The development of the virtual material probe was made possible by almost two decades of collaboration by the research team. “There is a unique synergy between us and Fraunhofer IWM, which is growing and picking up speed. Together, we have created a virtual material probe that is unique worldwide in this form and complexity,” says Otschik. He goes on to say: “The atomistic simulation, which we already earned us the Freudenberg Innovation Award in 2019, is characterized by joint work with the Freudenberg companies EagleBurgmann, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, Klüber Lubrication and Freudenberg Technology Innovation as well as the Fraunhofer Institute – true to Freudenberg’s motto of ‘Innovating together’.” And EagleBurgmann is not the only one to benefit from the virtual material probe, the entire Freudenberg world does too. “EagleBurgmann is the driving force behind the use of atomistic simulation in other Freudenberg Business Groups as well – thanks to our colleague Dr. Rüdiger Braun, who is in charge of technical coordination at the Freudenberg Chemical Specialties Business Group,” explains Dr. Ravindrakumar Bactavatchalou, Head of Tribology at Freudenberg Technology Innovation. The virtual material probe has opened many doors in the Freudenberg world since then: “For one thing, new jobs can be created, and the atomistic simulation also serves as a tool for the entire Freudenberg product portfolio. It significantly reduces development times, which saves on financial resources as well as materials,” adds Otschik.