How To Help Bionics

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1 Innovationspolitik, Informationsgesellschaft, Telekommunikation kompetenznetze.de Networks of Competence in Germany

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3 Innovationspolitik, Informationsgesellschaft, Telekommunikation kompetenznetze.de Networks of Competence in Germany

4 Content Words of Welcome Federal Minister Michael Glos... 5 Words of Welcome Prof. Dr. Jörg Sydow... 6 Innovation in Germany... 7 The initiative kompetenznetze.de... 8 Region map...10 Aerospace Technology... 1 Aviation Cluster Hamburg...14 Agrobusiness...17 NieKE - Agrobusiness in Lower Saxony...18 Bionics BIOKON Competence Network Biomimetics Biotechnology BioChip Technologies BioCon Valley... 0 BioHyTec... 2 BioInstruments Jena... 4 BioPark Regensburg... 6 BioProfil Functional Genome Analisis - Platform for Diagnostics and Therapy... 8 BioProfile Nutrigenomics...40 BioProfile Regeneration Biology BioRegioN BioRiver BioTech Region Munich BioTOP...50 BioValley Heartbeat of Life Science in Europe InnoPlanta Plant Biotechnology...56 RiNA Netzwerk RNA-Technologien Education & Training TheoPrax Environmental Technology...65 NiK...66 Genome Research on Bacteria Relevant for Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology NGFN - National Genome ResearchNetwork Industrial Manufacturing...79 Adaptronics...80 Automotive Field of Competence CFK-Valley Stade e.v ENG-NET - Virtual Engineering Network...86 ICM - Chemnitz Mechanical Engineering Process Technology Competence Network Pro e.v...90 Information and Communication Technology...9 bwcon - Baden-Würtemberg:Connected IT Saar...96 MercatorPark...98 Mobile Solution Group Regina e.v Software-Kompetenz.de Virtual Work Environment - it4works ViVERA Maritime Technologies Competence Network Marine Technology Schleswig Holstein The Maritime Alliance Materials Science Competence Center for Simulation of Components Behaviour SimBAU Invest in Germany /Announcement LOOP Lower Saxony Competence Network for the sustainable use of wood Lüdenscheid network for the surface engineering of plastics Materials Innovation Net North Bavaria RIKO The Textile Research Council Genomics BiotechGenoMik GABI Genome Analysis of the Plant Biological System Mechatronics / Microtechnologies... 1 Center for Microsytems Technology (ZEMI)...14 IVAM - Microtechnology Network... 16

5 Lower Saxony Network of Competence for Microsystems Engineering Measurement Valley e.v Mechatronics Cham Mechatronics Göppingen e.v mechatronik-net e.v Silicon Saxony e.v Medical Engineering KBR - Center of Excellence Biomaterials Rostock KMR - Ruhr Centre of Excellence for Medical Engineering Medical Technology Erlangen/Nuremberg Medimplant Center of Competence - Cardiovaskular Implants MOTIV Medicine Introduction Medicine Atrial Fibrillation Competence Network Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects Competence Network on Depression & Suicidality..170 Competence Network for Viral Hepatitis (Hep-Net) 172 Competence Network on HIV/AIDS Competence Network Malignant Lymphomas Competence Network on Parkinson s Disease Competence Network SepNet Competence Network Stroke German Research Network of Schizophrenia Heart Failure Competence Network Medical Research Network Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Network of Competence Network on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Competence Network of Dementia NanoMat NanOP UFS - Nanotechnology Center of Competence Ultrathin Functional Films Saxony UPOB - Competence Center Ultra - precise Surface Figuring Optical Technologies bayern photonics e.v Laser Technology Region Nuremberg OpTec BB e.v OpTech-Net e.v Optence e.v PhotonAix Photonics BW e.v PhotonicNet GmbH Power Engineering BZI ECPE e.v EnergieRegion Nuremberg...26 Fuel Cell Network Nordrhein-Westfalen Wasser- und Brennstoffzellen Initiative Hessen e.v Traffic and Transportation...24 car e.v CNA e.v GZVB e.v KompetenzZentrum Bau Neumarkt Mobility Forum Lower Saxony Transport Technologies Berlin TechnologieAllianz Nanotechnology CC-NanoBiotech CC-NanoChem ENNaB HanseNanoTec Nanoanalytics...202

