LFME
LABORATORY OF FLUID MECHANICS & ENERGY DIRECTOR: PROFESSOR DEMOS T. TSAHALIS31s tMarch 2004 CONSTRINNONET HELLAS
LFME
LABORATORY OF FLUID MECHANICS & ENERGY DIRECTOR: PROFESSOR DEMOS T. TSAHALIS31s tMarch 2004 CONSTRINNONET HELLAS
EXINAC:
EXINAC:
Socio
Socio - - Economic Objectives Economic Objectives
n
n extension of the economic benefits already seen in areas such asextension of the economic benefits already seen in areas such as computer technology and medicine to the construction field.
computer technology and medicine to the construction field.
n
n improvement of the global competitive position and employment improvement of the global competitive position and employment prospects of the European construction industry by properly dire prospects of the European construction industry by properly directing cting and making use of research in nanotechnology. One additional job and making use of research in nanotechnology. One additional jobin in construction is considered to generate two more in other areas.
construction is considered to generate two more in other areas. The The European construction sector generates about 11% of the communit European construction sector generates about 11% of the community’s y’s GDP.
GDP.
n
n contribution to society generally in terms of sustainability, qucontribution to society generally in terms of sustainability, quality of life ality of life and health & safety by the development and application of
and health & safety by the development and application of nanotechnologies and new materials, directing a change in charac nanotechnologies and new materials, directing a change in character of ter of the construction industry to one that is
the construction industry to one that isknowledge, rather than knowledge, rather than resource
resource--based.based.
LFME
LABORATORY OF FLUID MECHANICS & ENERGYDIRECTOR: PROFESSOR DEMOS T. TSAHALIS
31s tMarch 2004 CONSTRINNONET HELLAS
EXINAC: Integration EXINAC: Integration
n
n coco--ordinated programme of activities and meetings assisted by ordinated programme of activities and meetings assisted by establishment of a modern communications network to manage and establishment of a modern communications network to manage and exploit new knowledge
exploit new knowledge
n
n sharing of expensive, specialist research facilities, avoiding dsharing of expensive, specialist research facilities, avoiding duplication of uplication of major investment and increasing their utilisation through co
major investment and increasing their utilisation through co--ordination of ordination of joint research projects.
joint research projects.
n
n coco--ordination of research programmes with associated commercial andordination of research programmes with associated commercial and marketing activities, including IPR management.
marketing activities, including IPR management.
n
n joint, panjoint, pan--European educational and training activities for researchers European educational and training activities for researchers and specialist support staff
and specialist support staff --both for existing staff and for induction of both for existing staff and for induction of new staff
new staff
n
n management of the NoE by a salaried team of staff dedicated to imanagement of the NoE by a salaried team of staff dedicated to its ts objectives, aware of the current RTD and economic situation, and objectives, aware of the current RTD and economic situation, and monitoring developments world
monitoring developments world--wide.wide.
LFME
LABORATORY OF FLUID MECHANICS & ENERGY DIRECTOR: PROFESSOR DEMOS T. TSAHALIS31s tMarch 2004 CONSTRINNONET HELLAS
EXINAC:
EXINAC: Research structure Research structure
n
n
four complementary research ‘platforms’: four complementary research ‘platforms’:
n
n
Bulk Materials Platform Bulk Materials Platform
n
n
Surface and Interface Science Platform Surface and Interface Science Platform
n
n
related to materials modified by alteration of internal related to materials modified by alteration of internal structures at nano
structures at nano- -scale, addition of nano scale, addition of nano- -structures structures and modification of surfaces/interfaces together with and modification of surfaces/interfaces together with their macro
their macro- -applications. applications.
LFME
LABORATORY OF FLUID MECHANICS & ENERGYDIRECTOR: PROFESSOR DEMOS T. TSAHALIS
31s tMarch 2004 CONSTRINNONET HELLAS
EXINAC:
EXINAC: Research structure Research structure
n
n
Sensors, Systems and Products Platform Sensors, Systems and Products Platform
n
n
development of sensors, components, systems, development of sensors, components, systems, devices, etc. for use in the construction sector devices, etc. for use in the construction sector
n
n
Basic Nanotechnology Platform Basic Nanotechnology Platform
n
n
related to fundamental developments in related to fundamental developments in nanotechnology (tools) and nano
nanotechnology (tools) and nano- -science science (understanding)
(understanding)
LFME
LABORATORY OF FLUID MECHANICS & ENERGY DIRECTOR: PROFESSOR DEMOS T. TSAHALIS31s tMarch 2004 CONSTRINNONET HELLAS
EXINAC: Education EXINAC: Education
n
n
development of development of knowledge and skills knowledge and skills of existing of existing workers
workers
n
n
increase in number of primary research staff skilled increase in number of primary research staff skilled and trained in application and use of
and trained in application and use of nanotechnology
nanotechnology - -related scientific and technical related scientific and technical procedures.
