The SIS100 accelerator, currently under construction in Darmstadt (Germany), consists of six arc and straight sections. Each of the six cryogenic arc sections comprises fourteen regularly repeating optical cells (lattice). Each standard cell includes two dipole magnets and two quadrupole units integrated in a quadrupole doublet module. The SIS100 String Test technically represents one standard cell of the arc section of the SIS100, terminated by and End Cap and a Bypass Line as a representation of the end of the arc section. The purpose of the SIS100 String Test is to validate all technical systems such as cryogenics, vacuum, interlock and quench detection and investigate their collective behavior. A wide spectrum of tests will be performed during cool down, powering at operational conditions and warm up. Additionally, the experience gained during the SIS100 String Test will be crucial for the installation, commissioning and operation of the SIS100. The planning, installation process and first experimental results of the String Test will be presented.

New technical approaches are under investigation to further push the intensity frontier of the next generation heavy ion synchrotrons. Residual gas dynamics and corresponding charge exchange processes are key issues which need to be overcome by means of advanced UHV system technologies, but also by a focused design of the synchrotron as a whole. Cryogenics and superconductivity enable high field operation but in synergy also enable technologies for stabilizing the dynamic vacuum. Beam loss usually implicated as driver for activation and damages is as well an important initiator for residual gas pressure dynamics. Advanced superconducting cables promise lower energy consumption, fast ramping and higher average beam intensities. The cryo-pumping properties of specially developed cryogenic inserts, can also be used to upgrade existing synchrotrons and enable operation with lower charge states and higher intensities. The advancement of laser technologies may be applied as new devices in heavy ion synchrotrons for advanced manipulations, e.g. non-liouville injection or laser cooling. With FAIR, GSI has expanded its competence for the design of novel high intensity heavy ion synchrotrons.