Research News
Wind farm. Photo: Siemens Press photo
Further information:
www.helmholtz.de/enterprise-foerderprogramm
The technology transfer offices at the Helmholtz centres will be happy to provide you with information.
Main contact for the Helmholtz Enterprise Fund
Dr. Jan Elmiger
Helmholtz Centre Berlin for Materials and Energy
Tel.: 030 8062 13646
elmiger(at)helmholtz-berlin.de
Main contact at the head office of the Helmholtz Association:
Dr. Jörn Krupa
Technology transfer officer
Tel.: 030 206329 72
Dr. Rainer Nicolay
Director of the Initiative and Networking Fund
Tel.: 0228 30818 18
Technology transfer 2010/09
The launch of ViaLight Communications GmbH on 1 October sees yet another company joining the group of start-up projects selected for Helmholtz Enterprise funding. Four other start-up teams already availed themselves of the annual grant on 1 August and 1 September, and another will be joining them in 2010. Along with ViaLight Communications GmbH, the planned “ELiSE GmbH” has also received an allocation, meaning that six start-up projects have received grants in the current round of selections. In total, 55 start-up projects have been supported by the Helmholtz Enterprise funding program since 2005. Around half of the funded projects have proved their viability on the market. The grant of 100,000 euros from the Initiative and Networking Fund and at least the same amount from the respective Helmholz centre can be used to finance additional staff in the centres during the start-up phase. This allows project founders to focus completely on further developing their companies. Another round of selections will be conducted by Helmholtz Enterprise this year. The deadline for applications is 15 October 2010.
ELiSE GmbH – Lightweight construction based in natural models
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)
Funding is being provided to the team under Dr. Christian Hamm, which has developed a 3D database for lightweight construction designed to reduce the costs, weights and time involved in complex engineering tasks. The ELiSE (evolutionary light structure engineering) process draws on models provided by the lightweight structures of marine plankton organisms, which exhibit a high degree of stability despite their minimal weight. This innovative approach has already been applied, for example, to the construction of foundations for offshore wind turbines, and has allowed for significant reductions in weight and transport costs. Since the comprehensive business model for the planned enterprise still requires further development, the team is initially receiving partial funding in order to enable one of its members to work on the business plan as part of a master’s degree.
ViaLight Communications GmbH – Unlimited data transmission using laser communications
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
ViaLight Communications GmbH was established in 2009 by staff members at the DLR’s Oberpfaffenhofen branch. At their young company, founders Markus Knapek, Dr. Dirk Giggenbach and Joachim Horwath sell components and terminals for high-speed optical free-space communications. Unlike conventional radio connections, the free-space laser communications systems developed at the DLR have the advantage of unlimited transmission capacities. These systems are also not subject to frequency allocations or fees and their level of interception security is significantly higher. The initial tranche of funding for ViaLight Communications GmbH is being provided to help the enterprise find a strategic partner in industry. Once it has secured a cooperation agreement, the rest of the funding will be made available to expand the company.
Windfit UG – Early problem identification and maintenance
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
With Windfit UG, DLR researchers Professor Stefan Levedag and Max Abildgaard are aiming to establish a company that specializes in developing and selling aerospace measurement and sensor technologies for use in wind turbines. Windfit offers wind farm operators substantial advantages, as these technological components allow for early identification of rotor and turbine problems. Repair and maintenance measures can thus be planned and undertaken in timely fashion. Serious damage and long waiting periods for maintenance cranes can be avoided and downtimes can be reduced. These measurement and sensor technologies can also be used to optimally calibrate turbines.
InfoDabble – Mapping paths through the information jungle
Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU)
InfoDabble, which is being launched by HMGU scientists Dr. Volker Stümpflen und Professor Hans-Werner Mewes, offers solutions and services for knowledge management and the generation and interpretation of knowledge. InfoDabble software is based on Semantic Web technologies that can recognize the meaning of information. It allows the client to comprehend thematically specific knowledge at a much quicker rate (speed reading), structure it and semantically integrate and process a large number of information sources simultaneously. The services and software provided by InfoDabble can provide support for long-term and high-risk decision-making within the pharmaceutical industry and for efficient management of the immense quantities of data used in modern biomedical research.
Metallic foam – Lightweight construction material made of aluminium foam sandwich structures
Helmholtz Centre Berlin for Materials and Energy (HZB)
Funding is being provided for a company that Manas Mukherjee, Dr. Hans-Wolfgang Seeliger and Heiner Pohl are launching to manufacture a new type of lightweight construction material based on aluminium foam. The aluminium foam sandwich developed at the HZB is the only composite material in the world that can be produced without adhesives. As a result, this lightweight construction material is extremely robust and – unlike other composite materials – can easily be further processed using conventional welding and composite manufacturing techniques. This innovative material can be produced on an industrial scale.
MRI.Tools – Clearer images of moving organs
Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin-Buch
With MRI.Tools, Professor Thoralf Niendorf, Dr. Tobias Frauenrath and Jan Rieger are focusing on the development of innovative components for the field of magnetic resonance imaging, including high-frequency antennas and a new type of warning system that ensures safety when dealing with powerful magnetic fields. These additional instruments can be attached to existing MRI machines and significantly increase the range of diagnostic possibilities.
