Research Institute FEM opens innovation laboratory
The Research Institute for Precious Metals + Metal Chemistry (FEM) opened a new innovation laboratory for the fields of materials research and surface technology in Schwäbisch Gmünd. Around 200 guests from politics, administration, business and research attended the opening.
About one year after the 100th birthday of the FEM Research Institute and exactly twelve months after the production of the reinforced concrete floor slab, the time had come: The opening guests celebrated a milestone in the history of the institute together with Institute Director Prof. Dr. Holger Kaßner. The new building expands the FEM by about 4500 square meters and includes laboratories and offices as well as a large conference hall. In the open, spacious foyer, citizens will in future be able to find out about the R&D activities of the Gmünd research institute. At the opening ceremony, Kaßner emphasized that the new laboratories now provide the FEM with every opportunity to make its contribution to research, development and the resulting transfer of knowledge and technology to small and medium-sized enterprises, industry, education and society in the fields of materials research and surface technology.
After the architects handed over the keys, Institute Director Kaßner and the FEM department heads presented the new laboratories during a tour of the innovation lab. The focus is on additive manufacturing, battery and hydrogen research, and high-performance computing support for digitization and AI. Equipment and supply technology are installed in a highly flexible manner and offer researchers excellent working conditions. "Given the high transformation pressure on our industry and society, it is crucial to invest in the development of new research and working environments. Only then will we successfully master the challenges of the future. We have succeeded impressively in doing so here with the help of all those involved," said Kaßner.