The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS is a methodologically oriented Fraunhofer Institute in the specialist disciplines of materials science and materials engineering. The Fraunhofer IMWS is the point of contact for industry and public clients for all issues relating to the microstructure of materials and systems - with the aim of increasing material efficiency and cost-effectiveness and conserving resources. In this environment, the Polymer Applications business unit of the Fraunhofer IMWS deals on the one hand with issues of virtual process chains in material design, process technologies and component properties and on the other hand with the prototypical validation of the results. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between processing/structure and structure/properties - the performance properties are generated virtually in situ. His material and technology expertise lies in the field of elastomer compounds, thermoplastic polymers and fiber-reinforced high-performance composites. The research work covers the entire development chain from material design to the tested prototype component. The business division serves customers in the field of mobility applications - automotive, aircraft and rail vehicles - with solutions to increase energy and resource efficiency.