Further developing research results with a clear transfer perspective and creating the basis for concrete commercialisation steps: Five new projects are taking the next step towards application with the TUBAF Innovation Fund (TIF). Researchers will be supported in this endeavour for up to twelve months with a maximum of 90,000 euros each.
"The new projects cover a broad spectrum of key future topics and show how innovative and diverse the researchers' ideas are. The aim is to develop viable follow-up options, for example through collaborations with companies, licensing models or spin-offs," says Juliane Grahl, programme manager at the TIF. "A total of eight teams from different departments at TU Bergakademie Freiberg applied in this funding round."
An overview of the new projects:
- ProWoll (Institute of Inorganic Chemistry): Here, a durable moth protection for specially coated sheep's wool is being further developed and tested in an application-oriented manner to enable its use as a sustainable insulation material.
- SONOVITA (Chair of Measurement, Sensor and Embedded Systems): The aim is to develop an objective procedure for tooth vitality diagnostics to replace the previous, often error-prone sensitivity test.
- ILOnA (Institute of Thermal-, Environmental- and Resources' Engineering Process): A spectroscopic measurement technique is being developed to analyse electrolyte solvents from lithium-ion battery recycling in order to make their recovery economically feasible for the first time.
- HanfPro Institute of Thermal-, Environmental- and Resources' Process Engineering): The project is driving forward the development of a completely bio-based insulating material made from hemp, which should set new standards both ecologically and economically.
- FlexBot (Chair of Software Technology and Robotics): A context-sensitive map concept is being developed for an autonomous delivery robot that significantly improves navigation in complex environments.
The TUBAF Innovation Fund is based at the Prorectorate for Research and Transfer under the direction of Prorectorate Professor Martin Bertau. The selection was made by a jury of academics and practitioners including Professor Henning Zeidler, Professor Sabrina Hedrich, Dr Cindy Krause (IHK), Andre Uhlmann (SAXEED), Dr Stephan Meschke (Central Transfer Office) and Juliane Grahl (Programme Management), who assessed in particular the degree of innovation, feasibility and commercial exploitation prospects. With the TUBAF Innovation Fund, the university is specifically strengthening the transfer of research results to industry and society and supporting scientists in developing their ideas to the point where they are ready for application.
