Fraunhofer ISE, a Freiburg-based solar research institute, has reported that researcher Callum Gannon received the 2025 Gerda Ruf Award for developing a laser-structured electroplating mask. His University of Freiburg work was focused on replacing conventional photolithography steps using maskless laser lithography with low-cost resist materials. According to Prof. Dr. Stefan Glunz, the improvement has enabled sub-10 micrometer metallization on III-V//Si solar cells with greater process efficiency. The award was funded by the Fritz Hüttinger Foundation, which has supported advancements in PV research.