According to Fraunhfoer, (lightweight) materials with a low weight and high mechanical strength are needed to meet the demands for resource efficiency. According to the researchers, the required mechanical properties can only be achieved with composite materials. The IPA project team consisting of Dr. Christopher Hubrich, Carsten Glanz and Ivica Kolariv has developed process technologies to combine carbon nanoparticles and metals into composite materials. The picture shows a topology-optimized steering knuckle made from an aluminium alloy. According to the researchers, these technologies have already made it possible to achieve record improvements in properties. The team is now working on further improving these technologies in order to attract end-user customers from other industrial sectors, particularly the automotive industry.