Research expertise as a driver of innovation

“Harnessing Research Expertise” Series

In a current series by Wirtschafts-Standort Vorarlberg GmbH (WISTO) in collaboration with the Vorarlberger Nachrichten, regional and national research institutions use specific projects to demonstrate how collaboration between research and business and management works in practice and what marketable innovations can result from it. 

Successful Research Partnerships

Examples from the business and management world illustrate just how valuable collaboration with research institutions can be: Together with the Research Institute for Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics, REZI Microfaserprodukte GmbH developed antimicrobial hygiene wipes as well as a functional knit fabric made from polylactic acid, a fully biodegradable material. The collaboration led not only to new products but also to a patent.

The long-standing cooperation between V-Research and Tridonic also highlights the innovation potential of research partnerships. Together, they developed a new, highly optimized, and likewise patented driver architecture for LED luminaires. In doing so, V-Research addresses long-term research topics that help sustainably secure Tridonic’s technological leadership.

Another example comes from the Human-Centered Technologies Research Centre at FHV in collaboration with the Lustenau-based company Intefox. As part of a joint research project, AI-powered software was developed that intelligently links building technology with user behavior, thereby making buildings more efficient and easier to control.

The collaboration between the Institute for Computer Science in Vorarlberg (ICV-HSG) at the University of St. Gallen and illwerke vkw also demonstrates how research and Business and Management can work together to solve highly complex challenges. The partners are collaborating on an intelligent anomaly detection system to improve the monitoring of hydroelectric power plants. The solution detects and locates unusual events in plant operations at an early stage, utilizing not only traditional operational data but also, for the first time, airborne acoustics as an additional source of information.

“Collaborations between research and Business and Management bring significant added value. Especially when dealing with complex problems, technologies often cannot simply be purchased on the market but must first be developed specifically for the task. This creates significant potential for synergy when concrete practical knowledge from industry is combined with the scientific expertise and methodological approaches of research.” Bernhard Fäßler, Head of Innovation Management, illwerke vkw.

The examples show that collaborations between research institutions and companies provide access to scientific know-how, accelerate innovation, reduce development risks, and facilitate the transfer of new technologies into practice. The series will continue before the summer break with Digital Factory Vorarlberg and in the fall with other supraregional research institutions.  

WISTO’s range of services in the area of technology transfer:

• Networking with suitable regional, national, and international technology providers
• Access to supraregional networks, including access to the services offered by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
• Organization of study tours to relevant research institutions and technology providers
• Technology-focused events such as workshops, collaboration fairs, and innovation forums

Contact

Tina Mäser
Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property
Wirtschafts-Standort Vorarlberg GmbH (WISTO)

+43 5572 55252 20
tina.maeser@wisto.at