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The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) has launched the AIS-Edge Node project (Adaptive Integrated Inline Sensors for Infrastructure in the Environmental and Hydrogen Economy), working alongside numerous regional partners. The project aims to contribute significantly to structural change in Lusatia by utilising innovative sensor technologies and AI-based evaluation methods. The project will focus on closely monitoring soil and water bodies, as well as providing reliable safety monitoring for the growing hydrogen economy.
There are several important reasons for monitoring soil and water quality in Lusatia. The main reason is the region's long history of lignite mining, which has resulted in water acidification and pollution. Until now, environmental parameters such as pH value and pollutant concentrations have often only been recorded selectively and at long intervals. "We are developing a system that continuously measures and collects data in real time, analysing and evaluating it with the help of AI," explains Dr Sebastian Meyer, Head of Cognitive Systems at Fraunhofer IPMS. Solid-state sensors are used to deliver reliable results regardless of turbidity in soil and water. This technology is supplemented by AI-supported evaluations that can detect anomalies, such as the discharge of toxic substances, at an early stage. These evaluations link the anomalies to historical and meteorological data and use this information to derive forecasts and recommendations for action. The aim is to ensure the long-term quality of groundwater and enable a rapid response to environmental pollution.
A second area of focus is the development of a novel safety monitoring system for the hydrogen economy. As hydrogen's importance as an energy source grows, the reliable detection of risks such as leaks becomes paramount. The ultrasonic sensors developed as part of this project enable fast, continuous and precise detection across a wide concentration range, from 1% to 100%. Dr Sebastian Meyer describes the advantages of the sensors as follows: "They are characterised by high temperature stability and low maintenance requirements, as they operate reliably without regular calibration. They also achieve a measurement accuracy of less than two percent. As well as safely monitoring explosion limits, they detect the spatial distribution of hydrogen within their detection range. This enables the spatial origin of a hydrogen leak to be identified. AI-supported evaluation increases measurement accuracy, robustness and long-term stability. Thanks to the high degree of integration and CMOS-compatible manufacturing processes, electronic components can be integrated directly with the sensor."
Cooperation and Local Support
For the AIS-EN project, Fraunhofer IPMS receives support from the following regional partners:
- LKT Lausitzer Klärtechnik GmbH
- UP Umweltanalytische Produkte GmbH
- PRIGNITZ Mikrosystemtechnik GmbH
- Actemium BEA GmbH
- GST Gesellschaft für System- und Tankanlagentechnik mbH
Additionally, more than ten other companies and associations have confirmed their support through letters of intent (LOIs). These collaborations are crucial to ensuring technology transfer to the region and strengthening Lusatia's innovation and competitiveness in the long term. The five-year project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany (BMBF) with approximately 7 million euros.
Dr. Sebastian Meyer summarizes: "With the AIS-EN project, we are taking an important step toward a sustainable future for Lusatia. Our innovative solutions combine environmental protection with the hydrogen economy and support the region's green transformation.”
