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 service Mature technology PATs Universities Research and Development Agencies PATs relative to other technical Service providers PATs relative to other technical Service providers State of the art Strategic State of the Art Strategic 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) PAT Directorate PAT Directorate Specialist Centre in University 3 Specialist Centre in University 3 Specialist Centre in University 2 Specialist Centre in University 2 Government Dept.. General Structure of a PAT General Structure of a PAT etc..
Operations Manager in the University Centre Operations Manager in the University Centre Academic Director in the University Academic Director in the University Post Graduate Researchers Post Graduate Researchers Programme Directorate Programme Directorate Government Agency (EI) Agency (EI) Management of a PAT Centre Management of a PAT Centre Industrial and other Clients Industrial and other Clients Professional Researchers and consultants Professional Researchers and 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
Providing Solutions for Irish Industry
A Single Point of Access INDUSTRY 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 Number of Clients: Industrial Income: £1.1m £1.5m Post Graduate Investment: £220k £250k
Materials Ireland Locations Athlone Enterprise 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
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.