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.