About the institute

Smart MATERIALS for a Sustainable Future

At the MATERIALS Institute in Weiz, Niklasdorf and Pinkafeld, around 90 researchers in 5 research groups are working on application-oriented solutions. Our research focuses on production and surface technologies, micro- and nanotechnology as well as green photonics and electronics.

A one-stop shop: from concept to prototype

Focusing on the needs of national and international business, we provide materials science solutions for manufacturing and industry. We provide interdisciplinary, flexible and sustainable solutions for production processes along the entire value chain. 

Our services range from initial concepts to prototypes using the latest technologies and processes based on miniaturisation, integration and material optimisation. 

We support your ideas: Pilot lines and open innovation test bed projects

We provide access to national and European funding opportunities through the Pilot Line and Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) programmes:

• Emerge
• FlexFunction2Sustain
• MedPhab
• NextGen-Microfluidics
• Phabulous
• Photonic Hub Europe

We are involved in a number of EU projects whose main aim is to provide easy access to holistic, innovation-enhancing services. More than 90 European research institutes and high-tech companies are working together on these projects.

As a result, in addition to our core competencies, we are able to offer know-how from a large network of companies and research institutes along entire value chains.

Together with our international partners, we support you in material and product design, technology and product development, product verification and certification, pilot and small series production as well as in the development of funding sources, markets and business opportunities.

These EU projects offer interested parties access to research and development services that are financially supported by the EU. The results from these collaborations can be utilised quickly and directly by the companies involved.

Pilot lines for advanced manufacturing

Our pilot lines allow you to realise new innovations and products from idea to prototype and develop the necessary processes and production methods. We have state-of-the-art infrastructure, experienced and specialised scientists and technicians, and expertise in a wide range of technical and scientific disciplines.

Your benefit

The benefit of a pilot line lies in bridging the often difficult phase between research and commercialisation and in providing an often complex, well-coordinated value chain.

We run the following pilot lines in-house:

• Roll-to-roll micro- and nanostructuring
• Sensor systems
• Lab-on-Chip Devices
• Functional thin films
• Laser production
• Printed and flexible electronics
• Optical components

Our infrastructure

With our specialised roll-to-roll nanoimprint lithography system and the associated value chain from material development to low-volume production, we have a unique selling proposition in Europe.

Our infrastructure includes a state-of-the-art lighting and electronics laboratory, a certified cleanroom, high-resolution additive 2D and 3D printing technologies and the latest nanostructuring and laser technologies.

Darüber hinaus verfügen wir über ein Labor für Mikromontage zur gezielten Fertigung von leitenden oder optischen Strukturen im Mikrometermaßstab (Microfabrication Lab) sowie ein Labor für die Charakterisierung von Nanooberflächen (Surfacecharacterisation Lab) für Dienstleistungsmessungen von Strukturen, Schichten und Bauelementen im Mikro- und Nanometermaßstab, auch auf flexiblen Substraten, für akademische und industrielle Kunden.

Networks and co-operations

We have long-standing, strategic partnerships with some of our corporate customers and business partners. Our customers in Austria and abroad are active in the automotive, aviation, optics, electronics, security, general lighting, semiconductor technology, mechanical engineering, metrology and sensor technology, steel, plastics processing, chemicals, medical diagnostics and instruments markets. Polymer Competence Centre Leoben (PCCL), Material Centre Leoben (MCL) and Silicon Austria Labs are among our most important partners among the research institutions.

In addition, there is strategic cooperation with universities, in particular with Graz University of Technology (TU Graz). We work with many national and international universities and universities of applied sciences on a project basis.

The close cooperation with the other institutes of JOANNEUM RESEARCH enables companies to realise significant added value.

We are part of both national and international platforms: Photonics Austria, Nanonet, BioNanoNet (BNN), The Austrian Society for Metallurgy and Materials (ASMET), AM Austria, Photonics 21, European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA), OE-Saxony, PhotonHubEurope, Microfluidics Innovation Hub and Digital Innovation Hub South.