ideas for knowledge networks and virtual institutes workshop on virtual institutes, brussels, 28th...
TRANSCRIPT
Ideas for Knowledge Networks and Virtual Institutes
Workshop on Virtual Institutes, Brussels, 28th September, 2000
Professor Jim Browne,CIMRU,Nun’s Island,NUI, Galway, Ireland
Ireland’s Technology Background
Absence of industrial research associations and institutes that exist in the UK, Germany and other countries
Extensive expertise dispersed across the Third Level sector
The Irish Solution
To set up Programmes in Advanced Technology (PATs) targeting technologies perceived to be of strategic importance to Ireland
Broad Objective of the PATs
To develop within Ireland an expertise base and national competence in key strategic
technologies based on a partnership between the Universities, Industry and the Government and
its Agencies
Specific Challenges
Improve the competitiveness of existing industry though access to new technology;
Encourage movement to higher value added products;
Attract inward and domestic investment in high technology areas;
Encourage new start-up companies in high technology areas.
Problems
Industry needs are not necessarily those topics of interest to the academics
Often the results of Academic Research need to be “translated” for use in Industry
Industry priorities and time scale do not match those of the academics.
Industry interaction can be time consuming and distracting on the Staff available - academics or students
PAT Solution
Implant into University Based Research Centres Small Teams of Full-Time Technologists, Highly Qualified and where possible, with Relevant Industrial Experience
Provide a Commercial Dimension to the Response of the Academic Research Community to Industry’s Needs.
Characteristic features of a PAT / University Partnership
The spectrum of scientific/technical activity in a programme is a continuum ranging from state of the art basic research through contract applied research to the provision of commercial technical services e.g. training, testing and consultancy
It is this wide scope of activity that distinguishes the PATs from other more traditional technical support actions.
Private Consultants
Commercial serviceMature technology
PATs
Un
iver
siti
esResearch and
DevelopmentAgencies
PATs relative to other technical Service providers
PATs relative to other technical Service providers
State of the art
Str
ate
gic
State of the ArtStrategic Research
Technology areas selected for PATs
Sectors Biotechnology Optoelectronics Power Electronics Software Telecommunications
General Advanced Manufacturing Technology Materials
Overview of the PATs
The PATs operate from 35 specialist centres located in six universities
Staff: 400 Research and Administration staff 200 Post Graduates
Expenditure (1998): £20M Financed by: Earned Income: £11 M State funding: £9 M
Outputs
Strategic research Contract research Consultancy Technology services/info/advisory Involvement in EU programmes Publications/PhDs Other training Licenses/products/start-ups
Specialist Centre in University 1
Specialist Centre in University 1
Agency(EI)
Agency(EI)
PATDirectorate
PATDirectorate
Specialist Centre in University 3
Specialist Centre in University 3
Specialist Centre in University 2
Specialist Centre in University 2
Government Dept..Government Dept..
General Structureof a PAT
General Structureof a PAT
etc..
Operations Manager inthe University Centre
Operations Manager inthe University Centre
Academic Directorin the University
Academic Directorin the University
Post GraduateResearchers
Post GraduateResearchers
ProgrammeDirectorate
ProgrammeDirectorate
GovernmentGovernment
Agency(EI)
Agency(EI)
Managementof a
PAT Centre
Managementof a
PAT Centre
Industrial andother Clients
Industrial andother Clients
Professional Researchersand consultants
Professional Researchersand consultants
The Multi-Sectoral Programmes
AMT Ireland(Helping Industry to Grow)
Conversion Improvement: from Product Concept and Development to the Logistics of
Distribution and the Virtual Enterprise. Materials Ireland
(Providing Solutions for Industry) Materials and Materials Processing and Use
Materials Ireland
Materials Ireland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Materials Ireland..................
Providing Solutions for Irish Industry
A Single Point of Access
INDUSTRY
Materials Ireland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adhesives
Ceramics
Coatings
Composites
Glasses
Metals
Polymers
Expertise in:
ceramics composites coatings glasses metals polymers multifunctional materials adhesives
Objectives for Industry
Materials and Materials Use and Processing Development to enhance:
design performance energy efficiency size reduction cost reduction recyclability environmental friendliness
Objectives for Industry
Specific needs in Polymers
functionality biofriendliness recyclability reprocessability waste reduction disposal systems
Objectives for Industry
Processing
Efficiency Clean Production Miniaturisation High precision Cost reduction
Objectives for Industry
Methodology
Modelling of parts and processes Performance analysis and prediction Faster prototyping of products Application of Science to traditional Crafts Materials substitution Tightening of specifications Development and application of smart materials
Materials Ireland Structure
Six research Centres Five Institutions Forty full time staff Eight Academic Directors Twenty Post Graduate Students Access to expertise in the full range of Industrial
Materials
Industrial Response
1998 1999
Number of Clients: 380 450
Industrial Income: £1.1m £1.5m
Post Graduate Investment: £220k £250k
Materials Ireland Locations
AthloneEnterprise Ireland
Glasnevin NUI-Dublin
Trinity College Dublin (2)University of Limerick
Materials Ireland
Specific Technological Capability of MI Centres
Enterprise Ireland: Replacement of VOCs, Renewable materials
Polymer Development Centre: ILAB Testing General plastics and packaging industrial development Prototype production and production simulation Plastic waste recovery and recycling
Materials Ireland
Specific Technological Capability of MI Centres
TCD Metals: - Finite element modelling
- Metal forming,
- Polymer flow
- Engineering design
UCD Metals: - Modelling of Molten Flows
- Foundry Technology,
- Heat Treatment
- Failure Analysis
- Ultra / High Prec. Machining
- Bioengineering Materials
- Forensic Engineering
Materials Ireland
Specific Technological Capability of MI Centres
TCD Polymers: Synthesis and preparation of novel polymers and adhesives, Charactarisation, analysis and new applications of functional polymers Product development for the healthcare, pharmaceutical and
information technology industry
Materials Ireland
Specific Technological Capability of MI Centres
UL: Wide range of materials expertise, Regional Support, State of the art expertise and charactarisation facilities for Polymers,
Composites, Ceramics, Glasses and metals in Healthcare, Transport, Electronics and speciality materials sectors.
Conclusion
Single point of access for industry Full range of Materials Competence Commercially responsive organisations
Materials Ireland..................
1. Virtual Institutes
Teaching Research Professional Training Professional Services.
2. Formation of Virtual Institutes
Complementary Skills and Expertize- Share costs of development and maintenance of knowledge- Lose benefit of informal contracts in “real” laboratories.
New Learning and Co-operative Models- Business and Technology / Engineering- Virtual Laboratories
Maintenance of Knowledge and Updating of Material is facilitated. In principle, access to world class expertize.
3. Technology Platforms
3 D Chat-Rooms Plug and Play across the globe.