procedures.
n
n
increase of skilled and trained supporting staff, increase of skilled and trained supporting staff, essential for exploitation of new technology and essential for exploitation of new technology and increasingly sophisticated tools it offers.
increasingly sophisticated tools it offers.
LFME
LABORATORY OF FLUID MECHANICS & ENERGYDIRECTOR: PROFESSOR DEMOS T. TSAHALIS
31s tMarch 2004 CONSTRINNONET HELLAS
EXINAC: Result EXINAC: Result
n
n
All proposals related to construction All proposals related to construction submitted in the 1
submitted in the 1
ststcall for priority 3 NMP (6 call for priority 3 NMP (6
March 2003) did not passed the evaluation
March 2003) did not passed the evaluation
Proceedings of the regional CONSTRINNONET seminar
“CONSTRINNONET HELLAS”: Summary overview of presentations
CONSTRINNONET HELLAS took place in Athens on 31st of March 2004 (PARK Hotel).
The event was scheduled to be host to 42 registered participants (host organization, speakers, and audience) and was scheduled to start at 9.45 a.m. Out of the total number of participants, the event was attended by a total number of 24 participants. This was due to difficulties for the participants to arrive at the event venue as a result of a national workers strike (scheduled for the very same day), which was publicly announced in the weekend prior to CONSTRINNONET HELLAS. Because of the strike, there were no forms of public transport available throughout the day, resulting in significant traffic congestions thus hindering the normal traffic patterns of Athens. In addition, there was a last minute cancellation of one of the speakers (Hellenic Agroforest Enterprises). The event programme was re-structured to accommodate the absence of this presentation.
CONSTRINNONET HELLAS started at 10.00 a.m. with the welcome of PARAGON to the participants present. Mr. Tsahalis presented the scope of the event as also the programme of presentations (modified with respect to original programme):
§ Dr.Ir. Bakens (NL), CIB: “Innovation in Building: the International Perspective”.
§ Mr. Vangelis Argoudelis (GR), IRC Help-Forward PRAXI Network: “Innovation &
SMEs: The Innovation Relay Centre Network”.
§ Mr. Fernando San Martin (ES), CARSA: “Exploitation of RTD Results: Exploitation within own Business Activity vs. Exploitation through Spin-Outs”.
§ Mr. Harry Tsahalis (GR), PARAGON LTD: “European Research for Innovation in the Construction Sector/CONSTRINNONET: Promoting Innovation in Construction Industry SMEs (FP5 project)”.
§ Prof. Nashwan Dawood (UK), CCIR/University of Teeside: “The Agile Construction Site: Integrated & Visualisation Technologies to Manage the Construction Site”.
§ Mr. Harry Tsahalis (GR), PARAGON LTD: “European Research for Innovation in the Construction Sector/Single-Entry-Point Applications: A Scheme for Dedicated Information Resources at National Level, with European Application”.
§ Mr. Dionysis Photeinos (GR), LFME/University of Patras: “A European Level of Cooperation for Innovation: The Greek Side/INNOCONS: Increasing the Awareness on Innovation in the European Construction Sector (FP5 project)”.
§ Mr. Nikos Milioritsas (GR), PARAGON LTD: “A European Level of Cooperation for Innovation: The Greek Side/From INNOCONS to AG-COAT: Development of New Anti-Graffiti Coatings with Improved Properties (FP5 CRAFT project)”.
§ Mr. Dionysis Photeinos (GR), LFME/University of Patras: “A European Level of Cooperation for Innovation: The Greek Side/From INNOCONS to NANOCONEX:
Towards the Setting UP of a Network of Excellence in Nanotechnology in Construction Applications (FP5 project)”.
§ Mr. Dionysis Photeinos (GR), LFME/University of Patras: “A European Level of Cooperation for Innovation: The Greek Side/From NANOCONEX to EXINAC:
Network of Excellence for Nanotechnology in Construction ion Applications (FP6 proposal)”.
