Based in Cambridge, MA, the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) is a non-profit applied research and development laboratory dedicated to the commercialization of clean energy technologies. CSE engages in collaborative research and development with private companies, government entities, and academic institutions, performing research that broadly benefits firms, industries, and society. These partnerships take a wide variety of forms, including confidential co-development programs, third-party technology validation, and joint applications for grant programs.

Founded in 2008 and supported by the Massachusetts state government, the CSE is part of an international research network spearheaded by Germany's Fraunhofer Society, Europe's largest contract R&D organization. In Germany, the Fraunhofer CSE is closely partnered with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) in Stuttgart.

The CSE has three main areas of focus: Photovoltaic (PV) Modules, Building Energy Efficiency, and the TechBridge commercialization program.

Photovoltaic Modules 

Because they represent a significant portion of the cost of solar power, PV modules are the primary focus of the CSE's solar research. The Module Group works with module materials suppliers, equipment vendors, and module manufacturers to increase module efficiency, reduce costs, improve lifetime and reliability, boost manufacturing throughput, and minimize installation barriers.

Building Energy Efficiency 

Buildings consume almost 40% of America's energy and 73% of its electricity. The Building Energy Efficiency group is focused on energy-efficient retrofits, in particular building envelope technologies, novel materials and components, integration of renewable energy sources, home automation networks, and whole building modeling and simulation.

TechBridge

The TechBridge commercialization program helps emerging sustainable energy startups to develop their technologies, bridging the gap from laboratory to wide-scale production.

In offering design and modeling expertise, equipment, and access to Fraunhofer facilities in Germany, the CSE has the ability to serve a broad range of clients, including small and large companies as well as university groups. Start-ups in particular can benefit from working with the CSE to reduce capital expenditure costs and accelerate time to market without sacrificing intellectual property rights.

For sixty years, Germany's Fraunhofer Society (FhG) has played a vital role in the research and commercialization of new technologies in Europe. Today, Fraunhofer is comprised of 80 institutes and centers spread across the world. The majority are located in Germany, with additional centers and representative offices in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the US. In total, Fraunhofer employs 17,000 people worldwide, most of which are qualified engineers and scientists.

Under the "Fraunhofer Model", each center strives for excellence in one particular area of applied sciences, allowing the center to offer clients deep, focused research in a variety of fields. Contract research makes up the majority of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's €1.5 billion annual research budget, with the remainder being paid for by state and federal funding.

• Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.de)
  

Fraunhofer USA is a 501(c)(3) company incorporated in the State of Rhode Island. Fraunhofer USA performs applied research under contract to government and industry with customers such as federal and state governments, multinational corporations as well as small to medium-sized companies. Fraunhofer's research benefits society in many ways. Each Fraunhofer USA research center is closely affiliated with at least one of the 60 Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany.

• Fraunhofer USA (www.fraunhofer.org)
  

Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology

The Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology is dedicated to forming collaborative and commercial partnerships that push the boundaries of science to help improve global health as well as maximize market opportunities. Its unique approach to recombinant protein production using plant biotechnology offers significant benefits for optimizing efficiency, productivity and safety while minimizing costs.

• Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology (www.fraunhofer-cmb.org)

Fraunhofer Center for Coatings & Laser Applications

The Fraunhofer USA Center for Coatings and Laser Applications, in partnership with Michigan State University, provides innovative research and development services based on its expertise in coating technologies and laser applications. Services include new product and process development, application development, design and integration of production and pilot systems on-site at customer facilities, consulting and training.

• Fraunhofer Center for Coatings & Laser Applications (www.ccl.fraunhofer.org)
  

Fraunhofer Center for Laser Technology 

The Fraunhofer Center for Laser Technology offers applied research in laser process development, laser components and novel laser systems. Located in Plymouth, Michigan, the CLT has a state-of-the-art development center with a variety of the leading edge equipment designed to provide world-class-technology solution for customers.  

• Fraunhofer Center for Laser Technology (www.clt.fraunhofer.com)

Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing Innovation

The Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing Innovation provides engineering and R&D services to local and international companies focusing on product development assistance and advanced manufacturing solutions. It develops automation equipment, devices, and instruments for the photonics, biotech/biomedical, and semiconductor markets.  

• Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing Innovation (www.fhcmi.org)

Fraunhofer Center for Experimental Software Engineering

The Fraunhofer Center for Experimental Software Engineering is a research affiliate of the University of Maryland, dedicated to advancing the state-of-the-practice in software development and acquisition organizations by applying state-of-the-art research results.

• Fraunhofer Center for Experimental Software Engineering (fc-md.umd.edu)
  

Fraunhofer Digital Media Technologies

Fraunhofer Digital Media Technologies works together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) to promote state-of-the-art audio coding and multimedia real-time system technologies.

• Fraunhofer Digital Media Technologies (www.dmt.fraunhofer.org)