Funding for photonics cluster
The Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Science has announced approximately EUR 272,000 in funding until 2018 for the activities of the state’s photonics cluster, SpectroNet, to assist with keeping Thuringia ‘on the map’ as a center for optical measurement technology. The money will be put into developing a new office and setting up a center for applications and training. In the years to come, SpectroNet will facilitate the development of new products and applications services, intensify inter-business cooperation and cooperation between businesses and research institutes and open up new markets.
New laboratory for film coating
The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) in Hermsdorf is extending its research department, which develops innovative battery systems, by investing in a new laboratory for manufacturing ceramic films. Two new units will make it possible to pour films that will soon be able to be used in lithium ion batteries, which are used in smartphones and notebook computers. The IKTS worked closely with MKF GmbH in Lederhose, Tridelta Thermoprozess GmbH in Hermsdorf, Suchy Textilmaschinenbau GmbH in Korbußen and other companies in the region.
At last - a qualification for patent engineers
Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena, now offers a further qualification for engineers to become patent engineers. The only Master’s course of its kind in Germany can be studied part-time alongside work. The five semesters of study cover how best to obtain protective rights for a firm’s new developments. This fills a significant gap in the qualifications available in Germany: thanks to engineers with this additional training, firms will be able to protect their innovations from the very beginning.
