Connecting Research Excellence with Industrial Innovation

The program featured keynote presentations and practical examples demonstrating how basic research is turned into industrial applications through targeted knowledge and technology transfer, covering topics ranging from AI-driven chemistry and industrial AI applications to radionuclide-based theranostics and innovative photovoltaic technologies. In a high-profile panel discussion, Helmholtz President Martin Keller, Alexandra-Gwyn Paetz, Head of the Technology Sovereignty Division at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Sarah Engel, Head of AI at TRUMPF, Mario Brandenburg, Senior Director of Research & Innovation Strategy at SAP, and Kevin Jablonka, a researcher at the Helmholtz Institute for Polymers in Energy Applications (HIPOLE) in Jena, discussed the conditions required for successful innovation ecosystems and the role of research institutions in strengthening technological sovereignty.

"Germany and Europe have a strong scientific and industrial foundation. The challenge now is to translate this knowledge more rapidly into applications that deliver tangible benefits to society. To achieve this, we need more public-private partnerships that strengthen and sustain collaboration between research and industry. Such partnerships directly support the objectives of Germany’s High-Tech Agenda and reinforce Europe’s technological sovereignty. That is why we are here today,” emphasized Helmholtz President Martin Keller.

Beate Heinemann, Chair of the DESY Directorate, highlighted the role of research infrastructures in driving technological innovation in both research and industry: “Our large-scale research facilities, such as the PETRA III and FLASH X-ray sources, provide unique opportunities for scientific breakthroughs and technological innovation. Our goal is to work together to develop solutions that strengthen the competitiveness of Germany and Europe while creating tangible benefits for society.”

The event was organized by the Helmholtz Innovation Platforms Hi-Acts and SolarTAP in cooperation with the Helmholtz Association. These innovation platforms connect research centers with complementary expertise and thematic focus areas to facilitate collaboration with industrial partners. Through practical examples, the partners demonstrated how new forms of cooperation between research institutions and companies can advance future-oriented fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, and energy and materials research.

In addition to the presentations, the event provided numerous opportunities for networking and initiating new collaborations. Earlier in the day, participants gained insights into DESY’s large-scale research infrastructures during a guided tour of the DESY campus, showcasing facilities that enable both cutting-edge scientific research and close collaboration with industry. The Helmholtz Association plans to establish the Tech & Industry Day as an annual event to provide a strong platform for dialogue between basic research and industry.