New impulses for industrial micro-manufacturing: Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden heads the business unit at Fraunhofer ISIT

Fraunhofer ISIT strengthens its expertise in microfabrication: Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden takes over the leadership of the Microfabrication Processes business unit. The materials scientist brings international experience from research and institute management. At ISIT, she develops manufacturing processes for microstructured systems and microelectronics. The goal is to bring innovative microfabrication faster into industrial applications and to strengthen Europe's technological sovereignty.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology ISIT is strengthening its expertise in microfabrication: Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden has taken over the management of the Microfabrication Processes business unit. With her international research experience and extensive leadership expertise, she will drive the strategic development of this central technology area.

Microfabrication as a key technology for the next generation of microsystems

The Microfabrication Processes business unit is one of the largest and most technologically central areas at Fraunhofer ISIT. The focus is on developing and optimizing processes for the production of microstructured, multi-material systems – especially for applications in microelectronics and adjacent future fields.

"This business unit addresses the industrial requirements for new manufacturing approaches for microstructured components and systems," explains Lilleodden. "Our work benefits significantly from close integration with other business units as well as from direct access to the cleanroom infrastructure at the institute."

International expertise meets applied research

Prof. Dr. Erica Lilleodden is an internationally experienced materials scientist with positions in the USA and Germany. After earning her doctorate at Stanford University, she worked at leading research institutions such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.

In Germany, she shaped materials research for many years at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon and as a professor at the Hamburg University of Technology. Most recently, she served as director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale).

With her move to Fraunhofer ISIT, she consciously combines a change in perspective: "The role as business unit leader enables much closer collaboration with scientists and industry partners on an operational level," says Lilleodden. "I want to actively shape the scientific strategy and especially expand the testing and diagnostics area."

Focus on process understanding, functionality, and reliability

A central differentiator of ISIT, according to Lilleodden, is the holistic view of microfabrication processes: "We not only develop processes but also identify new functionalities and specifically investigate the reliability of the resulting systems," she says. "Diagnostic methods play a crucial role here – especially to understand why components work or don't."

Response to increasing demands from industry and society

The requirements for microsystems are constantly growing – driven by technological, economic, and societal developments.

"The pressure to innovate is enormous," emphasizes Lilleodden. "Systems must be more powerful, sustainable, and at the same time cost-efficient. These demands often stand in direct tension with each other."

Fraunhofer ISIT addresses these challenges through application-oriented research and close cooperation with industry partners. The goal is to align technologies early on with industrial requirements and to transfer them efficiently into application.

Strategic role for microelectronics and European sovereignty

A particular focus is on strengthening microelectronics in Germany and Europe. In the context of the Microelectronics Germany research factory (FMD) and European initiatives like the EU Chips Act, Lilleodden sees great opportunities for ISIT: "We will increasingly work on complex issues that are crucial for Europe's technological sovereignty – for example, in prototype development, process optimization, and wafer-level packaging," she says.

Leadership with a focus on collaboration and development

In her new role, Lilleodden relies on teamwork, interdisciplinary exchange, and targeted support for young talent: "Everyone in the team contributes with individual skills to overall success. It is crucial to recognize these strengths and develop them together," she says.

She places particular importance on combining scientific excellence with practical application: "Research at Fraunhofer means translating knowledge into solutions that work in practice."

Clear vision: technological leadership in microfabrication

For the coming years, Lilleodden has a clear goal: The Microfabrication Processes business unit should be positioned as a leading partner for innovative manufacturing technologies – nationally and internationally.

"Our contribution to microelectronics is decisive," she summarizes. "We develop technologies that enable future applications – from AI to quantum technologies to medical sensors."