Last Wednesday, Jauch was awarded the special prize as part of the Sparkasse Schwarzwald-Baar Innovation Award, presented in cooperation with Furtwangen University (HFU). The award recognizes Jauch's non-magnetic Lithium Polymer battery, which is used in MRI procedures to detect heart defects in unborn babies – an innovation that represents a significant advance in medical technology and prenatal diagnostics.
Jauch is particularly pleased with this recognition, as it highlights the excellent development work carried out by an interdisciplinary battery team consisting of experienced development engineers, electronics and safety technology specialists, and a doctor of chemistry, all of whom worked tirelessly on this challenging technology.
The award-winning non-magnetic Lithium Polymer battery is used in the “smart sync” diagnostic system developed by Hamburg-based medical technology company Northh Medical. During the examination, the device is placed in the MRI scanner, right next to the pregnant patient. The battery ensures a completely interference-free power supply to an integrated Doppler ultrasound module, which precisely detects the fetal heartbeat and thus provides significantly clearer MRI images of the unborn heart. Since extremely strong magnetic fields are present in the MRI, only completely non-magnetic (amagnetic) batteries may be used—even the slightest magnetic components could attract parts or distort measurements. Development was therefore challenging, requiring all components, materials, and even the manufacturing and welding techniques used to be fully amagnetic.
During the award ceremony, Professor Dr. Frank Kramer (HFU) praised the highly innovative technologies submitted by the various applicants and emphasized the social importance of Jauch's invention — for which Jauch was awarded the special prize — knowledge that expectant parents gain greater peace of mind, as potential heart defects can be detected early, allowing vital treatment or surgical interventions to be planned before birth.
The Schwenningen-based medium-sized company accepted the award in a festive setting—a moving moment and a significant recognition for everyone who contributed to this extraordinary project.
02/04/2026
Sparkasse CEO Arendt Gruben, right, and his deputy Florian Klausmann, left, present representatives of Jauch Quartz GmbH with the special innovation award for their non-magnetic lithium polymer battery.