The first presentation of the day was by the Secretary General of the CIB, Dr.Ir. Bakens.
The presentation was entitled “Innovation in Building and Construction: The International Perspective”. The presentation was comprised of two main parts, one being the presentation of the CIB to the audience, and a detailed presentation of the CIB Commissions & Task Groups, and Priority Themes.
The audience was introduced to the CIB, the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction. The CIB was founded in 1953 with UN support, by 43 mainly European governmental research institutes, with an emphasis on technical subjects. The purpose of the CIB is to provide an international network (i) for international exchange and cooperation on research and innovation in building and construction and (ii) in support of an improved building process and of improved performance of the built environment. At present, the CIB is a world-wide network of approximately 5000 experts from over 500 organizations (research;30%, universities;40%, industry;20%, others;10%) from over 100 countries (50% of CIB Members are from the E.U.).
Dr.Ir. Bakens proc eeded to describe the CIB Working Commissions and Task Groups, with which this presentation ended. The CIB has approximately 60 Task Groups and Commissions (covering all aspects of the Building Process and the Built Environment), that have defined Scope and Objectives, Work Programme and Planned Output. Their internal structures consist of (a) coordinator(s) and (b) working groups and/or projects.
Inputs to them are received from all Building Professions, Disciplines and Interests, and from all Cultures. The areas in which the Commissions are active include:
Materials & Technologies Building Technique
Building Physics Buildings Building Design
Built Environment Organisation – Management Building Process
Legal - Procurement
The Commissions and Task Groups, collectively, have approximately 60 international meetings per year (including seminars, workshops, and ‘virtual’ project meetings), and approximately 15 open symposia and conferences per year. The Commissions and Task Groups produce approximately 20 technical and scientific publications (scientific analyses, recommendations for Practice, and pre-standardization documents) each year, as also international state-of-the-art, status and best practices reports, and proceedings.
In recent times, there has been a growing emphasis amongst new commissions in the Building Process Area, and with the Pro-active Approach of the CIB, which has resulted in the establishment of the CIB Priority Themes; these constitute a more direct reflection of global thinking (in the research community) on industry development and change. The CIB Priority Themes are (I) Sustainable Construction/1995, (II) Performance Based Building/1998 (EU-Funded Thematic network PeBBu), and (III) Re-Valuing Construction/2001. Their operation includes Programmes and pre-defined deliverables, Commission projects+member consortia+targeted partnerships, triennial CIB congress theme, and external funding (on occasion). The CIB Priority Themes are of significant importance and their details can be found in the presentations included in the CONSTRINNONET project report entitled “”, as also at the CIB website.
C I B P r o g r a m m e o f A c t i v i t i e s
General topics Building Technique
Materials - Technologies Building Physics Building Design
Buildings Built Environment Building Process
Organisation - Management Legal - Procurement
± 60 CIB Commissions in 7 Areas
CIB Pro-Active Approach with Priority Themes
Targeted Partnerships
Programmes
CIB Congress Themes
External funding
Sustainable Construction 1995
Performance Based Building
1998 2001
Revaluing Construction
Dr.Ir. Bakens ended his presentation with the announcement of the CIB World Building Congress 2004, to take place in Toronto, Canada, from the 2nd to the 7th of March. On a high note, Dr.Ir. Bakens also announced the CIB initiative for the creation of a free- access information database, which will contain all CIB documentation (>1000 items).
This was of significance to the event participants, with regards to facilitated access to information.
The next presentation was made by Mr. Vangelis Argoudelis, of the Innovation Relay Centre Help-Forward PRAXI Network from Greece. Mr. Argoudelis is Technology Consultant. The presentation was entitled “Innovation & SMEs: The Innovation Relay Centre Network”.The presentation was comprised of two main parts, one being the presentation of the IRCs and the IRC network (Europe), and the presentation of the Hellenic Project For Wider Application of R&D (HELP-FORWARD).
The audience was introduced to the Innovation Relay Centres (IRCs), which constitute the European support network for the promotion of research, technology transfer and innovation. The IRC network (2000-2004) consists of 68 consortia in 30 countries (EU, CEEC, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Israel and Cyprus). The IRCs network was established by the Innovation and SMEs programme of the European Commission (DG Enterprise), in 1995. IRCs are hos ted by entities such as Technology Institutes, Regional Development Agencies, Innovation Agencies, Technology Transfer Centres, Chambers of Commerce, and others. The purpose of the IRC network is three-fold, these being (i) to identify local technology offers and demands, and from there on to (ii) facilitate trans -national technology partnerships, and (iii) for the writing of agreements.
