The second project funded under the IQ@IFW Validation Program has just received its approval – tackling a critical challenge in autonomous systems: ice-covered sensor surfaces: Generated on a high-performance piezoelectric substrate and transferred into application-specific "superstrate" plates, acoustic waves remove ice efficiently and without chemicals or external heat. It’s a breakthrough for transparent, sensitive materials in application fields including autonomous driving, robotics, and LiDAR systems, and possibly even solar panels. In the project NoICE – The Microacoustic Revolution for Ice-Free Sensor Windows, Dr. Andreas Winkler and Dr. cand. Kiana Khodakaramiwill further develop a pioneering de-icing method using surface acoustic waves (SAW).
Thanks to the IQ@IFW support, the team will now be able to build a demonstrator for a prioritized use case, backed by market studies, IP strategy development, and partnership-building efforts. The team collaborates with entrepreneurial students from TUD’s YETI initiative and aims to prepare a €2.5M EIC Transition proposal in 2026.
Dr. Andreas Winkler, Group Leader, Acoustic Microsystems, says about the program:„Application for the IQ@IFW via the provided pdf-form was simple but very efficient. The emphasis in this scheme clearly is put on technology transfer and innovation readiness, including the IP, market, financial and industry perspectives. Great support is provided by the WTT team Udo Krause and Falk Herrmann. The external validation board involved is composed of very professional actors and constructive feedback was given during the project presentation.”
Supported by experienced professionals and a growing partner network, the team is well on its way to impactful technology transfer.
Have a research idea with market potential? Learn more about IQ@IFW Validation Funding:
https://ifw-innovation.de/p/validation-program/
Note: This article was drafted using an on-premises AI system and reviewed and supplemented by the project’s researchers.
