As a result of the 2nd call within the project Science Link, 30 companies have now applied to perform R&D experiments along with consultation services at research facilities within the project’s network. The companies come from all eight countries in the Baltic Sea region and represent a varied range of industries.
- A positive result, comments Dr. Uwe Sassenberg, Director of Science Link. The use of synchrotron and neutron facilities can solve a variety of problems for different industries and companies. Being half way into the project we are pleased to see that companies are taking advantage of this opportunity.
Life science, construction, automotive, personal care, chemistry, engineering, materials science and agriculture are the industries represented amongst the applicants. 70 percent of the companies that have applied are small or medium enterprises.
- Most companies wish to investigate principles of functions, use advanced scientific analysis to understand and improve their products in a fundamental way - key in enabling development, Dr. Sassenberg continues. The high representation of SMEs is mainly thanks to the free measurement time and consultation, without the financial and practical help, the figure would be much lower. It is therefor paramount that member states and the EU Commission continue to fund activities to secure increased industrial usage of the facilities.
Next call for applications will open during April 2013. The fourth, and last call will be announced during the autumn of the same year.
For further information please contact:
Dr. Uwe Sassenberg, Project Director Science Link, uwe.sassenberg@desy.de, tel.
+49 176 420 221 12 or María Fernanda Bocángel, Communication Manager, Science Link, mariaf.bocangel@skane.com tel, +46 768 870 257.
Science Link is a network between leading research facilities of photon and neutron sources and their users. The project aims to support and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the Baltic Sea Region. Apart from the research facilities, the network also includes scientific institutes, universities and regional organisations that serve as service and promoting units. Science Link is part-financed by the European Union (Baltic Sea Region program) and involves 20 partners from 9 countries during the project period 2012 to 2014