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7 Words of Welcome A relentlessly advancing process of globalisation, and associated structural changes, make it clear that we will increasingly have to rely on our innovation capacity in the future to remain competitive internationally, and attractive as a location for economic activities. Germany must remain in the position to develop and market innovative products and services. A prerequisite for this is not only world-class research but also efficient technology transfer. Thus, we need to mobilise all the potentials available, in research and in business, to generate outstanding innovations within increasingly short cycles, and to transform these innovations into high-quality and marketable products. Made in Germany has been the badge of quality under which goods and services produced in Germany have earned worldwide recognition, and this must remain so. Attaining this goal requires a close and successful cooperation among the players from the scientific and business communities involved in the innovation and production process. The competence networks, operating as part of the identically named initiative supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, are regionally concentrated but supra-regionally active innovation clusters with a specific thematic focus, ranging from the life sciences, biotechnology and medicine, to energy, medical and environmental technologies, to the so-called new technologies such as information and communication, microsystems and nanotechnologies. The competence networks produce innovation with a particularly strong value-added potential and cover several stages of the value-added chain as well as various branches and disciplines. The active interaction and communication among scientific and business participants in the networks ensure an efficient technology transfer. Particularly for small and mid-sized companies, which often cannot afford to finance their own research, competence networks offer an ideal framework for successful participation in the development of innovative products and services. The following brochure presents more than one hundred of the total of 10 competence networks involved in the initiative. They provide an impressive picture of Germany s innovation capacity and attractiveness as a site for scientific and economic investments. I cordially invite you to read the following pages and to gain your own view of this selection of German competence networks and of their huge potential. Sincerely, Michael Glos German Minister of Economics and Technology

8 Words of Welcome Professional management of networks and clusters Over the last two decades, collaboration in networks and clusters has become standard practice for many organisations. This is equally true of research institutions and of manufacturers, and applies as strongly to logistics companies and other service providers, including advertising agencies, for example. Organisations have not only learnt to collaborate vertically along the value chain, but also horizontally, when they find themselves at the very same point along that chain. Nevertheless, not all collaborations live up to the expectations of their initiators. This may be attributable to a less than optimal choice in how the collaborative effort is organised, i.e. in the form adopted, or it may be that unfavourable conditions at the time of foundation continue to have an impact upon present practices. In many cases, however, it may not necessarily be a question of the organisational form itself network or cluster nor of prevailing conditions at the time it was set up, but of how collaborative activities are implemented and operate on a day-to-day basis. While the management of (single) organisations has become far more professional since Frederick Winslow Taylor presented The Principles Scientific Management almost a century ago, the management of networks and clusters still constitutes a fairly recent managerial challenge. The exact differences between managing a single entity, as opposed to a heterogeneous network or cluster of organisations, are still debated. But one important aspect is that the latter, in sharp contrast to the former, cannot rely on the fiat essential to hierarchical methods of coordinating activities when striving to initiate and sustain cooperation in structures involving several organisations. This insight served to broaden the scope of management research and education, beginning with the publication of New Concepts for New Forms, a widely acclaimed article by Ray Miles and Chuck Snow which appeared exactly twenty years ago in the California Management Review and presented the network as an organisational form to a wider audience. Since then, the research and teaching agenda of many universities, including mine, but also of other institutions has been extended to include the management of such socially complex entities, focusing particularly on viable alternatives to hierarchical modes of coordination. This has been accompanied by a growing number of consultancy firms who provide expertise on how to organise and manage networks and clusters, and even how to disband them when necessary. Of course kompetenznetze.de already plays an important role in this context and not only as a frequently visited internet portal which acts in support of trading relevant ideas and experience. It is also a rather exclusive club, made up of highly reputed competence networks, which, across clusters, and more recently across national borders, foster an exchange of ideas on how collaborative activities are managed best. Nevertheless, a severe need for greater professionalism in the management of networks and clusters continues to exist. I am tempted to predict that tangible and significant improvement in the management of networks and clusters will be forthcoming over the next years. And joined by other publicly and privately supported initiatives and programs, kompetenznetze.de is sure to contribute to greater professionalism in managing such forms of coordinated economic activity. Prof. Dr. Jörg Sydow, Institute of Management, Free University of Berlin, and Chairman of kompetenznetze.de Advisory Council.

