Periodic Report Summary 2 - INNVIN (Innovative materials solutions for Transport, Energy and Biomedical sectors by strengthening integration and enhancing research dynamics of KMM-VIN) Project Context and Objectives:The primary objective of the INNVIN project was to boost application-oriented R&D activities of the KMM-VIN Partnership and develop a more effective overall strategy towards the industry in Transport, Energy and Biomedical sectors. One of the scheduled consequences of reaching the primary objective was an enhancement of the financial viability of KMM-VIN AISBL enabling intensification and extension of the statutory activities of which the most important is jointly conducted research in advanced materials and technologies on industry relevant topics. A set of measures were proposed to reach this general objective. These included i.a. a survey of technology needs in Transport, Energy and Biomedical sectors, update of the contents and enhancement of functionalities of the KMM-VIN expertise, infrastructure and materials databases, dissemination campaign of KMM-VIN research, infrastructure and training potential and recruitment of new KMM-VIN members, especially from the industry.Project Results:KMM-VIN is focused on Transport, Energy and Biomedical (TEB) sectors. To better serve the needs of these three industry sectors the KMM-VIN research structure has been transformed from the initial academic setting based on the advanced materials classes (Intermetallics, Composites, Bio-FGMs) into the new one with the Working Groups focused on the three industry sectors, i.e.: WG1. Materials for Transport, WG2. Materials for Energy, WG3. Biomaterials and complemented by a horizontal one - WG4. Modelling.Two approaches were employed to identify materials related needs in the TEB sectors: (1) direct survey of the companies in TEB sectors using specifically developed WP1 questionnaire, and (2) analyses of the documents published by European Technology Platforms and National Technology Platforms relevant to the TEB sectors. The survey indicated a receptive climate for the scope of KMM-VIN collective research, given the correct strategy for identification of appropriate topics and identification/engagement with appropriate companies. The results of the survey, e.g. the high demand of modelling research, are significant for the strategic planning of joint research activities in the Working Groups of KMM-VIN.The partnership has developed and is steadily improving two databases based on the records delivered by the members: the Expert-Infra database and the Materials Toolkit. The Expert-Infra is focused on the members’ expertise in different areas of technology within the thematic scope of KMM-VIN. The Materials Toolkit contains information on the materials processed in the labs of KMM-VIN members (properties, manufacturing methods, modelling results, …). These databases are useful when identifying members with know-how and/or research infrastructure necessary to perform R&D orders from the external customers. These databases are also useful for the KMM-VIN internal research activities conducted as multi-partner projects within the Working Groups. The INNVIN strategy for the KMM-VIN training activities for industry includes two forms of activities: industrial workshops and specialised training courses. The KMM-VIN Industrial Workshops are events devoted to the themes relevant for Transport, Energy and Biomedical sectors. The 1st Industrial Workshop on “Materials for Energy” (IW1) was held on July 10, 2013 at lnstituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid), Spain. The programme of IW1 included 12 oral presentations and 19 posters and was attended by over 60 participants. In the second half of the project the following Industrial Workshops were held: 2nd Industrial Workshop on Current Research, Industrial and Clinical Issues on Bone Implant Materials (Fraunhofer IFAM, Bremen, May 21-22, 2014) with 42 participants from academia, industry and health sectors, 13 technical presentations and 11 posters, 3rd Industrial Workshop on Current Research on Materials and Technologies for Transport Applications (Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden, November 3-4, 2014) with 42 participants from academia and industry, 17 technical presentations and 14 posters, and 4th Industrial Workshop on Advanced Materials Modelling for Industrial Practice (Technische Universität Graz, January 30, 2015) with 49 participants of whom 14 were from industry, 11 technical presentations and 12 posters.The approach to the specialized courses, which are another form of training activities for the industry had to be adapted to the current budget restrictions at companies for travelling and extra mural trainings, which are due to the economic crisis. The INNVIN response to this hurdle was the idea of specialised courses delivered directly on the company premises and the e-learning organized remotely by a KMM-VIN member(s) for the interested companies. A list of 44 Specialised Courses offered by 15 KMM-VIN members was published in a booklet and disseminated through the KMM-VIN website. The courses entail lectures, practical trainings and case studies. As the visits at the companies turned out rather costly and not bringing the expected outcomes, it was decided to use new forms of connecting with the world outside the KMM-VIN Partnership. These new forms comprised “KMM-VIN Open Forums” and a webinar “KMM-VIN Services for Industry” that were conducted in parallel to the company visits and interviews. As a result of that a number of new entities have joined KMM-VIN including Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS), Dresden, Germany, Department of Applied Computer Science and Modelling from the University of Science and Technology (AGH-UST), Krakow, Poland, Department of Tribology from the Institute for Sustainable Technologies (ITeE-PIB), Radom, Poland and Dresdner Center for Computational Materials Science, Dresden, Germany. The webinar “KMM-VIN Services for Industry” held on 15th April 2014 with an introductory video shot at KMM-VIN member institutions based in Warsaw. Potential Impact:During the three years of the INNVIN project KMM-VIN has reorganized its R&D structure by moving from materials classes to a structure oriented at industry sectors identified as targets for the applied research carried out by the KMM-VIN Partnership. This restructuring of KMM-VIN research activities using sector-focused Working Groups and the cooperative internal R&D projects within each WGs is a direct result of the INNVIN contractual tasks. In this sense INNVIN has improved KMM-VIN coordination of R&D activities. The growth and good coordination of joint R&D activities within WGs with active participation of industry members remains one of KMM-VIN priorities because it attracts new members from TEB sectors. The INNVIN consortium has been very successful in bringing new members to KMM-VIN Partnership. At the end of 2011 KMM-VIN had 40 members of whom 33 were core members and were 7 associate members. The current composition of KMM-VIN is 70 members of whom 35 are core and 35 associate. Over 30 new institutions have joined KMM-VIN since the beginning of INNVIN project, of which 19 were companies mainly from the conventional energy sector. This is not only an enlargement of the Partnership but also an expansion of the thematic scope of KMM-VIN towards the energy sector, which was not present in KMM-VIN before. The number of new industry members largely exceeded the project target which was set as 10 new members with 5 from industry. It can be concluded that the INNVIN project had a positive impact on the critical mass of KMM-VIN Partnership. Particularly effective in attracting new members were the KMM-VIN Industrial Workshops – a series of events designed within the INNVIN project and executed outside it.The INNVIN project has had a positive impact on the critical mass of KMM-VIN. KMM-VIN AISBL is now a strong European network with a robust critical mass in advanced materials for transport, energy, and health applications, complemented by an expertise in materials modelling. Of 70 KMM-VIN members in total, 34 have chosen WG1. Materials for Transport, 62 are in WG2. Materials for Energy, 31 in WG3. Biomaterials and 36 in WG4. Modelling. The increased size of KMM-VIN is considered as the most visible impact of the INNVIN project achieved through an intensive dissemination campaign by the INNVIN partners.The INNVIN project has strengthened the structuring effect of ERA in KMM domain and helped consolidate the Partnership around the industry-inspired topics of research. It has given this structuring effect a very important context of direct relations with companies from the TEB sectors. The often recalled research methodology of the interrelated processing-characterisation-modelling activities is practically being employed in all projects where KMM-VIN or KMM-VIN members are project coordinators on EU as well as national level. Good examples of this impact are MATRANS (FP7) and KomCerMet (EU Structural Funds for Poland) projects. This integrated research methodology imposes, as a necessity, complementarity of partners’ expertise and infrastructure and reduces the undesirable effect of fragmentation and duplication of research within the KMM-VIN partnership.KMM-VIN AISBL is a transnational organization with objectives that are very European. In the course of INNVIN project this European dimension has been further strengthened by working contacts with other European and national projects and organisations dealing with advanced materials. For example, KMM-VIN has established relations with Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS) in terms of training activities for industry through KMM-VIN Industrial Workshops. KMM-VIN as one of the founders of the European Technology Platform on Advanced Engineering Materials and Technologies (EuMaT) has systematically contributed to its development providing EuMaT with technical input to Strategic Research Agendas and topic priorities for the Work Programmes of FP6, FP7 and Horizon 2020. In addition to the technical input KMM-VIN is providing EuMaT ETP with in kind secretarial services. List of Websites:http://kmmvin.eu/node/103 Other report summaries Periodic Report Summary 1 - INNVIN (Innovative materials solutions for Transport, Energy and Biomedical sectors by strengthening integration and enhancing research dynamics of KMM-VIN)
