The Fraunhofer Society (German Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft) is a German research organization named after the German physicist Joseph von Fraunhofer, with 58 institutes spread over Germany each focusing on different fields of applied science, as opposed to the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, which works mostly on basic science. Some basic funding for the Fraunhofer Society is provided by the state (the federal government together with the German Länder "owns" the Fraunhofer Society), but about two thirds of the funding are earned through contract work, either for government sponsored projects or from industry.
It was named after Joseph von Fraunhofer, since he is deemed to have been a scientist, engineer and entrepreneur in one person, exemplifying the goals of the society.
The official name of the Fraunhofer Society is Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. (German for "Fraunhofer Society for the advancement of applied research").
Some notable projects
The MP3 compression algorithm was invented and patented by Fraunhofer IIS
They are developing a program for use at IKEA stores, which would allow people to take a picture of their home into a store, and view a fully assembled, digital adaptation of their room.
Institutes
The Fraunhofer Society consist of 58 institutes today. These are Fraunhofer Institutes for:
Algorithms and Scientific Computing - SCAI
Applied Information Technology - FIT
Applied Optics and Precision Engineering - IOF
Applied Polymer Research - IAP
Applied Solid State Physics - IAF
Autonomous intelligent Systems - AIS
Biomedical Engineering - IBMT
Building Physics - IBP
Ceramic Technologies and Sintered Materials - IKTS
Chemical Technology - ICT
Communication Systems - ESK
Computer Architecture and Software Technology - FIRST
Computer Graphics Research - IGD
Digital Media Technology - IDMT
Electron and Plasma Technology - FEP
Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology - UMSICHT
Experimental Software Engineering - IESE
Factory Operation and Automation - IFF
High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut - EMI
Industrial Engineering - IAO
Industrial Mathematics - ITWM
Information and Dataprocessing - IITB
Information Center for Regional Planning and Building Construction - IRB
Integrated Circuits - IIS
Integrated Systems and Device Technology - IISB
Integrated Publication and Information Systems - IPSI
Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology - IGB
Laser Technology - ILT
Machine Tools and Forming Technology - IWU
Manufacturing Engineering and Applied Materials Research - IFAM Shaping and Functional Materials Department and Bonding Technology and Surfaces Department
Manufacturing Engineering and Automation - IPA
Material and Beam Technology - IWS
Material Flow and Logistics - IML
Mechanics of Materials - IWM
Media Communication - IMK
Microelectronic Circuits and Systems - IMS
Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology - IME
Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institut - HHI
Non-Destructive Testing - IZFP
Open Communication Systems - FOKUS
Patent Center for German Research - PST
Photonic Microsystems - IPMS
Physical Measurement Techniques - IPM
Process Engineering and Packaging - IVV
Production Systems and Design Techology - IPK
Production Technology - IPT
Reliability and Microintegration - IZM
Secure Telecooperation - SIT
Silicate Research - ISC
Silicon Technology - ISIT
Software and Systems Engineering - ISST
Solar Energy Systems - ISE
Structural Durability - LBF
Systems and Innovation Research - ISI
Technological Trend Analysis - INT
Technology Development Group - TEG
Thin Films and Surface Engineering - IST
Toxicology and Experimental Medicine - ITEM
Transport and Infrastructure Systems - IVI
Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut - WKI
Institute independent
Biomolekulare Informationsverarbeitung (German for organic molecular information proccessing) (BIOMIP)
The Fraunhofer IAO plans and organizes future-oriented structures suitable to the needs of people involved in production, as well as in the administrative and technical departments of companies in industry and the service sector.
The Fraunhofer IAO participates in publicly funded research programs, such as the »Information Technology« and »Work and Technology« programs of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, in programs of the European Union, as well as in programs funded by the Land of Baden-Württemberg.
Fraunhofer IAO works in close cooperation with the Institute for Human Factors and Technology Management (IAT) of the University of Stuttgart.
Fraunhofer USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft which maintains over 80 research units at more than 40 different locations throughout Germany.
Each Fraunhofer USA research center is closely affiliated with at least one of the 57 FraunhoferInstitutes.
Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology's world-renowned research is in vaccines and therapeutics in plants and the mitigation of bio-threats.
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