9 Innovation in Germany: Acceleration of speed Germany is world champion in exporting goods. That position however is not undisputed. It must be defended constantly. The best tool: Innovation. Germany possesses an efficient infrastructure for basic and applied research and is amongst world leaders in terms of inventions. It has the potential to improve the transfer of research findings into marketable products, the development of innovative and knowledge-intensive services and the area of education and training. Making greater use of Germany s innovation-related potential would throughput export success to a recovery in domestic demand and likewise in investment activities. If the economic upturn is also based on more dynamism at home, the recovery will gain in breadth and depth. This, in turn, will lead to the creation of more employment which is subject to social contributions. Politics cannot create jobs, but can set the necessary conditions that more jobs can be created. Reform, invest, shape the future - a policy for more jobs in Germany: this is the title of the Annual Economic Report and describes the economic strategy of the Federal Government for the current legislative period. A new surge in growth is required. Innovation and investment are the key factors for more growth. The Federal Government will incite economic growth by introducing measures in five sectors, with a total volume of 25 billion Euros. Top priority will be the promotion of research and development. For the years 2006 to 2009, 6 billion Euros of budget funds will be made available for research and development, of which 800 million Euros is earmarked for The BMWi has identified the following priorities in this context: support of innovative SMEs and of technologyoriented start-ups; in particular, support of efforts interlinking research and businesses; support of innovative lighthouse projects, in particular those with an impact on entire sectors or the economy as a whole; for example, the development of highly efficient power plants. These measures will be described in the so called High-Tech Strategy Germany which will be presented by June The reason for these activities is evident: Germany can only face the challenges of globalisation and the transition to a knowledge society if there is a constant high level of dynamism for innovation. Germany s overall economic investment in research and development (R&D) amounts to 2.5 % of its Gross Domestic Product, placing it in the upper third among industrialised nations, but falling 0.5 percentage points short to the goal set in Lisbon. The political aim is to bring sustainable improvement into innovation, to promote the capabilities of small and medium-sized firms in particular. The dominant financier of German research is the private sector, contributing over 60% to the national R&D spending. Over half of Germany s industrial production is accounted for by R&D-intensive industries. The sectors of German industrial core competence continue to be: automotive, pharmaceutical and medical devices, chemicals, and production engineering. New emerging R&D based industries include firms involved in telecommunications, information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, lasers and micro systems technology. The initiative kompetenznetze.de has marked a total of 18 fields of innovation. In the battle to become and remain world export leader, a significant benchmark is the number of patents registered. Germany continues to report alongside Japan and the USA one of the highest patent intensities in the world. The cutting-edge technology fields have been in recent years the fast-growing ones (telecom, medical electronics, turbines, agro-chemistry, advanced electrical engineering etc). New ones will emerge soon. These will be the areas where tomorrow s innovation will take place. Germany will be prepared.

