the effect of quantum entanglement to develop a highly secure data network for the future. This would allow sensitive information to be protected and transmitted securely. In medicine, quantum technologies even make it possible to take microscope images of samples without the light altering or damaging the samples.

Theme world | Adventure space - Lecture and Exhibition

6 p.m. to midnight | Beutenberg Campus, Albert-Einstein-Straße 7, Fraunhofer IOF

Making cosmic tremors visible – glass technologies in gravitational wave research

The measurement of gravitational waves is opening up completely new insights into the universe for astrophysics. A key project is the Einstein Telescope, a planned gravitational wave observatory of the EU. Dr. Pascal Birckigt’s lecture shows how innovative glass technologies from Fraunhofer IOF – such as direct joining – contribute to the production of high-precision sensors. These ensure the seismic decoupling of the mirrors, which are necessary for the extremely sensitive measurement. In addition to the formation of gravitational waves and the current status of the Einstein Telescope, the potential of these technologies for astronomy and satellite-based Earth observation will also be highlighted.

The lectures start at 8 p.m. always on the hour.

The accompanying exhibition also tells you more about other technologies from Jena and from Fraunhofer IOF that float high above our heads in space, collecting important data about the Earth.

Lecture | The Secret of Black Eyes and the Miracle of Light | 18:30 - 18:50

Beutenberg Campus, Albert-Einstein-Straße 6, Abbe Center of Photonics, Auditorium

At Fraunhofer IOF, researchers are inspired by the wonders of nature to create innovative technical developments. They draw on fascinating phenomena from the animal and plant world to achieve scientific breakthroughs. In his lecture, Prof. Dr. Norbert Kaiser will use light to demonstrate the groundbreaking progress that has been made in optics and photonics. Join us to discover how Fraunhofer research is using nature as a model to shape the future of technology.

Lecture | Micro-optics of the Next Generation | 19:00 - 19:20 Beutenberg Campus, Albert-Einstein-Straße 6, Abbe Center of Photonics, Auditorium

The lecture sheds light on the world of micro-optics for vehicles. One well-known example is the BMW Lightcarpet, developed at Fraunhofer IOF, which shows how micro-optics are used in the automotive industry. However, previous solutions are often too complex for more than decorative purposes. Rohan Kundu presents the next generation of micro-optics, which do not require hidden masks and offer significantly higher light transmission - ideal for safety-relevant applications such as headlights and indicators.

Lecture | Nano-optics for Climate Research: How Optics from Jena Help us to Understand our Climate Even Better | 19:30 - 19:50

Beutenberg Campus, Albert-Einstein-Straße 6, Abbe Center of Photonics, Auditorium

High-performance optics and telescopes observe the earth from space. For example, to make the effects of climate change visible. In his lecture, Dr. Falk Eilenberger will show you the world of nano-optics for space applications and what contribution Fraunhofer IOF researchers have made to ESA's CO2M mission - a space mission to study human CO2 emissions.