The activities of the IRCs, in summary, are Inward technology transfer services (identification of local needs, search for suppliers in the network, assistance in negotiation and implementation phases) and Outward technology transfer services (identification of new technologies from local suppliers, technology promotion in the network, assistance in negotiation and implementation phases). In FP6, the main tasks of the IRC workprogramme include Inward & Outward technology transfer, stimulation of the capacity of companies for adoption of new technologies, promotion of trans-national dissemination & exploitation of Community and EUREKA results, promotion of common trans-national innovation activities (innovation finance, start-up companies, etc), provision of information on the Innovation actions of FP6, and the sign-posting of potential participants for assistance to other services. This segment of the presentation was concluded with the detailed description of the IRC support services - from first contact to signed agreement - and the up-to-date Technology portfolio of the IRC network, along with an extensive examples list of this portfolio (pertaining to the construction sector). Presently, from all technological fields, there are 2,194 technology offers (11.3% of which are from the field of construction) and 517 technology requests
(10.8% of which are from the field of construction). The list of technology portfolio examples (from countries other than Greece) were as follows:
IRC HELP IRC HELP--FORWARDFORWARD
M a r c h 3 1 , A t h e n s M a r c h 3 1 , A t h e n s C O N S T R I N N O N E T C O N S T R I N N O N E T
W o r k s h o p W o r k s h o p
TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY OFFER OFFER REFERRALS
From local partners, or E I C s
IRC AWARENESS actions (conferences, mailing…) C L I E N T S ( S M E , T e c h n o l o g y
C L I E N T S ( S M E , T e c h n o l o g y C e n t r e , U n i v e r s i t y ) C e n t r e , U n i v e r s i t y )
T E C H N O L O G Y T E C H N O L O G Y R E C I P I E N T R E C I P I E N T
T E C H N O L O G Y T E C H N O L O G Y D E V E L O P E R D E V E L O P E R
T T T N E G O T I A T I O N S T T T N E G O T I A T I O N S T T T P A R T N E R S E A R C H T T T P A R T N E R S E A R C H T E C H N O L O G Y A U D I T T E C H N O L O G Y A U D I T
INNOVATION RELAY CENTRES SUPPORT SERVICES
IRC Support services From first contact to signed agreement
IRC Support services From first contact to signed agreement
TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY REQUEST REQUEST
TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY REQUEST REQUEST TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY OFFER OFFER
T T T S I G N E D T T T S I G N E DA G R E E M E N T ! !A G R E E M E N T ! !
A s s e s s m e n t o f T O - TR (IPR Novelty Scan
Scientific Check Market Competitor Scan) I n n o v a t i o n F I N A N C I N G
Abstract
New blower machine technology to blow fibrous materials for house insulation in wall cavities (e.g. cellulose, flax, hemp, sawdust or recycled waste products)-Germany/Already on the market
Innovative software for European Standards in the building sector-Italy/Already on the market
Pre-fabricated houses with high grade of flexibility and energy efficiency-Austria/Available for demonstration New lightened self-bearing pre-stressed slab with thermal insulation-Spain/Already on the market
Lightened hollow-core slab filled with EPS block-Spain/Already on the market
Innovative joint for compression members of 3D pre-stressed structure-Switzerland/Available for demonstration Technology for applying protective coatings on concrete surface using sulphur polymer-Poland/Already on the market New type of concrete ditch extraction machine for civil engineering-France/Available for demonstration
Pole foundation system – for all street furniture applications-UK/Already on the market
Large roof-integrated solar fields, solar facades and solar roofings-Germany/Already on the market
Plastic planks for building construction – easier to handle, lightweight, re-usable 10 times more-Spain/Available for demonstration
Mobile flood protection system-Germany/Already on the market
Mr. Argoudelis then proceeded to present the IRC Help-Forward PRAXI network in detail. Help-Forward was introduced to the audience as the strategic alliance of the industrial and research world of Greece, and whose partners comprise of the Federation of Greek Industries (FGI), the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (FING) and the Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas (FORTH). The objectives of Help- Forward, progressively from 1991 till today, are (a) information on national and European funding schemes, (b) supporting companies and laboratories for the creation of RTD consortia at national and European scale, (c) supporting companies and laboratories for the exploitation of RTD results & trans-national technology transfer. The services in effect provided include (i) promotion of Greek proposals for technological and business collaboration in Europe, (ii) promotion of European proposals technological and business collaboration in Greece, (iii) consultancy support on finding financial sources to fund technology transfer or technology development, (iv) consultancy support in technology transfer agreements negotiations, (v) consultancy support for the exploitation of mature research results and the creation of NTBFs.