10 kompetenznetze.de Germany is a rich country, although poor in natural resources. Innovations therefore have been and still are the basis for its prosperity. But it is not a given gift. The ability to generate ideas and to develop them into products, which have a chance in the markets, must be achieved by hard work. To be successful in the field of innovations, Germany must be strong in education and research and must have companies which have a say in the global markets, may they be small or big enterprises. The government is promoting Germany s strength with a wide spectrum of activies. One of the most important initiatives is Networks of Competence, kompetenznetze.de. kompetenznetze.de is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology and is conceived as an instrument to internationally marketing the best Networks of Competence in Germany. In the same time it is an attractive research source and communication platform for those seeking information and partners in Germany. The initiative supports the creation and development of Networks of Competence in all fields of innovation, helps clusters and regions to develop a visible profile, promotes Germany on the international market, provides access to a variety of information and communication channels. It permits members to present themselves to their target groups on other platforms, such as trade shows, conferences and publications, and provides ongoing support to the Networks in their further development and in current activities such as press and public relations work. The target groups addressed by the initiative include investors and startup companies seeking a business location, research scientists and students, decision-makers in business and industry, government and public administration, and the media and interested public. At the last count, presentations of about 10 networks of competence in 18 fields of innovation and more than 0 regions can be found under the ensign of kompetenznetze.de. Networks of Competence achieve the best results when partners group together in a defined geographical region. This enables them to collaborate in an exceptional way, forming alliances that often last for many years. Their success is based on a well organised system of knowledge and technology transfer, the shared use of infrastructure, and efficient channels of information and communication factors that are essentially the hallmark of innovative clusters. The fields of innovation reach from A like Aerospace Technology and Agrobusiness until T like Traffic and Transportation. Not to forget those inbetween: Bionics, Biotechnology, Education & Training, Environmental Technology, Genomics, Industrial Manufacturing,Information and Communication Technology, Maritime Technologies, Materials Science, Mechatronics/Microsystems Engineering, Medical Engineering, Medicine, Nanotechnology, Optical Technologies/Laser Technology and Power Engineering. kompetenznetze.de is not a gathering with unlimited entry to everone. The members chosen for this Club of the best are regarded as the elite of the networks of the research community in Germany. Membership of the initiative counts as a quality label. Networks that wish to join the initiative can apply for membership, which involves being assessed according to specific evaluation criteria. An independent council of advisors decides which applications will be accepted in consultation with the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The initiative s management office is there to support and advise the Networks of Competence. The benefits for the members include the Internet information and communication platform http//: the opportunity to participate in topquality publications, trade shows and conferences, use of the quality label kompetenznetze.de in the marketing and public relations work, the support in setting up and developing the network and networking beyond the reach of the specific network. The innovative regions of the world compete to attract the best brains, the best universities, the leading research centers and the most dynamic companies on a global scale. The places with the best prospects are those where all the players involved communicate and cooperate closely. Networks of Competence provide the ideal organisational framework for this. The German innovation clusters combined in kompetenznetze.de have a regional focus, act on an international scale, concentrate on a specific thematic area, are capable of generating innovations with a particularly high value-added potential, cover many links in the value chain and incorporate multiple sectors of industry and scientific disciplines. They stand out by virtue of the close interaction and communication among their members, work within the context of an infrastructure that favors innovation and help to give regions a distinct profile and an advantageous position with respect to their international competitors. As a result of that, Germany has an excellent standing in most areas of research with strategic importance to the future.

11 the initiative with innovations as daily routine Through the kompetenznetze.de initiative, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology gives outstanding innovation clusters the possibility of making their activities and services available to the public, both national and international. This draws attention to Germany s attractiveness as a source of innovations. Numerous innovations originating in the Networks of Competence prove just how successful the collaboration is between the scientific and research community and industry. Networks of Competence improve communication and create structures that facilitate cooperation. Especially small and medium-sized companies gain access to the most advanced research, which they could not afford alone. The international orientation of the networks helps companies to form stronger ties with partners outside Germany, and vice-versa the Networks of Competence provide these partners with the opportunity to benefit from the specialised potential found in German small and mediumsized companies. millionth part of a millimetre. The diameter of a human hair is fifty thousand times bigger. The possible applications of this technology are immense. Future progress in nanotechnology will also determine the further development of future-oriented branches, such as medicine, energy, transport. In addition to biotechnology, nanobiotechnology is bridging the gap between inanimate and animate nature and aims at understanding the basic principles of biological functional units as well as creating components at nano-scale in a controlled way with technical materials. Another important area which involves many members of kompetenznetze.de is that of the life sciences. These members contribute considerably to understanding living organisms and ecological systems. They provide unprecedented opportunities for understanding genetic diseases or diseases triggered by external impacts and facilitate new therapies. At the same time, the life sciences have great potential for the creation of new, future-oriented jobs. particular, of jobs created or sustained. What affects both and contributes to increased organisational effectiveness as well as to the prosperity of regions, is the intensity and multiplexity of the networking among firms, research institutions and policy agencies along the value chain. Innovations are no longer the fruit of a single firm, but of teams of scientists and networks of institutions and companies. kompetenznetze.de is living proof of this. Project management agency of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology for the initiative kompetenznetze.de is Project Office kompetenznetze.de c/o F.A.S.T. Gesellschaft für angewandte Softwaretechnologie mbh Arabellastr. 17, D Munich Phone: ++49 / (0) 89 / Fax: ++49 / (0) 89 / info@kompetenznetze.de kompetenznetze.de is particularly addressed to investors and start-ups, scientists, students and key persons from business, politics and administration who are seeking competent partners. kompetenznetze.de is adressing research and development in futureoriented new technologies, which may lay the foundation for both Europe and Germany of tomorrow. One of them is Nanotechnology, which is increasingly considered to be the main future technology. More than 0 Kompetenznetze are active in that field. Nanotechnology provides access to the world of the smallest things. One nanometre is a In addition most of the Networks of Competence are fostering the regional development in Germany. There is hardly a more systematic, sustainable and comprehensive approach towards cluster development than the one pursued by the German Ministry of Economy and Technology. What counts in the end are economic results on the levels of both organisations and regions. On the organisational level, product and process innovations, accelerated time-to-market, leveraged competencies, and increased cost efficiency are the aims to meet. On the regional level the Networks of Competence add to the quality and effiency of economic activity and, in

