Practice-oriented studying, pioneering research: 20 years of the Joint Lab by IHP and TH Wildau

Guests at the celebration event at IHP. (Photo: IHP 2026/Juliane Schlegel)

Martin Regehly, Sigurd Schrader, Patrick Heise, and Andreas Mai. (Photo: IHP 2026/Juliane Schlegel)

The IHP – Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics and the Technical University of Wildau celebrated the 20th anniversary of their joint lab today at IHP in Frankfurt (Oder). The event demonstrated how long-term collaboration between non-university research and universities in Brandenburg strengthens the role in the development of semiconductor technologies, photonics, and future technologies.

The anniversary event brought together representatives from science, universities, and the state of Brandenburg. The thematic focus was a review of the joint lab's successes, technology transfer, academic training, and joint future-oriented research areas relevant to regional innovation policy.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Mai opened the official program, followed by a greeting from the IHP management by Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kahmen. The TH Wildau was represented by Prof. Dr. Klaus-Martin Melzer, Vice President for Research and Transfer. On behalf of the state of Brandenburg, Dr. André Lottmann, Head of the Non-University Research Department at the Ministry of Science, Research, and Culture, and Chairman of the IHP Supervisory Board, spoke.

"For 20 years, the joint lab of TH Wildau and IHP has symbolized successful collaboration between a university of applied sciences and a Leibniz Institute. Here, application-oriented university education complements excellent high-tech research. The close partnership creates space for innovation, technology transfer, and practical training for our students. Spin-offs and the development of a research cluster in quantum technology exemplify the joint lab's performance. We look forward to the next 20 years," said Prof. Dr. Klaus-Martin Melzer.

A central part of the event looked back on 20 years of the joint lab and the people behind the collaboration. Prof. Dr. Andreas Mai and Prof. Dr. Martin Regehly traced the development of the cooperation and its contribution to connecting university education with advanced microelectronics research. Contributions on the impact of joint research for societally relevant applications came from Prof. Dr. Martin Regehly, Christoph Schumann, startup CEO and project manager at TH Wildau, and Prof. Dr. Andreas Mai.

"The joint lab promotes talents in the scientific and engineering fields and provides them with modern infrastructure in a dynamic R&D environment. The joint research projects and numerous publications and initiatives demonstrate how well this collaboration between IHP and TH Wildau has worked for decades," said Prof. Dr. Andreas Mai, head of the joint lab and head of the Technology Department at IHP.

The cooperation included joint research and training activities in areas such as silicon photonics, high-speed components, and technology transfer. Milestones include the founding of HyPhoX, a joint spin-off of IHP and TH Wildau with founders from Wildau and Frankfurt (Oder). The company is developing a digital rapid test that, using silicon-based semiconductor technology, enables real-time analysis of viruses, bacteria, toxins, or proteins in laboratory quality. HyPhoX received the Berlin-Brandenburg Innovation Award in 2023. Additionally, there are two joint patents, work on European activities in silicon photonics, including Silicon Light, and an international summer school with the University of Rome Tor Vergata for students and early-career scientists.

The joint lab makes an important contribution to training the next generation of scientific personnel and specialists in microelectronics and photonic systems. Microelectronics is considered a key technology for numerous future fields and is closely linked to questions of technological sovereignty in Germany and Europe. Brandenburg positions itself as an active location for semiconductor and photonics research.

Over 20 years, the joint lab has trained numerous bachelor’s and master’s graduates. It has overseen several hundred internships and short-term practical courses; more than 20 graduates have acquired industry-relevant skills in integrated photonics, surface technology, microsystems technology, and material diagnostics.

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kahmen, Scientific-Technical Managing Director of IHP, emphasized: "Joint labs represent a special form of cooperation for IHP, based on long-standing, successful, and trusting collaboration. For IHP, the strategic value of the joint lab lies especially in the joint training of scientific and technical Nachwuchs as well as in joint excellent research on highly innovative topics, such as silicon photonics. Together with TH Wildau, we will continue to shape 'Leading Edge Technology, Made in Brandenburg' in the future."

During the event, participants also received guided insights into IHP's research infrastructure, including the cleanroom, facilities for offline characterization, and the quantum transport laboratory. The event concluded with an informal get-together, offering opportunities for exchange among partners, guests, and researchers.

Outlook: The partnership continues

Looking ahead, IHP and TH Wildau aim to further expand the joint lab. New focus areas include application-oriented quantum technologies and innovative sensor developments, which will soon start through new funding projects. Plans also include new joint initiatives on system integration and the continuation of the international summer school.