Extended Technology Transfer and Technology Validation projects homepage on CORDIS
CORDIS, the European Community Research and Development Information Service, has recently redeveloped its homepage for Technology Validation and Technology Transfer projects carried out within the INNOVATION programme. The redesigned homepage provides user-friendly access to a wide range of projects of this nature, in a key area of the INNOVATION programme's activities. Technology Validation and Technology Transfer projects aim to help translate scientific breakthroughs and technological achievements into industrial and commercial successes. The importance of this research/innovation interface has led to further INNOVATION projects of this nature being funded. Technology Validation and Technology Transfer projects are those which: - Demonstrate "good practice" in the validation and transfer of technology in the framework of developing innovations; - Meet the needs of the market and society; - Help European businesses enhance their capacity to build transnational partnerships with the ultimate aim of promoting an improved "innovation culture" for a more competitive European industry. The homepage contains important information on all aspects of Technology Validation and Technology Transfer projects, including details of the 142 such projects funded by the INNOVATION programme. This includes information such as their aims and objectives and contact information for contractors. The homepage also provides links to a range of related documents, as well as information on patent procedures for new innovations. One key element of the site is the QUICKSCAN patent search service, which helps those with a research proposal to establish whether similar work has already been patented, therefore avoiding wasteful duplication of efforts. Developed as an accompanying measure by the INNOVATION programme, QUICKSCAN has been used as part of the evaluation process for Technology Validation and Technology Transfer project proposals. QUICKSCAN also aims to increase awareness of the patent system - both to protect intellectual property and as a valuable source of information on technology, given that many European SMEs do not use patents at all.