Hannover. This year’s HERMES AWARD, which ranks among the world’s most coveted technology prizes, goes to NanoWired GmbH for its innovative “KlettWelding” solution making it possible to easily assemble and connect electronic components at room temperature.The award was presented by Anja Karliczek, Germany’s Minister for Education and Research, at the official HANNOVER MESSE Opening Ceremony on 31 March.
NanoWired is a young startup based in Gernsheim, Germany. Its KlettWelding system is an ingenious process because it is fast and eco-friendly and produces permanent connections. It is also a world first in electronics manufacturing. The experts on the independent jury praised the solution as a first-rate innovation with a broad range of applications. Professor Reimund Neugebauer, president of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and chair of the jury, was particularly impressed: “The HERMES AWARD competition receives numerous outstanding applications, so the winning project really needs to demonstrate innovative future potential, a targeted approach to creating a solution that meets the end user’s needs, and evidence that the product is suitable for use in industrial applications,” said Professor Neugebauer. “This year’s winner is the first process of its kind in the world. It lends itself to a broad range of potential applications in multiple segments, including sensors, semiconductors, automotive systems and consumer goods, offering the ability to switch production processes from soldering to simply pressing components together at room temperature. What’s more, NanoWired’s process is cheaper than soldering and bonding and has already been applied successfully in almost twenty industrial projects.”
In order to enable the KlettWelding process, the surfaces of the electronic components to be connected are first coated with a Velcro-like layer of nano-sized metal wires. Components pre-treated in this way can then be connected simply by pressing them together, causing the nanowires to interlock and form a connection that – unlike an actual Velcro connection – is permanent and highly electrically and thermally conductive. Post connection, the bond between the components is highly resilient and able to withstand extreme temperatures, including heat levels well above those needed to destroy conventional solder or glue connections. KlettWelding is also more cost-effective than conventional connection processes and can be used in a wide range of applications in the sensor systems, semiconductor, automotive and consumer products manufacturing industries.
The two runners-up for this year’s HERMES AWARD are ABB and ARKITE NV.
The winning and runner-up entries are on display at the respective company stands throughout HANNOVER MESSE 2019 (1 to 5 April). In addition, detailed information on the nominated entries and companies is available at the “tech transfer” forum at Stand C02 in Hall 2.
HANNOVER MESSE – Get new technology first!
HANNOVER MESSE is the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology. With its core focus on “Industrial Intelligence”, it covers the full range of digitization solutions for tomorrow’s manufacturing and energy systems. HANNOVER MESSE will next be held in 2019, when it will feature six parallel shows – IAMD (Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives), Digital Factory, Integrated Energy, Industrial Supply, ComVac and Research & Technology – as well as special showcases for startups and career starters, plus over 90 conferences and forums. HANNOVER MESSE 2019 will run from 1 to 5 April 2019 in Hannover, Germany, and will put the spotlight on Sweden as its official Partner Country.
Deutsche Messe AG
As one of the world’s foremost organizers of capital goods trade fairs, Deutsche Messe (Hannover, Germany) stages a rich array of events at venues in Germany and around the globe. With 2017 revenue of 356 million euros, Deutsche Messe ranks among Germany’s top five tradeshow producers. The company’s portfolio features such world-class events as (in alphabetical order) CeMAT (intralogistics and supply chain management), didacta (education), DOMOTEX (carpets and other floor coverings), HANNOVER MESSE (industrial technology), INTERSCHUTZ (fire and rescue services, civil protection, safety and security), LABVOLUTION (lab technology) and LIGNA (woodworking, wood processing, forestry). Deutsche Messe also stages trade fairs at other German venues, for example parts2clean (industrial parts cleaning) and SurfaceTechnology (surface treatment). The company also regularly hosts a number of internationally renowned events by third parties, among which are AGRITECHNICA (agricultural machinery) and EuroTier (animal production), both of which are staged by the German Agricultural Society (DLG), EMO (machine tools; staged by the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association, VDW), EuroBLECH (sheet metal working; staged by MackBrooks) and IAA Commercial Vehicles (transport, logistics and mobility; staged by the German Association of the Automotive Industry, VDA). Deutsche Messe’s portfolio also comprises events in Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and the USA. These include shows in the following fields: Automotive, ICT & Digital Business, Manufacturing and Processing & Industries, Energy & Logistics and Metal Processing. With more than1,200 employees and a network of 58 sales partners, Deutsche Messe is present in more than100 countries.