12 10 Region map Aachen Ruhr region Münster Frankfurt - Rhine - Main Darmstadt - Starkenburg Kaiserslautern Saarbrücken - Saarpfalz Weser - Ems Freiburg K.E.R.N. Rhine - Neckar Stuttgart Lübeck Würzburg Brunswick Remscheid-Solingen-Wuppertal-Triangle South Westphalia Rhineland Karlsruhe Tübingen- Reutlingen- Neckar-Alb Hamburg Bremen Hanover Göttingen East - Westphalia - Lippe Jena - Erfurt - Ilmenau Nuremberg Augsburg Chemnitz Berlin Brandenburg Gatersleben - Magdeburg Regensburg East Bavaria Munich Greifswald- Rostock- Wismar Lake Constance - Upper Swabia-Ulm Dresden Aerospace Technology Agrobusiness Bionics Biotechnology Education & Training Environmental Technology Genomics Industrial Manufacturing Information and Communication Technology Maritime Technologies Materials Science Mechatronics/Microsystems Engineering Medical Engineering Medicine Nanotechnology Optical Technologies/Laser Technology Power Engineering Traffic & Transportation Aachen Aachen Competence Centre for Medical Technology bwa-biomaterials Aachen car e.v. competence center automotive region aachen / euregio maas-rhein Plastic Innovation Centre Aachen PhotonAix e. V. - Competence Network for Optical Technologies and Systems in Aachen PROduction TEChnology Aachen REGINA e.v.- Information Technology Aachen Augsburg mechatronik-net e.v. KUMAS - Augsburg-Swabia Center of Competence for Environmental Technologies and Affairs Berlin Brandenburg BioHyTec - Brandenburg-Berlin Biohybrid Technologies Network BIOKON - Bionics Competence Network BioProfile Nutrigenomics Berlin-Brandenburg BioTOP Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Technologies Berlin NanoOp - Competence Center for the Application of Nanostructures in Optoelectronics Optec-Berlin-Brandenburg (OptecBB) e.v. RiNA - RNA Technologies Network Centre for Microsystems Technology (ZEMI) Brunswick BioProfil Functional Genome Analisis - Platform for Diagnostics and Therapy GZVB Traffic, Transport & Telematics Braunschweig e.v. Adaptronics Competence Centre Ultra-precise Surface Figuring Lower Saxony Competence Network for the sustainable use of wood (NHN) RIKO - Realisation of Innovative Construction Materials Made of Renewable Resources Bremen Mobile Solution Group Chemnitz / Dresden ICM - Chemnitz Mechanical Engineering Association e.v. Nanotechnology Center of Competence Ultrathin Functional Films Saxony Silicon Saxony e.v. Darmstadt-Starkenburg Virtual Work Environment - it4work East Westphalia-Lippe Genome Research on Bacteria Relevant for Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology Frankfurt-Rhine-Main Materials Valley e.v. Optence e.v. - Network of Competence for Optical Technologies Hesse/Rhineland- Palatinate Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellen Initiative Hessen e.v.

13 11 Freiburg BioValley - Cluster of Competences within industry and academia Competence Network Biomimetics - Plants as Concept Generators for Biomimetical Materials and Technologies SimBAU Centre of Competence»Simulation of Components Behaviour«Gatersleben-Magdeburg InnoPlanta Plant Biotechnology Nordharz/ Börde Göttingen BiotechGenoMikGöttingen Measurement Valley e.v. Greifswald-Rostock-Wismar BioCon Valley - life sciences and healthcare in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern KBR-Center of Excellence for Biomaterials Rostock The Maritime Alliance Network Hamburg CFK-Valley Stade e.v. HanseNanoTec, Center of Competence in Nanotechnology Aviation Cluster Hamburg Hanover BioRegioN - Live Science Network Niedersachsen Mobility Forum Lower Saxony Medimplant Center of Competence - Cardiovascular Implants Lower Saxony Network of Competence for Microsystems Engineering PhotonicNet GmbH Jena-Erfurt-Ilmenau Image Processing Thuringia BioInstruments Jena OphthalmoInnovation Thüringen OptoNet e.v. - The Thuringian Network of Competence in the field of Optical Technology K.E.R.N. Competence Network Maritime Technology Schleswig-Holstein Kaiserslautern CC-NanoBioTech Software Engineering (Software-Kompetenz.de) Karlsruhe LOOP - Center of Excellence for Sustainable Products and Processes NanoMat TheoPrax Lake Constance - Upper Swabia-Ulm ENG-NET - Virtual Engineering Network Center of Competence on Biomaterials Ulm Lübeck medregio Competence Centre e-health Munich bayern photonics e.v. BioTech-Region Munich Excellence Network NanoBioTechnology (ENNaB) MercatorPark - Business Place for Communication, Navigation, Geoinformation, Telematics and Aerospace Münster Nanoanalytics Nuremberg CNA - Transportation & Logistics Neuer Adler e.v. European Center for Power Electronics (ECPE) EnergieRegion Nürnberg e.v. KompetenzZentrum Bau Neumarkt Laser Technology Region Nuremberg Medical Technology Erlangen/Nuremberg Regensburg-East Bavaria BioPark Regensburg GmbH Mechatronics Cham Remscheid-Solingen-Wuppertal-Triangle Automotive Field of Competence FORMETA - Metalworking Forum Rhineland BioRiver - Life Science im Rheinland e.v. Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Network Nordrhein- Westfalen Rhine-Neckar BioRegion Rhine - Neckar Triangle Ruhr region IVAM - Microtechnology Network KMR - Ruhr Centre of Excellence for Medical Engineering Network for Mobile and Satellite Communication Technology Lower Rhine NiK - Network for Innovative Closed Loop Recycling Technologies OpTech-Net e.v. - Network for Optical and Optoelectronic Technologies and Systems TELTRA - Competence Center for Telematic Traumatology Solutions Saarbrücken-Saarpfalz CC-NanoChem IT Saar MOTIV - Competence Centre for Miniaturised Monitoring and Intervention Systems Stuttgart bwcon - Baden-Württemberg: Connected - Technology and innovation for Baden-Württemberg Biomaterials Stuttgart- Tübingen BZI - Fuel Cell Initiative Baden-Württemberg Process Technology Competence Network Pro e.v. Mechatronics Göppingen e.v. Photonics BW e.v. ReFuelNet - Renewable Fuels Network South Westphalia Lüdenscheid network for the surface engineering of plastics Tübingen/Reutlingen/Neckar-Alb BioProfile Regeneration Biology BioChip Technologies Competence Center for Minimally Invasive Medicine Tuebingen - Tuttlingen Weser-Ems HörTech - Centre of Competence for Hearing Aid Technology NieKE - Agrobusiness in Lower Saxony Würzburg PathoGenMik Würzburg National Brain - Net The German Reference Center for Diseases of the Central Nervous System CAPNETZ - Community Acquired Pneumonia Strategic cooperation between Aviation Cluster Hamburg and Midi-Pyrénées, Aquitaine Textile Research Council GABI - Genome Analysis of the Plant Biological System Heartbeat of Life-Sciences in Europe Network of Competence - Meuse Rhine Triangle Competence Network Acute and Chronic Leukemias Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects Competence Network Dementia Competence Network on Depression & Suicidality The network on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Competence Network for Viral Hepatitis (Hep-Net) Heart Failure Competence Network Competence Network HIV/AIDS (HIVNET) Competence Network Malignant Lymphomas Medical Research Network Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Competence Network on Parkinson s Desease Competence Network - Systemic Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases German Research Network on Schizophrenia Competence Network Stroke Atrial Fibrillation Competence Network NGFN - National Genome Research Network Rhenaphotonics ScanBalt Competence Network SepNet ViVERA Virtual Network of Competence for Virtual and Augmented Reality Materials Innovation Net North Bavaria (WIN)

14 12 Aerospace Technology

15 1 Aerospace Technology New technological solutions provided by aerospace research will help to meet competitive challenges such as the need to conserve natural resources, augment passenger comfort, increase airport capacity and resolve the problems of confined airspace. Projected growth rates for the air carriage of passenger and freight traffic between now and 2020 lie at 5% and 7% respectively. A tripling in the volume of air traffic over the next 25 years calls for commensurate advances in aircraft development and manufacturing, and greater coordination of air traffic control systems. German aerospace technology accounts for a considerable proportion of many European and international joint programs. The formation of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) in July 2000 was a milestone in the consolidation of the European aerospace industry, at the systems and manufacturing level. On the educational front, close ties have been established between science and industry. Industrial sponsorship of university degree programs is being expanded to meet the demand for qualified aerospace specialists. Photo: Gregor Schläger / Lufthansa Technik AG / 2004

16 14 Aerospace Technology Aviation Cluster Hamburg Hamburg Objectives The expertise resident in Hamburg covers all facets of the civil aviation industry from development, production and final assembly to service and maintenance. Formed in 2001, the Aviation Cluster Hamburg is a network of companies, suppliers, universities, research institutes and government organisations that offers a wide range of aviation products, know-how and services to the industry. Members of the network 00 SMEs major enterprises 5 research institutes / universities 5 associations 7 government / business institutions 5 service providers for education and training Contact Network Coordinator: Andreas Richter Phone: +49 (0)40 / Fax: +49 (0)40 / andreas.richter@luftfahrt standort-hamburg.de State Ministry for Economic and Labour Affairs Industry Unit Alter Steinweg 4 D Hamburg DLR_School_Lab Hamburg: discovering the scientific world Focus of activities Hamburg has evolved into a key center for applied research in the aviation industry. This work has led to the creation of numerous innovative products and processes from cabin design and intelligent fire detection systems to non-destructive materials testing and flexible aircraft assembly. The decision by Airbus to involve Hamburg in the production of parts and final assembly for the A80 has been instrumental in facilitating this development. A considerable number of research projects are related to the production of the new ultra-large aircraft. The City of Hamburg initiated a program in 2001 to fund the development of aviation research and technology in particular collaborative projects as a means to encourage the creation of cooperation networks between manufacturing and service firms, research institutions and universities in the Hamburg area. The city also launched an initiative in 2000 to increase the number of qualified aerospace engineers and managers who are trained and educated in accordance with international standards. DLR_School_Lab Hamburg: Prandtl channel Competence center for cabin systems The Hamburg region is considered a world-class center of competence for aircraft cabins and interiors. The Airbus site Hamburg-Finkenwerder is Center of Excellence for Cabin Cargo and Customisation and is therefore responsible for all Airbus aircraft interiors and customer-specific modifications, including the A80. Lufthansa Technik works closely with regional suppliers and offers a full range of cabin equipment. International activities Today, regional Competence Networks must rely heavily on partnerships with other high-growth centers around the world to ensure success. This is especially true for the aviation industry. Examples are the cooperation agreement between Lufthansa Technik and Shanghai University, the memorandum between Hanse Aerospace and the Netherlands Aerospace Group (NAG) and the partnership agreements between the aerospace industry regions Midi-Pyrénées, Aquitaine and Hamburg. At the core of these efforts is the acquisition of well-trained aerospace professionals who possess

17 15 nice : networked integrated cabin equipment, Photo: G. Schläger / Lufthansa Technik AG nice : in-flight entertainment system for VIP aircraft, Photo: Lufthansa Technik AG FLOWSIS: numerical simulation tool excellent language and intercultural skills. A wide range of measures are in place that include the development of strategic partnerships, coordinating academic programs between individual institutes of higher education and the introduction of an international professional joint masters aerospace program. Projects DLR_School_Lab Hamburg Qualified professionals are a determining factor in the success of innovation clusters and the networks to which they belong. The Aviation Cluster Hamburg not only encourages vocational training, university studies and professional development, but also deliberately seeks to recruit prospective trainees in the long term. It is with this objective in mind that the joint initiative known as Hamburg the place for aviation has teamed up with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Hamburg University of Technology to create the DLR_School_Lab Hamburg. At this unique institution, school students can discover the diverse scientific, mathematical and technical factors that play a role in the design and development of aircraft. Innovation highlights Highlight 1: nice Since 200, Lufthansa Technik has offered a digital wireless cabin management and in-flight entertainment system for business and private aircraft. The WLAN-based solution dubbed nice (networked integrated cabin equipment) enables digital audio, video and other files as well as cabin functions to be controlled on board the aircraft. A touch-screen or a remote control integrated in the seat can thus be used to regulate the lighting, temperature and ventilation and to orchestrate all elements of the in-flight entertainment system. This includes not only DVD, CD and MP players, but also LCD monitors, surround sound systems, cameras, detailed D maps and aeronautical charts, and video- and audioon-demand files. Highlight 2: FLOWSIS Luftfahrtgeräte Gauting and the Department of River and Coastal Engineering of the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) developed FLOWSIS, a numerical simulation tool for calculating and analysing transient flow in pipe networks. Considering unsteady friction, even water hammer can be simulated close to reality. Due to an automatic step length adaptation flow scenarios lasting several hours can be simulated within seconds. FLOWSIS was used successfully during specification and design phase of the potable water system of the Airbus A80 freighter. Different types of pressurisation have been simulated and pressure variations have been determined due to switching on and off different consumers. FLOWSIS made the system behaviour illustrative and led to an optimised solution for the pressurisation method. It is the aim of Luftfahrtgeräte Gauting and the TUHH s Department of River and Coastal Engineering to extend FLOWSIS of being able to support the design of disinfection and heating components.

18 16 Agrobusiness

19 17 Agrobusiness Without efficient research and related knowledge transfer, it would not be possible to conquer new markets for food products, develop new processing technologies, or invent innovative products, such as functional food. Other issues tackled by this branch of research include renewable fuels and renewable raw materials for industry, food safety, environmental protection, and the conservation of natural resources. There are specialised departments and institutes at universities all over Germany, in addition to the major research institutes. Hence a growing tendency for industry to form close networking ties with the scientific and educational communities and professional associations, as a means of assuring its need for qualified new recruits to the workforce. Many internationally oriented qualifications are offered, in line with the growing internationalisation of the market.

20 18 Agrobusiness NieKE Agrobusiness in Lower Saxony Vechta Objectives NieKE aims to create a network uniting all elements of the food-industry supply chain, so as to exploit the existing synergistic potential and intensify activities to promote innovation and sustain the commercial livelihood of the entire industry. NieKE management office team in Vechta Contact Network Coordinator: Dipl.-Ing. agr. Doris Schröder Phone: +49 (0)4441 / Fax: +49 (0)4441 / nieke@ispa.uni-vechta.de NieKE Lower Saxony Competence Centre for the Food Industries Driverstrasse 22 D-4977 Vechta Focus of activities The aim of NieKE (Niedersächsisches Kompetenzzentrum Ernährungswirtschaft = Lower Saxony Competence Center for the Food Industries) is to build up a multi-institutional information network for the food industry in Lower Saxony, not only as a means of optimising information transfer but also as a basis for forming collaborative ventures between industry and scientific research. The long-term objective is to improve and sustain the competitiveness of local agro-food companies and to promote Lower Saxony as a major center of the food industry. Specific areas of activity: initiating and scientificly supporting regional supply chains identifying and analysing companies R&D requirements supporting the development of functional food assuring animal health, animal welfare as well as the quality and safety of food produced by animals providing support for the development of innovative products and production procedures reducing land-use conflicts in areas of high-density farming Projects Germany s foodstore Lower Saxony is one of Germany s chief producers of agricultural products, accounting for 6% of the country s egg production, 24% of its beef and veal, 29% of its pork, over 50% of its poultry meat, 47% of its potatoes, 24% of its sugar beets and 40% of its compound feedstuffs. This north-western region of Germany - with its high concentration of food processing firms, potato growers, dairies, manufacturers of meat products, food animal farmers, specialised crop growers, and numerous related research establishments - represents a