Since 2021, the Free State of Saxony has been supporting Saxon research institutions with validation funding. The funding is intended to investigate and demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of research results. This minimizes the gap between the results provided on the research side and market requirements at an early stage. Research results are to be further developed in such a way that they can be assessed by industry for their usability. "The validation funding helps us to implement the transfer of research results faster and more efficiently, thus increasing the chances of successful exploitation in the form of a spin-off or licensing with existing companies," explains Prof. Dr. Tobias Fieback, Vice Rector for Research, International Affairs and Transfer.

The funding primarily allows for two forms of exploitation. On the one hand, the research results can be exploited by licensing with an existing company, on the other hand, the funded projects can result in a spin-off. The projects are supported in the application process and project implementation by the start-up network SAXEED and the Central Transfer Office - both located at the Prorectorate for Research, International Affairs and Transfer. "The positive performance of TU Bergakademie Freiberg shows the great potential of the excellent research of our institutes. I thank the transfer actors of the Central Transfer Office and SAXEED for the comprehensive support of the applications and look forward to the further development of the funded projects!", adds Professor Fieback.

The Free State of Saxony supports the selected projects for a maximum of 18 months with a maximum of 250,000 € from funds of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free State of Saxony. In the future, the funding calls in the directive will be made semi-annually at the beginning of December and at the beginning of June within the funding period 2021 to 2027. TUBAF can submit a maximum of six project outlines per call.

The next deadline for TUBAF-internal submission of project outlines is 10.11.2023. Further information is available from SAXEED (exploitation via spin-off) and the Central Transfer Office (exploitation to established industry).

The following six projects are funded:

PrintFirsT (Foundry Institute - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michal Szucki)

In the project, additive filter systems printed from sand are developed for aluminum casting, which should successively replace the foam ceramic filters established on the market. By printing, flow-optimized filters can be produced for the first time, which disintegrate after their use, due to the thermal effect of the melt. Thus, considerable process-technical, economic and ecological advantages can be achieved compared to the commercially available foam ceramic filters.

AmSelMem (Institute of Organic Chemistry - Prof. Dr. Monika Mazik)

The project deals with the application of organic molecules as components for membranes of ion-selective electrodes for the determination of the ammonium concentration without the disturbing influence of the potassium ions also present in various samples. This application will lead to a significant improvement of the conventional measurement methodology in wastewater treatment plants, industrial plants and medical diagnostics. The project thus makes an innovative contribution in the fields of environment and resources as well as health and nutrition.

PyRolL (Institute of Metal Forming - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Prahl)

In the SAB validation project, the simulation program "PyRolL" is to be validated against different technology variations. The simulation program is used to model manufacturing routes for metallic long products by caliber rolling. For the validation of the simulation results, own experimental data as well as results of market companions are used. The aim of the investigations is to validate PyRolL with respect to robustness, speed as well as model depth.

Aerogel (Institute of Thermal Process Engineering, Environmental and Natural Materials Process Engineering - Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Andreas Bräuer)

The goal is to validate the applicability of novel light- and fluid-conducting capillaries in flow cells for spectroscopy in aqueous samples. Up to three pilot companies are to be acquired for the application of the new technology in Saxony, the flow cells are to be manufactured for their applications and the resulting property rights licensed. In a final market analysis, the expansion of the technology to further areas of application will be elicited and the basis for a possible company foundation will be developed.

GeopaZ (Institute of Technical Chemistry - Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Martin Bertau)

In GeopaZ, the scale-up of up to 100% residue-based geopolymer building materials from non-sort-pure brick recyclates is addressed. The physical properties of these novel materials have the potential to replace conventional building materials without the use of energy-intensive manufacturing processes. Secondary raw material quantities/qualtities, the market size as well as target groups will be determined concretely. The exploitation of the project results is planned with the establishment of a joint venture.

MyGlass (Institute of Thermal Engineering and Thermodynamics - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hartmut Krause)

To decarbonize the glass melting process, processes must be developed that can ensure high glass quality and freedom from bubbles. The combination of microwaves for the melting process with additional electrical heating methods for refining allows rapid melting with maximum atmospheric control. As a result, a very high glass quality is achievable. At the same time, a highly efficient melting process is implemented through the use of the microwave.