In addition to it being part of the IRCs network, HELP-FORWARD has developed a special relationship with the associated Southern Europe Centres. Also, Help-Forward was the NCP (National Contact Point) for FP5 in Greece. Mr. Argoudelis continued with the presentation of the measurable results of Help-Forward for the period 1991 to 2002 (included in the CONSTRINNONET Workpackage 3 report), as also with additional construction sector examples.
Abstract Help-Forward PRAXI network involvement A technology for the exploitation of waste materials,
fertilizers and fly ash for the production of low cost building materials, using traditional production lines
Meditation: Licencing agreement between a British and Greek company
Based on their proprietary Spectral Imaging Technology, researchers from FORTH have developed innovative methods and systems in the area of imaging diagnostics.
Systems provide solutions to several diagnostic problems,
Full Support: New spin-off created, FORTH-Photonics S.A., from FORTH and NBG Venture Capital.
Systems provide solutions to several diagnostic problems, e.g., non-destructive analysis of biological tissues and of objects of artistic, cultural and historic value.
MTS Machinery Tools & Services AG is a micro-SME based on Oetwil am See in Switzerland that has developed novel imaging equipment marketed under the HYTIM®
trademark. This video-based system allows hostile industrial environments, e.g., boilers and furnaces, to be inspected in-situ without shutdown.
Mediation: Technical and Commercial agreement with Controla S.A. based in Northern Greece
The Austrian company Assistenz has developed a new economic technology in the field of D-I-Y houses. It makes possible the building of resource-sparing housing constructions with pre-fabricated panels made from a mixture of cement and wood scrap.
Mediation: Joint Venture with Hellenic Agroforest Enterprises for the exploitation of the technology
An advanced composite concrete/metal building system with enhanced transportability
FRP Stirrups (Shear Reinforcement) in Concrete Elements New confinement reinforcement in concrete elements: Anti- seismic Thoraces
Building construction using a three dimensional structural wire-mesh with embedded insulation core and 3D elements.
Help-Forward Construction Portfolio
This presentation came to a close with information pertaining to support activities of Help-Forward, those being publications (monthly bulletin since 1996) and the organization of information days, partnering events, conferences, exhibitions, technology transfer days, etc. In closing, Mr. Argoudelis also made the audience aware of two forthcoming events in Greece, mainly the 5th International Venture Capital Forum and the Athens Business Club, to take place on 16-17 of June and 13-29 of August respectively.
The seminar was adjourned for the first coffee break. This break was extended time- wise to facilitate the good interaction environment that was initiated between the participants.
The presentation following the break was made by Mr. San Martin, who is an Industrial Engineer and the Administrator of the Madrid branch of the Spanish SME, CARSA. Mr.
San Martin’s presentation was entitled “Exploitation of RTD Results: Exploitation within own Business Activity vs. Exploitation through Spin-Outs”. The overall topic was presented to the audience in detail through consecutive sub-topics, these being (a) the importance of innovation, (b) product development process, (c) exploitation of new products, and (d) business plans.
The presentation started with an introduction of CARSA to the audience. CARSA is a Spanish SME that has been operational for 17 years, and is active in the field of consultancy on Innovation Management. CARSA supports big firms, SMEs and governments in innovative actions, and in addition has coordinated over 20 European RTD projects (current example of which is the EU project PRO-PLUS “Collaborative Validation & Transfer of Regional Support Measures for Start-Ups Creation & Growth in Five N.A.C. Countries”, within PAXIS). CARSA, since 1994 has created 8 firms + Technology Centre, and this has resulted in the creation of the INNOVALIA Group (with a total staff of approximately 300 people). Mr. San Martin continued to introduce what is innovation and what is its importance for an SME; “Innovation comes from the effort for getting differentiated from competitors, seeking how to do things different, in order to gain market share and not being swept apart”. This served to present innovation and to be the basis of how important it is to be active in the field of change. Furthermore, that this change has to be understood as being the result of RTD (basic research, technology