Strengthening research, technological development and innovation
Promoting innovation capacities for a more competitive area
Developing a network of research centres and parks with a nano-technological vocation focused on promoting technology transfer. The network, aimed at businesses, will offer access to enabling technologies and contribute to creating a new culture of innovation, through a programme of targeted open events, a consultancy service, and feasibility studies, responding to the needs expressed by individual businesses and stimulating the creation of new products, markets and businesses.
The industrial strategies of the third millennium are increasingly focused on advanced specialisations and refined enabling technologies, including nanotechnology. In the Interreg SLO-ITA programme area, there is a well-established manufacturing tradition that urgently needs to make a qualitative leap forward in order to meet the challenges posed by global society in the new millennium. On the other hand, the same area also includes the most advanced skills in emerging technologies and in particular in the field of nanotechnologies, thanks to a series of excellent research centres. The aim of the project is to connect existing nanotechnology skills to the needs of the industrial world. The project will address the following aspects: - widespread territorial awareness activities aimed mainly at bridging the gap between science and industry in the field of nanotechnology; - cross-border standardisation of nanotechnology transfer practices; - setting up an operational network of laboratories, which will operate as a single entity to provide full support on nanotechnology issues for regional companies, including through a programme of proof of concept experiments.
The main result of the project is to effectively transfer technology from the research centres operating in the Interreg macro-region to the companies operating in the same territory, which in the medium and long term will be able to improve the competitiveness, the level of employment and the economic impact of the local production system. In particular, the project will be considered a success if:
(a) in the short term (3 years from inception) there will be a significant increase in joint research projects operating between companies and research centres; (b) in the medium term (5 years) there will be the creation of a new scientific-entrepreneurial culture capable of jointly addressing the technological challenges of the new millennium. In particular, actions involving students and entrepreneurs may stimulate an increase in professional careers linked to technology transfer;
(c) in the long term (10 years) there will be an increase in the turnover of the companies involved of a factor 10 times greater than the investment of the Interreg Programme.
Lead Partner
Project partner 1
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Project partner 3
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Project partner 9
1. Nanotechnologies from door-to-door
Developing a transparent, comprehensive and inclusive system of knowledge transfer, capable of bringing knowledge generators and users together, i.e. research centres and enterprises through technology transfer bodies operating in the territory.
This objective will be achieved by scouting industrial businesses in the area, and brainstorming ways to stimulate production approaches, develop new products and create new markets.
Lastly, a unified virtual interface will allow companies to directly access the database of nanotechnology skills and activities, examples of possible applications and drafting of a proposal for one or more feasibility experiments.
2. Network of nano-laboratories
Developing technical protocols, nomenclatures, qualitative and quantitative standards for processing and measuring samples through shared metrological actions and industrial research pilot actions within the strategies of intelligent specialisation.
This will also allow us to unify the nanotechnology services offered, made available to companies through the single virtual counter.
These practices will allow companies to take advantage of all the skills offered in the five research centres in the area. The result will be an enrichment of the supply basin, faster response times and an improvement in the quality of the service offered, with clear competitive advantages.
3. Proof-of-concept
Developing an integrated interregional POC service. A series of activities will be carried out to assess the feasibility of specific technological approaches and their transferability to the industrial level.
These can be carried out in one or more research centres and will be stimulated by the specific needs of companies. They will be limited to short experimental sessions lasting up to one week and will not be proprietary.
If successful, they will potentially precede more intensive forms of collaboration between research centres and the company.
The project will be considered successful if at least 36 proof-of-concept experiments stimulated by several companies are carried out during its duration.
Operation co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund
