Université de Liège

Belgium: Walloon Region

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Centre Spatial de Liège (CSL) is a Center of Applied Research and Scientific Institute of the Université de Liège. CSL advances the development and the valorization of expertise and technologies useful for space instrumentation.

Around optics and electronics performances of space instruments:

- Design, development, integration of payload systems/subsystems,

- Calibration of instruments on the ground and in flight,

- Qualification and environmental testing mainly in the fields of vacuum (thermal and cryogenic) and vibratory.

The CSL have 8 laboratories dedicated to development or services to industry and/or SMEs:

- Electronics,

- Thermo-mechanical Engineering, Cryogenics,

- Optical Design and Metrology,

- Surface Engineering,

- Lasers and Non-Destructive Testing,

- Signal Processing,

- Quality lab, 

- Test facilities.

 
The CSL have testing capabilities including:

- 6 space simulation chambers (with diameters from 0.25 to 6.5 m) -> vacuum techniques, low temperature and cryogenics,

- 2 high level shakers,

- Cleans rooms (up to class 100),

- Focal-e (facility for radiation),

Other equipment (non-exhaustive list):

- Ultrasonics lasers,

- Optical Ground System Equipments

 
. The Centre Spatial de Liège provides R+D in space technologies: optical design and metrology, surface engineering, electronics, thermo-mechanical engineering and cryogenics, lasers and non-destructive testing, signal processing and qualification in spatial environment (vibration, thermal vacuum and radiations).

 
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

CD6 - Center for Sensors, Instruments and Systems Development

Spain: Catalonia

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. BarcelonaTech (UPC) is among the largest Spanish technical universities, with more than 2.000 researchers and 30.000 students, covering research in the main engineering field. The university is currently involved in more than 100 European projects, acting as a coordinator in more than 20.

The CD6 is a technological innovation center located at the Terrassa Campus, which operates in the field of Optics and Photonics Engineering. The activity of CD6 is aimed at creating value through innovation, understanding R+D as a part of the value chain. The core mission is to create new knowledge through applied research programs and support industry making it reach the market as new products or new processes.

Over 40 people with complementary expertise (Optics, Electronics, Mechanical and Software) work at CD6. This multidisciplinary combination is necessary to develop applications with a short time-to-market. The research results achieved at CD6 have led to the creation… There are three types of laboratories and workshops at CD6:

1.- Workshops. Our mechanics and electronics workshops, which have a total surface area of 110 m2, feature state-of-the-art equipment used in designing and developing the projects carried out at the Centre. Our mechanics workshop has machine tools and measuring instruments that can be used for all sorts of work. Our electronics workshop has tools used to develop various types of 8- and 16-bit microcontrollers. It also has tools for developing programmable logic devices such as CPLDs and FPGAs.

2.- Prototype room. This 60-m2 space is used for integrating, adjusting and testing the devices designed and built at the Centre prior to customer delivery. It is located next to the workshops and holds all of the equipment required for full operation.

3.- Design and development laboratories. The five laboratories, whose total surface area is 310 m2, are used for designing applications, carrying out measurements and performing tests related to the…. Services provided by CD6 are industry oriented. The services range from applied R+D projects to develop photonic solutions to simple measurements using the existing equipment. The center is offering the following standard services:

Technology diagnose
Feasibility studies
R+D projects
Measurement services with the available equipment
Product standards validation
State-of-the-art studies
Instrument calibration
Specific training courses
Public R+D funding assessment, consortium creation and proposal preparation support.

Also, the center is open to other collaboration schemes that may be suitable to target specific industry needs.
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

FAU - Industrial Services in Crystal Growth of SiC

Germany: Bavaria

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Crystal Growth Lab at the Materials Department 6 (University of Erlangen-Nürnberg) offers in conjunction with the University Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office services for industrial partners in the field of high temperature crystal growth & technology.

R & D contracts
growth machine design & prototyping
process development
support / consulting of industrial crystallization
training of industrial staff

In particular, high temperature crystal growth and epitaxy of wide band-gap semiconductors like silicon carbide and related materials belong to the key competences.

Contact: [email protected]

Lab information: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Wellmann, Crystal Growth Lab, Materials Department 6, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Dr.-Mack-Str. 77, 90763 Fürth, Germany
Equipment (complete processing chain to prepare SiC wafers from SiC source materials):

5 x PVT reactors (physical vapor transport growth of SiC boules, T = 1600 °C ... 2500 °C)
1 x AIXTRON CVD reactor (chemical vapor deposition of SiC on Si)
various ovens for crystal annealing / heat treatment
1 x grinding machine (preparation of boule cylinders and flats)
1 x multi-wire-saw
3 x polishing machines
various optical, electrical and spectroscopic characterization equipment for semiconductor wafer material inspection (for more details please see "services")

. OVERVIEW

R & D contracts
growth machine design & prototyping
process development
support / consulting of industrial crystallization
training of industrial staff

 

in DETAIL

MACHINE TECHNOLOGY

design & prototyping of industrial growth furnaces

4 inch & 6 inch

process automation

in-situ growth monitoring tools

2D/3D low dose x-ray visualization

 

PROCESSING

bulk single crystal SiC growth

4H-/6H-SiC  (3 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch in development)
15R-/3C-SiC (small pieces)

R & D contracts on SiC crystal growth

SiC seed development
doping (Al, B, N, P)
anything special / non-standard

SiC powder synthesis & test

validation for PVT bulk growth

3C-SiC epitaxy on Si

high temperature crystal growth

melt temperature up to 2700°C

thin films from PVD processing and

nano-particulate ink deposition

 

MATERIALS TESTING

electrical

resistance measurements  
Hall mobility & charge carrier density

…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

VITO

Belgium: Flemish Region

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

VITO is a leading European independent research and technology organisation in the areas of cleantech and sustainable development, elaborating solutions for the large societal challenges of today.
 

VITO provides innovative and high-quality solutions, whereby large and small companies can gain a competitive advantage, and advises industry and governments on determining their policy for the future. VITO has 750 highly-qualified employees who work on international projects all around the world. VITO’s headquarters are located in Mol, Belgium, and the company has a subsidiary in China.

Energy

The demand for renewable energy increases every day. VITO and EnergyVille are performing research into two crucial technological breakthroughs: electricity storage and the optimisation of thermal energy systems.

Materials

Natural raw materials are crucial for our economic system but are increasingly scarce. VITO responds to this with projects involving sustainable raw materials management, closed material cycles and new business concepts

Chemistry

VITO enhances industrial innovation regarding more efficient (bio)chemical processes, reuse of valuable components from process streams and industrial use of biomass and CO2

Land Use

VITO observes, evaluates, visualises and predicts phenomena on land, in the air and on the surface of the water. We also make recommendations to companies and government bodies in relation to sustainable land-use.

Heath

High costs put our health system under pressure. VITO is developing new applications, measurement methods and biomarkers aimed at…. - contract research

- technology transfer

-  joint programs

- joint ventures

 
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

Rinnova soc.cons.a.r.l.

Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Rinnova Romagna Innovazione is an engineering innovation company founded in 2008 and located in Forlì.
Our partners:
     Fondazione Cassa dei Risparmi di Forlì
     Alma Mater Studiorum (University of Bologna)
     Chamber of Commerce of Forlì-Cesena

It’s an independent, super-partes and nonprofit company, which develops innovative solutions for both public and private clients.
Thanks to our multidisciplinary approach, we put into practice innovative ideas, from the prototype to the process and product engineering.
Rinnova can also rely on the academic expertise, thanks to scientific and technological departments.

Aims

Rinnova promotes scientific research and innovation through technology transfer and applied research. For this purpose, it designs and manufactures innovative products with high performance and at competitive prices.
We are involved in many projects and we find solutions in different fields, from Information and Communication Technology to the environment, from renewable… We have a micro-electronic lab with devices and equipments for testing and measuring, software for electronic and mechanical design and simulation.
. Our activities include the whole innovation cycle: from feasibility studies to the creation of prototypes, passing through technology scouting and assessment. In order to do this we use new technologies and solutions, from design to simulation.

Design Management

We are able to assist a client from the initial project idea up to the placing of the product on the market. We work to combine the company’s needs of planning and marketing with new forms of design, in order to create a highly competitive product , taking into account the impact of digital technologies and the green concept of the product itself. In order to develop an integrated product with high performance, some important parameters have to be respected: not only aesthetics and ergonomics, but also costs, timing, quality, productive processes, standards and environmental sustainability.

“on demand” Research and Development

We make our knowledge available to the companies in order to work in synergy with the R&D divisions, Techniques…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

New Technologies-Research Centre

Czechia: South-West (Czechia)

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

New Technologies – Research Centre (NTC), is an independent self-financed institute of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen with the state of the art research facilities and experienced, reliable and dedicated  international team of more than one hundred twenty researchers. NTC focuses on basic and applied research, development and innovations mainly in following areas: measuring systems and laser technologies for material surface processing; structural, electronic, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of new technologically perspective materials; membranes, polymer composites; measurement of field temperatures and precise transfer of equipment heat; measurement and simulation of complex fluid flow including transfers of heat; new thin-layer materials (photovoltaic cells), fuel cells, energy storage; biomechanical models of humans, algorithms and software for modelling heterogeneous materials;  man-machine interactions and human cognitive enhancement.

NTC systematically supports close cooperation… Laboratory for research on the morphology and surface texture of materials 
Laboratory for photolithography  
Laboratory for measuring small-angle scattering
Laboratory for thermal analysis 
Laboratory for research on technologies based on polymer materials 
Laboratory for measuring the efficiency and reliability of hydrogen fuel cells 
Laboratory for research on polymer composite materials  
Laboratory for research on laser technologies 
Laboratory for  measurements of thermomechanical processes 
Laboratory for measuring thermomechanical properties of materials 
Laboratory for research on the optical properties of materials 
Laboratory for electron microscopy 
Laboratory for diffraction analysis 
Laboratory for chemical and physical thin film deposition 
Laboratory for research on stationary storage of electrical energy
Laboratory for computational and experimental design of advanced materials with new functionalities

www.ntc.zcu.cz/en
. For over fifteen years have our teams provided cutting edge research and interdisciplinary solutions across the entire value chain – from the idea to the prototype. Our researchers have published prestigious articles e.g. in Nature Communications, have patented their solutions and successfully applied innovative technologies and results in various industries around the world. NTC co-operates with dozens of domestic and as well as international industrial companies on solving their technical and technological problems. 

 
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

Flanders Make Advanced Technologies for Industry

Belgium: Flemish Region

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Flanders Make is the strategic research centre for the manufacturing industry. Flanders Make does technological research in mechatronics, product development methods and production technologies.

We have establishments in Lommel and Leuven and work together in a structural way with research departments of the 5 Flemish universities.

Our purpose: realizing a top-level research network in Flanders that delivers full support to the innovation projects of manufacturing companies. This way, we want to contribute to new products and processes that help to realize the vehicles, machines and factories of the future.

Mission: to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the Flemish manufacturing industry (including SMEs) by performing pre-competitive, industry driven and excellent research.

Flanders Make helps companies to innovate and bring new products and processes to the market.

On regional level Flanders Make is part of a.o. DSP Valley, VLOOT, Flanders Bike Valley.

On international level… Our research infrastructure consists a.o. of:

Durability and characterization testing - chassis dynamometer for EV-testing and simulation
EV Battery testing
Environment and vibration testing in climatized room with sunlight simulation and humidity control
Hydropulse battery pack tester, with climate chamber
Complete virtual to physical e-motor testing environment
Joining techniques for multi-materials lab
Mobile trailer for VR/AR and collaborative robotics
Modular drivetrain test cell
Open off-highway equipment
Small modular drivetrain
Rapid prototyping control board

 
. Flanders Make is a project organization. In our research and innovation projects there is a strong collaboration between the industry, Flanders Make and university labs. We help companies to innovate with the development of new, smart, intelligent and connected products and production systems, customized products at series production cost and human centred manufacturing

The fields of technology are:

sensing, monitoring, control and decision making in dynamic mechatronic systems
product and flexible assembly co-design and optimization
specification, architecture and validation of motion products
specification, architecture and validation of flexible assembly solutions

Flanders Make provides companies with technology related services such as prototyping, design, development and testing of their new products and production systems.

We also help companies with business related services through organizations in our network

 

 
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

Lero, the Irish Software Research Centre

Ireland: Southern (Ireland)

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

Lero, the Irish Software Research Centre, is a dispersed centre of excellence in software engineering and related topics. Founded in 2005, it brings together software research teams from the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) and 9 Irish academic institutions: Dublin City University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Galway, Tralee Institute of Technology, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin and its headquarters at University of Limerick.

Lero’s research programme focuses on evolving critical systems (ECS). These systems change over time (“evolving”), are strategically important to their users or owners (“critical”), and are often software intensive (“systems”). ECS increasingly characterises a sizeable proportion of software systems in development and use today, from business-critical systems (such as airline websites), to safety-critical systems (such as an automotive braking control system), to product… Through ICHEC, Lero has access to the Fionn supercomputer, a SGI ICE-X hybrid cluster providing part of the ICHEC national service. Fionn quadruples the computing resources previously available to scientists in Ireland, also provides access to the latest technology from Intel, Ivy Bridge and Xeon Phi coprocessors, and NVIDIA, Tesla accelerators, to researchers across Ireland.

A wide range of new research and development (R&D) will be enabled on Fionn. These potentially include an increased resolution in weather and climate forecasting, larger and longer simulations for research in areas such as medical device development, nanotechnology, genomics, drug design, etc. The machine will also be capable of running heterogeneous workflows that require large compute power and large amounts of memory either during the pre- or post-processing phases of researchers work.
. One of Lero’s strategic goals is to work with industry partners to identify and solve industry problems, generating new SW-based products & services thus ensuring that Lero’s research is firmly connected to the real world. Without the involvement of our industry partners, we wouldn’t have the same insights into the evolving challenges of the software engineering community or the opportunity to test our ideas in live business and industry environments.

We currently work with approximately 40 companies in a wide range of projects funded by Irish funding agencies (SFI, Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Research Council), by European agencies (Horizon 2020, the European Space Agency) and directly by industry partners themselves.

There are many ways in which companies work with Lero, supported by a wide range of Irish and international funding programmes. Whether we are dealing with a major research challenge being addressed by an international team of collaborators or a smaller challenge being faced by a…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

CITEVE (TECHNOLOGICAL CENTRE FOR TEXTILE AND CLOTHING OF PORTUGAL)

Portugal: North (Portugal)

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

CITEVE – The Technological Centre for the Textile and Clothing Industry of Portugal, is a private non-profit organization active since 1989 being a reference organization within the national and european scene, regarding research, innovation and technology transfer promotion for the Textile & Clothing Industry,

CITEVE’s mission is to support the technical and technological development of the textile & clothing industry, promoting innovation and inducing new capacities and new competences as well as helping on the definition of industrial public policies.

With facilities in Vila Nova de Famalicão and in Covilhã, and commercial delegations in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Tunisia and Pakistan, CITEVE offers technological services of the highest level in different areas: Laboratorial activities, Technological consultancy & development, R&D+Innovation, Technology Watch, Product standards and certification, Training and Fashion intelligence.

Since April 2017, CITEVE is the managing authority of the… In the field of R&D and product innovation, CITEVE pilot plants are equipped with the most advanced and innovative technologies in what concerns to dyeing, finishing/functionalization, coating, lamination, printing, embroidery, seamless and weft knitting, garment manufacturing (non-conventional seams: welding, seams sealing, laser cutting, ultra-sons, high frequency), etc.

This prototyping technological facility is managed by a specialized technical and scientific staff, with competences in the textile and clothing processes and in the new application markets namely for technical products. This pilot unit is essentially devoted to demonstration/reengineering and for product/process development.

CITEVE’s laboratories are equipped with the best available technologies controlled by a highly qualified staff and are internationally accredited for more than 446 tests according to 900 different standards. Recognised by several national and international brands this business area is responsible for performing…. Services:

Testing: CITEVE’s laboratories are equipped with the best available technologies controlled by a highly qualified staff and are internationally accredited for more than 446 tests according to 900 different standards. Recognised by several national and international brands this business area is responsible for performing around 180.000 tests per year. CITEVE’s labs are specialized in material and product testing, such as chemical and physical testing, comfort and new functionalities measurement, fire behaviour, toxicological substances, microbiological tests, geotextiles, automotive and protective clothing.

R&D and Innovation: In the field of R&D and New product development research, CITEVE gathers know-how within the most advanced and innovative technologies such as hotmelt, coating, laminating, digital printing, 3D knitting, laser welding or seamless knitting. This prototyping technological facility is managed by a specialized technical and scientific staff, with competences in the textile…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

Institute of Precision Mechanics

Poland: Warsaw-Capital

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Institute of Precision Mechanics carries out research in the area of corrosion protection, modern technologies and new materials, safety of machines exploitation, renewable energy, environmental protection, recycling and materials recovery using environmentally friendly technologies and research for the defense and security of the country. The Institute conducts research and implementation of modern and innovative technologies for surface protection through the use of various types of protective and functional metallic and non-metallic coatings, including ceramic and composite coatings, and also prepares dedicated temporary protection technologies against corrosion. Institute conducts also theoretical and practical trainings for industrial plants employees in the area of implementation and improvement of surface engineering technologies.
IMP is equipped with technological and experimental facilities for research and development of heat and thermo-chemical treatment of metallic materials. The technical equipment includes:     

- Universal vacuum furnace with high pressure (12 bar) gas quenching, with integrated deep freezing (cryogenic treatment) system
- Vacuum furnaces  (operating temperature up to max. 1250 °C, vacuum range up to 10-4 mbar);
- Cryogenic chamber (operating temperature range: -190 °C - +300 °C);
- Equipment for PA PVD-Arc technology ;
- Thermo-chemical treatment under direct current and pulsed current glow discharge conditions furnace;
- Controlled gas nitriding installation;
- Ion nitriding furnaces ;
- Endogas atmosphere generators;
- Atmospheric furnaces (silit furnace, pit furnaces, operating temperature up to max. 1200°C);
- Fluidized-bed furnaces (operating temperature up to max. 1000°C);
- Soaking furnaces (operating temperature up to max. 700°C);
- Mass finishing devices (vibratory finishing and tumble…. Institute of Precision Mechanics, dealing with issues of materials, coatings and their heat and thermo chemical treatments, environmental protection (including the material recovery), performs research projects in the scope of modern materials technologies:

 modern technologies of materials for land transportation and aviation,
 technologies of production of functional composite materials, nanocrystalline, layered and functionally graded materials,
surface treatment of steel, iron alloys and non-ferrous metals, 
 technologies of production and application of functional materials for applications in computer science, electronics and energy, including graphene, surface strengthening of light alloys (e.g. titanium and aluminum, functional coatings), 
technologies used in devices related with the production of renewable energy (photovoltaics panels and wind turbines),
metallic and conversion coatings for applications in the chemical, machine and food industry, as well as biomedical engineering,
…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology