Aluminum’s growing importance in the shift toward climate neutrality has increased demand for high-quality, resource-efficient production. Recognizing this, Dr. Thomas Waschkies and Andrea Mroß from the Fraunhofer Institute for Nondestructive Testing IZFP have been awarded the 2025 Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize for developing AloX, an ultrasound-based measurement system capable of detecting even minimal contamination in molten aluminum.

Aluminum is a strategic raw material, prized for its strength, lightness, and recyclability. Producing secondary aluminum consumes just 5% of the energy needed for primary production, making it central to the circular economy. However, contamination by non-metallic inclusions can compromise performance and shorten the lifespan of components, creating the need for rapid, accurate, and affordable quality control.

The AloX system meets these demands by enabling continuous, precise monitoring of molten aluminum in demanding foundry environments. The technology marks a breakthrough, as no previous analytical methods could deliver this combination of speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

The prize jury commended the IZFP team for venturing into “uncharted territory” by adapting ultrasonic measurement to the extreme conditions of molten aluminum, paving the way for more sustainable and high-performance aluminum production.